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As the days get longer and the sun brings that smile on your face there is nothing better then getting out and about and enjoying that fresh air. One of the best place to enjoy the sun and the wildlife would be Longleat Safari Park. It is Britain’s most famous safari park and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
The best loved Safari Park in Britain, Longleat is surely one that should be on your list whether you live here or visiting as a tourist. It is best in the summer but there are activities throughout the year which makes it a very popular destination all year round.
About
Longleat Safari Park, is in Wiltshire and was opened in 1966 as the first drive-through safari park outside Africa. The park is situated in the grounds of the famous Longleat Eastate, a stately home which was opened to the public and is the home of the 7th Marquess of Bath.
Longleat Safari Park and the concept of safari parks is the brainchild of Jimmy Chipperfield, a former co-director of Chipperfield’s Circus. Today, Longleat Safari Park is home to over 500 animals, and the estate occupies 9,000 acres of the fine Wiltshire countryside.
Longleat Safari Park directions.
Train – The nearest station to Longleat Safari Park is Frome Station which is well connected to both Bath and London. Warminster station, is about 5 miles from Longleat Safari Park and Westbury station is about 12 miles from Longleat Safari Park. It is on the London Paddington to Penzance line.
All stations are served by taxis which get you to the park at a nominal cost. You can get train timings from National Rail.
Driving – Longleat is just off the A36 between Bath and Salisbury. Address: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire and the post code for Longleat Safari Park is BA12 7NW. This is a 2.5 hour drive from London (traffic dependent) so if you are planning a day trip from London suggest using the train.
Things to do at Longleat Safari Park.
One of the few safari parks where visitors can drive their own cars and admire the wildlife around you. This is so much better then a visit to the Zoo and if you have children then this is a must visit.
You see the kids face light up as they sit inside and get a real close view of the animals. If you are a photographer then surely a good chance to get some close encounters with the beautiful animals .
Longleat Safari Bus – If you do not want to drive your own car you can always hop on to the iconic London bus which has been transformed into a Longleat Safari Bus.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the whole safari is your encounter with the monkeys. You do have the option of turning off from this area where the rhesus monkeys live. There are signs warning you of the possible damage to your car from the monkeys but I would not miss this as it is really fun.
Another area which I enjoy and would recommend is seeing the tigers and the wolves. The park also houses some lions which are majestic and I must say well fed.
Longleat House
The house today is widely regarded as one of the best examples of high Elizabethan architecture in Britain. It is also one of the most beautiful stately homes open to the public. There are many other stately homes you can visit in Britain but this one is one of the best you can experience.
Completed by 1580 and now occupied by the 7th Marquess of Bath this incredible house has now been called home by 15 generations of the Thynne family.
Expect to be wowed from the very first moment you enter the Great Hall. Adorned by giant paintings depicting hunting scenes and with walls stretching 35 feet up you can see why this was the perfect place to host many a banquet.
You can spend hours admiring the great works of art here, if this is not enough enjoy the cafe and wind down. Finish off by making your way down the Grand Staircase surrounded by an impressive collection of paintings.
Whether you’re joining a tour or enjoy the house in your own time you are sure to leave it with an incredible insight into this stately home and the stories it has to tell.
Christmas and Lantern Festival at Longleat Safari Park
Apart from the safari the park has themed events through out the year. It houses the famous lantern festival in the winter months which is a great crowd puller. You can enjoy a Christmas market and decorations during the festive season at Longleat Safari Park too. Please check their website which gives you details of events.
Enjoy a train ride around the park or a boat trip on the lake and see the Gorillas. There is so much to do so make sure to reach early and enjoy this park.
It is truly a wonderful day out for the entire family. There are plenty of things to keep you occupied or just enjoy a lazy afternoon basking in the grounds of Longleat Safari Park. A perfect picnic spot and a fun day out.
For all other details and up to date prices please refer to the website below. You can buy the tickets on the gate but if you book online more than 2 days in advance you get them at a reduced price.
Longleat Safari Park Opening Times.
The park has different opening times depending on the seasons.
During the peak summer months it is open 10 am to 7 pm.
During off peak it is oen from 10 am to 5 pm.
Longleat Safari Park Prices.
The average cost per ticket if bought online 2 days in advance. ( Please check their website as these might change.)
Adult £30
Child 3 15 years £23
Senior 60 yrs + £27
Under 3 years Free.
Some of the other great places to visit in and around London are Richmond Park and Regents Park.
I’ve heard a lot about this place, might take the kids this summer… X
Highly recommend for kids.
It’s a must with kids.
Wow what a wonderful place this is
Super jealous how close to the giraffes you were!
Send me ur fb link
Haven’t seen a wolf in my life. Need to visit. Looks like a great place for nature lovers
A must if you visiting london
That is a nice place for a family, everyone can enjoy something
Yes it is a great family outing
Such a wonderful place to visit.. Love to see those giraffes and lion.. gonna visit this place one day.:)
I am not a fan of zoo but this safari looks very interesting. Also, with a pinch of heritage this place looks like a must visit. Amazing pics
Wow so cool! I had no idea it was possible to take a day trip to a safari from London. I would love to feed the giraffes – and just get close to the animals in general!
It’s an experience.
Of course I am finding out about such a cool stuff now when I moved out from London! I really wish I knew about it earlier as this place looks so awesome! Its a fabulous alternative for those who cant travel all the way to Africa! Those animals looks so great! and that lantern festival seems so fantastic! Thanks for sharing it!
I like the open spaces that the park has so that the animals can move around freely. You have got some amazing shots of the animals, especially those lions cuddling. I even like the sound of that Lantern festival Definitely a great place for kids and adults.
It’s a beautiful place e.
While reading this I started wondering if I have actually visited this place. When I was 17 I was in England and my host family took me to a safari park. But I don’t remember so much details about it to be 100% sure it was this one. I wonder if they have many in England? Looks like you guys had tons of fun!
There are s few but nothing like longleat. Stands out.
Whenever I hear of safari, African safaris and Gir forest comes into my mind. But Longleat safari near London is a picturesque getaway for nature and animal lovers. I would love to watch for Animals roaming freely on crisp green grass. Even the majestic architecture of Longleat house if worth watching. Thanks for sharing!
Oh my I have never heard of Longleat Safari Park and I leave in England. I am so going there now, I just love it. I need to check how far it is from my house though. I would love to be able to drive through and have wild animals jumping on my car like the monkeys. Longleat House is also stunning and is my type of place to wonder around.
Cotswolds Wildlife Park is better, nicer and cheaper! Even closer to London, I think. The safari in a car in Longleat is not so much fun.
Thanks. Not visited Cotswolds Wildlife Park and might try it soon but the Safari in Longleat is a great experience.
Haha! Been there. It was the only road trip that we took when we were in UK.
Aren’t those monkeys so so adorable! One tried to pull our car’s wipers!
The maze looks nice. Too bad it was closed for maintanence when I went.
Longleat Safari looks very picturesque and a great place to bring your family. I’m usually not a fan of going to the zoo, but in the case here, I appreciate the big open spaces where the animals can roam quite freely. It looks like they are happy. I’d be a bit nervous though about the monkeys climbing on the car.
It’s so much different from a zoo. Free animals and a bit of history in the longleat house
Wow, I love that their not in enclosures. this makes me so happy!
It’s beautiful and open.
I had never heard of this before but WOW it looks amazing! I love the large house it’s around, it’s definitely not what I would have expected when I went to read this post. Looks like a lot of fun for kids and parents!
Indeed great one for all ages. Must visit if you around here
Wow who would have ever imagined that this could exist a short two and a half hours drive from London. This is something I would like to see the next time I am in the U.K. I love seeing all type of animals. I expect the Giraffe feeding platform would be an exciting experience. I could easily spend a few hours exploring Longleat House and its museum and grounds after a morning of fun at the Safari Park.
You must try and visit on your next visit. Indeed unimaginable just a short drive from the city of London
I don’t know why but I never imagined that there was a safari park in England. Longleaf Safari Park is amazing as the first of its kind but also because it has some unique aspects. There is a good mix of things to see by driving (and those monkeys can be cheeky) or without a car (that giraffe feeding platform is awesome). But I also like that there is an estate that you can visit – it just seems very British!
It’s something that’s does surprise a lot of people but a great escape from the madness of London
I prefer to see animals roaming like this then in smaller enclosures in zoos. This would be a really interesting day out especially when you can also visit Longleat House. Thanks for sharing.
Indeed s better place to see animals then in a zoo. Must visit if you get a chance
It Is unbelievable that you can see something like this a short distance from London. Worth a visit in the summer with the family Thanks for sharing
A great place to visit with the family in summer.
[…] Longleat Safari Park. […]
I’ve lived in the UK since 2002 and never heard of this place. It looks amazing not only for children. I would love to spend the day here and feel like I’m a million miles away from the urban streets of London. Nice
It’s indeed a beautiful place and a great get away from the city life. Try and visit in the summer
I had no idea this exists! Very cool. Will have to visit the next time I am in London. The grounds look beautiful! I would love to be there during the Lantern Festival.
I hope you can visit it next time you are in London.
Very interesting! I am now wondering wether I have in fact been to this park. When I was a teenage I did visit a safari park in the U.K. not far from London. It was a great fun! But I can´t remember the name of it or anything else. I am now so curious, I think I have to look up my old photos from somewhere. 🙂
Hope you can find the photos. There is another safari as well not far from london but not as grand as this.
The Longleat Safari Park looks like a perfect place for a kids outing. I love safaris. The giraffe feeding must have been fun for the kids. Would love to visit this when I am in London next. The Longleat House looks so vintage and stunning.
I hope you can take the kids to longleat on your next visit to London.
I’m not a big fan of animals in captivity, but this Safari Park looks expansive and offers plenty of room for the animals to enjoy their surroundings. Thumbs up to Longleat Eastate for providing ample grounds toward this end. I think interactions with the monkey would be quite entertaining…but wonder if my rental car insurance would cover any damages! It might just be worth the risk for such an experience. 😀 Looks like fun!
It’s a great place and animal welfare being paramount. You might want to rush the rental car for the fun.
I do not like zoos or safari parks, honestly. However, what I like about the Longleat Safari Park is that the animals are roaming freely like the giraffes and the humans are surrounded in a place so they do not have to cage the animals. This is something really nice about it. Plus, the train ride around the park is another interesting feature of this safari park.
I agree with you where I don’t like animals in cages but this is very different. Hope you can experience the train ride soon