On Safari

Up, and to Longleat, the ancestral seat of the Marquess of Bath, who kindly invited your correspondent to walk a while in the extensive grounds of his stately home situate between Frome and Warminster. Unaccountably, he had invited thousands of other guests to do the same, all of whom appeared to be enjoying themselves hugely.

It was there your correspondent met 'On Safari', a Lion of Bath created by Jo Hawthorn.

Jo is one of the keepers at the adjoining Safari Park; she's obviously a very talented artist too. She is also responsible for 'The Bath Lion', to be found chained to a secure footing outside the entrance to the Roman Baths of Aquae Sulis, adjacent to Bath Abbey.

'On Safari' can be found inside the entrance to the 'Animal Adventure' enclosure between the Longleat narrow-gauge railway station and the 'Adventure Castle'. As entrance to the enclosure costs an extra £4.00 if, like your parsimonious correspondent, you have purchased the Cheapskate Ticket (£4.00 to enter the Grounds only), disappointment lies in store at the prospect of forking out the chinks once more.

However, the charming staff at Longleat soon restored my faith in the friendliness and down to earth common sense of Somerset folk by allowing me to pass the portal for the sole purpose of capturing this remarkable Lion of Bath.

I hope you have a similar positive experience if you journey to Longleat yourselves. If you are unable to visit 'On Safari', I hope you enjoy the view I've chosen of this fine example of Panthera Sulis.


Bath's On Safari
The Menagerie Lion
Sniffs the Longleat air