************* Garden Owners, Please copy this information and paste it into an email to: wb [at] armchair-travel [dot] com Please make any changes in BRIGHT RED in your email back to us. Regards, Armchair Travel Co Ltd http://www.armchair-travel.com ************* Garden Name: Longleat Last Modified: 20/01/2010 Garden ID: 0020 pic: 0020_Longleat.jpg Owner: Jo Sparrow Address: Warminster Postcode: BA12 7NW County: Wiltshire tel: 01985-844400 fax: 01985 844885 website: www.longleat.co.uk email: enquiries {at} longleat.co.uk Features: Azaleas and Mazes English Heritage Grade: I Opening Times: Open daily 13th Feb - 21st Feb; Open weekends only 27th Feb - 21st Mar; 10am - 3pm Safari Park and 4.30pm all else. 29th Mar; 10am - 5pm 27th Mar - 31st Oct; Daily; 10am to 4pm, or 5pm at weekends, BHs & state school hols. Safari Park: see own website. All other attractions: see own website All attractions may close earlier in Feb, March, Sept, Oct and Nov due to shorter daylight hours Best Times of Year to Visit: May/June To see: Azalea Drive National Collection: National Garden Scheme days: No Comments: Parties / Coaches: Yes Comments: Viewing by Appointment: Yes Comments: All groups must have an appointment to tour the House House Open for Viewing: Yes Comments: Mon - Fri - One tour only at 12pm Sat and Sun - Four tours a day at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm Guided tours last appx 50 mins Admission Prices: Grounds & Gardens only: Adult: £4; Child (3-14yrs): £2; Over 60's: £3 House & grounds: Adult £12.00, Child 3-14 years £6.00, Senior Citizen £7.00 Passport Ticket (all 11 attractions): Adult: £23; Child (3-14yrs): £15; Over 60's: £17 Other prices - see website Parking: Yes Lavatories: Yes Disabled Access: Yes Shop: Yes Plants for Sale: No Lunches: Yes Teas: Yes Refreshments: Yes Picnics: Yes Dogs allowed: Yes Only on Lead: Yes Events: Yes Other Facilities: Designer: Description of Garden: The splendour of Longleat House nestling alongside a lake and within rolling 'Capability' Brown landscaped grounds is a view that cannot be missed. Fringed by thousands of trees, the grounds include formal gardens, a Secret Garden, the Pleasure Walk, a 19 century planting of rhododendrons and azaleas, topiary and fine examples of mazes including the Love Labyrinth, the Sun Maze and the Lunar Labyrinth. A recent addition to Longleat are the standing stones at Heaven's Gate - the massive stones and a ring-shaped gateway - made up of 13 smaller stones - form part of a gigantic sculpture which was commissioned by the Seventh Marquess of Bath. History: The park underwent a major 're-fashioning' by 'Capability' Brown under the instruction of the 1st Marquess during the latter half off the 18th century. This work was continued by the 2nd Marquess who employed Humphry Repton to re-design Half Mile Lake which had originally been constructed as a canal by the 1st Viscount Weymouth. It is Humphry Repton who built the island where Longleat's Lowland Gorillas, Nico and Samba, now live. One of the most recognisable features within the park has to be Heaven's Gate. Designed by 'Capability' Brown, this gap in the beech trees offers magnificent views across Somerset. Local Inns: Angel, Heytesbury Bath Arms, Horningsham Horse & Groom, East Woodlands White Hart, Corsley Accomodation: Restaurants: Village/Town/Sightseeing: Warminster