‘You are now approaching Lion Country. Watch, read and obey all signs’ read one of the original signs as you entered the first Drive-Through Safari Park outside of Africa.
Longleat is delving into the opening of its Drive-Through Safari in a new exhibition at the Wiltshire estate this summer.
Lion Country: 60 years of Lions at Longleat will be displayed in Longleat House, as part of both self-guided and guided tours and will explore the beginning of the Drive-Through Safari, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
Guests can see original planning applications, news cuttings, souvenirs, home movies and photos from the time, as the 6th Marquess of Bath, Henry Thynne, embarked on a new venture with the help of Jimmy Chipperfield.
Emma Challinor, Archivist, said “The earliest document on display is the planning application form and plan for the ‘mesh wire fence to restrict movement of certain animals at Longleat Park’.
“It wasn’t until two months later, after the application had been approved, that it was revealed the ‘certain animals’ would be lions, which caused some uproar in the press.”
Included in the display is the first pound note taken when the reserve opened, the windscreen pass received on entry and the iconic ‘Lions of Longleat’ car sticker.
The exhibition is open for guests to view now until Sunday 1 November.
- For more information and tickets, please visit longleat.co.uk
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