Monkey Forest, Stone road, Trentham, Staffordshire, ST4 8AY.

Located just a few miles from the city of Stoke-On-Trent is Monkey Forest. This amazing attraction offers the opportunity to see a troop of Barbary Macaques and have very real close encounters with them as you walk through their 60 acre woodland enclosure.


Although there are guides stationed along the way who will answer any questions and give interesting talks, you really get the feeling that you are walking freely amongst the troop of 140 Macaques as they roam through the vast enclosure.
There are a number of interactive signs along the way to help both adults and children understand these amazing animals.


Nowhere else in the UK would you get the chance to see these monkeys up close and behaving in such a natural manner.

It’s great to watch the mothers interacting with their tiny infants as they play, the adults on the ground grooming, monkeys in trees all around you and frequently running in front of your feet across the paths.


Also at monkey forest there are two adventure playgrounds and a beautiful grassed picnic area to keep your little monkeys happy.
Why not enjoy a bite to eat at The Banana Café with a terrace to relax on. The Jungle shop is a monkey lovers’ dream!
There is also a large free car park when you arrive.

Monkey Forest is an amazing experience for adults and children alike, a very educational and delightful day out, perfect for all the family and I would highly recommend a visit!

Stafford Castle & Visitors Centre

Stafford Castle & Visitor centre.


First built by Robert de Toenito subdue the rebellious population, the castle has dominated the Stafford skyline for over 900 years.


Stafford castle near Stafford city centre has breath taking views of Staffordshire, which you can see for miles!



Surrounding the Castle is a delightful medieval herb garden, with breath taking views over looking Staffordshire.
The site itself extends to over 26 acres and consists of Keep, inner bailey, outer bailey, and woodland and herb garden.
Take a walk through the mile long woodland trail that leads you though part of the grounds where an ancient monument encircles the Normans fortress.

The visitor centre is extreemly informative.The interior is designed to encourage a 'hands-on' approach to history, it also has an audio centre display which tells the history of the castle, hands on items including armour and costumes and a timeline to put the history of the castle into context. The layout of the visitor centre is in the style of a Norman guardhouse, giving you a great feeling that your actually walking into history!


The Castle Shop has a wide range of souvenirs to suit all pockets.

You could have a very educational and delightful day at Stafford castle, weather its walking around the castle grounds or enjoying the amazing views from the castle itself.

I would recommend Stafford castle as an enjoyable and educational place, ideal for a family adventure.

The British Wildlife Rescue Centre - At Amerton Farm

The British Wildlife Rescue Centre based at The British Wildlife Rescue which is situated inbetween Lichfield and Stone is a facility which includes a hospital area with veterinary cover, a re-homing area and many enclosures with a wide variety of both domestic and wild animals. The centre is the perfect place for both adults and youngsters alike as there is lots of opourtunity for close up encounters with numerous animals that you would rarely get the chance to see in their wild environment.

The prime aim of this centre is to rescue, rehabilitate and release back to the wild where possible. There are however, due to the nature of their injuries, always creatures that would not be able to survive in the wild and so the centre offeres them a permanent home in one of the many large avaries and encloseures that are designed to be as close to their natural surroundings as possible.

A large number of the centres inhabitants are small and exotic pets that have been brought in by the RSPCA or Social services and Police when their owners can no longer care for them. These animals are housed or lodged at the centre until a suitable home can be found for them.

The centre is of great importance to both animals and people alike, the centre serves a valuable role in regard to educating local people. Being involved in talks and lectures to school children and other groups in the hope that educating both youngsters and adults about the needs of both wild and domestic animals will help to reduce the number of animals that come to centres like these in the future.

It costs a great deal to feed and house the birds and animals each year. Therefore to continue with their sterling work the centre relies heavily on sponsorships and public donations.

The sponsorship scheme is set up to enable the public to be more involved with the care of the resident animals.

By sponsoring an animal or by visiting the centre you will be helping them to carry out their core aim which is to care for sick, indured or orphaned wildlife and other animals.

The centre offers a great day out for all ages and is ideally located at Amerton Farm and Craft Centre which has lots to offer from the many craft shops and garden centre to the Train and Childrens Indoor play area.

Stapeley Water Gardens & Tropical Oasis

Stapeley Water Gardens 92 London Road, Stapeley, Nantwich, Cheshire – A great day out for all the family!

Stapeley Water Gardens really does have something for everyone. The large Garden Centre is full of great ideas and products for your home and garden. There is an excellent selection of both indoor and outdoor plants, gifts, BBQ’s, Clothing and a large aquarium and pet centre.

For keen Anglers in the family you’ll find everything you could need in the spacious 13,000 square foot superstore comprising of Carp, Specimin, Match, Sea and Game departments.

With one of the largest camping and outdoor superstores in the area, you can find everything you need for the great outdoors. Over 30 tents on display and a huge range of camping and outdoor equipment and clothing from leading brands.

The Palms Tropical Oasis – a totally unique experience for all the family! Explore dazzling tropical plantlife, step out into the beautiful Italian Gardens, enjoy the variety of plants & animals on display.

On entering the tropical palms oasis you are faced with a wonderful view of the central palms area with a 50ft long Koi pool running though the centre with ornate water features.

The tropical jungle, although not a huge area is well thought out and impressive with two large Piranha pools and amazing plants.

The zoo room & mini beasts areas are informative, interesting and full of great animals such as Crocodiles, Armadillos, snakes, Sugar-gliders and many many more– Kids will love it!

Hours could easily be spent watching the Meerkats, who seem to enjoy posing for photos!

The tunnel of underwater life has some great fish and large populated tanks.

The outdoor Italian Garden has a large fountain and it’s a nice area to relax on a sunny day.

Throughout every area there is something to interest adults and intrigue kids.

It’s an ideal autumn day out especially due to the tropical climate inside the palms, no matter what the weather is doing outside.

PERTH - The Fair City

Perth is a former royal burgh in central Scotland, located on the banks of the River Tay and is one of three towns in the UK to have been declassified as a city.

Still referred to as The Fair City, Perth is derrived from a Pictish word for wood or copse.

Home to one of the oldest provincial museums in Scotland and the host of the Perth Festival of the Arts, an annual collection of art, theatre, opera and classical music, architectural and historical attractions include Scone Palace and St. John's Kirk.

With further exploration you will discover the former seats of the Earls of Gowrie, and the Wemyss family, Huntingtower Castle and Elcho Castle respectively.

Both are excellent examples of late medieval Scottish tower-houses.

9th Hole Gleneagles - Photo: Keith Duff CCL