Longleat House

Historic Houses & Building, Zoos & Wildlife Attractions, Gardens

Find out why it's a magnificent Elizabethan property

Set within 900 acres of `Capability' Brown designed parkland this magnificent Elizabethan property was the first stately home to open on a fully commercial basis to the public in 1949 and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1999. Built by Sir John Thynne and substantially completed by 1580, Longleat House has been the home of the same family ever since. Many treasures are included within; paintings by Tintoretto and Wootton, exquisite Flemish tapestries, fine French furniture and elaborate ceilings by John Dibblee Crace incorporating paintings from the `School of Titian'. The Murals in the family apartments in the West Wing were painted by Alexander Thynn, the present Marquess, and are fascinating and remarkable additions to the collections. Apart from the ancestral home, Longleat is also renowned for its Safari Park, the first of its kind in the UK. Here, visitors have the rare opportunity to see hundreds of animals in a natural woodland and parkland setting. Amongst the most magnificent sights are the famous pride of lions, a white tiger, wolves, rhesus monkeys, elephants and zebras. Don't miss the other attractions which make Longleat a fun day out for all the family. get lost in the `World's Longest Hedge Maze', let off steam in the Adventure Castle, travel on the Longleat Railway, get close to the creatures in Pets Corner and marvel at the sea lions on the Safari Boats . your day at Longleat will never be long enough! Historic Houses Association Member. OPENING TIMES Summer: 13 March - 31 October House, Grounds and Safari Park Daily, 10am - 5pm Last admission 4.30pm or sunset if earlier. Other attractions: 11am - 5.30pm. Winter: November - March (except Christmas Day) House & Grounds only Daily, 10am - 4pm (Guided tours only)