Longleat Safari & Adventure Park Do you take time to visit the other attractions?

Zambar

Zambar

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Seeing as we're a community of zoo lovers, enthusiasts and proffesionals alike, it's a no-brainer that the main reason to visit Longleat if the chance arises is for the Safari Park and the related animal attractions (Safari Boats, Animal Adventure, Pets Corner and Old Joe's Mine). But do any of you who have or reguarly visit take time to visit the things not in any way animal related?
Whenever we go, we always take half-an-hour or so to visit the House for which Longleat is initially famous for. However many times you go, I always find it amazing just how much is in there! Another thing we usually go on is the Railway, as it also gives a second view of the lake animals, and the free attractions in the courtyard also contain interesting things that most are unaware of: For example actual paintings by Hitler showing the world he wanted, with horrific photos nearby of how it really turned out, and some nostalgic flyers and press clippings from the early days of the House's opening and the Safari Park.
One other attraction I really miss, as a Doctor Who nut, is the Doctor Who Exhibition that is now Old Joe's Mine (you can still make out the original TARDIS shaped entrance). My imagination ran wild in there even when I didn't really know what the show was, and I remember being really dissapointed it was gone when I visited in 2004.
 
lol, you could just pretend old joes mine is a new TARDIS interior:D

I probably wouldn't visit the house, no matter how famous. Too be honest it doesn't really interest me as much
 
Haha, funnilly enough the bat cave was just that! :) I remember a Dalek display too with a voice synthesiser to make yours sound like one, that was great. And to think that probably the busiest days in Longleat's history since the opening of the Safari Park occured in one weekend to celebrate Doctor Who's twentieth anniversary! I feel sorry for anyone who just wanted to visit the Safari Park then.

I think if you saw it for yourself the opinion might change. I think it just has some kind of aura over me, or maybe it's just because of the ghosts that haunt it. :)
 
I always visit all of the animal attractions when I go, but also do visit the house. I have limited interest in it really, though. I see the train as an animal attraction, in all honesty. Even with the pelicans gone, its still another opportunity to see the animals. And without wanting this to turn into one of those 'personal vision' threads, I'd love them to encorporate an enclosure or two in the fields on the right as you go up towards the lakes. Maybe a nice Desert antelope enclosure, much like Aridlands at Marwell. But then, that's just wishful thinking.

I too, did enjoy the Dr Who exhibition, however I didn't miss it when it closed because I didn't know much about it. But I do remember my dad telling me all about the Cybermen and using that Dalek voice changer thing. But I prefer it as a bat cave.
 
I always thought it would be nice to have Dinosaur sculptures and things along the rail track, and I also like the cut-outs of historical figures in Longleat that they have currently. I think the train moves a bit too fast for an animal enclosure that can only be viewed from there to be built, but I usually see plenty of wildlife from it: On one trip, I saw a group of roe deer behind the ant sculptures and a buzzard sitting on the woodland floor.

In my ideal Longleat, I'd make a new Who exhibition elsewhere on the site so as to keep the mine. They were desperate to keep Postman Pat even when they built Animal Adventure on the original, when Doctor Who would nowadays attract a bigger audience. But then, I don't suppose it's much of a necessity now it's gone, unless they want another huge Who convention there for the 50th anniversary in 2013. :D

One thing I don't tend to visit much is the maze. Once is enough, and finding your way through hedges takes up too-much animal viewing time. :p
 
My only visit was a few years ago when I stayed at Longleat, and I must say it is wonderful to walk around the grounds at night.

Seeing the Hippos active at night was brilliant as well. I think I went for a walk every night and enjoyed the grounds more than the safari park.

If you have been there and seen it once, it probably is not going to be any different the next time you visit. However I believe you should take the time to see everything else at least once.
 
Were you staying in the Center Parcs or Caravan Site? I've always wanted to see the hippos in the narrow bit of the lake were you can walk around, as it would seem quite daunting considering it would take just one step over a short electric fence to fall into their territory.
 
Zambar said:
Were you staying in the Center Parcs or Caravan Site? I've always wanted to see the hippos in the narrow bit of the lake were you can walk around, as it would seem quite daunting considering it would take just one step over a short electric fence to fall into their territory.
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The Caravan Site, they close that part off at night, but you can walk around the other side if you choose too. While we were there you could hear the wolf's and Lion in the safari park calling.
 
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