Longleat Safari Park & Bath with Oli & Ayshea

 Longleat Safari Park & Bath 

We were off to the world’s first drive-through safari park outside of Africa. We arrived as the gates opened and were greeted by the iconic Longleat House, a grand Elizabethan stately home surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. It looked just like something out of a period drama! We hopped aboard the miniature Longleat Railway, taking in scenic views of Half Mile Lake on a 1¼ mile ride through the woods

Our first stop was the Bat Cave, home to curious Egyptian fruit bats and slow-moving sloths! From there, we explored Jungle Kingdom, Monkey Temple, and Animal Adventure, where we walked among cheeky meerkats, giant anteaters, inquisitive marmosets, and colourful lorikeets. 

Koala Creek was especially memorable — the only place in Europe to house Southern koalas, including a joey born in 2022!

The highlight awaited — the Safari Bus Tour. With a witty guide on the mic, we drove through Wolf Wood, the Deer Park, and Big Game Park, spotting rhinos, giraffes, zebras, camels, tigers, lions, and even cheetahs! The monkeys lived up to their reputation, clambering all over cars and causing chaos. 

It was a day of sightseeing in Bath, one of the UK’s most picturesque and historic cities. Upon arriving, we took a leisurely walk through the cobbled streets lined with elegant Georgian architecture, eventually reaching our first destination — the world-renowned Roman Baths. A true marvel of ancient engineering, the baths were constructed between 60 and 70 AD and formed part of the Roman town of Aquae Sulis. 

These well-preserved ruins tell the story of how Romans harnessed the natural hot springs for public bathing and relaxation. We wandered through the complex, marvelling at the craftsmanship and listening to tales of Roman priests, bathers, and the sacred spring. The accompanying museum exhibits added depth to the experience, with artifacts and reconstructions that brought the Roman era to life. 

The afternoon was spent on two open-top bus tours — first, the City Tour, which gave us a deeper appreciation for Bath’s rich architectural and cultural history, and then the Skyline Tour, offering sweeping views of the Avon Valley and the surrounding countryside.

 

Oh we do like to be besides the seaside! We made our way to the timeless seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare. The weather was glorious, and a walk along the promenade led us to a sunny seafront picnic. With our shoes off and trousers rolled up, many of us couldn’t resist a paddle in the sea — refreshing and fun! 

Next, we visited the historic Grand Pier, where we took in stunning coastal views before heading into the arcades, laughing as we won prizes on the 2p machines. 

We then visited the Bristol Aquarium, a fascinating journey through marine ecosystems. We saw seahorses, jellyfish, sharks, stingrays, and a giant octopus, along with a beautiful Botanical House filled with exotic plants and trees. The highlight was walking through the underwear tunnel with the fish swimming above our heads.

A brillaint day was spent at Bitton Station for a nostalgic ride on the Avon Valley Steam Railway. We boarded the beautifully restored steam train named Jennifer, riding in the carriage named Angela. The gentle journey took us through scenic woodlands and across the Avon River, where we saw boats, wildlife, and locals enjoying the riverbanks.