Safari Park
Inventor
Inventor Henry Thynne 6th Marquess of Bath
Henry Thynne 6th Marquess of Bath
Born26 January 1905
Died30 June 1992 | Age 87

Longleat - 1966

Longleat in Wiltshire was the first drive-through safari park outside Africa. Opening on the 5th April 1966 486,500 people visited the lions of Longleat, in an estimated 106,000 cars and 1,950 coaches in the first year.

Just nine weeks after the park had opened, the first lion cubs were born at Longleat.

Wild Idea

Jimmy Chipperfield, of Chipperfield's Circus, suggested the idea to the 6th marquess of introducing game to roam the Longleat estate. The game being lions many came from the making of the film 'Born Free'. The concept of visitors “caged” in their cars, while the lions roam free, eventually gained approval.
The drive-through at Longleat. Lions close-up
The drive-through at Longleat. Lions close-up
The emblem of Rule Britannia No, it was:1966
In History
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  • 25 September 1936.
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  • 17 September 1877.
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  • 18 September 1938.
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  • 10 September 1938.
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  • 01 September 1976.
    This month 50 years ago the world lost Percy Shaw
  • 16 September 1890.
    This month 136 years ago the world lost Louis Le Prince
  • 20 September 1842.
    On this day 184 years ago James was born
  • 18 September 1967.
    This month 59 years ago the world lost John Cockcroft
  • 10 September 2023.
    This month 3 years ago the world lost Ian Wilmut
  • 200 years ago in 1826 First zoo opens in London
The emblem of Rule Britannia
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