Longleat House, Saturday 26 July to Sunday 31 August 2008
The tour of Longleat House will be restricted to the ground floor only during this period for conservation reasons.
Click here for further details

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 (400 hectares) of magnificent ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland with a further 8000 acres (3,200 hectares) of woodland, lakes and farmland. In the late 13th Century a priory belonging to the Black Canons of the Order of St Augustine occupied the site where Longleat House now stands.

Unfortunately, the priory failed to maintain itself financially and, in 1530, it was taken over by the Carthusian monks of Hinton Charterhouse.

The priory was put up for sale during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536-39 and it was bought by John Thynne in 1541 for a total sum of £53! He was only 25 years old.

John Thynne, builder of Longleat House, had worked as a clerk of the kitchens to Henry VIII and later rose to wealth and power in the service of Protector Somerset. He was knighted after the battle of Pinkie in 1547 when fighting the Scots – hence the knot in the tail of the Scottish lion which is featured in the family coat of arms.

Sir John died in 1580 with Longleat still unfinished though building operations had not deterred Queen Elizabeth I from visiting in 1574 – the first in a long line of royal guests.

Longleat House VIP Winter Tours
for Groups

Longleat has introduced two NEW special packages exclusively for groups to Longleat House this winter. Click here to read more

Private Chattels Tours

Additional rooms not normally open to the public will now be available for private tours on specific days during the year. Details are as follows:-

Open Dates for 2008:

• Wednesday 30th April
• Wednesday 14th May
• Thursday 22nd May
• Wednesday 11th June
• Thursday 26th June
• Wednesday 16th July
• Wednesday 10th September
• Thursday 25th September
• Thursday 16th October
• Tuesday 28th October

Costs/Availability:
£10 per person (15 yrs+ only). To be paid on arrival at the Front Desk of Longleat House. Please note that this price does not include grounds & gardens charges or the standard tour of Longleat House or Murals.
Pre-booking essential - please telephone 01985 845401 to book (a minimum of 24 hours notice is required). Tours limited to 12 persons per tour.

Duration/Timings:
Tours will last approximately 1 hour and will take place at 12pm promptly on the dates advertised above. Pre-booking is essential (a minimum of 24 hours notice is required).

Special Notices:
Please note that for conservation reasons the carrying of large bags, use of mobile phones or cameras and wearing of shoes with stiletto heels are strictly prohibited.