Monkey Island

The primates here are the main draw, and they're impressive enough to hold attention for a good couple of hours if you're into that sort of thing. Monkey Island sits within the grounds of Longleat House, so you're not just getting the animals - you're getting access to a proper stately home and its wider estate. The island enclosure itself is thoughtfully done, letting you watch the monkeys behave something like they would in the wild rather than pacing behind glass.

Families with younger kids will get the most from this. The novelty of seeing primates on an actual island works well for the under-tens crowd, though teenagers might find it all a bit tame. If you're already staying at one of the nearby parks - Longleat Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite is practically on the doorstep, or Center Parcs Longleat Forest if you fancy something more resort-style - then it's absolutely worth including in your itinerary. You can combine it with Longleat House itself and the wider safari park experience without much extra travel.

Warminster is the nearest town, about twenty minutes' drive depending on where you're based. Since Longleat operates on a day-visit model with various attractions spread across the estate, I'd suggest checking their website first for current opening hours and admission costs - they do change seasonally. Allow two to three hours if you're doing Monkey Island as your sole focus, longer if you're treating it as part of a bigger Longleat day out.