African Village

The African Village sits within the grounds of Longleat House, that vast stately home near Warminster that most people visit for the safari park. But this is the bit fewer tourists bother with, which is rather a shame. It's a recreation of a traditional African settlement - thatched roundhouses, cultural displays, the lot - designed to give you a sense of village life without the flight to Kenya. Kids tend to find it engaging for an hour or so, especially if they're already at Longleat for the day. Adults might feel it's a bit theme-park-ish, all things considered, but it does the job as a quick cultural diversion. The thing is, it's not really a standalone attraction. You'd visit it as part of a wider Longleat experience - the house itself, the safari park, the maze. On its own it wouldn't warrant a special trip from Warminster, though it's conveniently placed if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Center Parcs Longleat Forest or Hidden Wood Glamping. Admission details are thin on the ground, so you'll want to check Longleat's main website before heading over. Allow an hour maximum unless you're really keen on the exhibits. If you've got younger children in tow and need a break from driving through the safari park, it's worth a wander. For anyone else, it's pleasant enough but not essential.