Want to visit Longleat- where should we stay?

[MeanMom]

We have never been to Longleat with DD (13) as we don't have a car now.

Has anyone visited Longleat and stayed close by? I know there is a Centre Parc but we have never stayed in one - is it something you can go to without your own transport?

I know there are coach trips organised to Longleat but we want to go for mire than one day (there is so much to see) and also you are tied to the Coach Companys schedule.

Are Centre Parcs any good? This will be a treat for special occasion so price isn't the main importance (for a change:))

Any thoughts?

We went to Longleat for 2 days last summer and stayed at Charlton Farm b&b in Charlton, Radstock which was really nice (charltonfarm.com) but you would need some kind of transport. I have friends who stayed at Centre parcs and loved it - it's right next to Longleat so not much travel once you are there and if money wasnt an issue that is where I would stay . You do need more than 1 day at Longleat - we spent the first day doing the bus ride around the safari park and a few other bits, then the next day doing the train and the boat ride (I reccomend doing the boat ride as soon as it opens in the morning otherwise you have to queue for a very long time) and also the bird of prey display which is absolutely amazing. Wherever you stay I hope you have a wonderful time.

We stayed at the nearest premier inn. We drove over each day - took about 5-10 mins- but you could easily get a cab each way. There was a good pub/restaurant at the hotel for breakfast & dinner.

Centerparcs fab, longleat terrible IMO. Once you pay the huge price to get in, it's one go on everything only, not like other parcs where you do as you please. We will never go again, not many animals either!