Longleat House #StatelyHomes #BriFri
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Last week, I reviewed Good Omens 2, the second season of the fantasy starring David Tennant and Michael Sheen.
Seventy-five years ago, in April 1949, Longleat House opened its doors to the public. According to this CNN article and other sources, Longleat House was the first of the stately homes in England to support itself by exhibiting itself.
The designation of “first” might depend on the definition of “open to the public.” Anyone who has read Pride and Prejudice knows that it was common practice in Jane Austen’s day to slip a little something to the housekeeper. That paid for a tour of the stately home while the owners were away, possibly with the tacit approval of an owner who was happy to show off their beautiful possessions.
Longleat House, one of the finest examples of Elizabethan architecture in England, is more than worthy to be considered the first among stately homes. Built in the 16th century, Longleat has housed 16 generations of the Thynn family and is home to the current Marquess and Marchioness of Bath. One thousand acres of surrounding parkland was landscaped by Capability Brown.
A View of Longleat by Jan Siberechts, 1675
A new exhibit at Longleat House opened last week to celebrate the 75th anniversary. It includes photographs, documents, and objects from 1949.
I’ve noticed a trend of adding attractions to stately homes to appeal to families. Longleat was a trend-setter in this area, too. Their safari park opened in 1966. They are excited about their newest members of the menagerie — African painted dogs, one of Africa’s most endangered carnivores.
If animals aren’t enough fun to appeal to children, they can also enjoy one of the world’s largest hedge mazes, rides on a boat or railway, and a fancy playground.
Have you been to Longleat? I’m now wishing that I’d figured out a way to get there when we stayed in Bath. The drive is only a little over 30 minutes. But, of course, that requires safely driving on the left side of the road.