The Trentham Monkey Forest is one of the only places in the UK where Barbary macaques roam freely in a large woodland enclosure.
Capability Brown, the famous 18th-century landscape architect, was commissioned to redesign the parkland in 1759.
The estate includes a 'Fairy Trail' featuring dozens of wire-sculpture fairies hidden throughout the gardens.
The River Trent flows directly through the estate, feeding the central mile-long lake.
The Trentham Hall, once a grand residence, was demolished in 1912 due to subsidence caused by local coal mining.
The gardens include a 'Floral Labyrinth' and a 'Rivers of Grass' planting scheme designed by Piet Oudolf.
The estate's Monkey Forest is involved in a European-wide conservation program to protect the endangered Barbary macaque.
The shopping village is constructed using a series of timber-framed lodges rather than traditional brick buildings.
Trentham Estate is a sprawling 725-acre destination featuring the award-winning Trentham Gardens, designed by Capability Brown. The estate houses the Trentham Monkey Forest, where 140 free-roaming Barbess macaques live in a woodland habitat without cages. The site includes the Treetop Adventure, a high-ropes course integrated into the forest canopy. The gardens feature a mile-long lake, Italianate floral displays, and a fairy trail for children. The estate serves as a hub for retail and leisure, centered around the Trentham Shopping Village. The landscape underwent a major restoration project in the early 2000s to revive its historic 18th and 19th-century features. It is located on the site of a former ducal estate that included a hall demolished in the early 20th century. Visitors can access various nature trails and woodlands surrounding the main garden area.
The elevated viewing points in the Monkey Forest or the central bridge overlooking the lake in the Italianate gardens.
Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate footwear as the site covers a large area with significant walking paths.
Check the Monkey Forest's official status before arrival, as it may close during severe weather for animal welfare reasons.
Allocate specific time for the Shopping Village, as it is situated outside the formal gardens area.
Do not attempt to walk through the Monkey Forest enclosure with loose food or carrier bags, as monkeys may approach.
The Monkey Forest is seasonal and closes annually during the winter months; the Gardens remain open year-round.
Maintain a respectful distance from the macaques at all times and do not attempt to touch or feed them.
