A mysterious, ghostly figure was captured on camera roaming the grounds of Longleat House Safari Park in Wiltshire, sparking intrigue and speculation. The shadowy shape was photographed by Dr. Tom Lewis, conservation and research manager at Longleat, during his visit to the estate.
The location, known as Wolf Wood, has a rich history dating back hundreds of years. Originally part of the Longleat estate, this wooded area once housed a menagerie established by Thomas Thynne, 2nd Viscount Weymouth, in the early 18th century.
Longleat’s famous Grey Lady, Lady Louisa Carteret, the 2nd Viscount’s wife, is said to haunt the estate. Legend has it that she still wanders the halls searching for her lover, a footman rumored to have been murdered by her husband.
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Dr. Lewis described the shadowy figure: “I spotted the shape straightaway; it seems too tall to be a wolf! It’s rare to catch glimpses of possible apparitions in the Safari Park area, unlike inside the House where spirits and voices are more commonly reported.”
Emma Challinor, Longleat archivist, added context about the site’s history: “In the early 1700s, this part of the estate was a geometrically-planted wooded grove for guests’ strolls and housed a menagerie. While there are tales of the 2nd Marquess of Bath roaming the woodland by moonlight, ghost sightings in this area have not been frequently documented.”
Adding to the spooky atmosphere, Longleat will host Ghost Tours during the Great British Autumn half-term event, running from October 25 to November 2. Visitors can book these tours to explore the estate’s mysterious past firsthand.