The Trentham Estate is one of the Midlands’ great days out — award-winning gardens wrapped around a mile-long Capability Brown lake, with family adventures, woodland walks and a lakeside shopping village all on one historic estate south of Stoke-on-Trent. Many visitors come for the famous Monkey Forest on the estate and never discover the gardens next door; they’re missing Trentham’s crown jewels.
Gardens by the Masters
Trentham’s planting is a roll-call of modern garden greatness: the vast Italian Gardens reimagined by Tom Stuart-Smith — currently enjoying a fresh chapter of replanting that’s building on their Victorian bones — alongside Piet Oudolf’s dreamy Floral Labyrinth and Rivers of Grass, wildflower meadows, and the David Austin rose border. From spring bulbs to the seedheads of winter, there is no dead season here, and the mile circuit of the lake, with its wire fairy sculptures hiding along the way, is one of the loveliest flat walks in the Midlands.
Made for Families
Children are spoiled: a huge adventure playground with the UK’s first barefoot walk, a maze, beach-style play by the water, and seasonal boat cruises and a miniature train along the lake. Add the estate’s treetop ropes adventure and the macaques of the Monkey Forest and Trentham becomes a genuine full-day-plus destination — many families split it over two visits.
The Shopping Village
By the entrance, the Trentham Shopping Village fills dozens of timber lodges with independent shops, cafés and restaurants — free to wander, lively year-round, and a very pleasant way to end the day. Regular events run right through the year, from summer lakeside concerts to festive trails.
Visiting Trentham
The estate is just off junction 15 of the M6 on the A34, well signposted, with plenty of parking — sat nav ST4 8JG. The gardens are ticketed (the shopping village is free), memberships pay for themselves quickly if you’re local, and dogs are welcome across most of the estate. Check the website for events, as big concert days affect garden hours.
Plan Your Visit
Tickets, events and opening times are on the official Trentham Estate website.
Visit the Trentham Estate WebsiteWhere to stay: Hotels • Holiday Cottages • Holiday Parks