Longleat House is located in the Wiltshire countryside and is the home of the Marquess of Bath. Built in the late 16th century, the property is set within 900 acres of beautiful landscaped parkland designed by the famous ‘Capability’ Brown. There is also 8,000 acres of lakes, farmland and woodland, along with a range of visitor attractions. Longleat has become increasingly well known after it featured on the BBC series Animal Park and offered an insight in to the stately home and the safari park on the grounds. With plenty to see and do here, for the whole family a trip to Longleat is worth considering.
Attractions
Longleat House is a famous country house and is regarded as among the finest examples of high Elizabethan architecture in the UK. The stately home is among the finest in the UK and offers visitors with a range of attractions and places of interest. John Thynne built the house at Longleat in the 16th century and over the years has been subject to alteration and expansion resulting in the house as it is today.
A visit to the house and the various attractions on the estate offer visitors the chance to see one of the finest stately homes in the UK which retains a great sense of history and heritage.
The Great Hall is a centrepiece room in the house and is the only remaining Elizabethan room at Longleat, it has a chimney piece, panelling and beams. The ceiling is supported by a number of beams and the room is approx 11 metres in height. Notable features include coats-of-arms and the Gallery that was added to the room in the mid 17th century. There are paintings by John Wootton that were commissioned specially for the Great Hall by the 2nd Viscount Weymouth. There are also large antlers that are derived from prehistoric Giant Fallow Deer.
The State Dining Room is one of the most striking rooms at the house, the room has been used by residents of Longleat as a place to entertain dignitaries and royalty over the years. Famous visitors include Queen Elizabeth I back in 1574 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1980. The rooms were subject to redecoration in the late 19th century, the ceiling is ornate and there are a number of paintings too. On the walls there is Spanish leather made in Cordoba along with displays of 17th and 18th century family portraits. There a number of interesting and historical furniture pieces contained in the State Rooms including examples of 17th and 18th century furniture.
The Dress Corridor displays a number of dresses on display, a number of which were the dresses of Frances, the 4th Marchioness. The collection dates from the 19th century. There are coronation robes on display used for the coronation of Edward VII back in 1902 and the 19th century wedding dress of the 3rd Marchioness. There are also ceramics on display including examples of 18th and 19th century pieces including Worcester and Crown Derby porcelain.
The Safari Park is one of the most famous features of Longleat, the Safari Park opened back in 1966 when it was seen as a novel idea and an innovation. The safari park has provided a model for other safari parks in the UK since that time, the safari park at Longleat remains a popular attraction for visitors. At the park visitors can drive through the park itself through a number of enclosures each with a different theme.
The themes range from the East African Reserve to the Deer Park to the Big Game Park to the Pelican Pond, with a range of exotic animals to see. Visitors can take a relaxed cruise on the Safari Boat where they will see the Hippo Pools and the Gorilla Park. In the safari park visitors can see up close the range of wonderful animals from zebras to giraffes to cheeky monkeys to magnificent lions and tigers and others.
There are a number of attractions designed especially for children; these include the Adventure Castle with its rope bridges, the Postman Pat Village and the Blue Peter Maze among others. There are plenty of activities and things for children to do to keep them amused.
How to Get There
The site is accessible by both car and public transport.
By Car:
The distance from London is approx 110 miles with a journey time of approx 2 hours 10 minutes.
From the North region: Take the M4 motorway until junction 18 then take the A46 towards Bath and then the A36 towards Salisbury. Longleat located off the A362.
Longleat is located off the A36 between Salisbury and Bath. It is also off the A362 Warminster to Frome road.
From the South East area: Take the M3 motorway until junction 8 and take the A303. Drive along the A303 until the junction with the A36 and take the A36 towards Bath. Longleat is located off the A362.
From the South West area: Take the A303 London bound, then the A350 towards Warminster then the A36 towards Bath and Longleat is located off the A362.
Drivers should follow the brown tourist signs on the roads for Longleat House.
Parking at Longleat is available free of charge on the site.
By Train:
The closest train station is located at Warminster some 5 miles from Longleat. Warminster Station is on the Cardiff to Portsmouth line.
A little further away is Westbury station some 12 miles from Longleat, from here there are connections to London and is on the Paddington to Penzance line.
From either station visitors can use taxis to take them to Longleat.
Contact Details
Longleat House
Warminster
Wiltshire
BA12 7NW
Telephone: +44 (0)1985 844400
Fax: +44 (0)1985 844885
email: enquiries@longleat.co.uk
Website: Longleat
Facilities & Information
Opening Times:
For the House
Open Daily (except Christmas Day)
Mon to Sun: 10.00 to 17.30 approx (opening times vary, it is advisable to check before going).
It takes approx 45 minutes to 1 hour to see the house.
For Safari Park:
Open from Mid April until November
Mon to Sun: 10.00 to 16.00 approx (17.00 at weekends & bank holidays)
It takes approx 90 minutes to see the Safari Park.
There are a range of opening times for the house, safari park and other attractions depending on the time of year, it is best to fully check timings before you go.
Further Information:
Admission Prices:
House & Grounds
Adult: £12.00 approx, Children: £6 approx, Concessions: £7 approx.
Safari Park:
Adult: £12.00 approx, Children: £8 approx, Concessions: £9 approx.
Passport Ticket (entrance to all attractions)
Adult: £23.00 approx, Children: £15 approx, Concessions: £17 approx.
Note: The passport ticket allows visitors to come again to see any of the attractions they may have missed on one trip (each attraction can be seen once only), allowing more flexibility.
Facilities:
Cellers Cafe offers a variety of snacks and meals along with drinks and refreshments.
The Wessex Pavilion is a restaurant offering a range of food and drink for visitors including fish and chips, lasagne and a range of vegetables.
There are toilets and baby changing facilities on site.
There are also a number of gift shops at the site that offer visitors a range of gifts and souvenirs.
Map
View Larger Map
For Local Search and Directions see: Longleat House Map
Tips & Other Considerations
There may be some variations on the opening hours depending on the time of year and the attraction you wish to see i.e. the house, events and activities. It is wise to double check before going to ensure the attraction you wish to see is open and avoid disappointment.
Follow common sense travel tips and remain alert, vigilant and aware of your belongings at all times especially your wallet/purse and valuables and ensure they are hidden away from public view. If you have a bag try to use a shoulder bag with a good quality, strong strap, that is put across your shoulder not on your shoulder making it more difficult for anyone to take your bag.
If you are travelling by car to Longleat ensure you are well prepared with maps and Sat Nav to aid your journey, particularly if you are not familiar with the local area and roads. Use the journey planner to find door to door directions and check traffic news before travelling.
If you are travelling by public transport, check for service updates prior to beginning your journey for any delays, disruption or cancellations to services that may impact on your journey. Ensure you have the service timetables for the trains, buses and coaches. Remember when the last services are and ensure you make it to the train/bus/coach stops well in time to avoid missing the service.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
