Stay In Staffs: Blossoming of a disregarded gem
More than three million visitors a year enjoy the attractions at the Trentham estate. And as more families choose to 'Stay in Staffs' this summer, Ciara Hill reports on the events available to them.
AFTER six years of regeneration at the Trentham estate, the attraction is drawing international crowds as well as keeping the interest of locals.
St Modwen has undertaken England's largest garden restoration project at Trentham and much of the estate is unrecognisable compared to the past.
But the £100m regeneration of the 750 acre estate is far from finished. The house which should stand between the stable block and the church will be rebuilt, stables restored, and there are also plans for aqua-sculptures, improved planting in the western gardens, Britain's first edible landscape of wild flowers and weeds and a woodland tower.
Michael Walker, gardens and estate manager, said: "Six years ago the place was completely ransacked. There was asphalt all over the gardens, the plants were completely overgrown and all the walls and vases had been damaged. To be given a blank canvas and the opportunity to do something really fresh was such a treat.
"Trentham's Victorian planting would have been focused on block colours but we have planted a more contemporary scheme with a bigger range of plants which means the garden produces interest from spring through to December.
"We also have an amazing prairie landscape which we call rivers of grass. It was planted two years ago with two different types of molinia grasses which will grow to shoulder height later in the season.
"This is a cutting edge design and is the largest scheme of its type designed by Piet Oudolf anywhere in the world.
"He has designed a garden in Chicago and a 9/11 memorial in Manhattan.
"Over the next 10 years I'd love to host a sculptural exhibition. We have the space to accommodate it and it would tie in with the creative skills in the Potteries. We could show large ceramic pieces. That's my aspiration but there are many more things planned for the future. We have outline planning consent to completely rebuild and restore the historic house.
"Our aim is to appeal to a broader audience in the local area, the people who feel passionate about Trentham, the ones who met their partners in the ballroom here or used to caravan here."
This year, the Trentham amphitheatre, which has hosted the likes of Status Quo and Catherine Jenkins, will become the stage for more regular music events. Audiences can bring a picnic and enjoy a summer line up of ceilidh music, jazz, and swing.
The estate managers have also gone into partnership with the authors of The Dangerous Book For Boys. Trentham has the intellectual property rights and will be creating bush craft adventures and outdoor activities for boys and girls.
The most recent addition is the Italian Garden Tearoom, a striking modern glass building with beautiful views of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown's lake. The design was chosen specifically to complement the contemporary revival of the gardens.
General manager, Helen French, aged 38, from Packmoor, said: "Customers love the views and parents like to be able to see the play area from the tearoom.
"It's a great place to work. Where else could you work with such a wonderful view?
"The busiest day so far was the bank holiday at the end of May. Hundreds of people were sitting on the bank enjoying a drink. A lot of customers have told us the tearoom is very therapeutic and relaxing because of the reflections from the lake."
The site of the tearooms used to be home to a wooden scout hut which served the old caravan site. There was also a brick toilet block. Both these structures have been removed to make way for the £1 million cafe.
For the first time recently, more than 10,000 people visited in one week. During half-term week at the end of May the visitor numbers reached a new high, 10,383, compared with 4,453 in 2008.
The record is the highlight of a successful start to the 2009 season. Total visitors to the gardens were up by more than 85 per cent in March, April and May compared to the same period last year and annual tickets sales have increased by more than three-and-a-half times compared to figured for 2008.
Mike Herbert, below left, St Modwen's regional director who also runs the estate and gardens, said: "The team here is thrilled to have had the first ever 10,000 visitor week at Trentham and following these unprecedented results, we are now gearing up for a record breaking summer.
"St Modwen is committed to putting Trentham on the map as a major tourist attraction and it is incredibly rewarding to see our investment reflected in the number of visitors, particularly in the current economic climate.
"Providing a first class visitor experience is at the heart of what we are striving to achieve and at the end of May we unveiled the Italian Garden Tearooms, a stunning addition to the Italian Gardens. The design is very modern and the building carefully positioned to complement the beauty of the restored historic garden.
"We are also well positioned to cater for the increasing number of people choosing to holiday here in the UK, rather than abroad."
Read more about places to enjoy a stay-cation:
Traditional fun at hall garden party
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