A WEEKEND TRIP TO…
COUNTRY HOMESTAYS ON THE HISTORIC WILTSHIRE ESTATE
Longleat in Wiltshire to stay at one of the beautifully styled properties on the estate
Abeautiful example of Elizabethan architecture, 440-year-old Longleat House is renowned for its fine interiors, Capability Brown landscaped gardens and safari park, opened in 1966 by the Sixth Marquess of Bath. Recently, the addition of six rural retreats in properties like the East Lodge, Keeper’s House and Keeper’s Cottage, means you can stay on the stunning 9,000-acre estate.
ROOM WITH A VIEW
Each of the retreats varies in size and was individually designed by Fusion By Design, working with Longleat curator Dr James Ford using furniture and photographs from the Longleat archives. Features include parquet floors, Shaker-style kitchens and a colourful country-meets-safari theme. Just as interesting as the interiors are the views, which range from the house itself, to the reserve, where you can wake up to see giraffes grazing from your window.
LOCAL SPECIALITIES
A welcome hamper includes wine made from grapes grown in the Longleat walled kitchen garden vineyard. Longleat even has its own pub, The Bath Arms, where the food offering is most definitely local. Meat and game from the estate, produce from nearby farms and fish landed on the south coast turn up on the menu as pub staples and gastro delights. Look out for the Beckford beef burger, and wild mushroom risotto topped with hazelnuts, crispy egg and truffle oil.
OUT AND ABOUT
Access to Longleat estate and park is included in your stay, which means you can embark on a jungle cruise to spot hippos or lowland gorillas at their lakeside retreat, do a safari drive-through to check out the ‘big five’ or head to Jungle Kingdom to meet meerkats, anteaters and aardvarks. There’s a family farmyard with donkeys, goats and other familiar fauna, a maze, miniature railway and optional VIP safari, garden or architecture tours. And, after visitor hours you can enjoy the surrounding parkland. Cottages from £375 per night (including tours). Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire
BA12 7NW, longleat.co.uk