Longleat House - Longleat, Wiltshire, England. - Pre-Victorian Historic Homes on Waymarking.com

Substantially completed by 1580 and now home to the 7th Marquess of Bath, Longleat House is set within 900 acres (400 hectares) of magnificent ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland with a further 8000 acres (3,200 hectares) of woodland, lakes and farmland. In the late 13th Century a priory belonging to the Black Canons of the Order of St Augustine occupied the site where Longleat House now stands.

Unfortunately, the priory failed to maintain itself financially and, in 1530, it was taken over by the Carthusian monks of Hinton Charterhouse.

The priory was put up for sale during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536-39 and it was bought by John Thynne in 1541 for a total sum of £53! He was only 25 years old.

John Thynne, builder of Longleat House, had worked as a clerk of the kitchens to Henry VIII and later rose to wealth and power in the service of Protector Somerset. He was knighted after the battle of Pinkie in 1547 when fighting the Scots – hence the knot in the tail of the Scottish lion which is featured in the family coat of arms.

Sir John died in 1580 with Longleat still unfinished though building operations had not deterred Queen Elizabeth I from visiting in 1574 – the first in a long line of royal guests.

(Taken from: (visit link)

Earliest Recorded Date of Construction: 01/01/1580 Architectural Period/Style: Elizabethan architecture Type of Building e.g. Country House, Stately Home, Manor: Stately Home Interesting Historical Facts or Connections: The first safari park was set up over 40 years ago. Main Material of Construction: Stone Private/Public Access: Public Admission Fee (if applicable): 3.00 (listed in local currency) Opening Hours (if applicable): From: 10:00 AM To: 5:00 PM Related Website: [Web Link] Rating: Additional Dates of Construction: Not listed Architect (if known): Not listed Landscape Designer (if known): Not listed Listed Building Status (if applicable): Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/16/2014 team.mumford visited it