Going wild in Stoke-on-Trent & the Trentham fairy trail

‘Get lost’ said the sign. My daughter squeaked with excitement and promptly plunged into the swaying grasses which make up the floral labyrinth at Trentham Estate in November.

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I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve visited the Trentham Estate. Growing up just down the road from ‘the Gardens’, it’s almost unrecognisable today from my childhood, restored to its original glory over the past 15 years – with some impressive new touches.

The Monkey Forest next door is always a favourite, but we never miss a chance to follow the Trentham fairy trail and explore the grounds whenever we visit Stoke-on-Trent, with something new to see in any season.

My daughter has wandered the barefoot path in sun and on chilly August days – only a six-year-old bundled up in hat, gloves and umpteen layers could be disgruntled not to have chance to do it in midwinter – and shudders theatrically each time at the statue of Perseus holding the dripping head of Medusa.

Crossing the bridge over the slow running stream (just fast enough for Pooh sticks), we spied a grey heron lurking statue-still by the water’s edge.

In the rivers of grass, feathery fronds ruffling in the breeze, a pair of hare’s ears peeked out – this time not a live creature, but one of the glorious bronze wildlife sculptures which have been on show around the gardens this year.

Time to follow its example and head into the paths of the floral labyrinth nearby ourselves. The bright blooms of spring and summer might be past, but among the pale golds of autumn we spotted the occasional pop of purple of a few winter flowers.

The remains of Trentham Hall, former home of the Dukes of Sutherland still gleam white against the blue sky, but our sights were set on the formal Italian gardens with its views out over the lake, and our trail of elusive fairies.

Made from galvanised and stainless steel wire, there are sixteen sculptures as well as occasional extras who fly in briefly – currently new fairy Dancing with Dandelions has taken up residence by the Rivers of Grass.

We’ve followed parts of the trail before but never completed it. So with a blinding winter sun and blue skies, we were determined to find them all this time, along with the dandelion sculptures so delicate they look like they’ll blow away in a strong breeze.

And they’re a perfect way to explore with kids. Announce to my daughter that we’re off to walk for several miles and she’ll look aghast. Suggest we wander around a lake searching for fairies and woodland creatures, and she’s ready with her pencil – the lake itself is a mile long, extended by Capability Brown in the 18th century.

Apart from one fairy hiding in the maze nearby, they’re all dotted along the paths, so you’re never too far from the next one either.

A miniature train runs partway, while boats sail past the swans on the water during warmer months. In November, the surface was often mirror still, broken only by the occasional gaggle of geese gliding down to the water.

Fairies perch on rooftops, hang from wires and relax on benches or by the waterside, and there’s a prize if you spot them all. Somehow we missed two, perhaps distracted by the beautiful wood carvings along the way.

Our favourite? The otters, streaming sleekly down the side of a tree, carved from its wood. In fact they’re among the wildlife that calls Trentham Gardens home, although you’ll be lucky to see them in the fur – unlike a chattering squirrel, enthusiastically searching for nuts.

To guarantee woodland animals at this time of year, you have to cast your eyes elsewhere in Stoke-on-Trent… to the New Vic Theatre, where The Wind in the Willows is playing until January 26, 2019.

With special performances for schools, around 25,000 pupils are expected to see the play during its run, as well as matinees and evening performances over the weeks running up to Christmas and over the Christmas holidays themselves.

Our busy weekend meant a late night watching Ratty, Mole, Badger, Mr Toad et al was impossible to fit in – once again, to my daughter’s deep disgruntlement. But we got a sneak peek behind the scenes at the wonderful costumes before the very first performance.

As sets were tested, Minnie darted over the fish filled ‘river’ on the stage before we discovered the props tucked away for quick changes in the corridors which curve behind the seats at this theatre in the round.

Even more excitingly, we had a glimpse of the green room, trap under the stage and other areas I’ve never visited, in all my own years watching performances here. With drama clubs and youth theatre, plus other family workshops during holidays, it’s a fabulous place to get children interested.

My six-year-old peered at piles of fabrics and leftover paint from costume and set design – nothing gets thrown away in this treasure trove when it could be reused or reworked.

Tails hung on rails, waiting for their owners to belt them on, Mr Toad’s car was parked neatly and Mole’s glasses lay in a labelled case, even platters of very realistic looking food lay out awaiting their moment.

With curtain up (metaphorically) in an hour or so’s time, we left the company to its final preparations.

When, demanded my daughter indignantly, would we be coming back to see it properly? I promised to check my diary.

It seems no matter how many times we visit Stoke-on-Trent, there are always more reasons to return.

Need to know: Trentham Fairy trail & wild Stoke

Entry to the Trentham Estate costs from £13 for adults, £9.50 for children aged three to 15 (under threes enter free). If you’ve also visited the Trentham Monkey Forest, there are sometimes discounts on combined tickets.

The Gardens are open year-round except on Christmas Day, from 10am-4pm during the winter – check here for the full opening hours – and the Barefoot Walk and some other activities are closed during winter.

There is free car parking on site, although it’s worth turning up early as spaces go quickly, especially at weekends and busy times of year. There are also shops in Trentham Shopping Village, plus cafes and restaurants and a garden centre.

Christmas at Trentham begins on November 28 when the lights are switched on, and there is also a planned Elf Adventure Challenge from December 15.

The Wind in the Willows runs to January 26 at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, with tickets from £15.50. There is limited parking, which costs £1 after 6pm.

See the rest of our adventures during our weekend in Stoke-on-Trent here. If you visit Wedgwood, as we did, you can also explore Hem Heath Woods next door with its nature trail as part of your day out in Stoke.

For more ideas and inspiration on what there is to see and things to do in Stoke-on-Trent, check out Visit Stoke

PIN FOR LATER: TRENTHAM FAIRY TRAIL

Disclosure: My visit was organised through Visit Stoke as part of the Stoke-on-Trent Cultural Destinations Project, an Arts Council project which aims to grow the visitor economy and strengthen the city’s year-round cultural offer. All opinions and missed fairies are my own.

Images copyright MummyTravels

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