In 1870-72, John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described Longleat like this:
LONGLEAT, the seat of the Marquis of Bath, in Deverill-Longbridge parish, Wilts; on an affluent of the river Frome, 2½ miles W of Warminster. It occupies the site of an Augustinian priory, a cell, founded in the time of Edward I., and annexed to Hinton abbey, in Somerset. It was built, in 1567-79, by Sir John Thynne, after designs by John of Padua, at a cost of £80,000. ...
It was improved by the second Lord Weymouth, created Marquis of Bath; and was afterwards remodelled, in a tasteful manner, by Jeffrey Wyatt. It measures 220 feet by 180; is in a mixed Roman style, ornamented with pilasters, cornices, and colossal statues; presents an imposing appearance, with a great array of windows; contains a fine baronial hall, and a rich collection of portraits and other pictures; and stands in a beautiful park, 15 miles in circuit, altered and laid out by "Capability ''Brown. Bishop Ken spent much time at Longleat, and died here.
Additional information about this locality is available for Horningsham
Longleat through time
Longleat is now part of West Wiltshire district. Click here for graphs and data of how West Wiltshire has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Longleat itself, go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Longleat in West Wiltshire | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/25568
Date accessed: 16th April 2024
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