longleat safari park bat cave

Top choice in Wiltshire

Half ancestral mansion, half wildlife park, Longleat was transformed into Britain's first safari park in 1966, turning Capability Brown's landscaped grounds into an amazing drive-through zoo populated by a menagerie of animals more at home in the African wilderness than the fields of Wiltshire. There's a throng of attractions, too: the historic house, animatronic dinosaur exhibits, narrow-gauge railway, mazes, pets' corner, butterfly garden and bat cave.

It's just off the A362, 3 miles from Frome. Save around 10% by booking tickets online.

Longleat was the first English stately home to open its doors to the public. That decision was prompted by finance: heavy taxes and mounting post-WWII bills meant the house had to earn its keep.

The house itself contains fine tapestries, furniture and decorated ceilings, as well as seven libraries containing around 40,000 tomes. The highlight, though, is an extraordinary series of paintings and psychedelic murals by the present-day marquess, who was an art student in the ̓60s and upholds the long-standing tradition of eccentricity among the English aristocracy – check out his website (www.lordbath.co.uk).

Longleat is open until 7pm on many summer weekends.

near Warminster

Get In Touch

01985-844400

https://www.longleat.co.uk

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6 things to do at Longleat in the rain

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I love a sunny day as much as the next person but when living in the UK you have to be prepared for all weathers. It happened that on the day we were invited to  review the  Festival of Light at Longleat Safari Park it was a wet day. Urgh! Just what was there to do at an animal park like Longleat in the rain?

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After the briefest hesitation (and hating the idea of wasting a day inside), we grabbed our waterproofs and a large dose of British grit.

2020 UPDATE: Longleat has reopened after shutting during lockdown Expect a few differences.

The Safari Drive Through and walkthrough areas are open, including Koala Creek, Animal Adventure, Jungle Kingdom, Family Farmyard, Rockin Rhino and the grounds and gardens.

Some attractions will remain closed until it is safe to reopen. Please check the attraction’s website for more information about visiting Longleat during COVID-19.

Things to do at Longleat in the rain

Longleat is the UK’s number one safari park with a drive through safari, a jaw-dropping historic house, train, lake cruise, maze and animal enclosures with creatures of all shapes and sizes.

There is much more to do than you will have time for in one visit and a lot of it is ideal for wet weather.

Here’s what we found to do at this safari park during a damp December day:

Contents - jump to what you'd like to know

Longleat’s drive through safari

This part of your visit is made for rainy days.

See the park’s free roaming animals from the comfort of your own car or the safari bus which you can book on arrival and pick up from the Main Square (£5 extra per person).

Despite the rain we saw plenty of animals including zebra, the infamous monkeys, deer, and the big cats.

Top tip : the safari will take about two hours, so make sure you use the toilets at the entrance or the African Village which is your first stop.

Also pack plenty of snacks for the little monkeys inside your car! Once you enter the drive through safari there’s no stepping outside.

Longleat House

This Elizabethan house is regarded as one of the country’s finest stately homes open to the public and as soon as you walk through the doors you understand why.

It is breath-takingly decorated with artwork that has been in the owners’ family for 15 generations – what an opulent place to hide from the elements!

There are tapestries on the walls and elaborate designs on the ceilings. If it hadn’t been for the fact we had two fidgety under fives with us I could have stood agog in each room for hours. Tours of the house are available or you can look around under your own team.

Top tip : pushchairs are not allowed around the house but you can ask for a hip carrier for young children. 

The Bat Cave

Prepare yourselves for a close encounter with the Egyptian fruit bats that live in this manmade cave.

You walk through their domain and can see them up close, feeding on fruit snacks. Every now and again one will zip past you, which is a bit of a thrill.

Don’t worry about them bumping into you though. The bat keepers on hand will explain all about their special technique for avoiding collisions with visitors.

Meet the penguins and rays

Check out the Humboldt penguins as they duck and drive around their aquarium which is a recreation of a South American beach.

There are large windows through which you can see them zooming around under water. You can also spot eight types of sting ray in an undercover pool.

Handle crawly and cute critters

The Animal Handing Hall is the place to go if you want to hold some of the safari park’s smaller residents. Keepers have everything from snakes to guinea pigs ready to meet you here.

The Jungle Cruise

Climb onboard the Jungle Cruise for the best views of Longleat’s Californian sea lions, gorilla colony and hippos. The covered boats sail up and down the lake, slowing down to give you a peek at the animals.

You can also buy fish onboard to feed the sea lions, who are only too happy to splash around in return for a snack.

We visited in the weeks before the park’s beloved gorilla Nico passed away. He lived on one of the islands in the lake as was one of the world’s oldest silverbacks.

What else is at Longleat Safari Park?

Luckily for us there there was just a mild drizzle all day so we still got to experience some of the other attractions at Longleat. The hedge maze – Britain’s biggest one – and Rockin Rhino ride (suitable for kids over 90cm) were big hits with the Tin Box girls.

There’s also a children’s farmyard, railway, and adventure castle to keep kids amused. We couldn’t have fitted it all in if we’d tried.

Longleat ticket prices

Longleat tickets cost just over £100 for a family of four with children over three-years-old if bought in advance.

For the most up to date ticket prices see the Longleat website .

There are special deals if you are visiting for two days rather than one and booking your tickets online, two days before visiting, saves you up to 15%. If you buy annual passes you’ll make your money back in about three visits.

Places to stay near Longleat

There are plenty of options for places to stay near Longleat whether you’re looking for a resort, lodge or a caravan site. Here are some recommendations to check out:

• Bath Mill Lodges  near Bath in Somerset – luxury lodges for families and couples less than 40 minutes drive from Longleat. We have stayed here and loved the relaxed atmosphere paired with luxurious holiday homes close to the UNESCO city of Bath.
• Caalm Camp near Shaftesbury in Dorset – luxury glamping yurts for families and couples just 40 minutes drive from Longleat. This is a fun option for people who love to camp but don’t like slumming it. We stayed in December and were toasty warm.
• Longleat Forest Center Parcs in Wiltshire – this woodland resort is right next to Longleat so offers a great location for a stay alongside a safari park visit. You’ll also find plenty of activities taking place under the canopy of the 100-year-old Giant Redwood trees.
• Longleat Caravan and Motorhome Club site in Wiltshire – you can’t get closer than this caravan site which is located within the estate. Bring your own accommodation and hear the lions roaring at night!

Disclosure: we were given free entry to Longleat to see the Festival of Light . I’m sharing this extra post because I thought it might be handy for those visiting Longleat in the rain or shine. All opinions are my mine.

Planning a trip to Longleat. We hope you have sun but in case of bad weather, why not pin this post about things to do at Longleat in the rain for reference.

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Thursday 13th of June 2019

whats the awesome baby carrier shelf thing?

Claire Hall - Tin Box Traveller

Friday 14th of June 2019

It's a Freeloader. You can read more about it here: https://tinboxtraveller.co.uk/freeloader-child-carrier-review/

Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays

Sunday 18th of February 2018

Not been to Longleat for years (even before children) time to revisit .... with or without rain!

It was a LONG time since out last visit too. Very much pre-kids and I think was under ten myself!! Shocking really

Travelling With Our Kids

Friday 9th of February 2018

I have always wanted to go to longleat but we are too far away for a day trip. If we are ever in the area I will try add it in. Safari parks are great for the whole family #Mondayescapes

Monday 12th of February 2018

It's a bit far for us too. We stayed over at a glamping site. It made it such a fun weekend

Sarah Christie

Thursday 8th of February 2018

I looks fab I would love to see the festival of lights x

It's beautiful Sarah! I really lovely Christmas event

Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me)

Wednesday 7th of February 2018

The bat cave sounds very exciting indeed! Great tip about using the loos before setting off on the safari, too. I can imagine how bad it would be if you had a desperate youngster in the car :-) #MondayEscapes

Yes! 'I need to go' is not what you want to hear in the Big Cat enclosure :)

Top Family Attractions - Plan Your Visit To Longleat

Barmy aristocrats, a family feud, a great Elizabethan house and lions in the backyard - why would anyone not want to visit Longleat?

Not too long ago the BBC program All Change at Longleat   offered viewers a revealing behind-the-scenes look at what's been going on since the endearingly loony Lord Bath (Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath) handed over the business reins of the Longleat estate to his much less colorful son and heir, Viscount Weymouth.

The show was better than a soap opera as Ceawlin (the Viscount, whose name is pronounced Syoolin ) and his new wife Emma took over the place and immediately fell out with the old man. It's available on YouTube and it's worth a look in for a giggle.

Meanwhile, life goes on as normal for visitors to the great stately home and amazing safari park. Here's what you need to know to plan a visit.

First A Bit of Background

Longleat has been welcoming visitors since the late 1940s. The house an outstanding example of High Elizabethan architecture in England , was the first stately home ever opened to the public on a commercial basis. In a way, Henry, the 6th Marquess, father of the current Marquess of Bath, pioneered the tourism genre of stately homes as multiple activity attractions.

In 1966, Longleat opened the first drive-through Safari Park outside of Africa. It has since been seen by millions, worldwide, through the BBC's Animal Park television series.

Today, Longleat, set within 900 acres of Capability Brown landscaped park and 8,000 acres of woodland, lakes and farmland, is crammed with family activities and attractions, including:

Longleat House

Completed by 1580, Longleat was already a splendid house when it was visited by Queen Elizabeth I in 1574. Today's visitors can enjoy the remarkable collections of one family who have looked after the house for 14 generations, over 400 years. Among its treasures are masterpieces of Italian Renaissance and seven libraries (some of which are included in tours) filled with 40,000 books - the largest private collection in Europe.

One of the gorier items in the family collection is the bloodstained waistcoat worn by King Charles I at his execution. You can see it displayed in the Great Hall.

The notorious murals and portraits painted by the current Lord Bath decorate the private apartments and can be seen on morning guided tours of the ground floor. One reason for the family feud, as seen in the BBC documentary, was Viscount Weymouth's removal of one of the murals - his wife said they smelled. She meant they smelled of oil paint, but some art critics have been of the same opinion.

Longleat Safari Park

When Longleat first opened its safari park in the 1960s, the locals worried about lions roaming around the Wiltshire countryside. It's not an idle worry.

One of the revealing snippets of All Change at Longleat was the fact that estate managers carefully check the three miles of fencing around the safari park every day. They don't expect the big cats to tunnel out. But if a large branch falls in the night, it could provide a ladder for a lion or tiger to climb over a fence.

Visitors don't have to worry - as long as they stay safely locked in their cars. As you drive through, you can expect close encounters with wolves, giraffes, rhinos, two prides of the famous black-maned Longleat lions and, if you are lucky, the shy Siberian tigers. Thegangs of Rhesus monkeys that commit all kinds of mayhem on cars passing through the monkey jungle are very popular with families. And, if you take a boat ride on the park's lake, you may spot members of the new colony of lowland gorillas on the island in the middle. This was once the home of Nico, the park's Silverback gorilla who was one of the world's oldest known Silverbacks and a widower. He lived in splendid isolation on his own island. Sadly, Nico died at 56 years of age in 2018. The new gorillas are now settling in.

Also settling in is the family of Koalas. The park has created an Aussie paradise for them at Koala Creek.

Besides being a park attraction, with more than 100 species to see, Longleat plays a vital role in international breeding, conservation and rescue programs. Every year there are new arrivals. In 2019 the park celebrated the birth of two Amur Tiger cubs. This endangered species is the world's largest cat. Later in the year, seven wolf cubs were born in Wolf Wood.

Longleat Essentials

• Where: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 7NW England
• Phone: +44 (0)1985 844 400  
• Visit their website
• Open:  Longleat House, the Safari Park and the Adventure Park (with a superb Maze) are open from late March to November 1, from November 13 to December 6 and from December 11 to January 3, except for Christmas Day. Last admission and closing times vary based on daylight hours. Check the website for dates and times because opening days and hours vary slightly from year to year.
• Admission: Adult, child and senior tickets (for 60+) are available for the whole park, including Longleat House, or for the house and garden only. No family tickets are offered but online tickets cost 15% less than full price.
• By car: Longleat is just off the A36 between Bath and Salisbury on the A362 Warminster – Frome road. It's about 106 miles and 2.5 hours from London.
• By train: From London, take the Paddington to Penzance service to Westbury Station, 12 miles from Longleat. Warminster Station, 5 miles away, can be reached from London Waterloo, changing at Salisbury or from London Paddington, changing at Bath Spa. Check National Rail Enquiries for times and prices.    Taxi s from both stations can be booked.

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When viewing a Venue, all of the thumbnails can be enlarged by clicking on them. On mobile devices you can also zoom in further using touch gestures (pinch with two fingers to zoom in and out).

Map Options

Longleat house and gardens and safari park, warminster, wilshire, ba12 7nw.

Accessibility:

Please check the venue website for more in-depth accessibility details.

There are designated parking facilities in the car parks.

Queue Assist Scheme is available.

Toilet facilities : Accessible toilets are located at/or near the following areas

Entrance to Safari Drive-Through, Bat Cave(A changing bench and hoist is located here), Jungle Cruise, Cellars Cafe; Chameleon Tree and Coffee House.

Baby changing facilities are available as above.  A Baby Centre is located near the Nature's Kingdom which has baby warming facilities and high chairs.

Wheelchair hire must be booked prior to your visit.

Please note: Assistance dogs/dogs are NOT allowed in a number of areas, please check the venue website.

Longleat House

Access to the house for limited mobility/wheelchair users is located at the rear.  A lift is available which allows access to all floors.

Due to conservation reasons - Low levels of light are in in operation.

Only TWO wheelchairs are permitted in the house at any one time, due to fire restrictions.

Pushchairs are NOT permitted into Longleat House. There is a pushchair park at the rear of the house.

Jungle Cruise

Pushchairs are not permitted.

Limited mobility and wheelchair users can access the area, a ramp to and from the boat is available. A restriction of 4 wheelchair users per boat is in operation.

Longleat Railway(Santa Train)

It is advisable to pre-book tickets for the railway as it is a popular experience.

A specially adapted carriage is available for wheelchair users. Limited to one place.

Pushchairs can be left at the pushchair park.

Longleat Hedge Maze

This area is unsuitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs.

Adventure Castle

Wheelchair and pushchair friendly.

Other attractions and areas.

Narrow pathways, cobbled pathways, steps and steep ramps exist in a number of areas.

Chameleon Tree Restaurant and Coffee House

Pushchair and wheelchair - fully accessible by ramp access

Cellar Cafe

Accessible via the rear of Longleat House for pushchair and wheelchair users.

Brief description:

Longleat House is a fine example of an Elizabethan Stately House completed in 1586, with gardens and grounds landscaped by Capability Brown. The estate has been owned by the Thynne Family for 15 generations and is now occupied by the 7th Marquess of Bath.  There are guided tours of the house interior available every day.

The Drive-Through-Safari Park opened in 1966 was the first of its kind in Britain.  There are a number of wild animals to be observed on the tour and within other areas of the park.

Longleat House, Warminster, Wilshire, BA12 7NW

[email protected]

01985 844400

https://www.longleat.co.uk/

Directions:

Longleat House and Safari Park is located between Bath and Salisbury off the A36.

The M3 (Junction 8); the M4 (Junction 17); the A303; A36; all serve and are easily accessible routes for reaching Longleat House and Safari Park.

Opening Times:

Open daily 10.00 - 5.00 

Please check the venue website for up-to-date and extra opening hours and additional events.

Adult : £34.95; Concession : £31.45; Child : £26.20; Carer's : Free admission

15% Discounted tickets available if purchased online.

Tickets allow entrance to: Safari Park, Cheetah Kingdom, Monkey  Drive Through, Lions of Longleat, Jungle Kingdom, Monkey Temple, Hedge Maze, Longleat House and Gardens.

There is a regular bus service around Wiltshire.

For more travel information go to- http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/parkingtransportandstreets/publictransport/transporttimetableinformation.htm .

Longleat House and grounds have a number of restaurants and cafes on site, there is also a gift/souvenier shop located in the Stables Courtyard.

The town of Bath is approximately 18 miles away

The City of Salisbury is approximately 25 miles away

Both places have supermarkets, shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.  There are railway/bus stations available in both areas.

Nearest Venues

The Bath Arms, Horningsham, Wiltshire

1.14 miles*

Horningsham, Wiltshire

1.24 miles*

St John's Church, Horningsham, Wiltshire

1.30 miles*

Congregational Chapel, Horningsham, Wiltshire

1.43 miles*

Centre Parcs (holiday resort), Longleat Forest, Wiltshire BA12 7PU

1.71 miles*

West Woodlands, Somerset

2.27 miles*

*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.

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Bat cave is awesome! - Longleat

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Longleat is amazing. I have been many times as it is fairly close to where I live in Wiltshire so I... read more

Great day out, animals are very well looked after and the park is clean. Very informative keepers... read more

Bat cave is awesome!

Highlight for us this time was the bat cave - have visited zoos across the USA and Europe but never actually walked about in a cave with fruit bats flying around you and eating fruit only inches away from us- it really was something exceptional and something we won't ever forget. Handy that we could leave our dog in a kennel at the entrance and the staff we met at the ticket office and all around the park were all superb. On the downside we arrived quite late and the deer and birds had all eaten so much that there wasn't an opportunity to feed them - will have to get there earlier next time! Cd to play in the car while driving though the safari park was a nice touch.

It's approx £30 for an adult ticket and the highlight of the trip is the safari. We saw most of the animals (except the monkey enclosure -avoid if you are partial to your windscreen wipers/wing mirrors/arial!) and feeding the deer was a favourite (approx £1 a pot), they will stick their heads right into your car window! Other opportunities to feed animals include sea lions on the boat and lorikeets in their enclosure. Lots to do and see. Food is a little expensive so I would suggest taking a picnic if the weather warrants it. Children of all ages will enjoy. The gift shop was moderately price and you can find plush toys of almost every animal you see on your visit.

It has been many years since a visit when it was just Longleat House and I recall being absolutely captured by the beauty of the house as you approached down the long drive. It was the same but after that somewhat of a disappointment. Although most reviewers seem to think it is value for money I feel it is somewhat overpriced. Unfortunately we had bought two small dogs with us and we expected to be able to walk them on leads through the extensive grounds. I had failed to look at the website thoroughly to find they have recently changed their policy and no dogs are allowed despite signs still remaining around the park stating that dogs are not allowed beyond certain points. At the entrance to the safari park the staff member jokingly asked if we had any animals , she was shocked when we said yes. We were directed to a very small area with about 6 kennels where we were to leave them. This marred our visit really. The safari drive was extremely slow and we failed to spot kangaroos & cheetas , only 1 tiger , no elephant , 2 wolves. Try explaining all that to a child. Take notice of the suggestions that you leave the safari till later in the day ; avoid a busy Saturday in August. The house was far from as I recalled it inside and many rooms are now so dimly lit that you are unable to appreciate the probable opulence. I think overall it was a somewhat disappointing day and I fear overpriced though I appreciate it is an expensive place to maintain.

Went as a family day out, walked around the house and gardens as well as the attractions and of course the safari. Booked tickets online which saved some money and would recommend doing that! Food was good from the cafe and reasonably priced. Would visit again!

Tiger feeding experience was incredible !! Would really recommend, the drive Thru Safari was also good fun!! Monkeys do cause damage. Longleat house itself is worth a walk round too. Would love to come back to do more experiences!!

I've visited Longleat several times in the past and after the first visit realised that the safari was really not worth the price so subsequently paid to visit the house and gardens which I seem to remember were reasonably priced. Clearly the last visit was several years ago because today I paid £45.50 for myself and 2 children to visit just the house and gardens. When I asked if I could pay extra to access the adventure castle I was told that I would have to upgrade my tickets to full entry tickets to access all areas which then cost an additional £40 (nearly). After a lengthy queue to upgrade the tickets I was told I'd have to go elsewhere to upgrade as the machine had been moved. Then came another lengthy queue for the safari boats while tolerating people smoking over everyone else in the queue. We then left in plenty of time to make the drive through safari but on leaving there were no signs directing us where to go for the safari and ended up in another queue of traffic where we ended up at the exit so by the time I turned to go back to the safari we'd missed the last admission time so we paid all that money and didn't even get to do the safari! The children were obviously extremely disappointed and I feel completely ripped off. Additional charges also applied for pretty much everything once you're inside they really try to fleece you. Never again, there are so many free days out that we'd have enjoyed so much more. I work full time all year round be treated like this?

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Take the kids to … Longleat, Wiltshire

Longleat, with its safari and adventure park, has a roar appeal for families, allowing kids to get up close to smaller animals. But with so much to do make sure you plan your visit to cram it all in

In a nutshell Opened in 1966 by the sixth Marquess of Bath, Longleat was the first safari park outside of Africa. More than one million visitors came to see the 50 lions in the first year. Now there are 1,250 animals in the safari park and a ‘‘Jungle Kingdom” where animatronic dinosaurs stand among the enclosures of otters, lemurs, binturongs (funny, moustachioed tree-climbing animals) and more, plus an array of extra attractions from a stingray pool to a bat cave. We were there from 10am till 5pm but ran out of time, missing the house – the first stately home in the UK to open to visitors in 1949 – giraffe feeding, and the hedge maze.

Fun fact Nico, a western lowland gorilla, is 54 this year: the second oldest gorilla in the world.

Best thing(s) about it For little children getting up close to the smaller creatures is probably more exciting than seeing the bigger animals from the car. You can enter the lorikeet cage where the colourful birds perch on your arms and head as you hold out a paper cup of nectar (£1 a pot); walk alongside meerkats and waddling Humboldt penguins; hold giant snails, snakes and tarantulas in the Handling Hall. The biggest hit for my five-year old was the parrot show where various characters whistle, rollerskate, play football and basketball on command.

I was impressed by the staff. We were allowed to take a second boat tour of the lake for free when my son missed out on feeding fish to the Californian sea lions the first time around. We saved the safari park for the afternoon when it’s less busy. Highlights for us were seeing wolves loping about the forest, feeding deer who poke their heads through your car window and watching monkeys scampering over vehicles – you can avoid the area if you are worried your aerial and windscreen wipers might get chewed off. Thankfully, our car emerged intact.

What about lunch? Food is underwhelming and on the expensive side: a bottle of water costs £2.20. The Tropical Storm cafe is a big canteen-style restaurant with a deli counter selling paninis and hot food, such as lasagne and chicken curry (both £8.95, kids’ versions £4.95). We brought a packed lunch and sat at a bench next to the wooden castle in the adventure play area. If it’s raining you could picnic in the Orangery, a lovely spot looking out across to the main house (cakes £3.25). The Cellar cafe in the house sells main meals as well as cream teas, brownies etc.

Exit through the gift shop? The Handling Hall leads directly to the shop where young eyes are magnetically drawn to the rows of cuddly toys, animal figurines, sweets and games.

Getting there Easier by car. Warminster station is six miles away, from there it’s a taxi ride.

Value for money? One-day ticket: adult £28; child (3-14) £20; two-day: adult £38.65; child £30.55. Annual pass: adult £88, child £70.20. It’s so vast that a free repeat visit included in the one-day ticket price would be welcome.

Opening times Daily from 20 March-1 November, 10am-5pm (7pm at peak times and school holidays), longleat.co.uk

Verdict 9/10. It was a massive hit with my son, who spent the first hour saying: “Thank you mummy. I love this place.”

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The bath arms.

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Longleat Safari and Adventure Park

Warminster, wiltshire, ba12 7nw.

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park contains three attractions in one location: A drive-through safari park, a walk-through adventure park and a house and gardens.

The Safari Park including Cheetah Kingdom, Monkey Drive-Thru, the Lions of Longleat and the African Village with Giraffe feeding (additional charge), Lemur walkthrough and Baobab tree and rope bridge. You can also now book Deadly Adventure tickets, where you will get a CD guide to play, voiced by Steve Backshall (TV presenter) and a Deadly Safari activity book to use as you drive round the park. Then after your Safari you can engage in the 'Deadly Challenge' a six zoned area, where you test your physical and mental abilities, comparing them to animals you met on your safari.

The Adventure Park includes Jungle Kingdom, a multi-million pound attraction where rainbow lorikeets drink nectar from your hand and monkeys swing down from the trees and you can enjoy a leisurely trip on the Jungle Cruise and the Jungle Express train. In Animal Adventure you'll find shows about exotic creatures. In Deer Valley you can hand-feed the deer. Other Adventure Park attractions include: Adventure Castle (adventure playground), Hedge Maze, The Bat Cave, Motion Simulators, Tea Cup Ride, King Arthur's Mirror Maze, Life and Times of Henry, Lord Bath, Family Bygones Exhibition, Scale Model of Longleat House, Meet My Ancestors Exhibition and Penguin Island (opening July 2013).

The House , a stunning stately home with ornate paintings and an abundance of gilt was built in 1580 and is currently home to the 7th Marquess of Bath. 40 minute guided tours are available every morning between 1000 and 1145. The gardens are 900 acres of stunning ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland.

• Eateries include The Tropical Storm Cafe, The Cellar Cafe, Pizza Piazza, The Orangery and The Watering Hole Cafe.
• Shops include Trading Post, Nature's Kingdom, Out of the Wild, Lady Bath's shop, Victorian Kitchen shop and Gifts and Treasures.
• Tickets available for all three attractions or just the house and gardens.

Opening Times & Ticket Prices:

• Please visit the Longleat Safari and Adventure Park website for opening times and prices.

Before you start your journey to Longleat Safari and Adventure Park for your day out, we recommend that you check their website or contact them to confirm opening times and admission prices.

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Longleat Safari and Adventure Park

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park is an open-air zoo that was the first drive-through safari park outside Africa when it opened in 1966.

Longleat had been open to tourists since 1949 but as an increasing number of stately homes began opening their doors to tourists, Henry Thynne, sixth Marquess of Bath, needed a unique edge to attract visitors so he created the 40.4ha (100-acre) safari park. This transformed Longleat into more than just another stately home and on its opening day in 1966, the safari park was so popular that there was a 6.4km- (4 mile)-long queue to visit the park.

What to see at Longleat Safari and Adventure Park

The zoo is now home to over 500 animals and the park is divided between the drive-through animal park where large African wildlife roams free and smaller animal enclosures that are more in line with what you would find at a traditional zoo.

The drive-through safari park

Longleat’s focus remains on African wildlife in the drive-through part of the park.

After entering the drive-through safari park, you first drive through Bongo Pass where you can see elands before arriving at the African Village car park. At the African Village, you can get out of your car and visit the gift shop, cafe and public toilets and also visit the viewing platform where you can see giraffes and zebras and there is also a lemur walk-through area.

After leaving the African Village, you can drive through an area where you can see tapirs, vultures, warthogs and zebras. After this, you can drive through the monkey area, it is possible to bypass this area if you don’t want the monkeys to destroy your car (or more likely, your rental car company doesn’t want you to ruin their car).

Then there is a loop that takes you through the Anne’s Haven area where you can see an ex-circus elephant named Anne and another loop that takes you through the deer section.

The final part of the drive-through safari park takes you past tigers, lions, cheetahs, hyenas and wolves.

Main Square

Longleat’s Main Square is the part of the park that more closely resembles a regular zoo. This is the area with more conventional animal enclosures as Longleat’s famous hedge maze, its miniature railway, a children’s play area and the adventure castle.

Some of the animal enclosures at the Main Square include the Bat Cave where you can see Egyptian fruit bats, the Jungle Kingdom where you can see aardvarks, giant anteaters, meerkats and porcupines, Monkey Temple where you can see lorikeets, marmosets and red pandas, Koala Creek where you can see koalas and wombats plus an area with crocodiles and giant otters.

The Jungle Cruise on Half Mile Pond lets you see sea lions, hippos and gorillas.

The Family Farmyard area (near the safari bus departure point) features tame animals including donkeys, goats, rabbits, emus and wallabies.

Adventure Castle is a popular area for children aged 14 and younger. It is an elaborate adventure playground complete with zip wires and tube slides.

The Longleat Railway is a miniature railway that has been operating since 1965. It takes you on a scenic trip around a 2km (1¼ mile) circuit of the woodland north of Longleat House. A trip on the miniature railway gives you the opportunity to spot wildlife including sea lions and hippopotamuses. The railway runs every half-hour starting at 11am and the journey lasts around 12 minutes.

With over 2.4km (1½ miles) of paths, Longleat’s maze is Britain’s largest hedge maze. The maze is made up of over 16,000 English yew trees. Most people spend anywhere between 20 and 90 minutes to find their way through the maze.

Christmas at Longleat

Christmas at Longleat is a seasonal attraction that operates throughout December and into early January. This includes a number of Christmas-themed attractions including the Enchanted Christmas Tree show, the A Flight Before Christmas owl show and a light display synchronised with Christmas tunes.

There is also a Santa Train that takes you to the North Pole where you can meet Father Christmas in his grotto.

Visiting Longleat Safari and Adventure Park

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park is located on the Longleat estate which is around 6.5km (4 miles) from Warminster. There is not any public transport available to the park and virtually everyone who visits drives here. However, it is possible to arrive by taxi from Warminster.

Motorcycles, scooters, convertible cars and cars with soft sunroofs are not allowed into the drive-through area of the safari park.

You can take the double-decker safari bus if you came here by taxi from Warminster (or if you have a vehicle that is prohibited in the park). The safari bus tour takes around 1½ hours and includes a 20-minute stop at the African Village. It includes the Monkey Jungle area but it does not visit the Deer Park. The bus tour costs an additional £5 per person.

There are also several VIP experiences which range from personalised safari tours in small groups (usually no more than six people on a tour) to animal feeding experiences. Some of these can be rather expensive although the Bronze VIP safari tour is a great option if you’re visiting without a car (or you don’t want to drive your car through the park) and many people recommend the animal feeding experiences.

Despite the higher cost, the Bronze VIP safari tour works out better value than paying for the damage that the monkeys will inflict on your rental car and it provides a much more intimate experience than visiting on the double-decker safari bus.

The VIP feeding experiences include entry to the Longleat Safari and Adventure Park for that day, which can make the price seem a little more reasonable.

Giraffe, sea lion and rainbow lorikeet feeding are much cheaper experiences than the VIP feeding experiences. Giraffe feeding costs between £2 and £5, sea lion feeding costs £1 for a cup of fish and it costs £1 for a pot of nectar for the rainbow lorikeets.

It is not a cheap place to spend the day but there is a lot that is included in your entry ticket and there is enough here to keep you busy for the entire day. Most attractions and activities are included as part of your entry ticket (including the Jungle Cruise and the miniature railway), however, the safari bus, the VIP safari tour and some animal feeding experiences are an additional charge.

Although annual passes are expensive, they may be a good option if you live nearby, particularly as these give you discounts if you’re visiting with friends or family.

It is open from February until the end of December.

There are two ticketing options if you’re visiting in December when the seasonal Land of Light attraction is operating. You can either book an all-in-one ticket that lets you visit the safari park and Land of Light or you can book a Land of Light-only night ticket that only gives you access to Land of Light. As this is a nighttime event, Land of Light operates from 4pm daily (it gets dark around 4pm at this time of the year) and all-in-one ticket holders can visit the safari park and see Land of Light between 4pm and 5.30pm. Then the park will close and reopen around 6pm for Land of Light-only ticket holders who can stay until 8pm.

The proximity of the Longleat Safari and Adventure Park to the manor house means that it is possibly England’s most child-friendly stately home. This makes it a great attraction for the entire family. You can get your dose of culture by visiting the big house and then your kids get to see the animals, play in the Adventure Castle, ride the miniature railway and get lost in the maze. It’s a great day out for the whole family.

Most of the complex is wheelchair accessible including the safari bus, the miniature railway, the maze and the jungle cruise.

Longleat is a large self-contained complex that includes several places to eat and drink. This includes the Watering Hole Cafe in the African Village at the drive-through safari park as well as the Chameleon Tree Restaurant and the Pizza Piazza in the Main Square. There are also a couple of places to eat and drink at Longleat House. There are also four different gift shops in various parts of the complex.

This is a full-day excursion, particularly if you bundle it with a visit to Longleat House. In fact, you can easily spend 90 minutes just trying to find your way out of the maze.

• Free parking
• Wheelchair access
• Cafe/restaurant

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Longleat Safari Park - 21st April

Description.

· Longleat House · Jungle Cruise · Bat Cave

Start at 21-04-2024 , 6:30 AM End at 21-04-2024 , 9:00 PM

• £35 - (Infant 0 - 3)

LONGLEAT SAFARI PARK

We will depart at around 7:30AM from our pick-up point in Wembley for wonderful attractions and adventurous place. We will reach the fun packed family park named Longleat Safari Park at around 10:00AM. Once we reach there, we will hand over your 1 day unlimited attraction ticket which is included in your travel fare. You will have many options to encounter your anxiety by visiting different attractions like:

• Longleat House
• Gardens and Grounds
• Jungle Cruise
• ?Gorilla Colony
• ?Penguin Island
• Monkey Temple
• Jungle Express
• Animal Adventure
• Jungle Express Railway
• Longleat Hedge Maze
• Adventure Castle and hands on experience with the wild and furry creatures.

Longleat was used as a location for filming  GURUKUL  University in the Bollywood movie  MOHABBATEIN  starring SHAHRUKH KHAN & AISHWARYA RAI. So it would be a memorable place to visit for all the  Bollywood  lovers and take their snaps at such a destination.

There are few meeting with the animals’ experiences and chance to visit parrot and other birds show. We will give you time till 4:30PM to explore the place.

We will then leave for SAFARI, which will be a drive through experience and will notably take you close to creatures that you have always dreamed about. As we all know since childhood that Lion is the king of Jungle and this king was always found in cages but Longleat Safari is the place where you will encounter this King moving around your vehicle. That moment will be a lifetime thrilling experience and you will be amazed to see those Lions and their cubs so close to you.      

  So be ready to mind the zebras crossings, the rhinos right of way, watch out for the wolves and beware of the meddling monkeys. Despite 100’s of animals to discover you will also come across deadly Tigers. So there will be opportunities to coincide with LIONS & TIGERS on your way and you will also have a chance to view the Elephant and Cheetah Kingdom.

After the adventurous day out, we will depart for our way back to London at around 5:30pm and whist travelling back you will have a glimpse of historical Stonehenge through the motorway and wish to travel there as well with us as soon as possible.

We aim to reach London by around 9:00pm

*Please Note: LONGLEAT HOUSE is not included in this and you will need to purchase separate ticket from the park to visit inside*

Please Note: We will visit Safari in our own vehicle.

*Please note that we are not responsible for any attractions that closed by attraction authority*

PICK-UP POINTS  

EAST HAM  - 6.15am outside EAST HAM STATION, HIGH STREET NORTH,  E6 2JA .

ILFORD  - 6.30am at ilford hill bus stop. Next to ilford station. Outside icon building ,  IG1 2FB . 

WEMBLEY  - 7.15am outside Shri Vallabh Nidhi Mandir (sanatan mandir) ealing road , wembley,  HA0 4QH .

HOUNSLOW  - 7.45am   outside Hounslow central tube station,  TW3 1JG .

NOTE - PICKUP & DROPOFF POINT WILL BE SAME.

·           £75 – Per Adult (above 15 years)

·           £70 – Per Child (3-14 years)

·           £35 - Infant (0 to under 3years)

Price Includes

·           Complete Return Journey

·           Entrance to Safari park

·           Entrance to Longleat house and all other attractions (one day passport ticket)

Price Exclude

·           Any expense of personal nature.

·           Any expense for food or snacks during  the day.

ALL BOOKINGS TO BE CONFIRMED AT 07778 335 336 .

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the departure time. 

If you have your own group of family and friends then we can arrange private tour for you whenever you want. We have very comfortable 8 seater and 16 seater vehicles for your journey. 

For more information please call  Yatin  on  07778 335 336 .

DATES FOR NEXT DEPARTURE 2024:

March – 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24,30,31

Aprill - 3,6,7,10,13,14,17,20,21,24,27,28

May - 1,4,5,8,11,12,15,,18,19,22,25,26,29

June - 1,2,5,8,9,12,15,19,23,26,29,30

July- 3,6,7,1,13,14,17,20,21,24,27,28,31

Aug - 3,4,7,10,11,14,17,18,21,24,25,28

Sep - 1,4,7,8,11,14,15,18,21,22,25,28,29

Oct - 5,6,12,13,19,20,24,27

Nov - 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24,30

Dec - 1,7,8,14,15,21,22,28,29

• Check prices

Find your break

Highlands End

Graston copse.

Immerse yourself in the animal kingdom with a visit to the UK’s original safari park. Are you ready for six and a half miles of incomparable drive-through experience with over 40 different species to see? Enter a land of adventure where lions roam, tigers stalk and monkeys swing.

In the main square there is plenty to see, including koala creek, giant otters and crocodiles, a jungle cruise on the lake, the gorilla colony, jungle kingdom, monkey temple, the bat cave and more. There are family-friendly activities including the hedge maze, the family farmyard, adventure castle and the longleat railway.

Make your visit even more memorable with a VIP experience. Feed the gorillas, get up close and personal with penguins or go behind the scenes with red pandas. Explore the Longleat House with its sweeping corridors and grand rooms that transport you back in time. Exploring this stunning example of high Elizabethan architecture is a day out in itself. Discover 15 rooms of the stately home, see the art collection, explore the formal gardens and view the exhibitions.

Events throughout the year include a food & drink festival, the sky safari with hot air balloons, firework displays and the festival of light, which is not to be missed. Longleat is open throughout most of the year and tickets can be booked online in advance or on the day upon arrival.

Book online to guarantee your entry

Where to find Longleat

Based on 21606 reviews

Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW

/// hope. quilt. racing

55.2 miles from Highlands End and Eype Beach

56.0 miles from Golden Cap

56.3 miles from Graston Copse

48.8 miles from Sandyholme

01985 844400

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Beautiful Bath & Longleat Safari Park

Why not visit Koala Creek, The Bat Cave, the Family Farm and a host of unmissable wildlife wonders?

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The Stately Home at Longleat was Britain's first drive-through Safari Park, opening to the public in 1966. Today it is unrecognisable, with so much to see! Why not visit Koala Creek, The Bat Cave, the Family Farm and a host of unmissable wildlife wonders?

Return coach travel

1 night half board

Admission into Longleat Safari Park

Free time in Bath

Please note: Admission into Longleat House is not included

We travel to Bath, a city so special that it's been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether you're travelling with friends or with the kids, Bath has something for everyone. Hit the high street filled with independent shops, indulge in one of the many restaurants, visit the filming locations of Bridgerton or explore the original Roman baths - there's so much to do!

Go wild as we visit Longleat Safari & Adventure Park. Start your safari at the African Village, where you can get up close to the graceful giraffe and walk amongst the adorable lemurs before setting off for an exhilarating drive-through experience. Next, take advantage of the Longleat Railway or Jungle Cruise before exploring Koala Creek - home to England's only Koalas! Gorilla Colony, Jungle Kingdom and Monkey Temple. After our visit, we return home.

Leonardo Hotel Swindon 4*

Located on Fleming Way, this modern hotel is a short walk from the town centre and boasts a contemporary restaurant, bar and stylish guestrooms.

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To make a booking firstly select the correct number of passengers that will be travelling. This will perform an availability check to see that there is sufficient space on the tour. If the date you want is available select the Book Now button and you will be guided through the online booking process. If your date is unavailable you can use the Call Back facility to discuss further options.

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Belgrave Road

Skills, Belgrave Road, Bulwell, Nottingham, NG6 8LY. Registered in England Number 546349. VAT Registered Number 660 5538 34.

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Warminster BA12 7NW

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park in Wiltshire, England, was opened in 1966 as the world's first drive-through safari park outside Africa.

Longleat Safari Park, located in Wiltshire, England, is one of the UK's most popular tourist destinations. It's an incredible place to spend a day with family or friends, surrounded by a variety of wildlife, stunning scenery and endless entertainment. The park was opened in 1966 and was the first drive-through safari park outside of Africa. It's home to over 500 animals from all over the world, including lions, tigers, rhinos, zebras, and many more. The best part of the park is that visitors can drive their own cars around the park to get up close and personal with the animals, making it a truly unique experience. One of the park's most popular attractions is the Safari Drive, a 40-minute tour of the park where visitors can observe the animals in their natural habitats. The drive is a bumpy but thrilling journey that takes you through different habitats, from the African savannah to the Asian jungle. The highlight of the drive is the ‘Monkey Drive-Through’, where visitors can watch monkeys jumping on the car and playing on the roof. Aside from the Safari Drive, Longleat also offers a variety of other activities to keep visitors entertained. There's the Jungle Kingdom, where visitors can get up close with lemurs, monkeys and reptiles, and the Bat Cave, where visitors can see different species of bats flying around. The park also offers boat trips on the lake, where visitors can see the animals from a different perspective, and a helicopter ride, which provides stunning views of the park and the surrounding countryside. One of the newest attractions at Longleat is the Longleat Hedge Maze, a massive maze made out of hedges that visitors can explore. It's one of the largest hedge mazes in the world and is a fun challenge for visitors of all ages. Longleat Safari Park is also a great place for families, with a variety of children's rides and activities. The park has a play area, a petting zoo, and a carousel, as well as many other attractions designed especially for kids. In conclusion, Longleat Safari Park is a must-visit for anyone looking for an exciting and unforgettable day out in England. With its combination of wildlife, entertainment and scenic beauty, it's a great way to spend a day surrounded by nature and adventure. Whether you're traveling with friends or family, Longleat is sure to provide a day full of memories that will last a lifetime.

Things to do nearby

Located in the idyllic county of Wiltshire, Longleat Safari & Adventure Park is one of the UK's most famous and beloved tourist attractions. With its combination of stunning wildlife, historical architecture, and exciting activities, Longleat offers something for everyone. But what if you want to explore the surrounding area and discover other nearby gems? In this article, we'll take a look at some of the top places to visit and things to do within easy reach of Longleat. First up is the charming town of Frome. Just a short drive from Longleat, Frome is a picturesque market town that boasts a wealth of independent shops, galleries, and cafes. The town's historic architecture, including the 17th-century Trinity House and St John's Church, is a must-see for anyone interested in local history. On the first Sunday of every month, Frome hosts a bustling artisan market, where you can browse for unique souvenirs, try local foods, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere. Another nearby attraction that's well worth a visit is the mystical Stonehenge. Located just 40 minutes from Longleat, this iconic prehistoric monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts millions of visitors every year. The stone circle, which is thought to have been built around 2500 BC, is surrounded by a landscape that is steeped in ancient history and legend. While you're there, be sure to explore the Neolithic Houses, which offer a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the people who built and used Stonehenge. For a taste of quintessential English village life, head to the village of Lacock. This charming hamlet, which is just a short drive from Longleat, has been preserved largely unchanged since the 18th century. The village is famous for its beautiful abbey, which was founded in the 13th century and has been used as a filming location for numerous period dramas, including Pride and Prejudice and Downton Abbey. You can also take a stroll around the picturesque streets, which are lined with crooked timber-framed houses, and enjoy a cream tea in one of the village's cosy cafes. If you're looking for a fun family day out, then look no further than Bath. This historic city, which is around 45 minutes from Longleat, is renowned for its Roman Baths, Georgian architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. Kids will love the interactive exhibits at the Roman Baths Museum, while adults can indulge in some retail therapy at the city's many boutique shops and independent galleries. And if you're in need of some relaxation after a busy day, why not visit one of Bath's famous spas and soak in the natural hot springs? Finally, for nature lovers, a visit to the ancient woodlands of the Forest of Dean is a must. This beautiful forest, which is around an hour's drive from Longleat, is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna, including wild boar, deer, and buzzards. You can explore the forest on foot or by bike, following one of the many waymarked trails that criss-cross the area. And if you're feeling adventurous, why not try your hand at some outdoor activities, such as canoeing or climbing? In conclusion, while Longleat Safari & Adventure Park is undoubtedly one of the UK's top tourist attractions, the surrounding area has plenty of other sights and experiences to offer. Whether you're interested in history, culture, nature, or just good old-fashioned fun, there's something for everyone within easy reach of Longleat. So why not extend your trip and discover some of these hidden gems for yourself?

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Cornwall college rehomes Longleat bats after safari park closes exhibit

Coronavirus restrictions prevented the exhibit, which was in a small inside space, from opening

By Daniel Blank

Submitted by The Cornwall College Group

A college based in Cornwall that runs courses in animal management, veterinary nursing and zoology has recently welcomed 30 Egyptian fruit bats from Longleat.

After the safari park decided to close their bat cave exhibit, in part due to the impact of coronavirus rules, Bicton College in Pool, Cornwall, welcomed the nocturnal creatures to their site where they will be cared for by the animal management team.

Students at the college will now have the unique opportunity be able to learn more about the bats, which are said to be settling in well, as part of their course or qualification.

Jess Hill, head instructor at Bicton College, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to welcome the bats into our collection, our animal management team are really excited to work with them and be able to encourage our students to gain knowledge about a species that they may not have worked with before.

“These bats will provide our learners with great opportunities to carry out research projects, animal husbandry and develop zoo keeping skills to be able to go into the animal management industry. Their individual personalities have started to shine through now they have settled in and we love them.”

Longleat customers had been unable to see the bats in person for most of the last season as coronavirus restrictions prevented the exhibit, which was in a small inside space, from opening.

The park has also decided to restore the building in which the bats lived to its former glory as the old coach house of Longleat’s Elizabethan stately home.

Longleat Safari Park is located in Warminster in Wiltshire.

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Koala Creek at Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire

The last time I went to Longleat Safari Park, a monkey made off with a strip of rubber from the top of my car. So this time, heading back with my daughter to see the new Koala Creek at Longleat, I was prepared for what lay ahead.

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But with a long gap between my first visit and our trip at Easter, I discovered the Longleat koalas weren’t the only new addition – and was reminded of just how much there is to pack in to a visit to Longleat with kids. More than we had chance to in one day, for sure.

Armed with a CD narrated by Kate Humble to accompany us around the safari park drive – loved the feeling of our own personal commentary in our own car – the only question was what to do first? Explore the animals on foot around the Main Square, including Longleat’s Koala Creek, take the boat trip out to see sea lions or drive into the grounds to spy the big cats and those cheeky monkeys? The safari won out.

On a Saturday in the school holidays, I was wary of what kind of queues we might face – we arrived as early as the journey would let us, after staying overnight at Brooks Guesthouse in Bath , exploring part of the Great West Way .

Check out my top things to do in Bath with kids if you’re visiting the city

After a pitstop to see the lemurs, scampering around their walk-through enclosure, as giraffes and zebras strolled in the distance, I decided we’d made the right choice.

The initial string of cars spread out, with only the occasional wait at the gates between animal areas, and we could drive along at our own pace.

And in two flutters of a flamingo’s wing, there we were. The Monkey drive-through.

Jauntily casual as they car surfed or sprang enthusiastically from wing mirror to bonnet to boot, I’m not sure who was having more fun: Minnie and I watching, or the furry inhabitants.

And then… it was our turn. A thud of small furry paws, and a face gazing in through the windscreen. And this time they rather helpfully cleared out all the dead leaves which had collected around the top of the bonnet as a snack.

I think we had six monkeys in total clambering over my car as we cruised through the enclosure (word evidently got around)! And only a minor nibble on the aerial and windscreen wipers – they both still work. 

Even cuter was the chance to watch the babies, some with adult monkeys practising those all important ‘how to balance on a roof’ skills as well as tiny ones playing in the grass – one showing off a distinctly impressive backflip routine for the sheer fun of it.

Frankly the next animals had a high bar to live up to – but after some ultra fuzzy camels and a glimpse or two of some rhinos, we were into big cat territory: Tiger Territory, Lion Country and Cheetah Kingdom to be precise, followed up by wolf wood (and a sneaky peek of a shy hyena).

And unlike some animal experiences where all you see is ears poking up through the long grass, we were in luck – lionesses stretched out in the spring sunshine and a lion lounging nearby, tigers burning bright against the green grass and cheetahs yawning and stretching.

One of the highlights of the six and a half-mile drive had to be seeing the wolves though.

Spotting these shy animals isn’t always easy but here they were on display, strolling across the road in front of us, or trotting over to the rest of the pack while crows hopped through the grass as if the big bad wolf was simply a fairytale.

Leaving the car and heading over to the smaller animals around Jungle Kingdom and Animal Adventure, the giant otters were equally relaxed, snoozing together in a sunny spot. 

But our first stop was Koala Creek, home to four southern koalas brought to the UK from Australia as part of a conservation project – the only koalas in England. First, there are interactive boards with information about the koalas – as well as the hairy nosed wombats who share the enclosure.

Who knew that they sleep for 20 hours a day? Is it wrong to be jealous of a koala…?

They certainly looked very relaxed – we spotted three of the group all dozing happily in their trees, two clinging to the trunks in that classic koala pose, one which appeared to have surrendered utterly to its nap, simply flumped forward and dozed off. All seriously cute and the unconcerned centre of attention.

They’ve got eucalyptus trees to nibble on, scenting the whole area, plus a section to explore outdoors: despite the sunshine, there was a proper April breeze, so I couldn’t blame them for curling up inside and waiting for summer to arrive.

One of the hairy nosed wombats had other ideas and was contentedly basking as visitors filed through the one-way walk through and out, my six-year-old practising her own koala impression as we left.

The Longleat Railway had reopened in time for Easter, the little train running a loop past the Monkey temple, with its red pandas and marmosets, and along the lakeside, but we stuck to exploring on foot, spotting porcupines and meerkats, macaws and lorikeets before venturing into the bat cave where Eygptian fruit bats swooped over our heads in the semi-darkness.

Then down to take a Jungle Cruise (sit on the right hand side for the best views), with more red pandas entertaining us as we queued, and inquisitive sealions sleeking through the water towards the boat – not least because they know they’ll get fed, leaping expertly up to snatch fish in mid air

The hippos, on the other hand, were two greyish lumps fast asleep in the mud on the bank but we saw gorillas on the far bank, in their tree-filled colony.

No chest beating today, just a lumbering strut as one of the younger gorillas roamed through the grass.

Which left just enough time for a stroll in the gardens, although no chance to look inside the house or test our navigational skills in the maze, while the family farmyard also has to wait for another visit, along with the refurbished Adventure Castle, reopening after our visit.

Instead we fired up Kate Humble once more at my daughter’s request, as we drove through the Somerset and Wiltshire countryside.

There may have been no lions in the grass, no monkeys perched on the windscreen and no koalas dozing in the trees this time – but as we brushed up on our animal facts, it was the perfect way to remember some of our favourite moments of the day. And my bonnet has never been cleaner…

For more ideas of what to do on the Great West Way with kids , check out my tips, including the best things to do in Bath with kids

Need to know: Visiting Longleat Safari Park

Tickets to Longleat cost from £29.95 for adults and £22.45 for children aged 3-15, and must be prebooked. Children aged under three go free but currently need a ticket, with morning and afternoon entry slots for the safari.

Parking at Longleat is free. There are also normally two-day tickets, annual passes and other options, including a joint ticket with Cheddar Gorge ( currently unavailable).

Longleat opening times vary throughout the year, but the park opens at 10am and closes between 5pm and 7pm – check the full opening times for Longleat Safari Park here . Longleat house is open from 11am.

There are shows throughout the day as well as various animal experiences – some daily in the Animal Handling Hall, along with VIP experiences for an added fee. There’s a minimum age requirement for many of these – for example the red panda feeding is for children aged 8+ only.

There’s also a safari bus if you don’t want to drive through the safari park yourself, including live commentary (and no risk of the monkeys eating your windscreen wipers). Tickets cost an extra £5 and must be booked on the day. If you’re visiting during off-peak months, there are only usually two safari buses per day, and it’s first come, first served…

If you’re driving yourself through the safari park, Longleat suggests skipping the morning queues and visiting in the afternoon – check the boards for the last entry time, and make sure to allow at least 15 minutes to get from the car park to the Safari Drive-through entrance.

Most visitors spend 2-3 hours exploring here, depending too on how long you stop in the African village.

You can take a bypass route to avoid the monkeys if you’d like to see the other animals. No soft top cars or ones with vinyl sunroofs are allowed.

Some areas of Longleat aren’t accessible to buggies although there are pushchair parks to leave them (not always covered and at your own risk). You can’t hire pushchairs for your visit.

There is a Queue Assist scheme if you’re visiting Longleat with children with additional needs.

If you want to explore everything at Longleat, you do really need more than one day – there are various accommodation options and packages available. The Bath Arms is on the edge of the Longleat Estate as is Center Parcs Longleat , while the Best Western Angel Hotel in Chippenham where we stayed often has package offers and is around 45 minutes drive. For some family-friendly luxury, Woolley Grange , is around half an hour away. 

For more of the best safari parks in the UK , check out this great post on Mini Travellers

PIN FOR LATER: KOALA CREEK AT LONGLEAT

Disclosure: My visit to Koala Creek at Longleat was courtesy of Longleat Safari Park. All opinions, including whether to risk my car aerial at the hands of the monkeys, are my own. This post contains affiliate links: any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission.

Images copyright MummyTravels

Award-winning family travel blogger and mum to the mini traveller, aka Minnie. Together we've visited Europe, America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, tried a cruise and a road trip, and survived countless long-haul trips. London (UK) based. Serious beach habit.

It looks like you had such a lovely day out. We haven’t been to Longleat since Athena’s second birthday – she’s eight in August! Really must visit again x

It was really fun – I’d forgotten just how much there is to do there. It is a long time since my last visit, so I suspect there’ve been quite a few new additions along with the koalas too.

I haven’t been to Longleat for years but your post has really made me want to go back – especially to see the koalas!

Thanks! And they’re lovely – definitely a good reason to return. It had been so long since I was there, I’d forgotten just how much there is to do!

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Home » News » Longleat Bats find new home at Bicton College  

28th January 2021

Longleat Bats find new home at Bicton College  

The animal zone of Bicton College welcomed some new arrivals last week, after 30 Egyptian fruit bats from the UK’s top safari park were in need of a new home.

The nocturnal creatures, which are said to be settling in well, arrived at the college following Longleat Safari Park’s decision to close down their ‘bat cave’ exhibit, in part due to the impact of coronavirus rules.

However, in their new home at The Cornwall College Group’s leading land-based facility, the bats will be cared for by an expert animal management team whilst students will enjoy the unique opportunity to learn more about them as part of their course or qualification.

Jess Hill, head instructor at Bicton College, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to welcome the bats into our collection, our animal management team are really excited to work with them and be able to encourage our students to gain knowledge about a species that they may not have worked with before.

“These bats will provide our learners with great opportunities to carry out research projects, animal husbandry and develop zoo keeping skills to be able to go into the animal management industry. Their individual personalities have started to shine through now they have settled in and we love them.”

Longleat customers had been unable to see the bats in person for most of the last season as coronavirus restrictions prevented the exhibit, which was in a small inside space, from opening.

The park has also decided to restore the building in which the bats lived to its former glory as the old coach house of Longleat’s Elizabethan stately home.

The rehoming of the bats has signalled the next step of what could be an exciting partnership between the UK’s favourite safari park and the leading land-based college, which can provide the first step towards a career in the zoo industry.

As well as animal management, veterinary nursing and zoology, Bicton College, located near Budleigh Salterton in East Devon, offers leaners the opportunity to study a wide range of courses and qualifications including land-based engineering, military and protective services, horticulture and much more.

Bicton College forms part of The Cornwall College Group which boasts a new, highly experienced leadership team that is delivering exceptional opportunities, facilities and training to all of its learners.

For those interested in the courses and opportunities available at Bicton College, a virtual courses and careers advice event is being held on February 6 from 10.00am until 12.00pm. To register to attend the event, please visit  HERE

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Safari Park's 50th Anniversary

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Wiltshire’s Longleat Safari Park will host a year-long program of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of its safari park with events featuring animals, acrobats, dancers, musicians, gymnasts and more. Still one of the UK’s leading wildlife attractions, it was opened to the public in 1966 by the sixth Marquess of Bath. The first of its kind to be created outside of Africa, Longleat, which dates back to 1580, saw animals able to move freely across hundreds of acres of land and interact naturally with each other. The groundbreaking concept of a drive through a safari park proved a hugely popular draw for visitors and began a revolution in zoological collections that spread across the globe. Today the safari park is home to more than 1,250 animals as well as animatronic dinosaurs and attractions that include everything from a stingray pool to a bat cave. The Gardens of Longleat, designed by Capability Brown, are also worth a look. longleat.co.uk ; visitbritain.com

Tags: England , Tigers , UK , Wildlife

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