Longleat’s much-anticipated hippo complex is officially underway after Lord Bath dug the first turf to mark the beginning of construction.
The project, which was granted planning permission last month, will see hippos return to the Wiltshire safari park for the first time in years.
Construction has already started with earthworks laying the groundwork for the new hippo house’s foundations. Lord Bath reflected on the significance of the project, recalling fond memories of Longleat’s previous hippos: “I grew up watching Sonia and Spot living in Half Mile Pond for more than 40 years, and I shared the sadness of our guests when they passed away,” he said. “I am very keen to see hippos return to Longleat, and I know many of our guests are too.”
The project isn’t just about bringing back the hippos. Lord Bath outlined a broader vision for improving the park’s infrastructure and enhancing the visitor experience: “As well as creating a new hippo house, we are also making improvements to the grazing paddock and Half Mile Pond itself. We’re very excited to see the vision become reality.
“This is not only a fantastic opportunity for our visitors to see hippos up close, but it’s also an important step in our commitment to conservation, sustainability and education.”
The new hippo complex will adopt eco-friendly construction methods. Excavated earth will be repurposed across the safari park, and a classroom will be incorporated into the build to support Longleat’s educational programmes.
“My grandfather first brought hippos to Longleat in 1967 – a year after he opened the safari park, which was the first to open outside of Africa. This is very much building on that legacy as we head into 2026 when we celebrate 60 years of that momentous occasion,” added Lord Bath.
David Leverett, Facilities and Development Director, shared an update on the construction progress: “The steel frame for the hippo house is being made off-site and is due to be delivered in a couple of weeks. Before it arrives, we’ll excavate individual concrete bases over seven feet deep, mainly due to the house’s proximity to the lake. The frame will then be fitted on these foundations.”
The hippo house is being built in partnership with Minshall Construction, whose co-owner Tom Minshall joined Lord Bath, David Leverett and Simon Askew, Longleat’s Chief Operating Officer, for the ceremonial turf cutting.
Visitors will be able to monitor progress as the construction site is visible from the popular Jungle Cruise. The aim is to introduce a pod of hippos, including a bull and females, with enough space to accommodate any offspring and create a self-sustaining family group. The hippos are expected to arrive and settle into their new home by early summer.
Pictures ©Tom Anderson
