*************
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: 01/02/2011
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 19th Feb - 27th Feb; Open weekends only 5th Mar - 3rd Apr; 10am - 4pm Safari Park and 5pm all else. 
Open daily 9th Apr - 6th Nov; opening hours vary please see Longleat website for further details.

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: Free flow tours, opening details as above, last approx 50 mins

Admission Prices:
Day Ticket: Adult: £26; Child (3-14yrs): £18.50; Over 60's: £21
Annual Pass: Adult: £65; Child (3-14yrs): £46.25; Over 60's: £52.20
Other prices - see website
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