Longleat Safari Park was Britain’s first drive-through safari park outside of Africa when it opened in 1966. It is now home to over 500 animals including Lions, tigers, gorillas, snakes, sea lions and giraffes.

I have been lucky enough to visit the safari park three times, the first time being when I was about eight years old. I couldn’t believe I was so close to all of these beautiful and wild animals that I’d only ever seen on television before.

We began all of our Longleat journeys by embarking on the

drive-through safari multiple times throughout the day. Once you have purchased your safari ticket, you can drive around as many times as you like in one day, so long as you don’t leave the safari vicinity. We were touching distance (not literally as it is rightly prohibited to touch any of the animals for health and safety reasons) from wolves, lions, tigers, giraffes, monkeys, bears and rhinos - just to name a few. I was amazed at how blasé these potentially dangerous animals were of our presence on their territory.

We reached ‘Monkey Mayhem’ where visitors were warned of the damage their cars may suffer whilst driving through the monkey enclosure. There was also an opportunity to forsake the monkeys and continue onto the next set of animals. Of course, we took the risk and endured around an hour of cheeky monkeys helping themselves to the rubber seals of the car and to the window wipers. (Which we did have to get repaired). The monkey enclosure has been one of the most memorable parts of the park since it opened, those who avoid it miss out on the experience.

As well as the safari park, Longleat has a big selection of other attractions such as: The Hedge Maze, The Adventure Castle and King Arthur’s Mirror Maze. They also have a Pet’s Corner, which houses rabbits, guinea pigs and even parrots. It’s great for both children and adults as there is something for everyone.

As you work your way through all of the attractions, you are permanently being educated on animals, reptiles and even insects. The staff are more than helpful to assist you in knowledge of the park, the history of it and of course the animals they hold very dear to them.

An attraction slightly different to the animal ones, is the tour of Lord Bath’s Longleat House. A magnificent building on the 9,000 acre park. Lord Bath has a very quirky taste in art, so if art is your thing or history, a tour of Longleat House is the place for you.

In order to experience everything Longleat has to offer, it would be recommended to spread your trip over two-three days to fit everything in. You’re not going to want to miss a single bit of it!

www.longleat.co.uk