The area was once a royal hunting forest established by the Norman kings for deer hunting.
During the First World War, the Chase housed two massive training camps, Brocton and Rugeley, which accommodated over 500,000 soldiers.
It is the smallest mainland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the United Kingdom.
The German Military Cemetery, located within the Chase, holds the remains of nearly 5,000 soldiers from both World Wars.
The landscape features rare wildlife, including the Nightjar and the Silver-studded Blue butterfly.
The site contains the remains of former colliery spoil heaps now reclaimed by natural heathland vegetation.
There are distinct 'fairy trees'—hawthorns decorated with offerings by local visitors—often found along the trails.
The area is crossed by the Heart of England Way, a long-distance footpath spanning over 100 miles.
Cannock Chase National Landscape covers 26 square miles of woodland, heathland, and parkland in Staffordshire, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It contains the remnants of historic coal mining activity and military training camps used during both World Wars. The landscape features diverse habitats, including coniferous forests, valley mires, and lowland heath. It serves as a regional hub for mountain biking, offering a purpose-built trail network, including the 'Follow the Dog' and 'Monkey Trail' loops. The area is home to a significant population of fallow deer, which have inhabited the Chase since the medieval period. The site provides extensive walking and equestrian bridleways alongside geocaching and orienteering courses. It is managed by Forestry England and is recognized for its unique geological history linked to the underlying coal measures.
The elevated view from the Sherbrook Valley, particularly during the heathland flowering period.
Use the dedicated mountain bike wash area if you plan on riding the technical trails in wet conditions.
Check the forestry operations map on the official website before visiting, as path diversions are common due to timber harvesting.
Bring binoculars to scan the forest edges at dawn or dusk for the resident fallow deer herds.
Do not wander off marked trails in remote sections of the Chase, as old mining shafts and uneven ground can present hazards.
The visitor centre remains open year-round, but specific trail routes may close temporarily for maintenance or forestry operations.
Keep dogs on leads during ground-nesting bird season, typically between March and July, to protect vulnerable species.
