Jubilee-inspired exhibition opens at Longleat
The man who opened the world's first safari park ignored official advice ahead of the Coronation
The extraordinary story of the 6th Marquess of Bath’s decision to travel to the Queen’s 1953 Coronation in the Longleat State Chariot is being retold in a new exhibition.
Rarely seen objects and archival material are now on display, including the official summons to attend the Coronation signed by the Queen along with correspondence from the Earl Marshal - the Duke of Norfolk - urging the 6th Marquess not to travel by chariot due to concerns about parking.
The 6th Marquess ignored the official request and decided to arrive in the 1820's vehicle - much to the delight of the public at the time.
On the day of the Coronation, dray horses and a driver from a local brewery were enlisted to get the Marquess to Westminster Abbey on time.