How to Enjoy Longleat Safari Park

England's Longleat Safari Park did not start as a safari park. It started as a house, built in 1574 by Sir John Thynne. Over the years, Longleat has evolved into an attraction for the entire family to enjoy. It was opened to the public in 1966, and is considered to be at the forefront of the conservation of endangered species. In addition, the house holds priceless paintings and antiques, and is home to a grand private library. Let's have a look at what Longleat is today.

Instructions

1. Find Longleat by car on the A362 Warminster to Frome road, half a mile off the A36 Warminister bypass, Bath to Salibury trunk road. If you take British Rail, get off at Warminster, Frome, Westbury. Bus service will take you to the main entrance, a 2.5-mile walk to the Longleat house. If you are driving, you can drive through the park. Soft-top cars are not allowed.

2. See in person what the BBC spotlights on its show "Animal Park," which shows the daily behind-the-scenes goings-on at the park. Longleat is home to all manner of creatures, from giraffes to lions, camels to sea lions, and zebras to marmosets. Rhino, newborn in 2003 live at the park, and three tigers arrived in 2007. Take a tour of the park to see them up close and personal.

3. Explore the house. See the architectural details and appointments in each room. You can witness the grandeur of living experienced by the early residents of the house. The furnishings are exquisite.

4. Survey Lord Bath's murals. Lord Bath lives at Longleat today with his wife and two children. He has painted murals throughout his private apartment, preferring to exhibit his work there rather than in galleries.

5. The library at Longleat houses material dating back to the middle ages. Most of the collection has been copied and is available to researchers by appointment.

6. Give the Longleat maze a try. More than 16,000 English Yews make up the maze, first laid out in 1975 by designer Greg Bright. The maze covers an area of around 1.48 acres, with a total pathway length of 1.69 miles. This maze is three-dimensional, with six wooden bridges to give you peeks at the center. If you find the center after walking almost two miles, you can see the whole maze from an observation tower.

7. Longleat Safari Park offers added attractions like safari boats, an adventure castle, a pet corner, the Longleat railway, Old Joe's Mine, Postman Pat Village and a butterfly garden. There is something for the entire family at Longleat. so you may need to make more than one visit.