Heathland, birch and conifer between the Midlands towns, easy to reach and good for a wander, a ride or a quiet look for deer
Sitting between the towns of the Midlands, Cannock Chase is a big patch of open heath, birch scrub and planted conifer that’s stayed wild against the odds. At 69 square kilometres it’s one of the smaller protected landscapes, but it’s laced with tracks and easy to get to, which makes it a favourite for walkers, cyclists and families after a bit of air. Fallow deer move through the woods, and the heather turns the higher ground purple in late summer.
The Heart of England Way crosses it, and on the northern edge the grand Shugborough Estate sits close to the Trent & Mersey Canal. Open commons like Gentleshaw Common add to the roaming. It’s gentle ground with no real hazards beyond getting turned around among similar-looking tracks, so a map or a downloaded route saves a bit of head-scratching.
