Our story
What is Monkey Forest?
Walk amongst monkeys and enjoy a unique day out for all the family.
Monkey Forest is home to 140 free-ranging Barbary macaques. Visitors walk along the 3/4 of a mile pathway. Walk, watch and be AMAZED as the endangered monkeys live as they would in the wild.
Situated in an ancient Staffordshire forest Trentham Monkey Forest is the perfect day out for all ages.
- A unique experience to see monkeys living freely*
- No cages or bars, monkeys are free to roam
- Learn and find out about the conservation of this endangered species
- 1 species of monkey – the Barbary macaque
*Visitors cannot touch/feed.
How long will it take?
Most visitors spend a few hours within the monkey enclosure and are free to re-enter as many times as they wish during their trip.
The woodland walk is just less than a mile long and there are multiple information boards along the way. Knowledgeable guides are situated throughout the forest to help answer any questions you may have during your trip and to ensure the park rules are followed.
Hourly feeding talks take place at quarter past each hour and are a must watch. It is always recommended to take your time around the forest, stopping to take pictures and take in the monkeys fascinating behaviour – they’re extremely entertaining to watch!
What's there?
- Hourly feeding talks
- Helpful guides to explain monkey antics
- Banana Café
- Jungle Shop
- Picnic Areas
- Our new, primate-themed play area!
- Meadow Walk (seasonal)
- Den Building in the Hidden Trail
- Video Room & Monkey Skeletons
- Brand New Interactive Conservation Centre
- Monkey Shaped Willow Maze
- Free Parking
Where did it all begin?
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1969
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La Montagne Des Singes Opens
Our first research centre for Barbary macaques
![Photo2 De1972pierrehotz@Mail.Pf]()
Frenchmen, Gilbert de Turckheim
and Jacques Renaud opened
‘La Montagne des Singes’ (Monkey
Mountain). A pioneering venture
to allow a species of monkey to
live in relative freedom with similar
conditions to the wild. Passionate
to share their love of primates and
nature with visitors to the area.
-
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1974
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La Foret des Singes Opens
Our second park in Rocamadour is born
![Photo3 De1972pierrehotz@Mail.Pf]()
Another conservation facility for Barbary macaques.
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1976
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Affenberg Salem is created
The 3rd park arrives in Germany, near Lake Constance.
![DSC1743]()
200 monkeys relocated
from our sister parks.
Fallow deer and stork
live alongside the
4 groups of Barbary
macaques.
-
-
1986
-
A TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO THE ATLAS
Reintroductions back into the wild.
![Reintroduction Singes Maroc Jpeg Web (2)]()
349 monkeys were reintroduced to Morocco
further bolster the declining
wild population.
The monkeys travelled by plane,
trucks and even by mule!
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-
2005
-
Trentham Monkey Forest Opens
We arrived in Stoke-On-Trent!
![DSC 7307 (2)]()
On the 19th July, 2005, Trentham Monkey Forest opened it's doors for the very first time after a year-long rejuvenation project of this phenomenally vast woodland, once landscaped by Capability Brown. We were the last piece of the conservation jigsaw as the 4 parks align in their mission to protect and support Barbary macaque monkeys
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