Longleat in Wiltshire has unveiled its exciting 2025 plans, which it describes as a 'Christmas gift for guests'.
Access to the spectacular stately home which traces its history back more than 450 years will be part of the day ticket, and a date has been announced for the reopening of the much-loved Bat Cave.
Simon Askew, Interim Chief Operating Officer, said: “Our visitors regularly tell us how the activities on site are great value for money and create a fabulous day out but have also asked us to look at enabling them to visit the House as part of the day ticket and for the Bat Cave to re-open. We are delighted to be able to do both.
“We shared in October that we were aiming to open the Bat Cave in spring, but work has progressed so well that it will be open for February half term from 15 February.
“The ground floor of Longleat House will be open for self-guided tours from when we re-open in the New Year with the option to book guided tours for those who want to know more about the history and heritage of this masterpiece of Elizabethan architecture. The bookable tour will take additional rooms on the first floor with our expert guides bringing the history to life,” he added.
Longleat’s Christmas showcase, The Festival of Light, closes on 5th January. The estate will re-open to guests on the weekends of 1st-2nd and 8th-9th February before opening the week of half term with a Winter Wonders celebration from 15th February.
The event will feature a 10ft inflatable toboggan slide and inflatable Snow Globe for children of all ages, with a snowboard simulator for youngsters aged five and upwards.
There are also crafts and a trail around Longleat’s historical trees to explore, as well as the opportunity to meet the new Egyptian fruit bats, which will be making their home on the estate.
Tickets from 1st February until 4th April 2025 go on sale on Thursday, 19th December, and have been held at 2024 prices.
Find out more https://www.longleat.co.uk/tickets/standard