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Trentham Monkey Forest

Staffordshire

Booking Trentham Monkey Forest

  • The only place in the UK to walk with free roaming Barbary macaques in a natural forest environment.
  • Feeding talks, interactive exhibits, and awareness raising about an endangered species.
  • Family friendly fun, from a primate-themed play area and café to picnic space and a gift shop, all nestled in scenic woodland.
Prices from: £12
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Trentham Monkey Forest offers a unique walk-through woodland where 140 free-roaming Barbary macaques live just a few feet from you.

Times

From 10:00 daily, with seasonal closing times shown on the live calendar. View all available times here

Attraction Duration

3-4 hours

Age Range

Great for Kids

Attraction Overview

Home to 140 free-roaming Barbary macaques, Trentham Monkey Forest gives you the chance to watch these endangered primates living in a 60-acre woodland setting. You walk along a mile of pathways as the monkeys move freely among the trees, without cages or barriers separating you.

Staff are on hand throughout the route to share insights into macaque behaviour and conservation, and you can often see feeding talks that highlight their natural foraging habits. The forest setting also provides plenty of space to observe family groups interacting, grooming and playing. With no enclosures between you and the monkeys, it offers a rare opportunity to see them up close while still in an environment that supports their natural way of life.

Be sure to explore...

  • An hourly feeding talk where you can learn about macaque behaviour and conservation efforts firsthand.
  • ¾ of a mile of woodland trail where monkeys cross the path right in front of you.
  • The Meadow Walk and nature pond for quieter wildlife watching.

How to get here

From the M6, exit at J15 and follow signs to the A34 for Stafford and Trentham Gardens, then follow brown signs to Monkey Forest South Entrance. If you are approaching from the M1, take exits 23a or 24a to the A50 for Stoke-on-Trent, then follow signs to Trentham on the A34 and the brown tourist signs. For sat nav, use ST12 9HR, which leads you to Strongford Garage opposite the entrance; do not rely on the estate’s general postcode.

Get here by Public Transport

Stoke-on-Trent railway station is about 5 miles away. From the city, the 101 bus serves Trentham Monkey Forest frequently, and many visitors connect via Hanley bus station using the 21/21A then switch to the 101 for the final leg; stops such as Allerton Road are a short walk from the entrance. Check First Potteries timetables for current times.