While visiting the Manchester area, we looked for fun family excursions not too far away. Someone recommended the Trentham Monkey Forest about an hour’s drive from Manchester.

Trentham Monkey Forest is a large Monkey Sanctuary where 140 monkeys live and roam freely. Visitors can walk among and interact with monkeys as they go about their day, although visitors may not feed or touch the monkeys. There is a ¾ mile path to follow through the forest with interesting information boards posted throughout sharing knowledge about the monkeys all around, sitting in trees, walking around, jumping from one branch to the other, fighting or playing with the other Barbary Maques (the endangered species of monkeys that live at Monkey Forest). 

It is so entertaining to watch the monkeys! Most visitors end up staying a few hours in the enclosure or reenter after leaving (It is free to reenter on the day of a visit.) The guides are found throughout Monkey Forest and are happy to answer questions and share their vast knowledge. They also facilitate the feedings which are fascinating to watch.

In addition to the monkey enclosure there is a new monkey themed playground with many fun elements to climb and swing on. There is also a café and gift shop outside of the monkey enclosure.

Posted: April 20, 2024