Longleat Safari Park review
Posted on: 2016-02-28
Our rating:
Longleat is a fab day out and much much more than just an animal park - the house is worth a visit and with the largest maze in Britain and a brilliant playground the kids are always entertained. So much to do - you really need two days!
The Longleat Safari and Adventure Park is a fantastic family attraction located just outside Warminster in Wiltshire that celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2016. Yes it is an hours drive from Bristol but if you plan your day right you really can get the most of this amazing park and house. Leaving the house early is to be fair easier said than done - after 3 tantrums, a failed picnic attempt and tyre issues we were off.
One of the great sights of the day is arriving, you drive down the hill with the lake and house to your right which is impressive in itself. We entered the Safari first - for those that were born on planet Pluto, Longleat is a driving safari! You drive around in your Fiat Punto (other cars are available) while you pray monkeys don't break your car and you also hope to goodness that your car doesn't overheat in the lion enclosure.
We saw: Wallabies, Tortoise, Lemurs, Zebras, Rhino, Tigers, Lions, Wolves, Camels, an Elephant's bum and more variety of deer than Ant and Dec have awards. During our visit we were accompanied by Steve Backshall who guided us around the park on the sound box. We were also joined by a barrel of monkeys which didn't destroy our car. We did learn that monkeys do prefer a darker car...you have been warned.
It's a nice drive - a highlight was a rhino trying to ram a broken down BMW which would of caused damage if it wasn't for a last ditch diversion from a tractor. A male lion walked right past our car which did slightly freak out our youngest, but was an amazing moment of the day. Once the driving Safari was over we headed to the walk section of the park. We were joined by: red panda, snakes, porcupines, Ray's, parrots, spiders, ant eaters, rabbits and we had penguins and meerkats walk over our feet.
We had the opportunity to go on the Lady Bath - a large custom boat which took us on trip to feed sea lions as well as look at the famous gorilla and the hippos. We didn't actually see hippos but we were assured they were there. My tribe loved feeding the sea lions; we threw fish at the smaller ones but every time the bigger sea lion stole all the food- a bit like me at a buffet! Again, assurances were made that every animal gets some food!
Longleat is a fabulous day out and much much more than just an animal park - the house is worth a visit and with the largest maze in Britain and a brilliant playground the kids are always entertained. So much to do - you really need two days! They even have those amazing donuts with loads of sugar freshly made to order.
Well done Lord Bath and your many wives- you have done well!
4/5 review by Trevor and family! Review Date: 25 February 2016.
For more information about Longleat visit www.longleat.co.uk where you can save up to 15% by booking online with adult tickets £28.85 and children £21.20. Children under 3 are free and a senior citizens pass is £22.90.
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
