Visiting the Trentham Estate in Staffordshire

If you are looking for a unique day out for all the family in Staffordshire, then Trentham is the perfect place. According to Visit Britain, Trentham Gardens ranked at No.5 in the list of 'Top 10 Most Visited Paid Attractions in England' for the year 2021 with 772,678 visitors.

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Whether you are looking to spend the day relaxing in a beautifully landscaped garden or are after some action & adventure, Trentham has it all. There is loads to see and do at Trentham and it is a great day out whatever the season.

Here are some of our top recommendations based on a recent visit.

The Italian Gardens

Undoubtedly, one of the key features of Trentham is the Italian Garden that has been designed with reference to Sir Charles Barry’s original Italianate Garden of the 19th century. It is a cascade of colours with the top of the garden featuring bold and bright coloured plants and as we move towards the lake, the planting is more subtle and with lighter coloured foliage/flowers. It is a sight for sore eyes and you can spend a relaxing time in the Italian Gardens enjoying the richness of colour and the tranquility.

Also in the Italian Gardens is a statue of Perseus and Medusa. A copy of Benvenuto Cellini’s original 1550s sculpture, (currently at the Loggia dei Lanzi, in Florence), the sculpture features Perseus holding Medusa's head after he had cut it off.

There are a number of fountains; seven to be precise; in the Italian Gardens. All of them make use of water from the lake and perfectly complement the landscaped garden.

I also liked the Trellis Walk in the gardens. The original ironwork frame of the Trellis Walk was designed by George Flemming in 1847. When Trentham underwent regeneration in 2004, the iron frame was renovated as well. And today it is  covered in scented flowering plants including Wisteria.

At the north end of the Trellis Walk you will come across a statue of Hygieia, the Greek and Roman Goddess of health, cleanliness and hygiene. The statue features Hygieia holding a serpent, drinking from a saucer held in her hand.

Rivers of Grass

Rivers of Grass is created by acclaimed designer Piet Oudolf and features a variety of grasses and herbaceous perennials that have been grown en masse in harmony with the natural conditions on site. There are a number of picnic benches dotted around the area and you can enjoy a picnic in the lush landscape.

The Fairy Trail

Dotted across the Trentham Estate are whimsical wire fairies created by local artist Robin Wight. The map that you are handed in the visitor’s centre includes the location of each fairy and it is real fun finding them all as you explore the estate.

Each of the fairies is unique and beautifully made but my favourite was the Fledgelings that features three young fairy triplets. Perched atop a dandelion stem, the three fairies seem to be having fun as they help each other learn how to fly.

Miniature Train

For some lovely views and an alternate perspective of the Trentham Estate, hop aboard the charming miniature train called  the Trentham Fern. It is a fun ride both for kids and adults and the route passes along the Trentham Lake giving visitors the chance to see the beautiful lakeside scenery as well as spot wildlife.

Tickets are priced at £1.50 (single journey) and £2 (return journey) and can be purchased from the miniature train station.

Monkey Forest

The Monkey Forest is home to around 140 endangered Barbary Macaques that are free to roam. There are no cages or bars and the monkeys live as they would naturally in the wild.

Set in 60 acres, the Monkey Forest was opened in 2005 and is a unique experience where one can walk along the designated pathways, watching the monkeys living freely.

Feeding Talks are held at quarter past every hour from 11:15am onwards and are the perfect opportunity to watch the monkeys being fed while also learning about the conservation of this endangered species. There are guides throughout the site and you can ask them any questions related to the Barbary Macaques and they are happy to answer.

When we visited there were adorable baby monkeys on site and it was fun to see them riding on the back of adults. There were some juvenile monkeys too and it was amazing to see their agility.

You can easily spend 1-2 hours at Monkey Forest observing the natural behaviour of these fascinating Barbary Macaques and exploring the place at your own pace.

You cannot eat inside the monkey zone but there are designated areas for picnics outside the zone. And there is also a cafe called the Banana Café that serves a selection of both warm & cold meals and snacks.

Tickets for the Monkey Forest are separate from the Trentham Estate and can be purchased on the day or can be pre-booked online at www.monkey-forest.com

Trentham Garden Centre

Trentham Garden Centre stocks a large selection of products and plants for the home and garden. Plus there are three fantastic places where visitors can relax and dine – Terrazzo del Giardino (Italian cuisine with a strong Venetian influence), Caffé Bello and the Six Arches Restaurant.

Trentham Shopping Village

With a lovely and friendly village atmosphere, Trentham Shopping Village is sure to keep the shopaholics busy. Timber lodges house an array of independent retailers and popular big brands. You will find everything from luxurious bed linens and decorative accessories (at Bedeck) to high-quality bone China products (at Dunoon) and from hats to suit every occasion (at J&P Hats) to top-quality oils and perfumes (at Jeannie-us Perfumes).

Food & Drink

When it comes to food & drinks, Trentham has so many options to choose from.

Trentham Shopping Village has a number of food/drinks venues like Cadwaladers (great for coffee and ice creams), Pieminister's café (try their famous, award-winning pies), Riverside (a huge selection of authentic traditional English and Indian dishes) and more.

Alternately, you could head to the Italian Garden Tearoom (photo below), grab a snack from the Tearoom Kiosk or a quick bite from the Lakeside Café.

If you want to make the experience more memorable, then check out the private dining pods near the Italian Gardens. They offer brunches, afternoon teas and seasonal experiences like 'Breakfast with Santa'.

Other Activities at Trentham

Other activities and attractions in Trentham include woodland walks (the Kings Wood, the Monument, the Oaks and the Parkland Walks), the Floral Labyrinth, a 9-hole disc golf course, Trentham Treetop Adventures (with over 20 challenges and obstacles for the adventure lovers) and Trentham Canoe Club that offers activities like kayaking, canoeing, canoe polo and coracle rides.

There is so much to see and do at Trentham that one visit is not enough to explore and enjoy everything, in our opinion. So, if you are thinking of visiting Trentham, decide what you would like to see and do and allocate time to each area accordingly.

Opening Times and Ticket Prices

Trentham is open all year round with Trentham Gardens only closed on Christmas Day. Some activities are seasonal like the boat rides, the miniature train and the Barefoot Walk.

Although you can buy tickets on the day of your visit, it is advisable to pre-book your tickets as the venue can be very busy at times.

Day tickets are priced as follows: adults - £12.50, children 5-15 years - £9 and senior citizens - £11. Children under the age of 5 go free. For other ticket options, annual membership details and entry for RHS members, take a look at Trentham's latest admission prices.

How to Get to Trentham Estate

If you are planning to travel by train, Stoke-on-Trent is the nearest train station to Trentham. From the station, you could take Bus No 100 (Hanley-Stone service run by D&G Bus) which will take you directly to Trentham Gardens.

If you are travelling by car, the postcode for Trentham is ST4 8JG. There is ample, free car parking on site with two main car parks; one located near Trentham Garden Centre and the other one next to Trentham Shopping Village.

The Trentham Estate | Stone Road, Trentham, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8JG
Email | [email protected]
Phone | 01782 646646