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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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!

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!