There are several visitor centres around the district.
See below for details and loacations of each.
Forestry England - Cannock Chase Forest
Cannock Chase Forest is an excellent starting point for an exhilarating day out on Cannock Chase. From the midlands best bike trails and woodland walks to adventure play and Go Ape! we’ve got a great day out just waiting for you…
Activities include the Follow the Dog and the Monkey mountain bike trails along with other trails, adventure play area, Go Ape Treetop Adventure, Go Ape Treetop Challenge, Forest Segway Experience and Gruffalo sculptures.
Cannock Chase Forest is also home to Birches Valley Café and Cannock Chase Cycle Centre bike shop offering sales, service and bike hire.
Open all year - Times vary
Please check opening times for Cannock Chase Cycle Centre and Go Ape
All Pay & Display machines accept coin and card payments. The machines do not give change or accept Apple/Google Pay. Disabled parking available - normal charges apply. Money from parking charges helps to look after Cannock Chase Forest. Please visit the website for information on parking charges.
Forestry England - Cannock Chase Forest
Lady Hill
Rugeley
WS15 2UQ
Tel: 0300 067 4340
For more details visit Forestry England - Cannock Chase Forest
Or email info-cannock@forestryengland.uk
Cannock Chase Visitor Centre (Marquis Drive)
The Visitor Centre and Café at Marquis Drive is open 7 days a week and is the starting point for numerous self-guided walking and family cycling trails, including routes for
people with disabilities. Electric scooters are available, £5 for 90 minutes, for people with mobility problems. There is an adventure playground, picnic sites, bird watching area and a recently reconstructed Great War Hut (limited opening). The shop sells maps and souvenirs. There are toilets including disabled provision. The Chase has internationally important heathlands and woodlands, a rich industrial history and longstanding connections with the military.
Opening Times
Summer 10am - 4pm weekdays, 10am - 5pm weekends. Closed on Wednesday's
Winter 10am - 3pm weekdays, 10am - 4pm weekends. Closed on Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday's
Parking Charges
There is free parking along Marquis Drive and a Pay & Display car park next to the Visitor Centre. Coins are required for the parking or pay by card in the centre when open.
Marquis Drive
Hednesford
Near Cannock
WS12 4PW
Visitor Centre: 01543 876741 / Rangers: 01543 871773
Chasewater Country Park
Leisure pursuits at Chasewater Country Park including walking, cycling, angling, crazy golf, boating and a pedal go-kart track. The site also supports a number of
organisations offering power boating, sailing, a heritage steam railway, an outdoor education centre and the Forest of Mercia Community Forest Partnership.
For further details please contact
Countryside Team Tel: 01543 370737
Chasewater Innovation Centre
Chasewater Innovation Centre is an environmentally friendly visitor and conferencing centre situated in a prime position at the entrance to Chasewater Country Park and Reservoir.
The Visitor Centre has a cafe, gift shop and changing programme of temporary exhibitions and recreational workshops. Leisure pursuits within the Country Park include walking, cycling, angling, sailing, water skiing and a heritage steam railway. The innovative design and construction of the Centre promotes the use of timber as a sustainable material for both building purposes and as a source of renewable energy.
The Country park is also recognised by Natural England as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its unique and varied ecological habitat.
Parking charges apply.
For more information contact:
Chasewater Innovation Centre
Chasewater Country Park
Pool Road
Nr Brownhills
WS8 7NL
Visitor Centre Tel: 01543 370737
Park Rangers Tel: 01543 370607
Email: chasewater.ic@staffordshire.gov.uk
Museum of Cannock Chase
A Great Day Out on your doorstep!
Located on the edge of Hednesford Hills, the Museum of Cannock Chase illustrates the rich industrial heritage of the area, and the social and domestic life of times past.
Trace the history of Cannock Chase in our Local History gallery. Visit our Coal Mining Gallery to discover how coal shaped our area. Find out how local families lived in our Victorian Miner’s Cottage gallery, and our 1940s Room. Our History of Toys and Coal Face galleries provide an exciting interactive experience for families!
Gift Shop, Coffee Shop, Visitor Information Point.
We also have ever-changing temporary exhibitions and events throughout the year. Please visit our website Museum of Cannock Chase
Opening Times
Monday to Friday, 11am to 4.30pm
Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.
Parking
The Museum has ample parking including disabled parking. It is also a short 15 minute walk away from Hednesford Train Station that also provides free parking.
The Museum of Cannock Chase
Valley Road
Hednesford
Staffordshire
WS12 1TD
Tel: 01543 877666
Museum of Cannock Chase
Email: museumofcannockchase@ihlmail.org
Shugborough Estate
Journey through the historic estate of Shugborough and experience the nation's best 'upstairs downstairs' experience.
Located on the fringes of Cannock Chase, the estate is set in 900 acres of stunning parkland and riverside gardens with an elegant mansion house, working Victorian servants’ quarters, Georgian farm & mill and restored walled garden, all brought to life by costumed living history characters who share their lives and powerful stories from the past with visitors.
In addition, the attraction also features a land train ride, play park, rare breed animals, restaurant & tea rooms, gift shop, craft workshops, ice cream kiosks, old fashioned sweet shop and offers a fantastic full day out.
Opening Times
For opening times please visit the website.
Parking Charges
Parking is free for National Trust Members and paying visitors to the Shugborough Estate.
Information and prices for events and advanced tickets can be purchased online at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/shugborough-estate or by telephoning the box office on 01889 880160.
Email: shugborough@nationaltrust.org.uk
Shugborough Estate
Milford
Stafford
ST17 0XB
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/shugborough-estate
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust's Visitor & Education Centre
The Wolseley Centre is Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Visitor & Education Centre, set in 26 acres of landscaped gardens.
The grounds were once the ancestral home of the Wolseley family, now managed with wildlife in mind, yet still cater for people of all ages and mobility. Why not try a self-guided circular nature walk alongside the Stafford Brook and River Trent, explore our woodland and wetland habitats or spend a while relaxing in our wildlife and sensory gardens? Interactive visitor displays, gift shop and cafe, there is everything for a great day out!
Parking to the centre and grounds are free, and an average visit can take between one and three hours.
Please visit the website for opening times.
Why not combine a visit to the Wolseley Centre with some time at the other attractions at Wolseley Bridge, which include craft shops, public house, garden centre or Indian restaurant? They’re all just a walking distance away.
For more information contact:
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
The Wolseley Centre
Wolseley Bridge
Stafford
ST17 0WT
Tel: 01889 880100
Email: info@staffs-wildlife.org.uk
www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk
Last Updated: 30/08/2023