Cannock Chase Forest - Forestry England, main car park — Attraction in Cannock Chase

The Cannock Forest Plan covers 2684 hectares of coniferous and broadleaf woodlands and open land in Staffordshire in the West Midlands, between the towns of Stafford to the northwest, Cannock to the south and Rugeley to the east - Birmingham city centre is 20 miles to the south.

Most of the forest is freehold as part of the public forest estate and is designated as Open Access land. Much of the woodland in the west and north eastern corner of the plan area is leased to the Forestry Commission however, and access in these areas is restricted to Public Rights of Way.

The area covered by the plan lies within the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the majority is made up of conifers planted for timber production. There are also areas of ancient woodland, wetland, wood pasture and open heathland within the forest. Adjacent lowland heath is internationally important and is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).There are two Local Nature Reserves bordering the woods as well as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Fairoak Valley.

There are many archaeological features within the AONB and the forest has a long history of hunting, grazing and mining. Evidence of more recent military training includes a first world war model trench system at Brocton, which is a...

Fabulous location! Been twice now, once back in the summer and once just a few days ago and the views are stunning regardless of the season. I've enjoyed a picnic by the water before and more recently enjoyed watching and listening to the squirrels play in the trees above.

By parking at Go Ape (£8 a day) you can explore various different routes around the forest both on foot and by bike with designated clearly mapped biking routes based on difficulty. There appears to be plenty to do for children as there are signs showing Gruffalo related activities to keep children entertained. There also appears to be walking groups meet here for group activity sessions too, may be worth a look into if you would like to try a more social aspect to a forest walk.

There is also a nice coffee complex near the main gates accompanied by a spacious seating area to enjoy the outdoors.

Being here really gives you the time and space to enjoy the great outdoors. Great for your physical and mental health to really get away from it all...

Whilst I haven't quite got round to trying Go Ape yet but it looks like great fun to walk amongst the tress and zipline through them... maybe next time...

Would highly recommend for a nice day out for all ages...

The Cannock Chase play area is a great place for kids of all ages to let loose and have some fun. There are a variety of different play structures to choose from, including a large climbing frame, a slide, a swing set, and much more. There is also a large forest area to explore but it feels very safe. The play structures at the Cannock Chase play area are well-maintained and safe. There are a variety of different structures to choose from, so kids of all ages can find something to enjoy. The climbing frame is a great challenge for older kids, while the slide and swing set are perfect for younger kids. The large open area at the Cannock Chase play area is perfect for kids to run around and play games. There are also a few benches where parents can sit and watch their kids play. This is a great place for kids to burn off some energy and have some fun.There is a cafe nearby where parents can get a coffee or a snack while their kids play. This is a great option for parents who want to take a break from playing with their kids. The cafe also has a playground, so kids can play while their parents are...