Longleat is not just a zoo. It is a huge estate in the Wiltshire countryside with a safari park, wildlife encounters, and loads to explore beyond the animals. This post was originally written after our visit in 2023, and I have updated it with extra notes from a second visit on 11.04.2024, focused on the grounds, the house, and the maze.
At the heart of Longleat is the safari park, where you drive through different habitats and spot animals up close. From the iconic lions to the cheeky monkeys, it feels like there is always something happening. It is an easy way to see a huge variety of wildlife in one place, and it is the part of Longleat that makes the day feel like a proper adventure.
Longleat is more than animals. The estate is built around Longleat House, an Elizabethan mansion surrounded by gardens and parkland. Exploring the house feels like stepping back in time, with grand rooms, artwork, and loads of history woven into the building. It adds a completely different vibe to the visit, which I loved.
One of the coolest parts of Longleat is Koala Creek. Watching the koalas chilling in their eucalyptus habitat is weirdly relaxing, and it feels like such a unique thing to see in the UK. These smaller encounters are a nice balance to the bigger safari sections, and they make the park feel more varied across the day.
On 11.04.2024, my cousin Talli and I explored more of the grounds properly, and it was honestly just as memorable as the wildlife. The estate feels massive once you start walking it. The gardens are beautiful, the sculptures and pathways make it easy to wander, and the highlight for us was the huge hedge maze. Getting lost in there was a laugh, and it turned into one of those simple moments you remember most.
Longleat is packed with wildlife, and the mix is part of what makes it so good. Depending on what you do on the day, you might come across lions, tigers, giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs, monkeys, gorillas, hippos, wolves, wallabies, meerkats, sea lions, flamingos, birds of prey, and reptiles.
If you only have one day, these are the parts I would prioritise.
Driving through the lion enclosure is the moment everyone talks about. Seeing them this close, stretched out on the road or watching your car roll past, feels unforgettable.
The giraffes move slowly and calmly, often walking right alongside the vehicle. Their size up close is impressive without feeling intimidating.
Probably the most infamous part of Longleat. The monkeys climb, jump, and explore everything, including your car, which makes it hilarious and slightly nerve wracking.
Watching a tiger move is something else. They feel calm but powerful, and seeing them pace or rest gives you a real sense of their presence.
Sleek and focused, cheetahs feel very different to the other big cats. Even when resting, they look ready to move at any second.
The wolf enclosure feels quiet and intense. Watching them move together as a group gives a real sense of their natural behaviour.
Always busy and alert, the meerkats are easy to watch for far longer than expected. They add a lighter, playful energy to the park.
Seeing animals roaming freely around your car is what makes Longleat special. It feels closer to a real safari than a traditional zoo visit.
Longleat is huge, so plan for a mix of driving and walking. Use the map to get your bearings before you arrive.