There are few sights in Wiltshire quite like Lodge Drive at Longleat, and this year, the changing seasons along its historic path have been captured on camera — revealing a stunning transformation from lush summer greens to the deep reds and golds of autumn.
The drive, which leads from the park gates at Horningsham to the south entrance of Longleat House, has always been one of the estate’s most breathtaking approaches. Running alongside the Capability Brown-inspired Arboretum, its towering Cedars of Lebanon and Coast Redwoods — planted in the mid-18th century — stretch more than 45 metres into the sky.
David Abrahams, Longleat’s Arboricultural Supervisor, said the new time-lapse footage offers a unique glimpse into the area’s arboreal heritage.
“You can clearly see the veteran oaks, home to native species such as bats, alongside the avenue of Tulip Trees planted in the 1970s under garden designer Russell Page, and the Horse Chestnuts added in 2000,” he explained.
The drive’s cinematic quality isn’t new — in fact, Bollywood’s blockbuster Mohabbatein, released 25 years ago this month, famously used the avenue as a film location. Producers even imported thousands of leaves to create that perfect autumnal look, complete with fog machines and storm fans.
Archivist Emma Challinor said:
“Lodge Drive was originally gravelled and known as The Great Walk when it was created in 1732. It cost £1,410 to build and was planted with double rows of trees on either side. The Universal Magazine of 1792 described it as ‘an avenue of near three-quarters of a mile of full-grown handsome trees… so that the eye sees no limit to its length.’”
The drive has also witnessed its fair share of history — from King George III’s visit in 1789 to World War II school punishments, and even a motorcycle jump-off between Eddie Kidd and Rex Blackwell in 1977.
Visitors can see Lodge Drive in all its autumn glory as Longleat celebrates the Great British Autumn (25 Oct – 2 Nov) and the Festival of Light (8 Nov – 11 Jan).
️ Tickets and more information available at www.longleat.co.uk.
