Trentham Estate

About the garden

Trentham Estate is a unique and inspiring 186-acre experience for gardeners, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.   

The historic parkland garden is reimagined as a sustainable contemporary restoration designed by a trio of internationally acclaimed designers: Piet Oudolf, Tom Stuart-Smith and Nigel Dunnett. Centuries after 'Capability' Brown designed the lake and parkland and Sir Charles Barry laid out the famous Italianate gardens, Trentham in Staffordshire is now one of Europe’s leading 21st-century visitor destinations. The multi award winning gardens have matured into some of the finest in Britain.

The revival was led by multi-Chelsea Gold-medal winner Tom Stuart-Smith who – along with Trentham’s in-house team – revitalised the derelict 10-acre Victorian garden by introducing vast perennial plantings to give the historic garden a thoroughly contemporary and inspirational makeover.    

Don’t miss the Rivers of Grass – beautiful swathes of grass punctuated by select perennials and divided by turf paths and picnic areas. In contrast, the adjacent Floral Labyrinth provides bold colour, scent and height as paths create a maze through the perennial planting – making it the perfect place to get lost. Eminent Dutch plantsman, and Chelsea Gold-medal winner, Piet Oudolf designed both schemes. The estate’s restoration of this important historical landscape continues as Brown’s influence at Trentham has been revealed and revitalised, with vast series of innovative meadow plantings by Nigel Dunnett and dramatic large-scale plantings of bulbs, winter-flowering shrubs and groves of trees for spring and autumnal colour.   

Many rare UK wildlife species can be spotted around the lakeside walks, woodlands and gardens throughout the year including a family of beavers, water voles, otters, fallow deer, weasels, over 80 species of birds including kingfishers, 17 species of dragon and damselfly, butterflies, moths and pollinators.   

Trentham is home to FantasyWire Fairies, designed and created by local sculptor Robin Wright. Art is featured throughout the gardens, creating a range of photographic opportunities.    

Please note: The garden has EV charging points.