Trentham Gardens, one of England’s largest formal gardens, is nearing the completion of the first phase of its £100m re-development programme.

The resort’s Italian gardens will open to the public on 29 May, as will a visitor centre including a ticket office and educational facilities.

Phase one will be complete by September, seeing the introduction of the retail village and a 65,000sq ft garden centre, managed by Guernsey-based Blue Diamond.

The retail village will include 14 food and beverage outlets, featuring a number of specialist services.

Fittingly for its history as a pleasure ground for the Dukes of Sutherland, the village will include a traditional Chinese service tearoom.

John Lowther, director, said: “All our restaurants will be non-branded. Although you won’t find a McDonald’s or a Burger King here, we want to provide food for everyone and every taste. There will be a traditional Fish & Chips restaurant, but also a number of brassieres and wine bars.”

The 780-acre site will have two hotels, with the first – a family hotel – scheduled to open some time in 2005.

Developers also plan to convert Trentham Hall – designed by Sir Charles Barry – into a luxury hotel hosting conference and health facilities, at some stage between 2006 and 2007.

In addition, accommodation will be offered in hundreds of woodland lodges on the south side of the park.

The ambitious plans also include a monkey forest – the first of its kind in the UK – where monkeys roam freely among the estate and can be observed by visitors on organised walks.

An outdoor pursuit centre will make use of the lake, providing a host of extreme sports facilities, including water sports and mountain bike courses.

Details: www.trenthamgardens.co.uk