Trains to Trentham Monkey Forest

Trentham Monkey Forest is a fantastic place for a family day out, with heaps of opportunities to learn about and get up close to an endangered species. The forest is open between February and November but the best time to visit is spring and early summer when the babies can be seen clinging to their mothers’ backs. Join CrossCountry as we explore everything there is to know about the ancient Staffordshire Forest and the monkeys that live within its trees.

How to Get to Trentham Monkey Forest by train:

It’s easy to reach Trentham Monkey Forest by train with CrossCountry. Located in the well-connected Stoke-on-Trent, there are regular services running from all over the United Kingdom, including from Derby station, Birmingham New Street and Sheffield station.

From further afield, visitors can catch trains from key Welsh stations like Cardiff Central and Newport station and numerous locations in Scotland, including Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central. 

Upon arrival at Stoke-on-Trent station, hop on one of many bus services heading towards Trentham. Disembark at Riverside Road and change onto the 101 Knotty bus which goes directly to the Monkey Forest. 

Things to do at Trentham Monkey Forest

Families can get up close to 140 cheeky Barbary macaques who call the park home. Watch and marvel as they saunter along the forest paths, swing and crash their way through the branches above, or relax in the long grasses.

Originally from Algeria and Morocco, the Barbary macaques are not confined to the bars of a cage. Instead, they are free to roam the sixty-acre woodland to their hearts’ content. The trail winds its way through the trees for three-quarters of a mile and while human visitors must keep to the wooden walkway, the monkeys are free to adventure wherever they like.

The highlight of the day will certainly be feeding time. Roughly every hour, visitors will get the chance to witness the macaques tuck into their favourite foods. While this is going on, guides will tell curious families all about the monkeys and the work the Forest does to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

After completing the trail, head to the video room, information centre and the two playgrounds where kids will be amused for hours. Souvenirs of the day, like mugs, notebooks, and cuddly toys, can be purchased from the Jungle Shop. This is also where visitors have the chance to adopt a baby monkey. There are now less than eight thousand Barbary macaques in the wild, so adopting a little one is a fantastic way to support essential primate conservation and research. All this exploring will make everyone hungry, so head to the Banana Café afterwards to refuel.

As well as meeting the hairy residents of the Monkey Forest, there are lots of other areas on the sprawling estate to explore. Take a stroll around the beautiful Trentham Gardens where you can enjoy a boat trip, a ride on the miniature train and a fairy-spotting walk along the lakeside. There’s also a maze to get lost in and plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic. Keep your eyes peeled for the colourful Kingfishers, Giant Stag Beetles and playful Otters who call the gardens their home. And if all that isn’t enough to wear out the little ones, go to the adventure playground where energetic kids can zip down the zipline, soar on the swings and challenge the assault course.

About Trentham Monkey Forest

Back in 1969, the first Monkey Forest was opened in France with the view to educate and raise awareness about the endangered Barbary macaques. In subsequent years a second park opened in France, then in Germany and finally, in 2005 Trentham Monkey Forest in the UK opened its gates.

Nestled in the ancient woodland of Staffordshire Forest, the monkeys are able to maintain their natural behaviours, as they would in the wild. There are several conservation projects going on throughout the four European parks with the aim to protect this endangered species.

Trentham Monkey Forest is actively involved with a number of amazing initiatives such as Barbary Macaque Awareness & Conservation (BMAC), who work to combat illegal wildlife trade in Morocco. Additionally, they collaborate with the Primate Society of Great Britain, directing significant funds from the adoption program to support their vital work, and Chances for Nature, who protect Madagascar’s Kirindy Forest.

If you’re planning a visit to Trentham Monkey Forest, don’t forget to book an Advance ticket via our website or the CrossCountry app. If you need more information, you can contact us here.