Cannock Chase: Explore Black Country's Lungs

Cannock Chase is positioned almost at the geographical centre of mainland Britain on the north-eastern margin of the Birmingham conurbation. This prime location makes it easily accessible to over three million people living within a twenty-mile radius. The area is well-connected by the main London to Glasgow 'East Coast' rail link, which stops at Stafford, and the M6 Motorway that borders the Chase on the west.

In addition, three national footpaths converge on the area: The Staffordshire Way The Heart of England Way

The brand-new Way for the Millennium, which skirts the Chase along canal towpaths from Stafford to Handsacre.

So what's stopping you? Many of the cross-Chase roads have car parks and lay-bys, making it easy to embark on short excursions into the surrounding wood and heath. The Marquis Drive Visitor Centre and Birches Valley Forest Centre both offer a variety of signposted walks of differing lengths, including wheelchair-friendly routes like the excellent TOC-H trail in Brindley Valley.

For those wanting to spend more time on the Chase, there are several seasonal campsites. The Silvertrees Caravan Park on the Penkridge Bank Road does not cater for tents, while the Caravan Club endorsed campsite at Wandon accommodates tents and mobile homes of all kinds. The Tackeroo campsite on Brindley Heath originally opened only for touring caravans but allowed tents for the first time from Summer 2001. However, tents are no longer permitted due to misuse of the camp facilities. All these sites, particularly Tackeroo and the Visitor Centre, are ideally situated for many woodland walks.