A walk to Heaven’s Gate, Longleat

I stayed with my parents in Wiltshire for the weekend while Lee was away flying our new aircraft back from Austria. On Sunday morning we enjoyed a lovely walk in the blazing sunshine to Heaven’s Gate, which is a scenic spot on the Longleat Estate. I thought you might like to see some of the photos I took (on my iPhone), as it was such a spectacular day.

Though some trees were yet to sprout the new season’s leaves, there was a fair bit of blossom about as we made our way along the track from the carpark.

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Some of the rhododendrons were also blooming spectacularly. They may be maligned in some circles as an “invasive” species, but I’ve always thought that they add a magnificence to the various entrances to the Longleat Estate and they look brilliant at this time of year.

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This stone circle is a comparatively recent addition to the estate by the eccentric Lord Bath. It’s a bit different from the last stone circle I visited!

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This is the view from Heaven’s Gate looking down over Longleat House and its various attractions. On a clear day you can see as far as the Welsh mountains.

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A close-up shows you a better view of the house, where I had my first ever job working as a guide on Saturdays and Sundays. It was the perfect first job for a history-lover like me.

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We walked back through the woods to get to the carpark, and I was struck by how tall and straight the trees were.

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My sisters and I used to cycle through these woods a lot. I fear I wouldn’t have the stamina to manage those long bike rides anymore!

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If you do end up going to Heaven’s Gate, you can continue your walk right down to the house, and it’s a great ‘back door’ way of getting into the grounds free of charge if you don’t mind a bit of a walk. Just to warn you though, you’re in for an arduous climb back up the hill on your way out!

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