A heartfelt message to future generations has been buried beneath Longleat’s newest addition – a purpose-built hippo complex in the Wiltshire countryside.
The ceremonial sealing of a time capsule, which now lies beneath the floor of a classroom in the new facility, saw the young sons of Lord and Lady Bath – John, Viscount Weymouth and his brother Lord Henry Thynn – pen a postcard to the “people of the future”, marking a special moment in the estate’s ongoing journey.
Attended by local schoolchildren, councillors, animal keepers and care home residents, the event was a celebration not just of the past, but of what lies ahead. Among the guests were Cllr Ian Thorn (Leader of Wiltshire Council), Warminster Mayor Cllr Andrew Cooper, Horningsham Parish Council Chair Liz Glover, and pupils from Horningsham Primary School. Residents from Warminster’s Henford House Care & Nursing Home also contributed memories and mementos to the capsule.
The newly arrived hippo residents – Lola and Hodor, a mother and son duo, alongside sisters Matylda and Manon – are already turning heads, with many dubbing their new home the Hippodrome. Visitors have begun spotting the animals enjoying their outdoor pool, particularly those aboard the Jungle Cruise on Half Mile Pond.
Lord Bath praised the local response to the capsule project: “The burying of the time capsule was a wonderful community event, and Emma and I were thrilled by the suggestions and stories submitted by local residents. It’s a real record of life in and around Longleat in 2025.”
Among the items sealed inside are guidebooks, drawings and letters from schoolchildren, a book signed by wildlife presenter Steve Backshall, and memorabilia from BBC’s Animal Park, which is regularly filmed at the estate. A touching photograph of the late hippos Spot and Sonia, much loved by keepers and guests alike, also found its place.
Lord Bath reflected on the history behind the moment, noting: “My grandfather first brought hippos to Longleat in 1967, shortly after launching the UK’s first safari park. This new complex, and welcoming a breeding pod, honours that vision and builds on the legacy he began.”
Lady Bath added: “We hope this time capsule might be opened in 2066 when the Safari Park marks its centenary—or perhaps in 2125, a hundred years after the hippo house opened. That decision will rest with future generations.”
Simon Askew, Longleat’s Chief Operating Officer, described the moment as symbolic of the estate’s mission: “This time capsule is a marker of our continued commitment to conservation, education and sustainability. It’s a bridge between past, present and future—celebrating Longleat’s place in the local community and our responsibility to protect the world’s wildlife.”
The time capsule, much like the animals it honours, is now part of Longleat’s evolving story – one that continues to bring generations together with curiosity, care and connection.
