Longleat is the outing in this part of England that children remember. It is a working family estate that combines one of the finest Elizabethan houses in the country with a drive-through safari park, and it lies roughly half an hour to an hour from Salisbury, on the edge of Warminster. The house, completed in the sixteenth century, is a magnificent example of the period, with huge windows, a lavish interior and a renowned collection of paintings, books and furniture. Its grounds were redesigned in the eighteenth century by Capability Brown, whose sweeping lawns and lakes still frame the building. In the 1960s the estate opened the first safari park outside Africa, and visitors can still drive through enclosures where lions, tigers, giraffes, zebra and other animals roam. Walkaround areas, boat trips on the lake, a miniature railway and a large hedge maze add variety, and there are indoor attractions that suit a wet day. The estate is privately owned rather than part of a heritage charity, so tickets are bought from Longleat or through packages, and different areas can have different opening arrangements through the year.
The safari and the house
The safari drive takes about an hour, depending on traffic, and lets you see the animals from the safety of your own vehicle, with windows closed in the enclosures that need it. The park is best taken slowly, and you can choose to leave the drive and explore the walking areas, boat rides and play spaces.
The house, by contrast, is a quiet and elegant experience, with state rooms, a famous library and displays about the family that have lived here for centuries. Seeing both in a single day is possible but busy, so many visitors pick the safari with the walkaround attractions and leave the house for another visit, or the reverse.
Practicalities
Because the estate is large and some attractions are seasonal, the sensible approach is to check the Longleat website for the days and times your chosen areas are open. Cars are the main way to arrive, and the drive-through safari requires your own vehicle. If you do not have a car, there are private tours that pair Stonehenge with Longleat and its house, which is a convenient way to see both, though the day is long and the cost is higher than a standard ticket.
Pre-booking is wise for weekends, school holidays and the busy summer period.
Making a day of it
Longleat is a natural family choice, and it is most rewarding with children aged from about four to twelve. Combine it with a walk in the nearby woods or a stop in the market town of Warminster, and plan for lunch on site, where there is a choice of cafés and picnic spots.
For a long weekend, Longleat fits well with a Stourhead visit on a second day, or with Old Wardour Castle on the way back to Salisbury. If your group is mainly adults who prefer heritage to animals, a visit to the house and gardens alone is still worthwhile, with the Capability Brown landscape and the lake a highlight on a sunny day.
What to expect
The experience
A self-drive safari through animal enclosures, plus walking areas, a lake, a hedge maze and an Elizabethan house that can be visited separately.
Best time
Spring to early autumn for the full range of attractions; arrive early on weekends and in school holidays.
How long
About four hours for the safari and some attractions, a full day if you add the house and gardens.
Tips
Check which attractions are open on your date, bring your own car for the safari, and pre-book at busy times.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families with children, and anyone who wants an animal day out after a run of historic sights.
- Families
- The headline family day in the region, with the safari, the maze and the boat rides.
- Couples
- The house and gardens alone make a graceful half-day for adults.
- Pair with
- Stourhead or Old Wardour Castle for a second day in south Wiltshire.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day, plus the drive from Salisbury.
Good questions
How far is Longleat from Salisbury?+
Roughly thirty miles, which is about an hour by car depending on the route. It is awkward by public transport.
Can I do the safari without a car?+
The classic safari is a self-drive, so you need a vehicle. A private tour that includes Longleat is another option if you do not have a car.
How long does the safari take?+
Usually about an hour, and longer in busy periods or if you stop to watch the animals.
Is the house worth visiting?+
Yes, it is one of the best Elizabethan houses in England, with a library and fine state rooms, and it makes a calm contrast to the safari.
Is Longleat open all year?+
Some parts of the estate operate on a seasonal basis, so check the Longleat website for the areas you want to see on your date.
