Longleat is undoubtedly one of the best family attractions in the South West of England. Nestled within 900 acres, carefully landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, is the UK’s original Safari Park and home to a fine example of Elizabethan architecture, amongst its wealth of exciting attractions.

Immerse yourself in Longleat’s incredible Safari Drive-through and get up close and personal with a menagerie of exotic animals across six and a half miles. Start at the African Village and witness the gracious majesty of the giraffe, take a walk with the loveable lemurs or get a taste of Australia with the wallabies. Go on to greet the cheeky monkeys and survey the African Plains, keeping watch for the mighty rhino and the ‘Big Cats’, with lions, tigers and cheetahs.

Explore the Jungle Kingdom to experience an intimate encounter with mighty gorillias or the heard of humble penguins, before embarking on a further Animal Discovery on board the Longleat Railway, before taking to the water on the Jungle Cruise, where you can find sea lions swimming alongside the boat. For even more fun, allow the kids to run riot in the Adventure Zone complete with a Medieval castle, rope bridges, zip wires and slides. There is also the Little Explorer’s Garden, for younger children, alongside the infamous Hedge Maze and Rockin’ Rhino Ride.

At the heart of it all is the striking facade of Longleat House, where you can step back through more than 400 years of history. Considered to be one of the finest Elizabethan state homes in the country, with the family still inhabitant in parts of the house. Take a guided tour through 15 fantastic rooms open to the public, or admire the collection of artworks, tapestries and furniture at your own pace.

Longleat also hosts a varied range of spectacular events throughout the year, including a Food Festival, Hot Air Balloon Extravaganza, Sky Safari and Festival of Light. For further details on when to visit and how to save up to 15%, visit their website. If you’re looking for a place to stay, then Tucking Mill Luxury Self Catering offers the perfect hideaway within close proximity to Longleat and other fantastic attractions. Find out more about the rural cottage retreats, suited to fit the whole family.