LOCKWOOD32 wrote:

you'd think they'd give you some sort of map to use in emergencies wouldnt you

But would that not spoil all the fun On a serious note, I think you will find that Mazes are usually monitored by CCTV so in the event of any 'emergency', medical or otherwise, 'Big Brother' will be watching and will send the appropriate assistance.
Click Here for an interesting Website about the invention and history of the Maze. The site gives some hints on how to find your way around a maze to reach the centre which is of course the general idea. (Don't read this bit if you still want to work a maze out for yourself). This website also states that if you get lost in the Maze at Longleat, there are "clues" to guide you back on course. There are little "Lift If Lost" posts that you simply pick up and read the clue from and this will help guide you back on course and hopefully to the centre.....or the exit depending on which direction you are going.

There is also a plan of the Maze at Hampton Court.

Our problem was getting to the centre. We kept seeing signs for the way out but couldn't get to the middle. Also what does it mean when it says ' changes it's paths through the day'?

Longleat House is actually home to six mazes. The three most popluar ones being

The mammoth Hedge Maze. This is made up of more than 16,000 yew trees and has a total pathway length of 1.7 miles.

The Blue Peter Maze was constructed in 2002.

And the King Arthur's Mirror Maze takes visitors through dark forests and ruined chapels on a quest for the Holy Grail.

Then you have....The Lunar Labyrinth, The Love Labyrinth and the Sun Maze which are all located in close proximity to the House itself.

Oklahoma wrote:

what does it mean when it says ' changes it's paths through the day'?

To be perfectley honest with you I am not really sure. I do know that the paths in the Hedge Maze change direction when you are roughly halfway to the centre. This is just another clever little trick to try and decieve your mind to disorientate you. That probably accounts for why it takes the average Vistor approximately an hour and half to get to the centre and back out again.

More about The Blue Peter Maze at Longleat can be found Here

More about King Arthur's Mirror Maze at Longleat can be found Here

Any tips for a one day trip to Longleat. We'll have full passports (via Tesco Clubcard) & want to make the most of the day. Party includes grandparents, parents and 6 year old. We may split up at times if this is feasible.
Thanks

Hi there, a day isnt really long enough to see everything so choose which areas you want to see the most.
we have the free passports from tesco clubcards also but will do it in 2 days.
ive been before on one day and managed to see most of the main attractions. i suggest you do the safari park first when it opens as it gets extremely busy in the daytime and although you can overtake others you can get a bit congested at busy times and will waste valuable time but dont rush as you will also spoil your visit.
secondly we then did the house tour,lake boat ride and the large tree maze. then if you have time you can concentrate on areas such as the train ride and pets corner. the butterfly house and bat cave are well worth a look but to be honest we had to return a second day to see many areas not seen such as the blue peter maze and stately gardens.an elderly couple gave us their half used passports as they were only there a day which enabled us to see some things again.
the whhole experience is great and would certainly pay for them if we hadnt got them free from tesco.
one tip - take your own picnic as the food is of poor greasy quality and is expensive as well as having to que for ages to get served.
have a great time and if you need advice again before you go then just ask.

Thanks for that - well timed too as we're going this week.

Have been to Longleat a few times and I continue to be full of nothing but praise of the place. It is a little bit on the expensive side, especially for a full family, however the cost of running the place when you consider the house and the safri park must be massive.

An earlier poster asked about if Longlet is still good in the rain. Longleat is better in the rain IMO. Its not as busy and the animals are far more active, especialy the lions, monkeys and reserve animals. You are of course undercover all the time in your car, the only opportunity to get wet is if you wanted to feed the deer. Even the sea lion lake boats have roofs on. There are plenty of undercover places to eat. I suppose the trade off to all that is that look round the gardens and mazes would not be as good. Just some good water proofs for walking about the park and enjoy!

we would love to go to longleat and maybe camp nearby,we would probably take our dog,someone has told us that there are kennels at longleat for your pet whilst you visit the safari park..has anyone any info on this, or used this service

thanks in advance

Yep there are free kennels, which I think is a really good idea and more info can be found here