Summary

Take a look at a time gone by at Longleat House, a superb example of Elizabethan architecture, and one of the country’s finest stately homes. Home to sixteen generations of the Thynn family, the 7th Marquess of Bath is perhaps one of Longleat’s most famous residents.

Where is Longleat House located?

Close to the A36, between Salisbury and Bath, Longleat can be reached using the postcode BA12 7JS, although drivers should ignore sat-nav instructions on the approach to Longleat, and follow the brown tourist signs instead.

What is the history of Longleat House to the present day?

Much of Longleat House was built by Sir John Thynne, who was steward to Edward Seymour, Henry VII’s brother-in-law. Through this connection, Thynne bought ‘Longlete’, as a dilapidated priory, with 60 acres, for the princely sum of £53. Following generations have left their mark on the house, giving it an eclectic feel, accumulated over the centuries.

What is there to see and do at Longleat House?

The entrance to Longleat House, into the Great Hall, never fails to impress visitors. The ceilings are 35 feet high, and the walls are filled with magnificent paintings, giving a sense of how imposing the space would have been when banquets were held here. Other rooms open to the public include libraries, a splendid dining room and a saloon that is 90 feet in length. At the end, visitors can glide down the Grand Staircase, admiring the many artworks on the surrounding walls.

Other information

Longleat House sits at the heart of Longleat Park, which features the UK’s very first drive-through safari.