Heatwave exposes Longleat's military hospital and driveway

The extreme weather conditions have revealed these key remnants from the past, including a military hospital and a carriage driveway.

Marks on the ground show where the American military hospital stood and where camels now roam.

The hospital was originally built to treat casualties from the Allied invasion of Europe.

It was occupied by the US 216th General Hospital from April 1944 to June 1945 before moving to France.

Curator Dr James Ford said: "The hospital was built to treat casualties from the Allied invasion of Europe and designed to house around 600 patients and staff.

"The buildings were then home to the Royal Engineers Survey Training Centre until 1949.

"It’s also 80 years since the patients and staff reportedly celebrated VE Day with villagers on Horningsham common until the early hours of the morning which is also timely as we will be marking this important anniversary at our showcase event Icons of the Sky in September."

Longleat House's 18th-century carriage driveway is usually only partially visible from above.

But this year, the full sweep from Lodge Drive is visible, matching the design seen on a 19th-century letterhead.

This driveway was in use until just after the site opened to the public in 1949.

Dr Ford said: "The 18th-century sweeping in-and-out carriage driveway once led up to the steps at the front of the house and remained in use until shortly after Longleat opened to the public in 1949.

“It is particularly timely this year as we are showcasing our Regency heritage with our Genteel Tourists exhibition: Visiting Longleat in the age of Jane Austen.

"When you see the sweeping driveway in these pictures, you can imagine the carriages bowling along the driveway before coming to a halt in front of the house.

"In Pride and Prejudice, Austen describes the fashionable Regency pursuit of visiting a grand country house when Elizabeth Bennet and her relatives tour Pemberley, arriving by carriage.

"Our records show similar visits took place at Longleat and the exhibition takes our guests back in time to this tradition."

Longleat's Genteel Tourists exhibition features records of visits similar to those described in Jane Austen's novels.

The exhibition runs until Sunday, November 2.

Regency-style afternoon teas are also available to pre-book at weekends.

For further information visit the Longleat website.