Cannock Chase Forest

Due to forestry operations, the running trails and green orienteering course are closed and there is a diversion on Follow the Dog. - Find out more:

Our Gruffalo sculptures are having a refresh and will be out of action for a few days.

Visitor information

Opening hours

Open every day except Christmas Day.

Monthly opening times are as follows:

January - 7:30am to 5:00pm

February - 7:30am to 6:00pm

March - 7:30am to 6:00pm

April - 7:30am to 8:00pm

May - 7:30am to 9:00pm

June - 7:30am to 9:00pm

July - 7:30am to 9:00pm

August - 7:30am to 9:00pm

September - 7:30am to 8:00pm

October - 7:30am to 7:00pm

November - 7:30am to 5:00pm

December - 7:30am to 5:00pm

How to find us

Sat Nav Postcode:

WS15 2UQ

Birches Valley, Rugeley

By Car

Look out for the brown tourist signs that have the white stag on a purple background.

By Public Transport

The nearest train stations Rugeley Trent Valley and Rugeley Town are both approximately 2 miles away.

OS Grid Ref

SK 018171

Get directions

52.7502954, -1.9763149

Parking and prices

Parking charges apply at Cannock Chase Forest.

We have a ticketless and cashless parking system that uses number plate recognition technology.

How does it work?:

1. On entry to the site the system records your number plate.
2. Pay at the paystation before you leave. Remember your registration number as you'll need to enter this.
3. Your number plate will be recognised on exit and the system will know you have paid.

Disabled parking available – normal parking charges apply.

Parking Charges

The money you pay for parking helps us to look after the forests. Read how

Parking Charges
Up to 1 hour	£3.50
Up to 2 hours	£7.00
Up to 3 hours	£9.50
All day	£11.00

Coaches/Minibuses charges

Minibuses/Coach - £11

Thank you for paying to park. We use the money you spend on parking to look after the nation’s forests. We don’t make a profit and rely on the support of our visitors and members, so every penny you spend is invested by Forestry England back into the management of our woodlands and is needed to make Cannock Chase Forest a great place for a day out.

Additional information

Regular visitors can save money by becoming a Member -

Number of accessible parking spaces: 13

Card payments accepted

Coaches/Minibuses welcomed

Disabled parking available

Facilities and access

For more help on planning your visit, take a look at our accessibility information:

View Accessibility Guide

Accessible toilet
Assistant dogs welcome
Baby changing facilities
Cafe
Cycle hire
Dogs allowed
Easy access trail
Information point
Picnic area
Play Area
Toilets

Autumnal forest scene with golden leaves on the trees and ground

Cannock Chase Forest

A clearing in the woodland,with a bridge over a hidden stream and a bike trail in the background

Way markers for walking routes in the foreground and two walkers in the background

Pine trees with green grass on the ground

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.

At a glance

Racking up the miles on the bike trails at Cannock Chase Forest? Then why not get involved in our latest cycling challenge?

02/05/2024 14:45

Not long to go until Forest Live returns to Cannock Chase Forest! Get your tickets for Nile Rodgers & Chic, Anne-Marie and Sting now!

30/04/2024 08:00

Can you guess who won Team of the Year at the Staffs Tourism and Good Food Awards?? We did!!! - read more

18/03/2024 10:00

Things to do

See more things to do | Back to top

Children's play area at Cannock Chase

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.

Find out more

Cycling and mountain biking trails at Cannock Chase Forest

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.

Find out more

Gruffalo Sculptures at Cannock Chase

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.

Find out more

Walking trails at Cannock Chase Forest

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.

Find out more

Nearby forests

Large pond surrounded by tall trees on a sunny day

Dimmingsdale

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.

Find out more

Sun shining through trees with bracken and grass covered in dew

Seale Wood

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.

Find out more

Hicks Lodge

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.

Find out more

Sence Valley

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.

Find out more