 Sir John Thynne, who built Longleat House on the site of the former priory, had already increased the size of the parish by buying more land.His descendant Thomas Thynne, 1st Marquess of Bath was interested in forestry, and engaged Capability Brown to plant large plantations of beech and pine.Gradually forestry and farming were established as the two main sources of employment and this did not change until the late 20th century, when tourism took over.