Tucked into the verdant Wiltshire countryside, Longleat is a rare and dazzling blend of heritage, wildlife, and family adventure. It’s more than a day out—it’s an escape into a world where Elizabethan grandeur meets lions on the loose, where manicured gardens give way to monkey mayhem, and where summer days unfold with spectacle and charm. This year, Longleat is bursting with reasons to visit, whether you’re travelling with children, indulging in nostalgia, or simply seeking a day filled with wonder.

At the heart of the estate lies Longleat House, an architectural jewel of the English Renaissance. Built in the 16th century and still home to the Marquesses of Bath, the house offers an intimate glimpse into history. Visitors can wander through rooms filled with gilded ceilings, antique furniture, fine art, and tapestries, including rare personal items such as a bloodstained shirt once worn by Charles I. The grounds surrounding the house—designed by none other than Capability Brown—include wide, open parkland, Baroque parterres, fountains, and the famed hedge maze, the longest of its kind in the world.

But Longleat is also famed for pioneering something rather less refined: the original UK safari. Since 1966, visitors have rolled down their windows to encounter giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and lions roaming freely across the estate. It’s a thrill to drive past lounging big cats or to watch monkeys clamber over car roofs, a moment of untamed wildness in the heart of England. For a more curated experience, guests can join a VIP safari tour in a zebra-striped Land Rover or double-decker bus, where rangers share behind-the-scenes stories and insights into animal behaviours.



Beyond the car-based safari, the pedestrian areas at Longleat offer a trove of encounters. Jungle Kingdom allows you to come nose-to-nose with meerkats, red pandas, otters and porcupines, while Koala Creek is home to the only koalas in England. The Boat Safari glides across Half-Mile Pond, revealing a resident gorilla colony on its own island, playful sea lions that will swim alongside your boat for a snack, and agile monkeys darting through the trees. Each section has been thoughtfully designed to bring you closer to nature, with animal welfare at its core.

This summer, Longleat comes alive with events and experiences designed to enchant all ages. The African Summer celebration transforms the park with colourful floats, dancers and themed performances, while the Sky Safari hot-air balloon festival fills the skies with a kaleidoscope of over 50 balloons—including the iconic lion balloon, Simba. For younger guests, the inflatable realm is an epic 650ft playground of bounce and energy, complemented by the Adventure Castle’s splash zones, zip wires, and slides. Even rainy days are well catered for, with indoor attractions like Wings of the World and the new Little Explorer’s Garden.

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Accessibility is another area where Longleat shines. The estate offers accessible safari buses, boat boarding, mobility scooter hire and fully equipped changing facilities—ensuring every guest feels welcome and included. And for those looking to linger longer, Longleat’s range of luxurious self-catering cottages offer front-row views of the park. Imagine sipping a morning coffee as giraffes graze in the distance or relaxing in a tub overlooking the grounds after a day filled with discovery.

For families, nature lovers, history enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike, Longleat is a celebration of everything that makes summer in Britain so memorable. With daily tickets priced from around £39.95 for adults and £29.95 for children (under 3s go free), it remains one of the best value days out in the country. From stately halls to roaring safaris, from carefully preserved history to future-forward conservation, Longleat isn’t just a place to visit—it’s a place to remember.


Plan your adventure at www.longleat.co.uk and let your summer story begin.