mediterranean style garden at Trentham
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Fairy trails and barefoot walk at Trentham Gardens

Wow, it seems like ages since we went to Trentham Gardens but other posts have just got in the way.

Trentham Estate, near Stoke on Trent is a great middle ground for me to meet up with my best friend, so we’ve been a couple of times now. Last year we visited Monkey Forest, before a quick trip to the gardens, but this time we just headed straight for Trentham Gardens instead. I’m not one for going back to the same old places, and really wanted to explore more of the estate.

On our last visit I lost N when he ran off exploring the water fountains in the formal gardens. This time en route, he decided that he wanted to wee just as we got off the motorway, and couldn’t wait 2 miles to arrive. So we had to stop in a layby for him to pee with both car doors open to protect his modesty. It seems that event has been the encouragement he needed to start weeing in toilets standing up.

We went on a Sunday and arrived around 11am. The estate is large, with Monkey Forest on one side, then the shopping village which is a great place for nice little tea rooms and cafes, and boutique-y and unique shops. I’ve not really had the chance to do any shopping there but maybe one day I will. It was a beautiful warm day although with a slight breeze, so it was busy. I was concerned when I spotted the Guide event parking, but the guides were in one large field so once we’d heard their welcome speeches over the loudspeakers, we didn’t get overrun by tweens and teenage girls.

Trentham Estate ruins

We weren’t meeting my friend until lunchtime, so we had plenty of time to go and explore. There’s a wonderful lake walk and when we went there was a rowing competition going on, so we had something extra to watch as we walked.

rowing races at Trentham

Trentham also has a fairy trail. The fairies are all in different poses, and placed around the gardens. There’s a fairy trail so we grabbed a map and tried to find as many as possible.

fairy trail at Trentham Gardens

N loved spotting them, and was intrigued to touch them and shake hands when he could get close enough. I was a little embarrassed when he sat down on a bench next to one and started groping the fairy’s breasts! Mortifyingly, all the people walking by were then watching him do it. So embarrassing (but funny!). Thankfully I managed to drag him away by distracting him with the train.

Fairy trail at Trentham Gardens Estate

You can go on the miniature train although at £2 each for a return I wasn’t going to pay that. N didn’t seem to want to go on it, so we walked alongside so he could spot when it was coming. The turntable at the end provided an opportunity for him to ask lots of questions…not forgetting his question ‘why are there 2 men when only one is driving?’.

Bad British Tourist look - for children
Here’s hoping his ‘child tourist’ look doesn’t catch on!

We watched the rowers for a bit – more questions – it’s a lovely day out sitting and watching, although we had more to see so couldn’t sit there for too long.

goose and goslings at Trentham Gardens

The walk is lovely although it was really busy, so it was a bit like walking along a street with lots of other people. We did stop for a while to look at and talk about the otter tree carving.

otters carved in a tree trunk at Trentham Gardens

By the time we got back to the start our friends had arrived. She’s N’s godmother and I’m godmother to her 2.5 year old, and it’s so funny to see them together. N talks an ongoing commentary about what we’re doing and what O was up to. I think N gets a bit confused sometimes on the unpredictability of a younger friend, but it’s good that he has to learn that not everyone will do what he says.

We headed for the formal gardens to sit near the main water fountain so we could have our picnic. It’s always lovely to be able to sit outside and eat, and quite often is a lot easier when you’ve got children. It doesn’t matter if food goes everywhere.

Trentham Gardens formal gardens waterfall

We then wandered through the gardens to head to the sandpits and adventure playground.

Trentham’s great for the play area. There’s a tots area with sandpits, ride on vehicles round a track, and smaller wooden play equipment and obstacles. Then there’s an area for bigger children with various climbing equipment, swings, zip wires etc.

walking the log stepping stones

It’s always busy, but there’s still plenty to do and the boys were quite happy pottering in the sand for a bit. N still wanted to go on the ride on cars even though he’s really a bit big for them now.

the wooden adventure playground

One of the reasons we wanted to get to Trentham Gardens again was to have a go on the barefoot walk. It’s a free walk, suitable for all ages. It’s just a case of removing shoes and socks, rolling up trousers and setting off on the walk over the different textured path. N was striding off and in his element, not really faltering until we got to the 3rd lot of sharper gravel or bark. Then he decided to take the easy option and walk on the grass alongside for those stages (sensible child). Some textures were certainly a bit sharp on the feet – mind over matter doesn’t always work although I did walk over all textures to try it…until we reached the muddy gloopy water stage.

barefoot walk at Trentham Estate

Under the guise of taking photos, I avoided going in at all, although my friend took N in for about 2 steps before he climbed out. He’s never been keen on getting mucky with paint or the like so I wasn’t surprised. A bit ridiculous for a child who’s happiest out on the farm in all weathers. The water was particularly grim – smelling slightly stagnant and coating feet and ankles until it dried in the sun and provided a crusty feel to the feet. ‘Hobbit feet’ was our preferred term for the look.

barefoot walk at Trentham Gardens

We did get to walk through a lovely mini stream, and once back to the start we were able to clean off feet with the taps and driers. It was good fun, and something different to try – I’d never come across a barefoot walk elsewhere.

Next on our list was to try the maze. This is a laurel maze, and every so often you come across sound pipes – so you can talk into them and see if there’s anyone at the other end.

Sound pipes at Trentham Gardens

We couldn’t work out which ones joined up, but it seemed that when you reached the centre and top of the maze, you could then tell people at the other end of the pipes which direction to go in. Good fun, and of course, it was much quicker getting out than finding the centre in the first place.

maze at trentham gardens

Mazes creep me out a bit, I think because I’ve watched too many creepy films with people trying to escape in mazes, but with children it’s certainly a different experience. They have no sense of direction so I’m sure you end up taking a lot longer, than if you were in control!

At the centre on the maze at Trentham Gardens
Reached the hill in the middle of the maze

We had a little time left so we wanted to have a look at the display gardens. These are like a mini Chelsea Flower Show, with different designs for each garden. The boys loved the sensory garden, although none of the sounds seemed to be working.

Sensory Garden at Trentham Gardens

There was a winter wildlife garden which was a great idea, although we didn’t see any evidence of bugs in it.

Winter wildlife garden at trentham Gardens

There was even a secret garden complete with door to go through to find it.

Trentham Gardens relaxation

The flowers throughout were beautiful, and there were some lovely unusual touches to the place. I’m not really a gardener but I do enjoy seeing what others can do with gardens, and find them really interesting to photograph.

hollyhocks at Trentham Gardens

I’m not sure if that’s a sign of getting old and a bit boring, or just being able to appreciate things a lot more.

pansies at Trentham Gardens

We’d not had as long as Trentham Gardens as we’d have liked, but it was a jam packed visit and good to catch up with friends we don’t get to see often enough.

columns at Trentham Gardens

Even the walk back to the car can be interesting on the estate – more gardens, the old Trentham House and church ruins, and more water fountains and fairies galore.

mediterranean style garden at Trentham

There’s certainly some interesting artwork and I could have spent more time taking photos.

Formal gardens at Trentham Garden

close up stone work at Trentham Estate ruins

Crocus flower sculpture at Trentham Gardens

N wanted to take some photos himself, but I remembered I’d got my gorillapod, so set that up for us to have a photo of the 4 of us. I don’t know why I’ve not discovered camera self-timers before – great invention. It’s now a mission going forward that whenever we meet up we’ll get a photo of the 4 of us (and maybe the OHs if they’re with us).

Quick goodbyes and big bags of N’s handmedown clothes to O, before we headed off home. N was asleep almost before we’d reached the motorway.

While I prefer to explore new places, Trentham’s definitely a great meeting place for friends and families.

Do you like to find out gardens? Have you ever been on a barefoot walk?

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20 Comments

  1. I really want to go back there for a visit, your photos reminded me how lovely it is. I don’t know of a barefoot walk anywhere else but I’m a bit squeamish about feet (my own and anyone else’s!) so that may not be for me!

    You’re right about mazes, a bit too Midsomer Murders for my liking! 😉

    1. Feet aren’t nice are they?! Ha ha to the Midsummer Murders. Definitely something about having potential people coming round corners!

  2. This is so comeplete! I love gardens and love photographing flowers, my son loves playing and running around in an open space and my husband loves kayaking! So this place would appeal to all of us =) #countrykids

  3. I grew up near Trentham Gardens – it’s been so hugely revamped over the past 10 years or so though, there’s so much to do. I’ve gone to the monkeys a few times with my daughter but only a short visit to the gardens on a freezing wet bank holiday last August! We saw the fairies but would love to check out the barefoot walk if it’s wsrm enough to take shoes off… #countrykids

  4. I adore those fairy sculptures, every time I see a photo it makes we want to see them in real life even more! Love the sound of the barefoot walk, I think my lot would enjoy that, well the boys anyway! Gorgeous photos of your day x

  5. it’s many years since I was last at trentham-my daughter was 18 months I think and she’s shortly going to be 9! I really must get back there, it looks to have improved on what was already a lovely spot.

  6. What a lovely place and very in tune with current ideas. We have a fairy garden but I love the look of the Fairy trail and those fairies are rather impressive! A barefoot walk is right up there on my list of things to create at Coombe Mill. I will be pinning this one to my growing collection, we too have a bug house which has yet to be populated with bugs! Loving the child tourist look and the fairy handling! Thank you for sharing a wonderful looking place so beautifully kept on Country Kids. Still can’t believe I actually got to meet you last week too 🙂

  7. Trench am gardens is close to us but somewhere we have not visited yet. It is on our list, and I think the fairies are amazing. So much to see and do. #countrykids

  8. The art work all looks fabulous. Like the idea of the barefoot trail. My lot would have loved it and wallowed in the mud, but they are older. Fun day out and you look like you had good weather too. #CountryKids

  9. I just spat out my drink when I got to the breast part! That is hilarious, so glad it happened to someone else for once, usually those things only happen to me! Looks like a lovely place.

    PS: I love your blog header! Very cool ☺

    1. Trentham tells me it happens quite a lot! So not just me. Very funny though. Shame I didn’t get a picture…great for 18th birthday photo shame.

  10. Oh this looks like a lovely day out. I particularly love the barefoot walk idea. I’d never heard of Trentham, but I’ve heard of monkey forest and that’s on my list of things to do so maybe we’ll do them both at the same time, we’re not too far away. Thanks for the recommendation and fab photos!x

    1. It is. You can do both in one day – once you’ve seen monkeys, you’ve seen them! If you’re near though, you’d have plenty of time

  11. I want to go here! Every time I hear about it I want to visit – now I just need to find the time. Beautiful photos x

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