52 Great British Weekends, 2nd Edition E-Book

Annabelle Thorpe

• Herausgeber: IMM Lifestyle Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Seitenzahl: 214

Beschreibung

Explore the very best getaways that the United Kingdom has to offer with this seasonal guide detailing the best weekend adventures! Whether it's island-hopping in spring, wine-tasting in summer, dolphin-watching in autumn, or skiing in winter, Annabelle Thorpe presents 52 enticing options for memorable weekend breaks. This unique travel guide offers a full calendar year of extraordinary experiences, arranged by season. All the planning has been done for you, with practical and up-to-date information on the best places to stay and eat, plus insights on cultural events, fun activities, historic sites, man-made attractions, and natural beauty spots. Complete with stunning photography and ideas for similar short trips to enjoy in other locations across England, Scotland, and Wales, this handy guide will help you make the most of your travels in Britain at any time of year. This new edition features updated information on all the current hotels, restaurants, and pubs.

Leseprobe

For my Mum, who always loved autumn best.

This 2nd edition published 2021—IMM Lifestyle Books https://www.foxchapelpublishing.com/

IMM Lifestyle Books are distributed in the UK by Grantham Book Service.

In North America, IMM Lifestyle Books are distributed by Fox Chapel Publishing 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552 www.FoxChapelPublishing.com

Copyright © 2012, 2015, 2021 IMM Lifestyle Books

Copyright © 2012, 2015, 2021 in text: Annabelle Thorpe

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers and copyright holders.

Print ISBN 9781504801294

eISBN 9781637410639

We are always looking for talented authors. To submit an idea, please send a brief inquiry to [email protected].

Although the publishers have made every effort to ensure that information contained in this book was researched and correct at the time of going to press, they accept no responsibility for any inaccuracies, loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person using this book as reference.

spring

01 Stride Up SnowdonSNOWDONIA, WALES

02 Take Tea at BettysHARROGATE, ENGLAND

03 Walk the WightISLE OF WIGHT, ENGLAND

04 Dine Out in StyleLUDLOW, ENGLAND

05 Monkey AroundTRENTHAM, ENGLAND

06 Escape to an IslandLUNDY, ENGLAND

07 Get on Your BikeAFAN, WALES

08 Walk Beneath the BlossomBROGDALE, ENGLAND

09 Visit Constable CountryDEDHAM, ENGLAND

10 Picnic in the ParkREGENT’S PARK, LONDON

11 Drive the Romantic RoadCOTSWOLDS, ENGLAND

12 Stay in a Tree HouseKELDY, ENGLAND

13 Go Island-hoppingTHE INNER HEBRIDES, SCOTLAND

summer

14 Punt Along the CamCAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND

15 Watch the Gig RacingSCILLY ISLES, ENGLAND

16 Raise a GlassSOUTH DOWNS, ENGLAND

17 Watch a Well DressingBAKEWELL, ENGLAND

18 Canoe the Wye RiverMONMOUTH, WALES

19 A Whizz-bang WeekendPLYMOUTH, ENGLAND

20 Celebrate MidsummerUNST, SCOTLAND

21 Love the LakesWASTWATER, ENGLAND

22 A Theatrical TreatMINACK, ENGLAND

23 Go Up in a BalloonBRISTOL, ENGLAND

24 Ride the Jack Mytton WaySHROPSHIRE, ENGLAND

25 A Day at the RacesCHESTER, ENGLAND

26 Set Sail on the SolentTHE HAMBLE, ENGLAND

autumn

27 A Festival of FoodABERGAVENNY, WALES

28 Marvel at the MaplesWESTONBIRT, ENGLAND

29 Ride the WavesWATERGATE BAY, ENGLAND

30 Read All About ItSEDBERGH, ENGLAND

31 Splurge on SeafoodLOCH FYNE, SCOTLAND

32 Take the TrainCARLISLE, ENGLAND

33 Join the CarnivalBRIDGWATER, ENGLAND

34 Watch the Deer RutEXMOOR, ENGLAND

35 Explore the Night SkyKIELDER WATER, ENGLAND

36 Take to the WaterNORFOLK BROADS, ENGLAND

37 Help with the HarvestHEREFORD, ENGLAND

38 Go Dolphin SpottingCARDIGAN BAY, WALES

39 Follow the Food TrailRIBBLE VALLEY, ENGLAND

winter

40 Learn to Ice-skateSOMERSET HOUSE, LONDON

41 Ski the CairngormsAVIEMORE, SCOTLAND

42 Spot the SnowdropsHOWICK, ENGLAND

43 Shop Till You DropLINCOLN, ENGLAND

44 Pick a PubDERBY, ENGLAND

45 Celebrate HogmanayEDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

46 Forage for FossilsCHARMOUTH, ENGLAND

47 Have a Spooky WeekendWHITBY, ENGLAND

48 Travel Back in TimeLAVENHAM, ENGLAND

49 Glam It UpBURGH ISLAND, ENGLAND

50 Watch the BirdiesSNETTISHAM, ENGLAND

51 Make a PilgrimageCANTERBURY, ENGLAND

52 See the Northern LightsNAIRN, SCOTLAND

Introduction

Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influences of each.

HENRY DAVID THOREAU

To live in each season as it passes; is there any other way on our windswept, sun-kissed, chilly, sultry island? The weather holds an unending fascination for us Brits, but no wonder: winter brings blizzards and bright blue skies, while spring offers torrential showers and glorious sunny days that make us rush to dust off the barbecue and head to the beaches in our millions. As for summer, who can predict? The reservoirs may dry up or overflow, the tennis courts at Wimbledon may be hot with sunshine or hidden from rain. And then autumn, rich in golden hues and soft sunlight, the last days of warmth giving way to crisp, cold air thick with early morning mist in the fields and the bittersweet smell of bonfires.

And for each season there are traditions to observe and natural wonders to marvel at: winter skies thick with thousands of migrating birds, spring streets peppered with vivid pink cherry blossom, tiptoeing into the sea in summer, walking beneath flame-coloured trees in the autumn months. Our food, culture, history and landscapes are indelibly entwined with the changing seasons which shape our island home, reinventing it anew through every stage of the year.

spring

The most joyous of the seasons, spring begins with the violet crocuses pushing up through the frosty soil, quickly followed by buttery daffodils, scarlet tulips and lush banks of bluebells. As the days lengthen, even the most urban streets are blessed with beauty, as almond and cherry trees blossom pink and white and bare branches burst into leaf. Now is the time to dig out the walking boots and head for the hills, when the landscapes are in their first flush of beauty and optimism is in the air.

01 Stride Up SnowdonSNOWDONIA, WALES

Lace up your boots for a memorable hike up Wales’s most spectacular mountain (or, if you’re feeling lazy, let the train take the strain).

It’s only when you venture deep into Wales that you get the sense of its deep-rooted identity and sense of otherness. The Snowdonia National Park is an area steeped in Welsh traditions and heritage, and over half the population who live within the 207 sq. km (800 sq. miles) of the park speak Welsh. It is one of the most spectacular corners of our country, home to the highest mountain and largest lake in Wales, with vast wooded hills rolling out towards snow-capped peaks, with villages and sleepy hamlets dotted among the valleys and slopes.

Snowdonia is a place to discover Wales’s long history, with Stone Age burial chambers, Roman forts, churches, castles and slate quarries dotted through the wide-screen landscapes. A walk in Snowdonia can take in millions of years of history, whether on a short stroll across the hills or a more hard-core trek up one of the six paths that lead to the summit of Mount Snowdon itself.

Climbing Mount Snowdon is not something that should be taken on lightly. The six paths differ in length and difficulty: Llanberis is the longest and, in warmer weather, the easiest, while the Pyg path is one of the steepest and most difficult, particularly in the winter months. Although the longest trail is only 8km (5 miles), it’s important to remember that the effort comes in the gradient, rather than the length of the walk. It’s imperative to climb in proper walking shoes and, even if the spring sunshine is warm, to carry a warm sweater, as it can be nine degrees cooler at the summit, which reaches 1,085m (3,560ft).

The good news, however, is that you can reach the top without having to even lace up your walking boots. The Snowdonia Mountain Railway (snowdonrailway.co.uk) has been carrying visitors up the mountain since 1896, and is the only public rack-and-pinion railway in the UK. An added bonus is the spectacular visitor centre, which opened in 2009, complete with historical displays, local information and a cafe that makes the most of the ‘wall of glass’ that affords the best views across the peaks.

Hikers tackling Mount Snowdon’s steep paths are rewarded by some of the best views in Britain.

For younger families there are plenty of other options to explore in the national park. The Greenwood Forest Park (greenwoodforestpark.co.uk) combines roller-coaster rides with archery, treetops and tunnel play areas and a Forest Theatre that hosts daily performances in the school summer holidays. Older kids will be fascinated by the Centre of Alternative Technology (cat.org.uk), one of the world’s most renowned eco-centres, with slug and bug hunts for young children, an interactive theatre and interactive displays and exhibits on sustainable living.

But for many visitors to Snowdonia, it is the spectacular natural landscapes that are the major draw. Whether pottering around the picturesque streets of Betws y Coed, the air thick with the impenetrable Welsh language, exploring one of the 13th-century castles that dot the hills or enduring the long pull up to the top of Mount Snowdon itself, there is nowhere better to experience the real Wales – a different country without leaving home.

The picturesque, stone-built village of Beddgelert, just south of Snowdon, is in the midst of magnificent hiking country. The less energetic visitor can hop on a steam train, as Beddgelert is one of the stops on the spectacular Welsh Highland Railway.

Cwm Pennant is often called ‘the most beautiful valley in Wales’. It is bordered on three sides by mountains and is the source of the Dwyfor River, which meanders past the occasional farm house and an ancient church. Busy with slate workings in the 19th century, today the valley slopes are dotted with cattle and sheep. Spring, when bluebells cover the valley sides, is the best time to visit.

INFORMATION

STAY Camp in style in one of the canvas yurts at Graig Wen (01341 250482; graigwen.co.uk), which come with wood-burning stove, futon beds, rugs and floor cushions – with Welsh breakfast hampers available. In the heart of Snowdonia, St Curig’s Church (07980 619139; stcurigschurch.com) is a converted 19th-century chapel with spectacular rooms, and a dining area in what was once the apse. Lux it up at Tyn Rhos Country House (01248 670489; tynrhos.co.uk) in nearby Llanddeiniolen, which offers cosy but elegant rooms.

EAT Reward yourself after a Snowdon hike with lunch at Caban (01286 685500; caban-cyf.org), a fabulous cafe near the foot of the mountain that grows most of the ingredients used. Much loved by locals and climbers, Pete’s Eats (01286 870117; petes-eats.co.uk) is famous for its huge portions of healthy food (including lots of veggie options) at affordable prices. In the heart of the national park, Peak (01286 872777; thepeakrestaurant.co.uk) is one of the most popular restaurants in the area, specializing in traditional dishes with a modern twist.

MORE INFOeryri-npa.gov.uk/

GETTING THERE Take the A458 west from Welshpool, or the A5 west from Oswestry.

OTHER GREAT CLIMBS

• Ben Nevis, Scotland (fortwilliam.co.uk)

• Scafell Pike, Cumbria (visitlakedistrict.com)

• The Munros, Scotland (munromagic.com)

02 Take Tea at BettysHARROGATE, ENGLAND

Choose from over 300 mouthwatering varieties of cake and 50 types of tea at this legendary Yorkshire tea shop in the heart of the Dales.

Forget Starbucks, Costa and all those other chain coffee shops which serve buckets of lukewarm lattes and silly, skinny, double-decaf cappuccinos. At heart we remain a nation of tea drinkers – a reassuring cuppa as much a part of our national psyche as losing at football and barbecuing in the rain. So what better way to celebrate St George’s Day (23 April) than with a slap-up afternoon tea at Bettys in Harrogate, one of the oldest and most celebrated tea shops in the country.

Bettys (bettys.co.uk) may now have six branches in Yorkshire, but the first to open, in 1919, was the creation of a Swiss traveller, Frederick Belmont. In those days Harrogate was a fashionable spa town, and Frederick decided to open a cafe using the knowledge he had gained as an apprentice to bakers and confectioners in Europe. Combining Swiss culinary flair and a warm Yorkshire welcome proved a winner, and the cafe was an instant success. He went on to open other branches of Bettys, including a flagship tea room in York. Years later, the basement Bettys Bar became a huge favourite with Canadian and US soldiers stationed nearby during the war.

Twenty-first century Bettys retains much of its original charm, and the accent is still on handmade pastries and cakes (over 300 to choose from), washed down with one of over 50 teas and coffees. Located on Parliament Street, it’s the perfect stop-off after a morning exploring the elegant town of Harrogate, famed for its elegant, wide streets and Georgian terraces. A stroll down the hill from Bettys lies the picturesque Montpellier Quarter, home to antique shops, art galleries and the Royal Pump Room Museum (visitharrogate.co.uk), which gives an insight into the town’s spa heritage.

Silver cake stands piled high with goodies.

Bettys Café Tearooms’ distinctive wrought-iron canopy with its colourful hanging baskets.

Thousands of crocuses carpet the Stray in spring.

The beauty of a spring break in Harrogate is that you can combine indulgent afternoon teas and shopping sprees with hearty walks in the stunning surrounding countryside. Harrogate is close to both the Yorkshire Dales National Park (yorkshiredales.org.uk) and the Nidderdale AONB (nidderdaleaonb.org.uk). Both areas are criss-crossed with walking and cycling routes, offering everything from taxing hikes to gentle strolls. For something a little different you can join a llama trek across Nidderdale (nidderdalellamas.org) or follow some of the white-knuckle mountain bike trails.

On a warm spring day, one of the most beautiful places to visit near Harrogate is Ripley Castle (ripleycastle.co.uk), owned by the same family for over 700 years. Ripley has played host to an array of historical figures from James I to Oliver Cromwell, and the seven rooms that are open to the public offer a fascinating insight into past eras. In the spring months, the gardens are ablaze with colour: thousands of daffodil, narcissi and tulips, along with carpets of bluebells and flaming rhododendrons.

Harrogate offers an unbeatable mix of urban style and rural pleasures – the perfect weekend combination.

INFORMATION

STAY A B&B with the feel of a stylish boutique hotel, The Grafton (01423 508491; graftonhotel.co.uk) has thirteen ensuite rooms with lots of luxury touches. For an indulgent getaway, Hotel du Vin (0330 016 0390; hotelduvin.com) has 48 rooms in a row of Georgian houses overlooking the Stray, an 80-ha (200-acre) common. Campers and caravanners should head to High Moor Farm Park (01423 563637; highmoorfarmpark.co.uk), just 6km (4 miles) from Harrogate, surrounded by gorgeous Dales countryside.

EAT If you’ve room after all the tea and cake at Bettys, book a table at the Inn at Cheltenham Parade (01423 505041; innatcheltenhamparade.co.uk), which has a seasonal menu of hearty dishes. If you’re out exploring the countryside, pop into the Malt Shovel (01423 862929; themaltshovelbrearton.co.uk) – renowned for its carefully prepared dishes made with local produce – for an indulgent lunch. For an elegant supper, try Sasso (01423 508838; sasso restaurant.co.uk), where chef and co-owner Stefano Lancellotti brings a little piece of Italy to the streets of Harrogate.

GETTING THERE Leave the A1 (M) at Junction 46 and follow the A658 to a junction with the A59. Follow the A59 to Harrogate.

MORE INFOyorkshire.com/do/places/harrogate

OTHER TEA SHOPS

• Sally Lunns, Bath, Wiltshire (sallylunns.co.uk)

• St James’s Room, Fortnum & Mason, London (fortnumandmason.com)

• Orchard Tea Garden, Cambridge (theorchardteagarden.co.uk)

03 Walk the WightISLE OF WIGHT, ENGLAND

Head to Hampshire to join one of the biggest walking festival in the country, with more than 800 km (500 miles) of footpaths to explore.

For many people who grew up in the south of England, the Isle of Wight is a nostalgic place, full of childhood memories of bucket-and-spade holidays, ice cream and candyfloss, strolls on piers and rainy nights under canvas. This diamond-shaped piece of land, just 5km (3 miles) from the English coast, has been drawing visitors since Queen Victoria’s time, when she had the elegant Osborne House built so that she and Prince Albert and their seven children could take family holidays on the island.

Like all islands, the Wight has a very particular feeling. In some ways visiting the island is a trip back into the past; the pace of life is slower, pleasures simpler, even the bigger towns such as Ryde and Newport have a deliciously old-fashioned feel. But as a holiday destination, the IOW has reinvented itself in recent years as more than just family-friendly; boutique hotels and gastropubs have sprung up across the island, linked by a network of footpaths.

The Needles is just one of the many visual treats awaiting hikers on the Isle of Wight.

The historic New Inn at Shalfleet dates from 1743.

Walking is big business for islanders. There are more miles of footpaths than roads and every May the island is flooded by hearty types clutching maps and fleeces who come for the annual walking festival (isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk). It’s a great time to visit, with dozens of organized walks and themed events.

The longest trail around the island is the Isle of Wight Coastal Path, which stretches for 108km (67 miles) of well-maintained paths. The path can be broken down in sections that are easily do-able in a day; the 13km (8-mile) route from Niton to Sandown takes in some lovely stretches of beach around Ventnor and Shanklin, while a route of the same length from Ryde to Cowes takes in Osborne House, the ruins of 12th-century Quarr Abbey and the villages of Wootton and Fishbourne.

There are also eight inland trails that take in some of the most rural and beautiful areas of the island: the Shepherds Trail starts at the famous Carisbrooke Castle and rises up over the hills to give beautiful views, while the Tennyson Trail is one of the most challenging and spectacular, stretching 22.5km (14 miles) from Carisbrooke, up and over the downs to the Needles, and finishing at Alum Bay.

INFORMATION

STAY Those in search of a decadent weekend should book the Hambrough (01983 856333; thehambrough.com) in Ventnor; just seven slick bedrooms and a renowned restaurant overlooking the sea. The island is dotted with campsites; one of the best is Southlands (01983 865385), a beautifully manicured site with excellent facilities. For a foodie break, stay at the Seaview (01983 612711; seaviewhotel.co.uk), which serves dishes made with produce from the hotel’s own farm. There’s also a beauty and treatment room to soothe tired limbs after a day’s walking.

EAT Warm up post-walk with a bowl of seafood chowder at the perfectly located Spyglass Inn (01983 855338; thespyglass.com) at the tip of Ventnor’s esplanade, right on the sea. The New Inn at Shalfleet (01983 531314; newinniow.co.uk) is an ideal mix of walker’s country inn and gastropub, serving up fab Sunday lunches. Indulge in a classic cream tea at Bartletts Green Farm Tea Rooms (bartlettsgreenfarm.co.uk) just outside Ryde.

GETTING THERE Wightlink (0333 999 7333; wightlink.co.uk) runs ferries to the island from Portsmouth and Lymington. Red Funnel (redfunnel.co.uk) runs ferries from Southampton.

MORE INFOvisitisleofwight.co.uk

OTHER GREAT SPRING WALKING FESTIVALS

• Crickhowell Walking Festival (crickhowellfestival.com)

• Haltwhistle Spring Walking Festival (haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org)

• Ulverston WalkFest (ulverstonwalkfest.com)

Alongside walking there is plenty to see and do on the island. Kids will love the old-fashioned theme park at Blackgang Chine (blackgangchine.com) and Dinosaur Isle (dinosaurisle.com) near Sandown. For more adult pleasures, Rosemary Vineyard (rosemaryvineyard.co.uk) offers tours and tastings, while foodies can follow the Wight Taste Trail that takes in local farm shops, organic producers and pubs.

But one of the greatest pleasures is discovering the island’s sleepy villages – particularly in the spring months before the crowds arrive. Browse the art galleries in Yarmouth, potter around the gift shops in Godshill or stroll the picturesque streets of Shanklin Old Village, and let the old-fashioned charms of island life slowly work their magic.

Hikers stride out along the Tennyson Trail.

04 Dine Out in StyleLUDLOW, ENGLAND

From Michelin-starred eateries to gastropubs and farm shops, this picturesque Shropshire town is the perfect choice for a foodie weekend.

A small, sleepy town on the EnglandWales border, there’s more to the historic streets of Ludlow than just the dramatic castle and pretty cobbled streets. Surrounded by the lush agricultural countryside of the Marches, the town is a central point for local produce and a wide variety of traditional and exotic ingredients are on offer at the delis, restaurants and speciality producers that dot the town. Home to the country’s first-ever food festival, which takes place in the autumn, the town is an all-round foodie treat, and in spring fresh produce floods into the shops.

The poet John Betjeman once described Ludlow as the ‘loveliest town in England’ and with over 500 listed buildings – some half-timbered, some Georgian – it remains a charming place to visit. The medieval streets are overlooked by Ludlow Castle (ludlowcastle.com), which dates back to the 11th century and is a fascinating place to visit, with grounds and rooms that give a feel of how life would have been some 500 years ago.

There are currently four restaurants in and around the town that have entries in the Michelin guide, but there are also plenty of more informal, less pricey establishments. Ludlow is also a great place for a self-catering break, with wonderful delis and speciality food shops throughout the town: pop into the Harp Lane Deli (4 Church Street), D.W. Walls & Son for fabulous sausages (14 High Street) and the Mousetrap Cheese Shop (6 Church St).

There is also a thrice-weekly market (Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays) that combines local produce – cheese, breads, meats – with books and local crafts. The local farmers’ market, held on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month, offers great foodie shopping potential, with 20 to 30 stalls selling produce from within a 32-km (20-mile) radius of Ludlow.

The market dates back 900 years.

The Harp Lane Deli is famous for its Portuguese tarts.

Ludlow Castle is at the heart of the town.

INFORMATION

STAY The beauty of Ludlow is that some of its best eating establishments also offer rooms. Old Downton Lodge (01568 771826; olddowntonlodge.com) is a gorgeous 16th century farmhouse with an elegant dining room beneath ten cosy bedrooms. The Charlton Arms (01584 872813; thecharltonarms.co.uk) has a Bib Gourmand for its food, and a fabulous waterside terrace, along with twelve comfortable bedrooms. Self-catering is a great option in Ludlow; Corve Cottage (07719 672032; corvecottage.co.uk) is a charming 16th century house a few minutes walk from the centre of town, sleeping up to five.

EAT Indulge in a traditional afternoon tea at Carvells (13 King Street), where loose-leaf teas are served in bone china pots, alongside mouthwatering cakes. For a really special meal, Mortimers (01584 872325; mortimersludlow.co.uk) gets a Michelin mention for its modern British dishes, with regularly changing menus that make the most of local, seasonal produce. For a classic pub lunch, the Unicorn (01584 873555; unicorn-ludlow.co.uk) offers hefty sandwiches and full meals.

GETTING THERE Leave the M5 at Junction 7, follow the A440 and then the A44 through Worcester. At Leominster take to A49 to Ludlow.

MORE INFOludlow.org.uk

OTHER RURAL MICHELIN EATERIES

• The Hand & Flowers, Marlow, Bucks (thehandandflowers.co.uk)

• The Neptune Inn, Hunstanton, Norfolk (theneptune.co.uk)

• The Star Inn, Harome, Yorkshire (thestaratharome.co.uk)

If you need to walk off all the good food, there are some lovely walks that start from the heart of Ludlow. The Mortimer Trail is a 48-km (30-mile) route which begins in Ludlow and runs along a series of ridges to the border town of Kington, while the Shropshire Way (shropshirewalking.co.uk/shropshire-way) passes through the town, with spectacular walks either north to Bromfield or east to Titterstone Clee Hill. For a short stroll, Whitcliff Common is a mixture of woods and grassland that lies above the river Teme, and gives fantastic views of the old town centre.

Further afield the Shropshire Hills are an AONB (shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk), home to picturesque historic villages such as Clun and the atmospheric Long Mynd, a spectacular 16km- (10 mile-) long mountain that offers panoramic views and is a great place to walk. Owned by the National Trust, for information on how to get out and explore the Long Mynd, head to Carding Mill Valley, where there is an excellent visitor centre. Whether you choose to explore the tranquil Shropshire countryside on foot or horseback, or by bike or car, just make sure you take a picnic with you.

05 Monkey AroundTRENTHAM, ENGLAND

Explore the unique Monkey World at Staffordshire’s beautiful Trentham Estate, a tribe of 140 Barbary Macaques rule the roost.

It’s coming to something when you can’t find space on a picnic bench because a family of monkeys have got there first. But in the Trentham Monkey Forest, a 24-ha (60-acre) stretch of Staffordshire woodland, this is exactly how things are supposed to be.

In the Forest, the tribe of Barbary macaques live freely, with as little intervention as possible by humans. Visitors can watch the monkeys feeding, take photographs or sit beside them (if you can find room) but the natural habitats of the monkeys must not be disturbed.

Where else could you eyeball a monkey at such close quarters?

In the spring months, Trentham Gardens bursts into life.