Longleat House

Longleat is widely regarded as the best example of high Elizabethan architecture in Britain and one of the most beautiful stately homes open to the public.

The magnificence of the House itself is matched by the splendour of its surroundings; a spectacular mixture of landscaped parkland, lakes and formal gardens.

In 1949 Longleat became the first stately home in England to open its doors to the public. Today it has become - along with its equally famous Safari Park, mazes and other exciting features - one of the country's leading tourist attractions.
It has been the home of the Thynn(e) family for more than 450 years and is currently lived in by the 7th Marquess of Bath, Alexander Thynn.


The Grounds

With its spectacular mixture of open parkland, lakes, woods and formal gardens Longleat's grounds are a delight to explore. Fringed by thousands of trees planted over more than four decades, the park underwent a major 're-fashioning' by 'Capability' Brown under the instruction of the 1st Marquess during the latter half off the 18th century.

This work was continued by the 2nd Marquess who employed Humphry Repton to re-design Half Mile Lake which had originally been constructed as a canal by the 1st Viscount Weymouth. One of the most recognisable features within the park has to be Heaven's Gate. Designed by 'Capability' Brown, this gap in the beech trees offers magnificent views across Somerset. Surrounding the house itself are a series of more formal gardens and buildings including the mysterious Secret Garden and the beautiful Orangery (now used as the idyllic setting for weddings). Longleat is now home to no less than five mazes including the World's Longest Hedge Maze!


The Safari Park

In 1966 Longleat caused a revolution in the world of zoological collections by becoming the first location outside of Africa to open a drive-through Safari Park.

For the first time the Safari Park allowed animals to move freely across hundreds of acres of land and to interact naturally with each other.

Within a short space of time, Longleat's ground-breaking innovation was being repeated at wildlife collections all over the world.
Today the concept of the drive-through safari park has been recognised as one of the most progressive developments in zoological exhibitions ever seen.

More than 30 years later this unique way of allowing the public to see wild creatures in natural surroundings still delights and amazes hundreds of thousands of visitors to Longleat each year.


Opening times

LONGLEAT SAFARI PARK :
Open daily from 5th April to the 2nd November 2003, 10am to 4pm (10am to 5pm on weekends, Bank Holidays and during school holidays)*

LONGLEAT HOUSE :
Open daily from 1st January to the 31st December 2003 (excluding Christmas Day).
Easter to September 10am to 5.30pm.
Rest of year guided tours at set times (on the hour every hour) between 11am and 3.00pm)*

OTHER LONGLEAT ATTRACTIONS :
Open Daily from 5th April to the 2nd November 2003 11am to 5.30pm*

Please note that last admission times may be earlier due to shorter daylight hours in April, September, October and November