It’s not every attraction that can claim to have carried generations of visitors, delighted children at Christmas, and still found time to reinvent itself with each passing decade. But then, Longleat Railway isn’t just any attraction. This summer marks sixty years since its first whistle echoed across the Wiltshire estate, and the celebrations are set to honour both its past and its place in the hearts of thousands.
First steaming into life on 27 August 1965, the 15-inch narrow-gauge line was carrying passengers months before Longleat became the first place outside Africa to offer a drive-through Safari. What began as a modest journey soon expanded into the mile-and-a-quarter trip we know today, one that magically transforms each winter into a festive express bound for Santa’s grotto.
To mark the anniversary, trains will sound their horns together in a “whistle-up” at noon, 2pm, and 4pm each day between Saturday 23 August and Sunday 31 August. The event mirrors the nationwide tribute held earlier this year to commemorate 200 years since the first passenger train service in Britain.
Visitors during the week will also find something special waiting for them – commemorative tickets modelled on the originals from the 1960s, a nostalgic keepsake that harks back to the railway’s beginnings. Staff, too, will be sporting new uniforms featuring a badge designed especially for the occasion, a motif also recreated in flowers by the gardens team in Main Square.
Scott Ashman, Head of Operations at Longleat, explained: “The 60th anniversary is a significant milestone in the railway’s story. Our visitors have always loved the sense of tradition that comes with the line, and this is a chance to celebrate that history in a fitting way.”
The anniversary festivities run alongside Longleat’s summer carnival, with fairground rides and workshops ensuring there’s plenty more to enjoy on the estate until 31 August. Train rides remain included in the standard day ticket, while commemorative badges can be picked up in the Out of the Wild gift shop.
