Take Time to Explore
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visit 2016 take time to explore www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/visitors contents Welcome to Cannock Chase 3 Birches Valley Forest Centre 4 Cycling on Cannock Chase 5 Shugborough Estate 6 Go Ape. The UK’s No.1 Forest Adventure 7 Cannock Chase German Military and War Cemeteries 8 Cannock Chase Heritage Trail 8 The Museum of Cannock Chase 9 Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s HQ, The Wolseley Centre 10 Chasewater Innovation Centre 11 Cannock Chase Visitor Centre 11 Events Calendar 2016 12 - 17 • March 12 • April 12 • May 12 • June 13 • July 14 • August 15 • September 16 • October 16 • November 17 • December 17 An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) 18 Accommodation 19 - 21 • Hotels & Guest Houses 19 - 20 • Self Catering, Caravan & Camping 21 Silver Trees Holiday Park 22 Town Centres 23 - 25 Map 26 - 27 2 Welcome to Cannock Chase lies close to a superb rail and road network providing easy access. The A5 and A34 trunk roads, M6 and M6 Toll provide east-west and north-south routes and being close to the M54, provide rapid access to Telford and beyond. Distances to Cannock Miles Km Birmingham 20 32 London 131 211 Manchester 70 112 Bristol 101 163 Source: Auto Route Express 1 mile is equal to 1.609km/1km is equal to 0.621 miles Useful Contact Numbers For information on public transport please call 08712 002233 or visit www.travelinemidlands.co.uk Access for people with disabilities - Staffordshire County Ranger Service 01543 876 741 / 871 773 Economic Development Service, Cannock Chase Council, Civic Centre, PO Box 28, Beecroft Road, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 1BG. Email: [email protected] Tel: 01543 464272 www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/visitors Cannock Chase Deer Information: In the event of hitting a deer. In office hours please phone either: Staffs County Council Ranger Service 01543 871773 Forestry Commission 01889 586593 Staffs Police 08453 302010 Deer Pager Number 07699 745400 Out of office hours - please phone the police on the above number. Please stay at the scene until either the police or one of the rangers arrive. Fallow deer front cover photo - copyright: davemhuntphotography/Shutterstock.com Photos supplied courtesy of Steve Welch tel 01543 490851 3 Birches Valley Forest Centre Birches Valley Forest Centre 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. We have a wide variety of walks ranging from our 1 mile Stick Man Activity Trail with lots to see and do including our Fairy Trees, Gruffalo sculpture and Play Houses, to the picturesque Sherbrook Valley with its mixture of woodlands and open heathland. Bring along your dog and see if you can complete our Dog Activity Challenge! Birches Valley is also the home to Birches Valley Café, Swinnerton Cycles Bike Shop and Go Ape. Opening Times Our car park is open all year from dawn to dusk. Pay and display charges apply. For more information, please contact: Forestry Commission, Birches Valley Forest Centre, Birches Valley, Rugeley, WS15 2UQ. Tel: 0300 067 4340 | Email: [email protected] Website: www.forestry.gov.uk/cannockforest cannockforest ForestryCommEng 4 Cycling on Cannock Chase Cannock Chase is the premier location for mountain biking in the Midlands with routes managed and maintained by the Forestry Commission to suit all abilities and ages. We have relaxing family rides around the Fairoak pools and through the picturesque valleys on the Sherbrook trail. For serious mountain bikers we have two red graded trails ‘Follow the Dog’ and ‘The Monkey Trail’. These have been built in partnership with local volunteer group ‘Chase Trails’ to offer riders an exciting challenging ride. Mountain bikers are asked to show consideration to other forest users whilst on the shared trails and to avoid the more sensitive area of Cannock Chase such as the areas of open heathland. Trails start at Birches Valley Forest Centre. For more information on volunteering with Chase Trails visit www.chasetrails.co.uk Swinnerton Cycle Centre, based at Birches Valley, have experts on hand who can provide information tuition for all abilities, tips on service and maintenance, hire facilities, bike wash and much, much more. For more information Tel: 01889 575170 or visit www.bikechase.co.uk. 5 Shugborough Estate Journey through the historic estate of Shugborough and participate in the nation’s best ‘upstairs downstairs’ experience. Set in 900 acres of stunning parkland and riverside gardens, an elegant mansion including Lord Lichfield’s private apartments, working servants’ quarters, farm with rare breed animals and mill are brought to life by costumed characters. Opening Times Open 18th March to 21st October, Gardens & Grounds, Tearoom, Shop - Open daily, 11am - 5pm, House, Servants’ Quarters & Farm - Open Wed to Mon, 11am - 5pm. For more information, please contact: Shugborough Estate, Milford, Stafford, ST17 0XB. Tel: 01889 881 388 Email: [email protected] Website: www.shugborough.org.uk ShugboroughEstate @Shugborough 6 Go Ape. The UK’s No.1 Forest Adventure. Go Ape Tree Top Adventure. Take a tree top adventure (including Tarzan swings and epic zip wires) and get back in touch with your inner ape. Gorillas (18 yrs +) £33. Baboons (10 - 17 yrs) £25. Go Ape Forest Segway. Jump on board an all terrain, electric ‘Segway’ for a guided forest safari. £35 per rider (over 10 yrs / over 7 stone). Go Ape Tree Top Junior. Uncover a Tree Top Adventure for Junior Tarzans. Release your little monkeys onto a Go Ape course designed for them. Tree Top Junior is aimed at Tiny Tarzans aged between 6 and 12 yrs old. Mini Tarzans (over 1m tall) £18 per child Team Days Out at Go Ape Inspire, Energise and Motivate your Tribe. Get in touch with our Go Ape Events Team to get your tribe in the trees. You can rely on our friendly team to guarantee you a day out you’ll never forget. Your day could include our ‘classic’ tree top adventure, Forest Segways mountain biking, a Forest BBQ, welcome drinks and much more. Opening Times Vary depending on daylight hours. Refer to the website for more information and bookings or Tel: 0845 643 9148 | Website: www.goape.co.uk/cannock GoApeTribe @GoApeTribe 7 5 Cannock Chase German Military and War Cemeteries Cannock Chase German Military and War Cemeteries are one of the few dedicated military cemeteries in the UK. The German Military Cemetery opened in 1967 to accommodate German nationals who lost their lives in the UK during the two World Wars and contains some 5,000 graves (including 42 Austrians). The cemetery was established during the First World War, when a large military camp at Cannock Chase became the base for the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. The site also had a prisoner-of-war hospital. Both camp and hospital used the burial ground. The cemeteries are cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and open all year round. There are no toilet or refreshment facilities at the cemeteries. For more information and opening times visit www.cwgc.org Cannock Chase Heritage Trail To experience the history and beauty of Cannock Chase take a walk or cycle along the Cannock Chase Heritage Trail. The 10 mile trail is suitable for walkers and cyclists, and mostly accessible for wheelchairs. Takes in the historic sites as well as providing the chance to explore the beautiful landscape of Cannock Chase. You can find out more by visitingwww.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/heritagetrail For Visitor Centres of Cannock Chase AONB please follow 8 The Museum of Cannock Chase The museum’s focus is on local history, with particular emphasis on coal mining, social history and toys & games from the past, as well as an exciting temporary exhibition and family events programme. Full listings are available on our website or see our 2016 leaflet. For up to date info, please see our Facebook page. Free Admission, Gift Shop, Coffee Shop, Cannock Chase Tourist Information Point. Opening Times Easter to end of Sept - Daily, 11am - 5pm, Oct to Easter - Mon to Fri, 11am - 4pm. Last admissions, 30 minutes before closing. Closed for 2 weeks over Christmas and New Year. For more information, please contact: The Museum of Cannock Chase, Valley Road, Hednesford, WS12 1TD. Tel: 01543 877 666 Email: [email protected] | www.museumofcannockchase.org MuseumofCannockChase 9 Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s HQ, The Wolseley Centre The Wolseley Centre, is one of the county’s hidden gems and completely free to visit. Set in 26 acres of beautiful grounds made accessible by a network of flat footpaths, The Wolseley Centre boasts two wildlife-friendly display gardens, a boardwalk and play trail for younger visitors. Inside visitors will find a gift shop selling a range of wildlife-themed products, gift ideas, drinks and snacks. Opening Times Open daily 10am - 4pm all year round. For more information & bookings, please contact: Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, The Wolseley Centre, Wolseley Bridge, Stafford, ST17 0WT. Tel: 01889 880 100 | www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk StaffsWildlife @StaffsWildlife 10 Chasewater Innovation Centre Opening Times Mon to Fri (all year) - 9am - 4pm, Summer, Sat & Sun - 10am - 5pm, Winter, Sat & Sun - 10am - 4pm. For more information contact: Chasewater Innovation Centre, Chasewater Country Park, Pool Lane, Nr Brownhills, WS8 7NL. Visitor Centre / Park Rangers - Tel: 01543 370 737 Email: [email protected] | Website: www.enjoychasewater.co.uk ChasewaterCountryPark @SCCChasewater Cannock Chase Visitor Centre Opening Times Summer, 10am - 5.30pm, Winter, 10am - 4pm, Please note that during the winter months, the Visitor Centre (not the Café) will be closed for lunch between 1pm - 1.30pm.