A pop-up panda trail will open at Longleat on 5th May, giving visitors a new art experience to enjoy while visiting the Wiltshire-based estate.
More than 50 colourful panda statues will be found all over the attraction, including the safari park.
The pandas have been specially created for Longleat by artists in China and draw inspiration from the resident Thynn family’s long association of colourful artwork within the Longleat estate’s collection.
Each of the pop-up sculptures has its own unique design incorporating everything from English seasonal events and clothing traditions, to the different artistic styles and elements of Chinese culture.
Groups will be able to spot the pandas throughout their visit including inside the monkey drive-through, from the Longleat Railway, inside animal adventure, in the sun maze and within the formal gardens, set against the backdrop of Longleat House.
Longleat is also enlisting the help of staff members along with a number of local artists to create their own panda designs which will go on public display later this year.
Group visiting information
The pop-up panda trail runs from 5th May to 3rd September and additional art-related activities and workshops are planned for the summer holidays (more details to follow).
Longleat will also host a Predators animatronics display over the summer. The new displays are also running until 3rd September, offering visitors the chance to see some of the planet’s greatest predators come to life through technology.
Groups will spot more than a dozen realistic animatronic animals including a polar bear, a great white shark, a saltwater crocodile, a lion, a tiger and an extinct sabre-toothed cat.
Group rates are available for parties of 12 or more people. Longleat also offers a complimentary organiser ticket for a group of 30 or more and a free coach driver ticket plus meal voucher for every coach operator booking.
For more information visit www.longleat.co.uk/whats-on.
Pictured: Staff put the finishing touches to dozens of hand-painted panda sculptures as part of a new pop-up art trail at Longleat. (Photo credit: David McGirr).
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