We visited Monkey Forest on the Trentham Estate last year (2009). It was a fantastic afternoon but if you’re in a wheelchair, you or your carer needs to be very fit!
Getting There
The Trentham Estate in Staffordshire is where you will find Monkey Forest. Both they estate and Monkey Forest were well signposted on our approach and the car park was large and easy to find. There was no dedicated Disabled parking but the distance from the car park to the entrance was not too far. The attraction is essentially a walk through the woods so if the distance to the 
main gate is too difficult you will find the track round very hard.
The car park and all paths were covered with small, rough gravel. I found it fairly easy to get about in my manual wheelchair. The paths were well established and walked in to produce a good hard surface.
Inside the Forest – Access
Once inside there is a ‘safari park‘ style walk through the wood. There is a rise to the enclosure entrance and then a fairly long downhill section to the centre of the forest. The path is shaped a little like a number 6. Coming down from the top, the clearing is where 3 paths meet. Once through the clearing, the bottom section is a circular walk though the woods and back to the clearing.
The ground is far from level and a very fit carer is required. The path continues from the central clearing, rising up the other side. This requires a strong push uphill before a very steep descent. Staff warned us about the hill and suggested turning back but That’s Not Our Style!! We braved the descent using a combination of diagonal ’skiing’ style moves and Fiona hanging on to my chair for dear life. It was steep. So steep, I wrecked a pair of gloves! But we made it to the bottom in one piece.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t really worth it! The path takes you back round towards the clearing along a valley floor. There is a small stream running alongside the path but few of the monkeys were down here, probably because of the deep shade from the trees. The day we visited, the monkeys were mostly gathered in the clearing and the top section of the circular walk.
Access wise, if you go all the way round there are 3 uphill sections that need a strong push. One steep downhill section, probably best avoided.
Monkeys
Of course, the whole point of the visit is the monkeys. They are everything you would expect. Not too large, curious and a little jumpy, cute and very amusing. Some of their antics had us laughing out loud. They are used to a lot of visitors so you can get up very close, not quite close enough to touch (they do bite) but close enough!
There are several ‘feeding times’ when staff give an entertaining talk about the conservation project, the park and the monkeys themselves. Outside these times there are
plenty of staff around to ask questions and keep you informed about what the animals are doing. There were lots of babies around when we visited, the monkeys have a very strong sense of community, so all the adults take their turn at looking after the little ones. They do get jealous though if the babies aren’t passed around enough!
Time really seemed to slow down whilst we were inside the park. There is no rush to get round, loads of monkeys to see and, although they are all the same species, there are lots of characters to watch and enjoy. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly but not pushy or too ‘in your face’.
The complex has a cafe/restaurant and shop which was easily accessible. The shop wasn’t great, mainly stocking a large array of cuddly toys. We didn’t buy anything in the cafe either but it looked like a reasonable stop for coffee and cake.
Costs
Disabled and Carers: £3.50 each
Kids: £4.50 each
Our Party of Four: £16
Have You Been…..
If you’ve been to the Monkey Forest at Trentham or somewhere similar? Please add your comments below!
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