It has been a hectic December and Christmas this year, so arriving at Longleat Caravan and Motorhome Site was a welcomed break. The site is just 50yards from an entrance to the Longleat estate and has some of the largest hard standing pitches we have ever seen. On the approach to the campsite, we could see some of the fantastic illuminations from the Mythical Creature themed “Festival of Light”, which we couldn’t wait to explore.

The staff at Longleat Caravan Site were incredibly welcoming and more than aware of their local attraction. They were able to advise us of how to enjoy a trip to Longleat without the need to move our van. It was refreshing to know that we were able to enjoy the Safari without putting ourselves at risk of vehicular destruction!

Friday morning swiftly arrived and we were incredibly disciplined to be in the Main Square for 0930. Tickets collected, we found ourselves with about half an hour before our Safari bus would arrive so headed to the restaurant for a coffee and a bacon sandwich. The restaurant was predominantly shut but Longleat Sausages, two types of bacon, omelette and rolls were available so veggies and those requiring Gluten Free options were catered for.

Shortly afterwards, we boarded our zebra-striped double decker bus to begin our Safari. Our driver, Arthur, had a great sense of humour especially about the mischief the monkeys get up to. He told us that our Safari would take approximately 2 hours  although our first stop was pretty nearby: the Lemurs, Zebras and humungous tortoises.

Continuing our safari, we meandered through the Monkey Jungle – even more thankful that we didn’t take our own car – and on past Anne’s Haven. Anne, the last ever circus elephant in the UK, enjoys a lovely and well-deserved retirement at Longleat. As an elephant lover, I was saddened to hear that, when she first arrived, she was so badly mistreaten that she couldn’t raise her trunk. Thankfully she is much more mobile now although was sensibly sheltering from the December weather when we passed by. The tigers, lions, cheetahs and wolves we fairly sedentary, with the exception of one lion who was stalking a deer on the far side of the fence. It was definitely an interesting perspective from the top floor of a double decker bus.

On arrival back and the Main Square we spent some time exploring the other animal enclosures and areas of the park. We took the obligatory “Jungle Cruise” on the lake and saw sleepy hippos buried in mud and the sealions that were to become our morning alarm.

After a quick pit stop back at the van – definitely another benefit of staying so close to the park – we headed back at dusk to complete the maze, listen to a “Flight Before Christmas”, witness the amazing Festival of Light and also ride the Santa Train.

While the Flight Before Christmas is aimed at the younger visitors, it is truly spectacular to sit in the crowd, in a dimly lit room, while majestic birds of prey fly just above your head. The story-time takes only 15 minutes and does bridge the gap between twilight and complete darkness so that the external light installations can be enjoyed in their true splendour.

 If completing the maze after dark, I highly recommend wearing shoes you don’t mind getting wet and taking a torch. It is not complicated although, with people popping out of unseen nooks and crannies, it does feel a bit “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” at times. There is a short cut out of the maze from the centre if you don’t want to retrace your steps.

The light installations this year had a Mythical Creature theme and were some of the best we have seen. There was a real sense of continuity throughout the display areas with the same design being used on the reindeer at Santa’s Grotto. It didn’t feel too busy either – in comparison to somewhere like Kew Gardens – although the area just in front of the house was the busiest.

We spent the entire day at Longleat Safari Park and still didn’t have time to visit the house as well. I’d highly recommend visiting at Christmas or any time of year, although the Festival of Light did make it all the more special.