Today marks the 20th anniversary of when Center Parcs Longleat Forest opened to guests for the first time.

As the third of the Center Parcs Villages built in the UK, Longleat Forest became an instant hit with guests and has become one of the most popular short break destinations in the UK.

Since July 14, 1994, Longleat Forest has:

  • Been open for 7,300 consecutive days, welcoming six million guests.
  • Of the 1,300 staff, 32 have been there since the first day.
  • Longleat Forest has had a significant impact on the local area since arriving 20 years ago, bringing local employment opportunities as well as a £20m boost to the local economy each year.
  • The cycle centre has hired out 1.8 million bikes. 
  • Three million children’s meals have been served in their restaurants. 
  • The Pancake House has served three million pancakes which were made from 350,000 litres of pancake mix and if stacked, reach more than 38,000ft high - 10,000 ft higher than Mount Everest. 
  • More than 2,000 species have been recorded living at Center Parcs Longleat Forest, 93 of which considered rare across the UK. 
  • Archery arrows have been fired far enough to reach the moon from Earth. 
  • The land train that takes guests around the village has covered 900,000 miles that’s almost equivalent to 36 times around the equator.
  • More siskins. The are scarce in Wiltshire and with careful monitoring of the species and habitat management, there has been a recognised increase in breeding of siskins at Center Parcs Longleat Forest in recent years.

General manager Andy De’Ath said: “Longleat Forest is still as popular today as it was on the day it opened and I’d like to thank my team for all their hard work and dedication over the years.

"Most of our team live really close to the village and so, we are an important part of the community. We now have a team of more than 1,300 staff, 32 have been with us since day one!”

Longleat Forest has had a significant impact on the local area since arriving 20 years ago, bringing local employment opportunities as well as a £20m boost to the local economy each year.

The Village also works with a variety of local businesses who are suppliers, helping their businesses to flourish.