Overview

There really is something for everyone at Longleat, whether you are a culture vulture or an old hippy, whether you relish fine art and architecture, have a historical bent or are simply intrigued by the goings on of the present Marquess of Bath. The house is rich in all the usual accoutrements of a great stately home - fine state rooms, excellent paintings and furniture and the ghost of grieving Louisa, 2nd Viscountess Weymouth, whose lover was killed by her husband in the upstairs gallery now known as the Grey Lady's Walk. There are also some more unusual pieces such as the fascinating Karma Sutra mural by the present Marquess of Bath, whose 60s flower power and free love lifestyle has attracted so much interest. This Marquess, sometimes called the Loins of Longleat because of his notorious harem of 'wifelets', has proved a better conservator of his heritage than some critics thought and has also commissioned a series of mazes for the gardens.