Longleat Safari Park celebrates 50 years
- Published
For 50 years, big cats and big queues have been a common mix in a part of Wiltshire. In 1966, 50 lions were brought to the county from zoos across Europe and game dealers in Africa. They were among the first exhibits at Longleat Safari Park. (Picture courtesy of Longleat Safari Park)
The safari park opened its gates in April 1966, making it the first drive-through safari park outside Africa. It caused an uproar when it was made public that lions would be roaming the 100-acre estate because residents feared the big cats would escape. (Photo from May 1969, Getty Images)
The sixth Marquess of Bath was facing financial ruin when he made the decision to open his ancestral house to the paying public in 1949. But as other stately homes followed suit, he decided he needed something sensational to keep the visitors coming and came up with the idea of bringing Africa to England. He was on hand to greet motorists and collect entry fees. (Picture courtesy of Longleat Safari Park)
A lion enclosure was created where the animals were allowed to roam free using a chain link fence - army surplus from prisoner of war camps in Korea.
The park started with lions, but other species were brought in and allowed to roam. Park manager Alex Lloyd said: "It was the first safari drive-through outside of Africa - it was an incredible thing to come and witness." (Picture: Getty Images)
The park is set in the grounds of the Wiltshire stately home where the seventh Marquess of Bath, Alexander Thynn, lives. This picture of Lord Bath was taken in 2006 as part of the park's 40th anniversary. (Picture: PA)
The park has come a long way since its birth when there were warnings of big cats running wild in the Wiltshire countryside, clergymen up in arms and even questions asked in the Houses of Parliament, according to Longleat. (Picture: Getty Images)
In a staged event to mark its 50th anniversary, a dozen classic cars entered the park on Wednesday to re-enact the pictures of Henry Lord Bath greeting motorists on the first day in 1966. (Picture: Getty Images)
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- Published30 March 2016
