Trentham Monkey Forest Celebrates 20 years with Owners on 4th July

Trentham Monkey Forest hosted a special private event on the 4th of July to celebrate the park’s upcoming 20th anniversary on the 19th of July.

The park’s owners, the de Turckheim family, alongside long-standing local partners and suppliers, came together to mark this milestone in style. The event was a heartfelt celebration of two decades of connection between Staffordshire, France, and North Africa, honouring the unique cultural blend that makes Trentham Monkey Forest truly one of a kind.

Historically, Monkey Forest as a concept began in 1969 in Kintzheim, France. Two nature enthusiasts - Gilbert de Turckheim and Jacques Renaud, developed a pioneering idea to allow Barbary macaques to live in relative freedom, replicating the natural conditions of their wild habitat to a remarkable standard.

Their passion for primates led to the opening of La Montagne des Singes in Alsace, the first park of its kind and the start of Trentham Monkey Forest’s journey.

Fast forward to 2005, Trentham Monkey Forest became the fourth and final park to open its doors and the very first in the UK on the grounds of the historic Trentham Estate in Stoke-on-Trent. The project was spearheaded by Guillaume De Turckheim, son of the original founder, who saw Stoke-on-Trent as the perfect home for this conservation project to continue.

To mark 20 incredible years of success, the recent private event saw the park’s on-site Banana Café transformed for the evening. Twinkling fairy lights lit up the space, with a nostalgic timeline of photographs from 2005 to 2025 showcasing the park’s evolution and many cherished memories.

From school trips and family outings to conservation milestones and baby macaques, each photo told a story of connection to nature, to each other, and to the city of Stoke-on-Trent.

Guests were treated to the authentic sounds of a Moroccan/Algerian band, bringing the earthy, rhythmic tones of North Africa, where Barbary macaques originate, to the heart of Staffordshire. The music reflected the park’s deep respect for the monkeys’ native homeland while nodding to its French and British roots. It was a true celebration of the fusion of cultures that have helped to shape Monkey Forest’s identity.

Localism was at the heart of the evening. Many partners to Monkey Forest were proudly from the surrounding area, reflecting the park’s commitment not only to wildlife but to the community. Notable attendees from the Trentham Estate, North Staffordshire Beekeepers Association, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Primatologists were present for the celebrations.

While only around 15% of the park’s annual visitors are local to Stoke-on-Trent, Monkey Forest plays an important role in drawing people from all over the UK and beyond to discover everything this vibrant region has to offer.

Owner Guillaume de Turckheim stated 
“Dear friends, today is not just another day. Today we are celebrating 20 years of stories challenges triumphs and yes, a few surprises too. Let me take you back for a moment, down memory lane picture this place 20 years ago. I had just stepped into the role of Director. Full of energy, ideas and maybe a little nervous. The gate houses had seen better days, the walls were cracked and tired and it was a bit sad. The forest was like a contained jungle, waiting for someone to bring it to life. So, we did. We dreamt, we planned, we worked and most importantly we believed.

It wasn’t always easy. But little by little, step by step we gave the buildings a new heartbeat, turned a wilderness into a beautiful park. A place where people walk, talk, rest and smile whilst observing our amazing monkeys. In these 20 years, we have grown as a team, a community and as a family. We have welcomed new faces, launched new ideas and kept going no matter what. To everyone who has made this journey possible, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here’s to all of the great years to come and to the monkeys”

Park Director Matt Lovatt added 
“More than 55 years ago, a vision was first sparked by two incredible men. Gilbert, Guillaume’s late father and Jacque who is Eric’s father, Eric is here with us this evening.
 It was these two pioneers who embarked on this amazing adventure. It was their determination that laid the groundwork for what you see today, and the park continues to flourish not just as a local treasure but as a centre for conservation and research. The owners saw something special here (in Stoke-on-Trent), the kind of community that works together, supports each other and those living in this area know that we have a way of making people feel really at home.  

Now this year is very special for another reason, it is the 100th year of Stoke-on-Trent as a city and I can’t think of a better way for us to celebrate both great milestones. Trentham Monkey Forest has been engrained in the culture of Stoke-on-Trent, proving that you don’t need to look that far to find something truly extraordinary right on your doorstep and we’re really proud to be a central part of Stoke’s ongoing story. In the past two decades we have welcomed over 4 million visitors, we have employed over 300 local people, helping many of them take their first steps into the world of conservation. 
Over 100 babies have been born in the forest helping us to raise awareness of the plight of the endangered Barbary macaque. I’d like to extend my gratitude to all associated with Monkey Forest, without them and their vision and dedication none of this would have been possible. I know the whole team feel so privileged to share their lives with the monkeys that call Trentham home. Here’s to the next 20 years of Trentham Monkey Forest”

As the park prepares to officially turn 20 on July 19th and host its grand birthday bonanza, the celebrations are a reminder of how a bold idea in 1969, rooted in conservation and cross-cultural understanding, can grow into something beloved by families, schools, and wildlife lovers alike here in Trentham in 2025, still thriving and exciting those wanting to support an endangered species. 

Here's to another 20 years of swinging success in Stoke-on-Trent!