In a nutshell
Opened in 1966 by the sixth Marquess of Bath, Longleat was the first safari park outside of Africa. More than one million visitors came to see the 50 lions in the first year. Now there are 1,250 animals in the safari park and a ‘‘Jungle Kingdom” where animatronic dinosaurs stand among the enclosures of otters, lemurs, binturongs (funny, moustachioed tree-climbing animals) and more, plus an array of extra attractions from a stingray pool to a bat cave. We were there from 10am till 5pm but ran out of time, missing the house – the first stately home in the UK to open to visitors in 1949 – giraffe feeding, and the hedge maze.

Fun fact
Nico, a western lowland gorilla, is 54 this year: the second oldest gorilla in the world.

Best thing(s) about it
For little children getting up close to the smaller creatures is probably more exciting than seeing the bigger animals from the car. You can enter the lorikeet cage where the colourful birds perch on your arms and head as you hold out a paper cup of nectar (£1 a pot); walk alongside meerkats and waddling Humboldt penguins; hold giant snails, snakes and tarantulas in the Handling Hall. The biggest hit for my five-year old was the parrot show where various characters whistle, rollerskate, play football and basketball on command.

I was impressed by the staff. We were allowed to take a second boat tour of the lake for free when my son missed out on feeding fish to the Californian sea lions the first time around. We saved the safari park for the afternoon when it’s less busy. Highlights for us were seeing wolves loping about the forest, feeding deer who poke their heads through your car window and watching monkeys scampering over vehicles – you can avoid the area if you are worried your aerial and windscreen wipers might get chewed off. Thankfully, our car emerged intact.

What about lunch?
Food is underwhelming and on the expensive side: a bottle of water costs £2.20. The Tropical Storm cafe is a big canteen-style restaurant with a deli counter selling paninis and hot food, such as lasagne and chicken curry (both £8.95, kids’ versions £4.95). We brought a packed lunch and sat at a bench next to the wooden castle in the adventure play area. If it’s raining you could picnic in the Orangery, a lovely spot looking out across to the main house (cakes £3.25). The Cellar cafe in the house sells main meals as well as cream teas, brownies etc.

Exit through the gift shop?
The Handling Hall leads directly to the shop where young eyes are magnetically drawn to the rows of cuddly toys, animal figurines, sweets and games.

Getting there
Easier by car. Warminster station is six miles away, from there it’s a taxi ride.

Value for money?
One-day ticket: adult £28; child (3-14) £20; two-day: adult £38.65; child £30.55. Annual pass: adult £88, child £70.20. It’s so vast that a free repeat visit included in the one-day ticket price would be welcome.

Opening times
Daily from 20 March-1 November, 10am-5pm (7pm at peak times and school holidays), longleat.co.uk

Verdict
9/10.
It was a massive hit with my son, who spent the first hour saying: “Thank you mummy. I love this place.”