Visit our Stunning Stately Home
Longleat House is widely regarded as one of the best examples of high Elizabethan architecture in Britain and one of the most beautiful stately homes open to the public.
Substantially completed by 1580 and now home to the 7th Marquess of Bath, Longleat House is set within 900 acres of stunning ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland… a bit different from the run-down priory, 60 acres of land, a rabbit warren and an orchard which was purchased by John Thynne in 1540 for £53!
Explore Longleat House
Adults and kids alike love this stunning stately home.
Longleat House is packed to the rafters with priceless antiques. Look up at the ceilings that Longleat is so famous for - with their ornate paintings and abundance of gilt, made by the firm of John Dibblee Crace in the 1870s and 1880s.
You’ll see some of the libraries. Did you know Longleat has one of the largest private book collections in Europe with over 40,000 books catalogued within 7 libraries?
Look out for the grisly blood-stained, silk sleeved waistcoat worn by King Charles I at his execution in 1649 that sits in the Great Hall of Longleat House.
Please note that Longleat House will be closed to visitors between Friday 7th and Sunday 9th June 2013 due to a private family function. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
HOUSE TOURS
Longleat House offers 40 minute guided tours every morning between 1000 and 1145 (during opening dates) and will incorporate some of Lord Bath’s murals.
Please note that pushchairs are not allowed on tours of Longleat House after midday, but pushchairs can be left at Reception and hip seats can be provided.
PRIVATE CHATTEL TOURS
Most of the historic contents of Longleat House have been exempted from capital taxation because of their national heritage importance or because of their historical association with Longleat. The tours give public access to those chattels (a legal term for tangible and moveable goods e.g. furniture, paintings and porcelain) which are not on the main visitor route, or shown on the daily morning tours of Longleat House.
Guided tours of the private chattels are available on the following dates in 2013
Friday 12th April Friday 26th April
Thursday 9th May Friday 31st May
Friday 21st June Friday 5th July
Thursday 11th July Thursday 5th September
Friday 27th September Thursday 3rd October
Meeting point: Great Hall, Longleat House at midday. Tour duration 2 hours
Maximum 12 per tour. Cost £19.20 per person which includes House & Grounds ticket. Adult ticket holders only.
Please note that tours must be booked at least 24 hours in advance:
Ruth Charles 01985 845420 (ruth.charles@longleat .co.uk)
A list of the private chattels which are available for public access can be seen by prior arrangement. Please contact Ruth Charles in the first instance.