A Look Around Longleat House
Longleat House, a stately home in the UK, welcomes you as you wind your way down towards the car park and safari entrance. It’s architectural grandeur strong against the vast acres of garden and woodland surrounding it. Any signs of commercialisation subtly hidden and camouflaged behind.
A magnificent lion sculpture stands proudly towards the front of the house gazing out across luscious acres of green. This is one of the more recent additions to the estate but it looks and feels as if it has always belonged.
As we ventured up the steps to the main entrance we were greeted by the late Elizabeth I who regaled a little bit of history and beamed when my eldest instantly recognise who she was.
Stepping into the inside of Longleat house is like opening a luxurious box of Belgian chocolates. Everywhere you look ornate pieces of woodwork, sculptures, ornaments, furniture and art work capture your attention. It really is an eye filler and craftsmanship truly stunning…
even the ceilings are covered with panels of heavily detailed artwork, carvings and colour.
I loved how light and spacious the rooms were even though every possible bit of space was a richly decorated.
The tour through the house was not as large as I thought it would be considering the size of the building and felt like it came to an end very quickly but you do see a good variety of rooms that cover all the bases; entrance, dining, bedroom, drawing, gallery, dining, kitchen, bathroom etc. Each room has a knowledgeable helpful member of the Longleat team who will talk you through aspects of the room explaining the history of the building and artefacts. They are great with kids engaging them with questions and telling them secret little titbits about various objects in the room.
NB/Photography is not allowed inside the house and is strictly adhered to (these photo’s were sent for the purpose of this blog post).
You exit via Emma’s (Viscountess Weymouth) Kitchen where you can purchase victorian style kitchen utensils along with beautiful homemade produce like jams and meringues. It looked very pretty but I would have liked to see more unusual produce and products for sale. It’s early days though and I’m sure it will change as Emma and her Brand become more established.
From the back of Longleat house you can walk through a formal garden to The Orangery one of the many places to eat) and on to the small animal, adventure play ground and exhibition area…
I hadn’t realised quite how many animals you could see at Longleat and how up close you get. Looks fantastic!
This looks like such a fun day out, amazing pictures!
I’ve been to the house at Longleat but as it was in the middle of winter we didn’t see the animals. I’d love to someday though. Fantastic photographs!
Wow what an amazing looking experience it looks like going through Longleat- I would love to do it myself one day. x
Wow your photos are amazing! I haven’t been to longleat for ages, really need to go back x
Wow. This looks amazing. I love Safari Parks.
Now Longleat is on my list of places I would love to visit, it looks just amazing x
We haven’t been to a safari park for years but have very happy memories of Longleaf! Great photos!
*Longleat!* I must have mis-typed:-)
I used to love doing things like this as a kid, but I’m not so sure about these attractions now.
How amazing to be able to get that close to the animals, such a lovely experience.
I used to love going to these but I’ve never been to this one before! .
Wow your pictures look amazing, I would love to visit with the children.
I haven’t been to Longleat in what seems like forever but I remember I absolutely loved it when I went. It’s definitely somewhere I want to take my daughter xx
We love Safari parks – it’s lovely to get so close to the animals in their world x
I remember going to Longleat a couple of years ago. I wasn’t quite “kid” age but I loved it! So much history in the house! Would love to visit again!
I’ve never taken Boo to a safari park, but it’s definitely something I’d want to add to our ‘list’ for 2017…
Fabulous pictures, we have been here before and really enjoyed it, your making me want to go back! x
I love going to the zoo. We went to Twycross recently and it was lovely family day out.
Wow these photos are fantastic – What a wonderful array of beautiful animals. I’m thinking I would be pretty terrified going through the Big cat enclosure and wouldn’t need telling twice to put my window up!
I LOVE safaris! I’ve been here once when I was very young but, of course, I don’t remember anything! Must visit again 😀
I have very fond memories of visiting Longleat as a child with my family. We haven’t been with the boys yet
I’ve heard so many great reviews of Longleat – I really want to take my kids!
It must be about 25 years since I visited Longleat as they used to have a Doctor Who exhibition there. Great tip about cleaning your car windows first for good photographs.
I love Longleat and it is fairly close to us. I am planning on visiting later in the year for the festival of light
I really want to go to Longleat but it is just too far away, Love this post such lovely photos x
Longleat is definitely on my list of places I want to visit very soon. x
amazing pictures! I love Safari Parks.