Six decades on from a quietly groundbreaking idea, Longleat Safari Park is marking its 60th anniversary with a weekend that leans as much into its history as it does its present.
Back in 1966, the Wiltshire estate opened the first drive-through safari park outside Africa — a concept that now feels familiar, but at the time was anything but. This April, that milestone is being celebrated with a two-day garden party set around Longleat House, running from Saturday 11 to Sunday 12.
There’s plenty to draw in the crowds. Vintage motors, live music from across the decades and garden games all feature, alongside tethered hot air balloon displays — weather permitting — involving Longleat’s own balloons, Simabloo and Adelaide. It’s the sort of programme that suggests a relaxed wander rather than a tightly scheduled day.
For those more interested in what happens beyond the visitor routes, the keeper talks may be the real draw. Held four times daily, they offer a closer look at the work that underpins the park’s conservation efforts. Topics range from the practical — modern animal record keeping — to the more headline-grabbing, including hippos and the ongoing work to protect white rhinos and koalas.
It’s a reminder that Longleat has always been more than just a drive-through experience. Conservation, while not always front and centre for visitors, sits firmly behind much of what happens on site.
Alongside the anniversary celebrations, the estate’s Easter programme, Once Upon an Easter, continues to run throughout the period. Visitors can follow a literary-themed trail featuring scenes inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Wind in the Willows and Goldilocks and the Three Bears — with the promise of a chocolate reward at the end, should motivation be required.
Scott Ashman, head of operations, describes the weekend as a reflection of Longleat’s “key pillars”, combining entertainment with education and conservation. It’s a familiar balance, but one that continues to draw visitors back year after year.
There’s also a small nod to the anniversary itself: anyone turning 60 in April can claim free entry for the weekend, provided they book in advance.
For everyone else, it’s shaping up to be a busy couple of days at one of Wiltshire’s better-known attractions — celebrating a past that, in its own way, helped redefine what a day out could look like.
