longleat safari park seasonal opening times

Explore the UK's first safari park at Longleat

Longleat, wiltshire.

Feed giraffes by hand and walk on the wildside with lemurs at this popular safari park, found in the picturesque grounds of historic Longleat House.

First opened in 1966, Longleat Safari Park was the first drive-through attraction of its kind outside Africa, and it's still running strong today. With countless species of animals and attractions like Penguin Island, Stingray Bay, Jungle Cruise and an adventure castle, it's a great day out for the entire family. Explore the animal habitats on a road tour through the park, before stepping onto the Main Square and venturing into koala habitats, outdoor playgrounds and hedge mazes.

Special events run throughout the year, including the ever-popular Festival of Lights over the Christmas period; this large display of illuminated Chinese lanterns adorns the entire parkland and adds a touch of festivity to everything. And, of course, visitors can also extend their stay in the area with a tour through Longleat House and its surrounding pleasure gardens.

Longleat Safari Park is due to re-open on Monday 15 June - make sure to check the website through the link below for availability and opening times.

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Longleat House & Safari Park – Lions, Mazes and Wifelets

Longleat House is a place of firsts. In 1547, it was the first house in England to be built in the Classical Rennaisance style.

In 1947, it was the first privately-owned stately home opened to the public.

In 1966, it opened the first drive-through safari park outside Africa and in 1975, it became home to the longest hedge maze in the world.

Here then is our guide to this most singular of stately homes.

Table of Contents

Longleat House

The story of Longleat begins in the 16 th  century – long before the safari, the hedge maze and the 7 th  Marquis with his seventy ‘wifelets’ (we’ll get to that) – with the son of a farmer named John Thynne. Thynne rose rapidly through the social ranks during the reign of Henry VIII to become a trusted steward of Edward Seymour, Lord Protector of England and the Duke of Somerset.

Somerset rewarded Thynne with a knighthood for his service and loyalty on the battlefield of Pinkie in 1547.

The design of Longleat is Thynne’s very own. Perhaps it was the freedom of designing a house without the advice of an architect that allowed Thynne to create an English country house like no other. Longleat was created in the Italianate or Classical Renaissance style and was ground-breaking in its time.

Instead of creating a central courtyard with rooms looking inward, Thynne designed a giant cube of a house with all the major rooms facing outward to give views of the surrounding park.

Queen Elizabeth I

Thynne must have known that he had reached the uppermost echelons of English society and that his home was something of a masterpiece when  Queen Elizabeth I  chose it as one of the stops on her great summer progress of 1575.

At that time, the house was only two storeys high but soon grew to three. Three is the magic number and the façade at Longleat incorporated all three classical ‘orders’ or styles of column in its design: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. Today, the exterior of Longleat House is almost exactly as it was in the 16 th  century.

Historic Treasures

In contrast, the interiors were massively altered in the 19 th  century and only the great hall survives as testament to the first John Thynne’s elegant taste. In the early 1800s Sir Jeffrey Wyatville was hired to give the interiors of Longleat a new lease of life, a task that was later continued by J.D. Crace in the 1870s.

The collection at Longleat, amassed by 15 generations of the Thynne family, features several stunning paintings. A series of hunting scenes painted in the 1730s by John Wooten dominate the cavernous great hall, while paintings by the likes of Titian can be seen hanging elsewhere in the house’s 130 rooms.

Longleat is also home to exquisite tapestries, beautiful examples of hand-painted Chinese wallpaper and a rare collection of large Meissen porcelain.

Longleat is famous too for its libraries.

The first John Thynne began the family tradition of collecting books and manuscripts and created the first library at Longleat in 1577.

Today, Longleat is home to eight libraries in total, including the unique Bishop Ken’s library which runs along the third floor of the entire east front of the house. Bishop Ken of Bath was a friend of the then Lord Weymouth and lived in exile at Longleat from 1691 until his death. The Bishop had been expelled from the church for refusing to swear an oath of allegiance to King William and Queen Mary.

Other Royal Connections

Elizabeth I was not the only reigning monarch to spend the night under the roof of Longleat House.

In 1663 King Charles and Queen Catherine felt secure enough on their throne to leave their home and visit the second John Thynne at Longleat in 1663, just two years after the Restoration.

In thanks, Charles II granted the Thynne family the title Lord Weymouth, a title descendents of the first John Thynne hold to this day.

After the Great War

Which brings us nicely to Longleat in the 20 th  and 21 st  centuries. In the years following the First World War traditional English country houses, especially those of the Ducal variety, became something of an elephant in the room. Times had changed and the country house, as a symbol of privilege, wealth and power, seemed to have no place in the brave new world.

By the time the Second World War had come to an end most of the country houses in England were either badly damaged by bombings or dilapidated, having been used as hospitals and barracks for the last five years.

The post-war years were hard on everyone, the wealthy included, and few could afford the mounting tax bills and costly repairs needed to keep their ancestral piles inhabitable.

Open To The Public

It was in this context that Henry Thynne, 6 th  Marquess of Bath took the unheard of step of opening up his stately home to the public. Amidst a blaze of publicity, Longleat became the first country house to transform itself into a lucrative tourist destination. Soon, a wave of other struggling aristocrats followed suit.

By the mid 1960s, however, the lure of touring Longleat House to catch a glimpse of how the other half lived had begun to wear off. Financial difficulties again threatened the Marquess of Bath’s estate and in an attempt to secure Longleat’s future for the long term he took a bold step.

In 1966, the 6 th  Marquess opened a safari park on the grounds of Longleat, the only such park outside Africa. Longleat soon became synonymous with the lions that roam its grounds and today there are over 500 animals living in the park.

A Colourful Marquess

Longleat is almost as famous for the private life of the 7th Marquess of Bath, Alexander Thynn, as it is for its roaming lions. Alexander took over the marquessate from his father in 1992, by which time he was already notorious for his eccentric and polygamous lifestyle.

As soon as he had the keys to the castle, Alexander set about redecorating the residential parts of Longleat House with his own painted murals. One such mural depicts portions of the karma sutra while others include portraits of Alexander’s seventy ‘wifelets’, many of whom live in cottages on the Longleat Estate.

Alexander is also a great lover of mazes and was responsible for installing the incredible Longleat Hedge Maze in 1975. The longest maze in the world, the hedge maze was later accompanied by the smaller Lunar Labyrinth, Sun Maze, Love Labyrinth and King Arthur’s Maze.

 By Rurik (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

In 2010, Alexander passed the marquessate and the management of the Longleat business to his son Caewlin.

Less than approving of his father’s lifestyle and taste in art, the 8 th  Marquess caused a well-publicised family rift when he removed some of his father’s murals from Longleat’s living quarters.

His father retaliated by refusing to attend his wedding.

Longleat Today

Today, the current Lord and Lady Weymouth and their two children continue to open their home to visitors every day of the week. The safari park at Longleat is a major family attraction that draws in visitors from all over the world, but it is Longleat House itself, an Italianate mansion built by the son of a farmer and visited by Queen Elizabeth I, that is truly extraordinary.

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Longleat Safari & Adventure Park

Opening hours.

Discover different animal species from across the globe as you travel by road, train, canal, and foot, including lions, tigers, wolves, koalas, porcupines, and sea lions. Longleat is the name of a town in England. Enter the fray.

Close your windows. Keep all of the sandwiches hidden. You’re about to go on a safari trip that will be wilder, furrier, and growlier than you could have imagined.

A VIP experience will make your Longleat Safari even more unforgettable. There’s an experience for everyone, whether you feed the tigers, go on a safari trip with an expert guide, or snap some amazing up close pictures. A VIP Experience, whether as a treat for yourself or as a present for a loved one, provides you with your very own memorable, up close experience.

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Latest , Wiltshire

Longleat safari park – a great family day out.

Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire has a well deserved reputation as the UK’s leading safari and families will discover that along with this incredible experience, there’s so much more on offer here that you’ll want to return again and again.

*AD / This post contains affiliate links & as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also have been compensated in this post either financially or with products / stays. To read more see our  Disclosure Policy .

We drove into Longleat Safari Park with a slight sense of wariness, not knowing quite what to expect. This drive-through safari takes two to three hours to complete, set in the most wonderful countryside.

Our sense of anticipation quickly turned to wonder as we drove in through the gates and into the most incredible open landscapes filled with animals from around the world. 

We downloaded the award-winning Longleat App which acts as your tour guide as you drive from one zone to the next and it is absolutely brilliant. The app locates you exactly where you are on your drive through the safari and a guide instantly tells you about the animals you are seeing, fascinating facts and points to look out for.

We were so impressed with the app, and it really enhanced our enjoyment of the Longleat safari drive-through. I would thoroughly recommend having the app installed for your trip to Longleat.

The Safari drive through takes you into a host of different territories including Lion Country, Cheetah Kingdom and the Big Game Park complete with white rhinos as well as camels, oryx and ostriches. You’ll see the most incredible safari sights as you drive slowly past the animals.

It very much feels like you’re visiting their large and spacious natural habitats rather than them being ‘on show’ which is great to see. 

We adored every part of the Safari at Longleat, including spotting the wolf pack on the move, giraffes gently eating leaves as we passed by and of course, the immersive ‘monkey mayhem’ zone where you come up close with a troop of inquisitive macaques.

It wasn’t long before we had monkeys climbing up onto our car roof and windscreen, and little faces peered through the windows much to the squeals of delight from my children. These cheeky macaques are well known for making off with anything loose on the outside of your vehicle or nibbling at your car aerial, so you can bypass this area if you want, but we thoroughly enjoyed this memorably up-close experience. 

If you’re keen to take time out of the car on the safari, one stop not to miss is the African Village where you can park up, take a stroll along the Lemur Walk-Through, spot giraffes, zebras and black wildebeest. There’s also giraffe feeding here for a small additional charge which is a wonderful experience.

We were so impressed with the Drive Through at Longleat Safari Park and it’s easy to see why it has become one of the most popular in the UK.

The fun at Longleat Safari Park doesn’t stop there. The sheer amount of activities on offer at Longleat is astonishing, so we would recommend making sure you have a full day to explore everything there is to enjoy.

Next to the Historic Longleat house is a wealth of brilliant family friendly activities all based around the main square. 

We started with the delightful Jungle Cruise which takes you on a half-hour boat trip past two resident hippos, along to a lakeside gorilla colony which is far enough away from the boat to be easily seen but not disturbed by their human visitors.

Then we were treated to a few minutes of fun from a group of Californian sea lions who were leaping and dashing through the water eager to catch a few fish thrown by the boat staff. This is a really lovely trip which makes it easy once again to see some wonderful animals without getting too close and disturbing their activities. 

There are plenty of places to grab food and refreshments back at the main square where you’ll find something for all tastes. If your kids are keen to burn off some energy the Adventure Castle is well worth a visit with zip wires, a medieval castle keep as well as climbing frames, trampolines and slides.

There’s a splash pad and soft play for little ones so it’s easy to spend a good hour here. We also loved the hedge maze which my kids thought was fantastic fun.

The maze twists and turns and you can spend lots of time here trying different routes in order the reach the centre and then onto the exit.

If you’re looking to explore a little further and want to skip the walking for a while, the Longleat Railway is a great way to journey around the grounds and spot more animals. This miniature railway takes you on a one-and-a-quarter mile journey through scenic woodlands and along the side of the tranquil half-mile lake, home to the hippos and seal ions.

For younger visitors there’s a new play area called the Little Explorer’s Garden as well as a gentle ‘Rockin Rhino’ fun fair style ride. There are plenty of chances to get up close with animals too in Monkey Temple where you can hand feed bright and colourful lorikeets, meet new arrivals on Koala Creek and spot otters and crocodiles in Jungle Kingdom.

Each of these areas are great family friendly attractions where you can spend plenty of time exploring and learning more about the natural world.

The house itself has incredible grounds which are so pleasant to explore. There are wonders around every corner from the ornate formal gardens, the cool orangery and the spacious corner dedicated to a pet cemetery in memory of the many animals who lived with the family in the house.

The house is a glorious masterpiece of Elizabethan architecture and you can visit it by booking a tour. We hadn’t left ourselves enough time to fit in the house tour, so we’re looking forward to coming back and enjoying more of the house and safari park.

Longleat Safari Park’s reputation as one of the best attractions in the UK for families is well deserved and comes thoroughly recommended. You can find out more about Longleat, its attractions and Safari drive through at the official website here .

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Amazing tour guide - Longleat Safari Park

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• Longleat Safari Park

We went while the school hoildays were over, so it wasn't that busy. Safari was good, one of the... read more

First first. So much to do but the queue to get in was a shambles. Why do they allow people to... read more

Amazing tour guide

We went today as a family of 10 made up of adults, wheelchair users and children, we went for the 1 o'clock tour of the house and i was blown away. The house was jaw dropping and the history behind it is amazing but what made the experience unforgettable was the tour guide, he was fun, knowledgeable, great with kids and funny. It was a great day out but i would suggest 2 days cause we didnt get to do half the things they have to offer. Very wheelchair friendly aswell which is really appreciated.

I can only echo what others have said recently about queues! Surely the park know most people will arrive around 10am? Prebooked tickets need routing into separate queues and have staff out on foot scanning tickets and letting cars in. When you get to the ticket booth the process is slowed by the attendant asking if you want tickets to Steve Backshall etc. Just scan and go!! There is no one managing car parking so lots of spaces get left empty. The toilet situation is shocking and twice we queued to then be told 'there's no water, I have to close the toilets!' The safari drive is lovely and we saw lots of animals close up. The stop at the first car park is a must to see giraffes, zebra, walk through meerkat experience. We loved the boat trip on the lake to see the sealions, but the fish pots are limited to 25 per trip and are sold on board with a rush of people to the front. These should be sold as people board and it should be clear that not everyone can buy a pot to avoid disappointment. There's only a brief stop by the gorillas and as they were at the back of the enclosure you can hardly see them - only way to see them is from the boat. The guide telling the boat full of people that the sealions had eaten all the ducklings on the lake wasn't necessary...it might be true, that's nature but not needed on a boat full of families with young children on a day out! The lorikeet feeding was lovely but the birds know the drill and wait right by the door. The nectar is gone in seconds (you get a few drips for £1.50) and then the birds ignore you. Definitely need cameras at the ready before you walk in or you'll miss it. Highlight for us was the Koalas, which were very close and adorable. I would advise going to the walk around part first. Head straight for the boat to avoid long queues later. We never made it into the maze or train as there wasn't time because of all the queues! We didn't book the house or Steve Backshall which is just as well as we would have missed a lot more to fit them in. The animals are amazing, the park is clean and well kept BUT the site simply cannot cope with the number of people being admitted and they seriously need to get someone in to help advise them on organisation. Don't go in a school holiday would be my advice!! The price is a bit expensive compared to other zoos etc. and then not to be able to do everything is disappointing.

First first. So much to do but the queue to get in was a shambles. Why do they allow people to buy tickets on the day? It holds up the queue for everyone else who has purchased ahead of time? I looked and it’s the same price on the day as it is to book online? So no Incentive to book ahead? At the very least why is there not a fast lane for those who have already bought tickets? It was a disappointing start to our day if I’m honest as we had to rush to the Steve backshall show. We just about made it. We did have a lovely day and there is so much to do but as with usual these parks, they over fill them and the queues become too long, we have the cruise and the train a miss as the queues were around an hour. The highlight was the safari where we got some cracking close ups of the lions and a monkey carrying her baby hopped onto our car. I think longleat just about get away with it with the prices, but it would be nice if they sorted the queue to get in. It was a total shambles and wasn’t a good way to start the day.

We've been to Longleat before in the school holidays, but this time was the worst experience ever. We queued, and queued and queued - over an hour to get to the safari park entrance. The queues at the house looked so bad we didn't go on the boat or train. Queue for pizza was bad t. They let in way too many people for the capacity of the park. It was not enjoyable and at £120 it was pricey - we won't return. And the worst thing, they are still selling tickets for today even though it's packed with 3 overflow cat parks in use already! Left quite early as had enough! We understand there are queues in the busy holidays (and never had a problem with them before) but this was just too bad!

Had a fantastic time and we walked in (as staying on an adjacent campsite). We booked a safari tour bus (which was well worth the money). DAVE the tour guide was fantastic, funny and very informative,made the safari tour one of the best we have experienced, of course seeing the animals were an added bonus. Great also as we went home in our camper van fully intact, as can't say the same to some unlucky drivers where monkeys found avid interst in pulling off their ariels. Fed some beautiful giraffes, went on the sea boat and had the privilege of seeing gorillas, sea lions and monkeys. We had a fantastic day despite the weather, but it didn't make a difference. We went into the maze,under the duress of my fiance, but amazingly managed to find our way out in time for tea. My fiance loved seeing the Otters something that we havent yet managed to locate whilst travelling the UK. All in all a fantastic day.

I actually spent longer queuing than I did looking at animals. I think the queuing problem was compounded by the usual money grabbing owners who let too many people in. Firstly, An hour and a half queue to get in! Let me repeat that, 1 hour and an half just to get to the entrance. After following a sign on the roundabout redirecting cars away from the main entrance we sat in this horrendous queue to get in. There was no phone reception in the queue so we couldn’t contact our family already inside the park. Then when finally made it to the check-in we found we had been sent by incorrect signage to the safari drive through when we wanted to go to the village car park. The organisation getting drivers in the park was a complete shambles. The inept traffic director was rude to us when we quite naturally complained and said, ‘don’t come on a bank holiday in future.’ Pre booked customers were lumped behind people who just turned up. Unfortunately, the queuing continued for everything once inside and just ruined the whole experience: 30 minutes for the train; an hour for the boat; 30 minutes in the queue for food; 40 minutes for donuts - we had queued 20 minutes initially to get to the till, only to find a bunch of inept teenagers running the place, who announced it would be a further 20 minutes for the donuts to cook! There was even queues to get into see the blinking parrots. I never saw so many unhappy crying children and miserable parents anywhere else in my life and I’ve been to Chessington, Thorpe Park & Alton Towers. Will never be going back

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park Days Out Review

• Claire Byrd

In a nutshell

An activity-packed day out with a drive-through safari and main square attractions for families to explore, but you may need more than one day to see it all

What we tested

• Get close to some incredible animals; good for all ages, beautiful grounds, friendly staff, interactive and educational, lots of fun for children
• Queues in some areas, animals may damage vehicles, quite expensive

Showing item 1 of 4

COVID-19 safety update

When we visited:.

Claire visited with her husband, plus children Teddy, 11, Donovan, 9, and Gisella, 5, on a sunny Sunday in July.

Journalist, Gabrielle, also visited the park with her family – Tyler, 9, Rocco, 6, and Amaya, 3, plus their dad, this time on a sunny Saturday in May.

What age is Longleat best for:

Best for: Children aged 2-12 years

Still good fun for: Children aged 13+ years

Avoid if: Your baby hates their car seat

How much does it cost in 2023?

• Online prices: Adults £39.95, children 3-15 £29.95, under 3s and carers free.
• Pre-booking tickets online in advance is essential.

Are there discounts or cheap tickets available for Longleat Safari & Adventure Park?

• Picniq are currently offering 5% off tickets – although this may be a time-limited offer.
• You can use your Tesco Clubcard vouchers to buy Longleat Safari & Adventure Park tickets – every 50p in vouchers turns into £1.50 to use towards the ticket price. Just make sure you give yourself at least one week for the tickets to arrive. Take a look at our Tesco Clubcard days out for families roundup to see where else you can use your Clubcard points.
• Check out Kids Pass for any special offers.
• If you’re considering staying overnight, look for deals combining accommodation and safari tickets on Holiday Extras.

Exclusive Expedia discount code

What does my ticket include.

• Longleat Safari Park
• On-foot animal attractions including Koala Creek, Jungle Cruise and Family Farmyard
• Main Square adventure attractions including Adventure Castle, Rockin’ Rhino, Jungle Cruise and the Hedge Maze
• Longleat grounds and gardens
• Special seasonal events across the Park

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes! Booking in advance is essential as on-the-day tickets are not available. When you book, you’ll be asked to choose your preferred entry time. Choose from between 10am and 12pm, between 12pm and 2pm, or between 2pm and 4pm. You may enter the Safari Drive-through at any time during your chosen slot and you may visit the main square attractions both before and after your Safari adventure (subject to Park opening hours ); the choice is entirely yours.

You also have the option to book a guided House Tour, for an additional cost: Adults: £3.95; children: £2.95; Under 3s: Free

Any extra charges once I’m there?

• If you don’t arrive by car, or you don’t want to risk your car getting damaged by the monkeys, you can tour the safari park on a special double decker bus. Tickets are bookable at Guest Services in the Main Square on a first-come, first-served basis, and cost £8 per person for anyone over 3 years old (under 3s go free but still need a ticket). Busses leave around 11.30am and 2.30pm and tours take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours, depending on how busy the safari park is.
• As you would expect, there are numerous gift shops to tempt you. Some, situated within exit areas from a ride for example, are hard to avoid but they did at least include pocket-money options.
• There is also an option to buy a photo package after the boat trip, but this would be easy to decline for those not interested.
• It’s worth noting this is a cash-free attraction, so only accepts debit card/credit card/smartphone payments on site, including at animal feeding experiences, catering areas and shops.

Are there any special VIP animal experiences you can book at Longleat?

Yes, there are some incredible VIP experiences you can choose from. Most of these are really in the very special treat price range – they start at £85 per person for the chance to meet and feed the two giant otters and peak at £365 per person for the opportunity to feed the big cats and wolves from the safety of an armoured feeding wagon. If you’re able to splash the cash, you need to book 6 to 12 weeks ahead as they are very popular.

How long will we spend at Longleat Safari & Adventure Park?

We had planned to be at Longleat when it opened, but busy Sunday traffic delayed us slightly. We ate lunch as we walked round Longleat, but still struggled to fit everything in before closing time. We would all have happily spent 2 days enjoying everything on offer. Fellow reviewer Gabrielle agreed that you need more than a day to see all the attractions, saying: “Ideally, you’d spend the night on-site or nearby and see all the attractions at a leisurely pace over 2 days.”

What does Longleat offer for families?

Longleat is a fantastic day out for families. In short, you have 3 main elements – the safari park, the attractions around the main square, and the grounds and garden of the house.

What shouldn’t be missed?

We all thoroughly enjoyed our trip, even with our range of ages.

Highlights for us were:

• We started by parking at the African Village (accessible on foot), and before we’d even left the car park, we could see a new baby giraffe close by with its mum.
• Don’t miss the chance to get up close to the giraffes from a brilliant viewing platform that they feed from.
• There’s also a lemur walk through in this area and a conservation centre.
• A highlight that has to be booked in advance for around £90 per person is the Bronze VIP jeep safari through the animal paddocks – about 2 hours long and worth every penny if your budget stretches that far.
• The main safari drive, guided by a free app , which you can download from the App Store or Google Play. This gave a handy commentary through the whole safari park and described the occupants of each enclosure, but it does require a decent phone signal.
• Nothing is guaranteed with animals, but when we visited we were able to get great pictures of many of the residents. Reviewer Gabrielle drove around mid-afternoon and found all the big cats snoozing in the sunshine but the rest of the animals walking around in full view.
• The boat tour was a magical opportunity to see a range of animals, including some friendly sea lions, with an expert.

Is it easy to navigate?

Yes – we weren’t offered a paper map as visitors are encouraged to use the app. You don’t need a map to get through the safari park, but it does help you plan the rest of your day. It also highlights where the toilets are, although we found plenty sign-posted in all areas.

Fellow reviewer Gabrielle found that although she could download the app, the lack of Longleat’s own strong Wi-Fi signal and the lack of her own network’s coverage meant she couldn’t use the interactive map or listen to the commentary while she and her family were driving around the safari park. “It was disappointing not to be able to hear about the animals while we were driving around the park, but we found the safari drive easy to navigate without any prompts besides the roadside signposts and, in other places, the friendly staff who are were always happy hand to point us in the right direction.”

We followed the herds when we got there and decided to head to the safari park first, as this was the main attraction for us. However, you can avoid some queues, especially for the boat trip, if you head to the main square first and do the safari park later in your allotted session.

What’s the Longleat VIP jeep safari like?

Great. All 5 of us fitted comfortably in the zebra-patterned jeep with our driver. Before we entered the monkey area he spotted the park’s resident elephant, Anne, in prime position, so drove us up to meet her first.

Once we were inside the monkey enclosure, we were able to sit back and watch without the worry of our own car being damaged and we were able to spend more time in this area. I’m not sure I can remember the last time we all laughed so much. The monkeys were great fun and I’d highly recommend this additional outlay – it’s worth every penny!

What is the Longleat safari like using your own car?

“Amazingly good fun but nerve-wracking in parts,” said fellow reviewer Gabrielle. “The children loved watching the monkeys race across the roof of our vehicle through the glass sun roof, but I was quite nervous about driving through their enclosure, especially as they surrounded our van and it was hard to see if any were in front of us. At a few points, we had to wait for the wolves to stalk across the road before we could continue and once, I had to squeeze the car between a gate post and a massive ostrich!”

Is there a risk of the animals damaging your car?

Yes, but if you are concerned about the condition of your car there is an option to bypass the monkey area. We went through on the Jeep tour, but we saw many cars had lost wipers and bits of trim.

Gabrielle and family decided to experience the safari park in their own vehicle – a modified Mitsubishi van. “It’s been carefully designed to cope with tough terrain, but the monkeys took great delight in seeing if they could peel the rubber seal from around the windscreen. We soon had monkeys hanging off the ladder at the back, and watched them through our sunroof as they raced over the roof.”

Can you get out of your car during the safari at Longleat Safari & Adventure Park?

In most areas your doors and windows need to be firmly shut – but there are more relaxed opportunities too. For example, there is an option to buy deer food to feed the occupants of the deer park.

Be warned though – I’m an animal lover and fairly unshakeable around four-legged furries, but a couple of deer were fairly persistently nibbling at my shoulder when their feed pellets didn’t appear quickly enough. I found this funny but anyone less confident with animals might feel a bit on edge at this point.

Your car is also likely to be left a little muddy and deer-dribbled if you chose to stop off here. Again, you can bypass if this isn’t for you. Fellow reviewer Gabrielle and her family thought the deer feeding stop-off was a highlight of their visit: “The children giggled with delight as the deer approached our car and began to eat pellets out of my husband’s hand and Amaya and Tyler were soon feeding them too. It was a lovely opportunity to interact with the animals and a good contrast with the rest of the safari park, where you can only observe them.”

What’s the Jungle Cruise like?

This was where we could have benefitted from some inside info. We queued for about 40 minutes for our boat. It’s not a huge length of time, but the kids went from a real high of their animal encounters to a bit of a low here, waiting a little bored in the heat.

Once we were on our boat the boys quickly forget about this, excited by close encounters with the lakes’ sea lions and the 3 gorilla brothers you can see during your trip. But, unfortunately, for my 5 year old, the magic had been lost a little in the queue, so I would definitely recommend doing this part before you head off for the main safari drive.

Conversely, fellow reviewer Gabrielle caught one of the last boats of the day and found the queue to be much shorter. “We waited around 15 minutes to get onboard and the children’s excitement was peaking. Any longer, and I fear our 3 year old would have got bored and wanted to leave. But the wait was well worth it as the cruise was brilliant. Our guide, Becky, was knowledgeable and genuinely funny – keeping both children and adults entertained while pointing out the different animals: from our seats on deck, we saw sea lions, the lake’s resident hippos, Spot and Sonia, and a colony of gorillas on their own special island.”

Another tip for this area – you have the chance to pose for pictures before you join the queue. Politely decline if you don’t want to be tempted to buy the photo package when you come off the boat.

What other activities are there at Longleat Safari & Adventure Park?

There are a lot of additional attractions packed around the Jungle Cruise area, including more animal enclosures, penguins, rays, a batcave (not for those who don’t like things flying close by) and a family farmyard. There’s also a train ride (again, try to do this before the queues build up), Adventure Castle (a good play area for children up to 12), and a Rockin’ Rhino ride, which even the adults can enjoy.

Fellow reviewer Gabrielle visited the newest attraction to open at Longleat: Koala Creek, which is home to the furthest-travelled residents, a group of Southern koalas. “We were looking forward to seeing the baby koala, the first to have been born in Europe, who was incredibly sweet and gently snoozing, along with the other koalas. Perhaps because the animals were all asleep, our children didn’t want to spend much time in here, but it was magical to see these furry creatures up close and, thanks to the information cleverly dotted along the exhibit, possible in a short time to learn a little about these animals, as well as the marsupial residents, including wombat and potoroos.”

What are the food and drink facilities like at Longleat?

You won’t go hungry or thirsty at Longleat. We bought a sandwich lunch before the safari from the Watering Hole Café African Village area, which cost about £30 for the 5 of us. There were vegetarian options in the café and my kids were pleased to see some healthy extras, like cucumber sticks, carrot sticks and grapes.

Before closing time, we bought dinner at the new Chameleon Tree Restaurant and coffee house – around £60 for the 5 of us. There was a reasonable range of food on offer with options for younger diners and vegetarians. There’s a choice of side dishes with the main courses, but the mixed veggies and corn on the cob options might have been a bit more appetising earlier in the day.

There are also lots of opportunities to buy snacks, drinks and ice creams. Fellow reviewer Gabrielle found all the restaurants and cafés were closing up by the time her family had left the boat ride, so they opted to buy food from the stalls which were still open. “Two hot dog meals, three cookies and some soft drinks set us back around £35, which is probably typical at an attraction like this.”

Can you take a picnic?

Yes, we spotted a few outdoor picnic areas if you are taking your own food.

How well does it cater for disabled visitors?

This is a great day out for all ages and people with restricted mobility:

• Much of the park is accessible by car and the remainder is relatively flat, making it passable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
• We saw a number of accessible toilets and there is changing facilities with an adjustable changing bench and hoist near the Main Square.
• There was also a wheelchair area on the boat.
• For more information see Longleat’s accessibility information .

Opening dates and times:

Longleat is open from 10am until 5pm, with the last safari entry at 4pm. During peak times, including summer and Bank Holidays, Longleat is open from 10am until 6pm, although last entry to the safari is 4pm. When we visited, it was open from 10am until 6pm (early and late summer times). Off peak, mid-week, it is open from 10am until 5pm. Longleat closes on weekdays at some periods during the winter, so do check the website for full details.

How to get to Longleat:

Longleat is just off the A36 between Bath and Salisbury, and most visitors drive.

• The website advises you to ignore your SatNav (postcode BA12 7JS) when you get close to the park and follow the brown tourist signs instead. We did this without a problem.
• If you do arrive by train you will need to get a taxi to the park, but, once there, you can tour the safari by bus.
• Frome Station is the closest station to Longleat and has a good service from Bath and London.
• Warminster station is about 5 miles from Longleat and is on the Cardiff to Portsmouth line.
• Westbury station is about 12 miles from Longleat and is on the London Paddington to Penzance line.

Do you have to pay for parking?

No, parking is free of charge.

Worth a long car journey?

Yes. It took us 3 hours to get there, and around 2.5 to get home, but the kids would jump in the car to go back again tomorrow if they could.

Which hotels or holiday accommodation are near Longleat?

There are plenty of accommodation options nearby, including:

• You can stay in a luxury cottage, lodge or house on the estate itself, listening to lions roar as you head to bed.
• Book into Center Parks Longleat Forest holiday for family-friendly lodge accommodation inside the estate and surrounded by Giant Redwoods.
• Book your little angels a family room at the Angel Inn (7 minutes), in the quiet Wiltshire village of Upton Scudamore – the 16th century coaching inn has a bar and restaurant
• For a home-away-from-home feel, look for deals on Vrbo and Airbnb .
• Find family-friendly hotel deals near Longleat on Booking.com

Nearby attractions for a longer day out:

Check out the natural wonder of Stonehenge , less than 20 miles away, where there’s plenty of room for little ones to run around before getting back in the car. There are also several castles in the area, including Old Wardour Castle , a 30-minute drive away.

MFM verdict:

We’re a family of animal lovers so absolutely loved our day out. Considering everything on offer the ticket is not bad value and my children are desperate to go back. We would definitely do the boat trip earlier or much later in the day next time though to avoid the queues. Dinner was the one and only time we really stopped all day. Even with that, we hadn’t quite packed in everything on offer. If you like animals, this is a great attraction for all ages – our whole family really enjoyed our visit.

Fellow reviewer Gabrielle agrees and added, “We were absolutely enthralled by the animals and very impressed by the layout and spacious feel of Longleat, from the safari drive through to the boat cruise and all the attractions in-between. Though we’d definitely make the most of a future visit by coming for the whole day or, better still, spending a night on the estate or nearby and enjoying everything on offer over two days.”

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Visiting Longleat's Festival of Lights in 2023

Get ready to embark on a magical Christmas family adventure now that Longleat's Festival of Light 2023 is back and it's bigger and more enchanting than ever .

In my guide below, I’ll take you through what you can expect as well as everything you need to know to plan your visit.

Longleat is just 10 minutes drive from us and I’ve taken my children to the festival almost every year for the past several years, I’ll admit the Festival of Light enchants them as well as myself and my partner. In my opinion it is definitely worth booking a ticket!

If you're travelling from afar then why not book one of our self catering holiday lodges near Longleat ? For those staying with us we can also secure Longleat Day tickets (Safari and non-Safari) with 20% off - get in touch for more details!

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What is the Festival of Light at Longleat?

The Longleat Festival of Light  is an annual event held at Longleat, a historic stately home and safari park in Wiltshire. The event is a celebration of the Christmas season, featuring mesmerising light displays, enchanting lanterns as well as other festive attractions the kids will love. Each year the festival showcases a different theme, bringing beloved stories to life through illuminated characters and scenes.

When Does the Festival of Light Take Place?

The Festival of Light for 2023 at Longleat runs from the 11th of November to the 7th of January 2024 on selected dates . This extended period allows you to choose a date that best suits your family's schedule.

What Happens at Longleat's Festival of Light?

Typically a theme happens throughout the festival which changes every year. 

This year's festival is a "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis theme. You can step through the wardrobe and immerse yourself in a world of illuminated characters, from the majestic lion, Aslan to the bewitching White Witch ( I’ll admit she terrorised me as a kid! ) as well as scenes from Cinderella and Winnie the Pooh too.

One of the festival's highlights is the amazing Winter Drive Through Safari, where you can get up close and personal with some of Longleat's famous animal residents. Longleat's stunning grounds and gardens are also beautifully decorated for Christmas, creating a magical atmosphere. Do note some of these Safari attractions close to the public once it gets dark so get there in plenty of time!

Do I Need to Pre-book My Tickets?

Yes, from experience I’d strongly recommended pre-booking tickets for the Festival of Light, especially if you plan to attend on peak dates. This Christmas event is ALWAYS incredibly popular and tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot in advance is the best way to avoid disappointment.

Ticket Types

For the 2023 Festival of Light, Longleat has listened to customer feedback from 2022 and introduced three ticket types to cater for different preferences:

Day Tickets: This ticket type gives you access to the full Longleat experience, including the Drive Through Safari, starting at 9:30am and the rest of the park from 11am. You can enjoy all the festival's attractions until the park closes at 7:30pm. Note last entry for the Drive Through Safari is 2pm.

Non-Safari Day Tickets: This option includes access to all the attractions, such as the House though no Drive Through Safari, with entry from 11am.

Twilight Tickets: These tickets grant you access to the Festival of Light lanterns, festive attractions, and some Main Square attractions from 5pm onwards. These are usually the ones that sell out the fastest so you’ll need to be quick!

Peak and Off-Peak pricing are available for Longleat’s Festival of Light allowing you to choose quieter times for a more affordable ticket.

How Much Are Tickets?

Ticket prices for the Festival of Light - known as "Twilight Tickets" start with off-peak at £33.70 for a child (Under 3’s are free) and £44.95 for an adult. Peak admissions are quite a bit more I am afraid at £37.45 for Children 3 to 15, whilst a 16+ ticket is £49.95 , but there are different ticket types available which is helpful, so you can choose the one that best suits your preferences. See below for more details.

Additional Festive Attractions

In addition to the magical lanterns, the Festival of Light offers several other festive attractions that you won't want to miss including:

Enchanted Christmas Tree Show

This breathtaking display features Britain's biggest singing Christmas tree, standing at over 15 metres tall. It's illuminated with more than 88,000 twinkling lights and even produces snow. The show runs every 20 minutes from 4:30pm to 7:10pm and is included with all Festival of Light tickets.

Discover more today

Santa Train

All aboard for the North Pole! Take a train ride to a snow-covered winter wonderland and meet Father Christmas in his grotto. This experience is extremely popular, so be sure to pre-book your tickets.

Dazzling Christmas Light Show

As the sun sets, Longleat House comes to life with a mesmerizing light show synchronized to festive music. Make sure to follow the Garden Trail for the best view. And don't forget to catch the spectacular fountain display on Half Mile Pond.

The Flight Before Christmas

Enjoy a seasonal show featuring stunning owls taking flight in the Longhouse. This enchanting performance will captivate both children and adults. Showtimes are at 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, and 6pm and run for 15 minutes. You’ll need to get in early as they close the doors closer to the start time for the birds safety.

Festive House Tours

Step back in time with a guided tour of Longleat House, classically decorated for Christmas. You can explore traditional decorations, multiple Christmas trees, and learn about the classic works of children's literature that inspired the festival's scenes.

Create unforgettable festive memories with your family at Longleat's 2023 Festival of Light, you could even make it a part of a Christmas tradition, you won’t regret it I promise!

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Longleat Safari & Adventure Park

Warminster, Wiltshire, United Kingdom (UK)

• https://www.longleat.co.uk

Longleat was the first safari park outside Africa and remains one of Britain’s top family days out, with sprawling, drive-through enclosures that are home to lions, tigers, giraffe, hippo and the park’s shyest residents – a family of cheetahs. Visitors can drive their own cars, or take the safari bus, which operates a 1.5-hour guided tour through the park.

The Market Square area is home to a range of animal enclosures, including the Jungle Kingdom, which has a walk-through meerkat enclosure, Koala Creek and giant otters and crocodiles. Every day there are live shows and the chance to get up close with some of the smaller, tamer species.

Getting there & doing it

It takes about 2-2.5 hours to drive from London to Longleat. Trains from Paddington stop at Westbury (1.5 hours), which is 12 miles from Longleat (taxis are available at the station).

When to do it

The park is open from early March to early November, seven days a week. Christmas is a great time to visit, with a super Santa’s Grotto accessed by a magical train ride.

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Fun Day Out At Longleat Safari Park

Last month when Sam and I visited Wiltshire, we took a day trip to Longleat Safari Park. I had wanted to visit Longleat for ages and it ended up being such a fun day out!

Safari Drive Through

When you arrive at the Longleat safari entrance they hand you a CD. This guides you through each section of the safari with some information about the animals. The first stop is the African village and walking safari where you can park your car to get out to explore.

We then decided to brave the Monkey drive through. The monkeys will jump on your car and could possibly break something. Sam has to get a new back windscreen wiper! However, it is a lot of fun watching the monkeys jump all over other people’s cars and seeing the cute babies .  If you don’t want to risk it then you can just take the by pass lane and carry onto the next part of the safari or take a bus which you can organise through Longleat here .

Longleat House

How long does the Safari take?

The Safari drive through takes between 2-3 hours depending how busy it is and how long you want to spend in each area

Do you have to drive?

If you don’t fancy driving around the Safari you can book a safari bus service at Guest Services daily, these are subject to availability. There are also lot’s of areas near Longleat House which you can walk around instead of doing the safari.

On the safari drive the only toilet stop is at the African village, there are none after that until back at Longleat house and main square so make sure you visit before starting the tour.

Feeding the animals

• You can feed the Giraffe at 10.30am or 2pm at the African Village
• Feed the Deer for £1
• Opportunity to feed the sea lions on the boat trip for £1
• Check out this page for more Longleat feeding times

Where to eat?

There are plenty of food options such as pizzas, burgers, sandwiches or snacks. You can eat at The Watering Hole Café, The Chameleon Tree Restaurant and Coffee House, The Orangery, Cellar Café or Pizza Piazza.

Address: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW – if using a sat nav use this post code BA12 7JS

Longleat is just off the A36 between Bath and Salisbury

We had such a fun day at Longleat, make sure you arrive early as there’s so much to do and so many different areas to explore.

Cost – £33.95 at gate or £28.85 online

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My trip to Longleat Safari Park was complimentary in exchange for this review. However, all views and opinions are my own.

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12 comments.

I really must go to Longleat! Safari in our own country.

enjoytheadventures2017

Yeah it’s so cool having a Safari in the UK!

Dippy-Dotty Girl

Gorgeous photos Jess. The shortbread-loving deer are too cute!

Thanks the deer were adorable!

At first i thought this was in Africa… thats really cool, great pictures and a nice read.

enjoytheadventures

Yeah it doesn’t seem like somewhere in the UK. Thanks for reading 🙂

I never knew there was safari in the UK! This looks like such a good day out! Its 3 hours from me so not to bad at all!! Thanks for the tips!! xx

Thanks! It’s worth a visit such a fun day out x

Its now on the UK bucket list!!! Thank you!!! xxx

tumbling into wonderland

I love Longleat! We’ve never been brave enough to drive through the monkeys, we’ve seen too many horror stories.

If I visit again I’ll definitely avoid the monkeys!

This looks absolutely amazing and not too far from us (Gloucestershire)! I’m planning a sort of staycation in the October half term and looking for more things to do so I’ve just emailed hubby your blog post as I think this is a must!

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Best time of day to do drive through safari

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Longleat Questions & Answers

Are there exit point on the safari drive if the grandchildren need to use the toilet

Morning! We normally do the safari first when it opens at 10. Animals are normally more active and less chance of it being full of cars

I don't think the time matters as much as the weather. We just went on Wednesday and we went round about 1 PM. There had been heavy rain just before we entered the Safari so the giraffes were all under the trees and they were not feeding them for the rest of the day because of the weather.

The rain had stopped and all the other animals seem to be out and oblivious to the weather. We were warned that the deer may be a bit sluggish because of the rain but didn't experience that.

Maybe ask at the desk the animal feeding times are that be prepared for those times will be the busiest and therefore you may not get a good view.

I went in morning the animals were all feeding . Great ,last time I went in the rain and in afternoon. Did not see many animals all asleep or sheltering.

Anytime really! If you go early, do it straight away.

If not, find out the animals lunch times, as sometimes they are the best times to go!

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Longleat Stays – Lodges, Log Cabins & Cottages With Hot Tubs

Located on the westernmost tip of Wiltshire, the massive estate of Longleat is the ultimate family destination. At its core, the place is a stately home, but thanks to its landscaped parklands and deep woodlands, Longleat is now considered the first safari park in England. From its exciting hedge maze to its wonderful collection of wildlife, there are plenty of opportunities for adventure. Visitors are also welcome to explore the estate’s endless grounds and tour the grand Elizabethan manor. For a holiday like no other, bring your family and friends to Longleat!

Hot Tub Accommodation: Holiday Cottages Luxury Lodges, Log Cabins

Looking for the perfect place for your stay in Longleat? Luckily, the safari park is close to many bustling cities and charming towns offering tons of luxurious accommodations. Families can retreat after a day of adventure into cosy country homes decorated with spacious lounge areas and gardens. For couples on a romantic break, you can recapture the intimate atmosphere with these lovely cottages and bungalows. And if you’re travelling with a big group, there’s always room for more with properties featuring extra bedrooms and summer houses. Spend the day in Longleat and retreat to the best holiday base!

Modern lodging with sunny lounge area. Exclusive deck perfect for al fresco dining. Panoramic lakeside scenery for maximum tranquillity.

Barn conversion surrounded by lovely gardens and countryside. Only five-minute drive away from shops, cafes, and restaurants. Property can be decorated for Christmas upon request.

Located on the outskirts of Bath. Family country home with patio and enclosed lawn. Games room include pool table, air hockey, and table football.

Holiday bungalow found within pretty village of Compton Dundon. Features private gravelled driveway and manicured lawn. Can accommodate up to three well-behaved pets.

Renovated barn featuring reverse-level and open-plan layouts. Lounge area includes bifolding doors opening to grounds. First-floor balcony with overlooking flatlands.

Detached cottage with funky and artsy interiors. Stone walled garden with fire pit and hammock. Property welcomes up to four dogs.

Semi-detached property boasting original exposed beams. Kitchen opens to terrace for outdoor dining. Within driving distance to Poole, Bournemouth, and Weymouth.

Classic English home fitting for large groups. Property set within exclusive neighbourhood of Meare. Spacious garden for well-behaved pets.

Six-bedroom holiday home with lovely piano. Spacious terrace for al fresco dining with woodland views. Found on the outskirts of Frome.

Newly-renovated modern home with Bansky-inspired interiors. Fenced patio and yard with outdoor furnishings. Within driving distance to city of Bath.

Restored barn featuring an eclectic mix of rooms. Enclosed gravelled yard for maximum privacy. Perfect for small families or romantic getaways.

Luxurious woodland-themed retreat. Enclosed terrace with outdoor seating. Can be booked with adjacent property for larger groups.

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Best Places To Stay On Your Longleat Hot Tub Break

With its unique location and vast estate, Longleat has plenty of access to neighbouring towns and cities. Pair your safari adventure with a quick stroll along the ancient streets of Bath. For an authentic rural retreat, holidaymakers and glampers will find their next home from home within the town of Bradford-on-Avon. And if you simply want to get lost in the pretty countryside, then Shaftesbury is the place to be. For your next stay in Longleat, take a pick from some of the best holiday destinations:

Bath is a city located in the southwestern region of Somerset. The city itself is built around the Avon Canal and is surrounded by limestone hills from Mendip Hills and the Cotswolds. Due to its stunning landscape and incredible heritage, Bath is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also the largest settlement in the county, receiving millions of visitors every year.

The city of Bath is famous for many things including its Georgian architecture and Roman-built baths. The latter is located at the heart of the city and within close distance to the historical Bath Abbey. On the other hand, its Georgian style is very much evident through the city’s exteriors and is represented through buildings like the Royal Crescent and the Circus. Bath is also closely associated with the famous writer, Jane Austen.

Bradford-on-Avon

Bradford-on-Avon is a picturesque town within the borders of Wiltshire. The town is dominated by valleys and hillsides with the River Avon connecting it to the city of Bath. Although generally smaller than its neighbours, the town is rich in history with ruins dating back to Roman times. Holidaymakers also frequent the area for its charming architecture and idyllic atmosphere.

The town is best known for its heritage sites including the Tithe Barn, which is believed to be the biggest medieval barn in England. It’s also synonymous with the Town Bridge. This bridge is the most iconic structure of Bradford-on-Avon featuring nine arches and a small domed chapel. The trek up St. Margaret’s Hill is also a favourite trail among holidaymakers who want a panoramic view of the town’s countryside.

Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury is a town located in Dorset and is known for its hilly streets and sprawling farmlands. With its beautiful landscapes and charming homes, it’s considered one of the prettiest towns in the county. Like many rural towns, Shaftesbury has a deep history with its fair share of age-old ruins. This includes Shaftesbury Abbey, a nunnery that was believed to have been established in 888. Another worthy structure is St. Peter’s Church, a Grade-II listed building that is now being used as the town hall.

While most tourists would associate the town as a holiday destination, the rest of Britain knows Shaftesbury from the “Hovis” commercial. The famous commercial was filmed in Gold Hill, one of the town’s hilltop areas and featured a young boy riding his bicycle with a loaf of bread in his basket. It was an extremely popular advert during the 1970s and drove tourism up for this quiet little town. That’s not all though – Shaftesbury also has fascinating museums, lovely outdoor parks, and gorgeous gardens boasting its own flower called “Shaftesbury Snowdrops.”

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