Trentham Monkey Forest — Attraction in Stafford

Second time in a few weeks for us to visit the Monkey forest. Amazing place for all ages. Great value on entrance price easier to pay online than at the gate. The monkey forest walk is short so don’t speed through it enjoy the sights a little longer than you normally would although you can go around the walk as many times as you want but it does have a steep incline round which for mobility can be hard and the path is an uneven trail which is difficult but not impossible for wheelchairs and prams. All the staff are amazing and knowledgeable they will often come over to talk to you about the monkeys so those who may be afraid to ask questions don’t worry we got to ask lots when they came to talk to us. The monkeys are amazing first time visited there was 9 and today there was 10 with lots of cheeky adolescents running round pushing the staff members patients as teenagers do, one member had to chase one away from me as he was determined to either jump on my shoulder or he was after my little shoulder bag (I’d have happily let them but I can see why not) Lots of monkeys around plentiful to see even when the forest is full there always an adult crossing the path in front of you or a young one falling out of the tree ahead. There is a couple of play areas which are more suited to younger children and lots of learning facilities for those who want to learn more. The restaurant is reasonable and very nice the sandwiches are fresh and whilst not a huge selection it’s enough choice to cover a wide variety of tastes, the hot food is well priced on our first trip the food wasn’t ready so the staff brought it to our table on a proper plate this time the park was a lot busier so the food was done and served at the queue in paper dishes all hot and fresh. The shop on site is a little expensive but all souvenir shops are this one is on the lower side and so far my sons managed to work his way out of there will three large stuffed monkeys from the grandparents. The items sold in the shop are of good quality lots of fun little items nothing too expensive. We will return again soon it’s a nice little outing possible to stay all day if your kids like to play on the play area my son is a teen (also autistic) so once round the money forest some lunch and out again usually takes us about 2 hours … without lunch you could be in and out in possibly under an hour if you wanted a short quick trip but it’s possible to stay all day too with the other trails and walks on offer (not possible for use do to disabilities) We we during the summer holidays (August) for this second trip we were the first to arrive and as we were leaving just after lunch time the monkey forest was becoming extremely busy they were filling up most of the over flow car parks as we left so if you prefer the quieter times I’d recommend early entry pay online it’s quicker to get in and get round with a lot of the forest to yourself...

A Full-Day Adventure at Trentham Monkey Forest: A Family Perspective

Our recent visit to Trentham Monkey Forest was nothing short of magical. Nestled within the expansive 725-acre Trentham Estate, this unique attraction offers an immersive experience with 140 free-roaming Barbary macaques. It's an ideal destination for families seeking a blend of nature, education, and fun. Real Journey Tours & Travels

Arrival and First Impressions

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the sight of playful monkeys swinging through the trees. The well-maintained pathways were easily navigable, even for our seven-year-old, ensuring a comfortable stroll through the forest. The atmosphere was both serene and exciting, with the monkeys displaying natural behaviors that captivated our son.

Engaging with the Monkeys

The forest walk is approximately 0.75 miles, featuring smooth, pushchair-friendly paths. Along the route, we encountered several knowledgeable staff members who shared fascinating insights about the monkeys' behaviors and conservation efforts. Our son was particularly enthralled by the baby monkeys, observing their playful antics and interactions with their mothers. Otis and Us

Feeding Talks and Educational Opportunities

A highlight of our visit was the hourly feeding talks. Held at 11:15 AM, 12:15 PM, and 1:15 PM, these sessions provided an in-depth look into the monkeys' feeding habits and social structures. The staff's expertise and enthusiasm made the experience both informative and entertaining.

Play Areas and Picnic Spots

After exploring the forest, we took advantage of the outdoor play areas. Equipped with slides, swings, and climbing frames, these zones allowed our son to expend some energy. Adjacent to the play areas are picnic benches, perfect for enjoying the lunch we had packed. While food isn't permitted inside the monkey enclosure, the designated picnic spots were ideal for a family meal.

The on-site Banana Café offers a variety of snacks, hot and cold meals, and beverages. We opted to bring our own food, but the café's offerings looked appetizing for those who prefer to purchase on-site. Additionally, the Jungle Shop provided a selection of monkey-themed souvenirs, which our son thoroughly enjoyed exploring.

Additional Attractions

Beyond the monkey forest, the Trentham Estate boasts other attractions. We plan to return to explore the Trentham Gardens, which feature beautiful lake walks, a fairy trail, and a shopping village, ensuring that our next visit will be just as memorable. The Sun Hello Staffordshire

Final Thoughts

Trentham Monkey Forest offers a unique blend of wildlife observation, education, and family-friendly activities. It's a perfect destination for a day out, providing both entertainment and learning opportunities for children and adults alike. We highly recommend it to families seeking an enriching experience...

I visited on the 19/8/24 for the monkey feeding experience with my 8year old son Jake. With me being a touch over 3 hours travel for the place I booked I hotel nearby so it wasn’t to much for him in one day. There is plenty of hotels nearby which is handy for anyone in the same situation as me.

Now as for the feeding experience, This was without a doubt the highlight of our day we got greeted at the gate with professionalism and kindness not seen in most places today (thank you for that) and got taken to the vehicle full of fruit. Greeted by two women (I can’t remember their names and I’m sorry for that if you read this) who explained what was going to happen and where we were going.

Once we got through the gates and to the first group we were glad see so many monkeys coming for their fruit and got to watch them good around and do their thing all while been filled with information from the guides about each one of them. You can see their passion for these animals and it was a joy to see them so free in the forest. We got to throw out some fruit and my son loved the fact they were eating the fruit he was putting out for them. I took loads of pictures while doing this it wasn’t a problem.

The journey didn’t end there for the vip experience but I won’t write anymore all I can say is 10/10 for the experience and well worth the money. It was only me and my son present as only 2 can do it but again that’s a good thing as they are respecting the monkeys home and not flooding their living spaces with people. I’d definitely do this experience again.

And now after that experience we got to walk around with free entry to the forest included with our vip experience. It was a great feeling knowing that some fruit the monkeys were seen eating me and my son helped with that and my son would not stop talking about them after learning a lot from the two guides beforehand.

The cafe was nice and clean as well as the other facilities. The prices I’ve read in other reviews said they were quite high however after looking for myself it’s pennies for food compared to where I ate the night before where my meal alone cost me £18!!.

The store was good with a good range of souvenirs and bits and bobs to take home to remember your trip.

In conclusion this whole place has blown me away from the experience I had you got to see what they do behind the scenes and it’s just such a great thing all who involved with monkey forest are doing. My son enjoyed it so much when we got back he is recreating your whole forest in his Minecraft game and is talking about when we are going back. This to me is worth any price of any sort. So thank you to all the staff who encountered when I was there and thank you for being so welcoming. This is one of the best experiences I have done and certainly the best my son has done if you ask him.

I will be back again.

Thanks...