Due to forestry operations there are diversions on Follow the Dog and the Monkey Trail. - Find out more

Visitor information

Have a forest adventure or escape into nature

With way marked trails for woodland walks, children’s play areas, Go Ape, orienteering trails and even a dog activity trail, you will not be stuck for something to do at Cannock Chase Forest, located north of Birmingham in the West Midlands.

But we are perhaps best known as the place to come and ride your bike on Cannock Chase. For those wanting to explore the forest on two wheels we have some of the best family cycling trails and single track cross country mountain biking opportunities in the Midlands. And we even have a Pedal & Play trail aimed at children learning their first off-road cycling skills. 

Hire a bike from our cycle centre, bring a picnic or lunch at the cafe. Come rain or shine, you will all go home having had a fantastic forest adventure.

What's on

Forest event
21 March, 25 April and 23 May
Meet at the welcome point

Would you like to know more about how Forestry England manages Cannock Chase Forest, for wildlife, as a sustainable source of UK grown timber and for people to enjoy as a place for recreation?

Then join our Ranger for this guided walk and talk.

This will be a series of events, where our Ranger will talk about ecology, wildlife, forestry works and other topics that broadly include the every day activities of this working forest.

Why not finish off with a warm drink at Grounds Cafe?

Book your place today by emailing Jacqui.blackford@forestryengland.uk

Forest event
27 June 2024
5pm

About Anne-Marie

Anne-Marie entered the music scene in 2015; her first solo album, ‘Speak Your Mind’ was the UK’s biggest-selling debut of 2018 and spawned the international anthems ‘2002’, co-written with Ed Sheeran, and ‘FRIENDS’ alongside Marshmello. The follow-up album ‘Therapy’ (2021) built on her phenomenal success with singles such as ‘Kiss My (Uh-Oh)’ with Little Mix and ‘Don't Play’ with KSI & Digital Farm Animals.

The Essex-born star is a former three-time world Karate champion and alongside her industrious recording schedule and sold-out headline tours, released a documentary, ‘How To Be Anne-Marie’, and appeared as a coach on Saturday night prime time show, The Voice. She reigns supreme as a fearless Gen Z role model.

Forest Live at Cannock Chase Forest

Our natural amphitheatre arena at Cannock Chase Forest is located in the heart of the Midlands. Cannock Chase is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is the biggest outdoor pursuits tourist attraction in Staffordshire.

Anne-Marie joins The Charlatans + Johnny Marr at Forest Live 2024 in Cannock Chase Forest.

About Forest Live

Forest Live is a major live music series held in our nation’s forests. Join us among the trees to hear the best live music, connect with nature and discover unique locations across the country. 

This is the ideal concert experience taking place in beautiful natural woodland arenas every summer, with a relaxed atmosphere and an incredible soundtrack.

Buying tickets from Forestry England helps to grow and protect our nation’s forests for generations to come.

Forest event
28 June 2024
5pm

About The Charlatans + Johnny Marr

The Charlatans and guitar icon Johnny Marr will be performing at Cannock Chase Forest for a joint headline show.

Indie stalwarts, The Charlatans formed in 1988, and Tim Burgess and co have since had a string of hit singles including ‘The Only One I Know’, ‘Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over’, ‘One To Another’ and ‘North Country Girl’. The Charlatans have notched up 13 Top 40 studio albums – three of them number ones – alongside 22 Top 40 singles, four of them Top 10 hits. More recently The Charlatans released a career-spanning vinyl box collection ‘A Head Full Of Ideas’. Following rave reviews for their current UK tour, the band will take to the stage after Johnny Marr to close the show at Staffordshire’s Cannock Chase in June. 

One of the most respected musicians and songwriters of his generation (and Ivor Novello Inspiration and NME Godlike Genius), Johnny Marr formed The Smiths in 1982. The Smiths attained commercial success and critical acclaim with Marr’s jangle pop guitar style defining the band’s sound and that of many to follow in their footsteps. They separated in 1987 and Marr went on to become a member of many iconic bands including The Pretenders, The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse and The Cribs. He has also collaborated with huge stars including Pet Shop Boys, Bryan Ferry, Talking Heads and Hans Zimmer.   

About Cannock Chase Forest

Our natural amphitheatre arena at Cannock Chase Forest is located in the heart of the Midlands. Cannock Chase is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is the biggest outdoor pursuits tourist attraction in Staffordshire.

The Charlatans + Johnny Marr joins Anne-Marie at Forest Live 2024 in Cannock Chase Forest.

About Forest Live

Forest Live is a major live music series held in our nation’s forests. Join us among the trees to hear the best live music, connect with nature and discover unique locations across the country. 

This is the ideal concert experience taking place in beautiful natural woodland arenas every summer, with a relaxed atmosphere and an incredible soundtrack.

Buying tickets from Forestry England helps to grow and protect our nation’s forests for generations to come.

Food and drink

Generic coffee.

Grounds Café

Refuel during your visit to the forest with a delicious sandwich, homemade cake, cooling ice-cream or a speciality coffee.

Cannock Chase Forest is renowned locally for its free play facilities. 

Scramble, slide and swing your way around our play area. Venture along the Ladyhill Trail to enter a fairytale of your own. Keep a lookout for the fairy trees and Gruffalo sculpture. Climb on top of our Play House and see what you can spot from the top. Ride around the Pedal and Play Trail to climb, balance and imagine you're running your own bike repair shop. 

If you all feel creative and want to test your older children, then set them a challenge in the shelter-building area which is set underneath our towering pine trees.

Alternatively, bring a ball of any size or shape for a kick about in our large grassy clearing and picnic area. 

 

Cannock Chase is a great place to explore on your bike. However many parts of The Chase are ecologically sensitive and therefore bikes aren't permitted due to the damage they would cause. But at Cannock Chase Forest we are a hand-planted woodland so the conditions in the part of The Chase we manage are more robust. So we have been able to design and build bike trails and facilities suitable for all off-road cycling abilities - whether you've just bought your first bike, or you're happy shredding through rock gardens.

From our Pedal & Play facility for little ones to learn how to navigate off-road cycling and relaxing family rides through the picturesque forest, to the dedicated single-track, cross country mountain bike trails Follow the Dog and the Monkey Trail, there's something for everyone. So check out all our cycling trails and see which one is right for you.

 

 

If you venture into the deep dark wood, you may bump into Gruffalo and the other characters from Julia Donaldson's classic story. 

Head to the Ladyhill Trail to find them all today.

Post your Gruffalo photos on our Facebook page  - we'd love to see them.

From a gentle stroll around the Ladyhill Trail with lots to see and do, to a longer walk around the picturesque pools on the Fairoak Trail, there's a great day out for everyone.

Trail maps are available to purchase from Go Ape, Grounds cafe & Cannock Chase Cycle Centre for £1.50. 

Nearby forests

Large pond surrounded by tall trees on a sunny day

Once an aristocrat's dream, Dimmingsdale is now a delight for everyone.

Come and stroll down magnificent drives built by the Earl of Shrewsbury, where fine carriages once rode. The rolling countryside provides an abundance of woodland, streams, ponds and lakes which will transport you to a place of peace and calm.

Make sure to stop off for a drink and snack at the Rambler’s Retreat which offers a wide range of refreshments in a relaxed setting.

Sun shining through trees with bracken and grass covered in dew

Planted in 2002, this community woodland is the perfect spot for a family walk, a burst of exercise and even a picnic. It's also a great place to find some peace and quiet and re-set from the stresses of daily life. 

Seale Wood is developing into a working coppice woodland, with a goal to encourage the development of a local timber industry. 

 

bench in front of a lake

In the heart of the National Forest, Hicks Lodge is a former coal mining site that has been totally transformed by new plantings and exciting trails for you to enjoy.

A great day out for the budding cyclist, from tearaway toddlers to young teens perfecting their skills, we’ve got a range of trails for beginner to intermediate appetites.

Sence Valley lake

Located north-west of Leicester, discover Sence Valley’s history. Once part of a large coal mine that closed in 1996, Forestry England planted 98,000 trees in 1998, transforming the valley into a haven for wildlife and visitors. In 2018  a further 48 hectares (102 acres) of the original opencast was acquired which has now been planted with 100,000 trees which will develop into a mature woodland.

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