What to do - Visit Cannock Chase

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Visitor Centres

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Visitor Centres

Birches Valley Forest Centre
Follow the Dog	If you are looking for fun, thrills and excitement then start your adventure here. Activities including the Route to Health sculpture trail, adventure play area, Go Ape high ropes course and arguably the Premier mountain biking destination in the West Midlands, Cannock Chase Forest offers routes to suit all ages and abilities which all start from Birches Valley. For those looking for a more relaxing experience the Forest Centre is also close to the magnificent Fairoak fishing pools and has good access onto the Chase Heritage Trail. The award winning education team on site run a wide range of events throughout the year as well as cater for a wide range of organised groups. Seasonal highlights include live outdoor concerts in the summer as part of the Forestry Commissions Forest Tours and the Real Christmas Tree Experience during December. While on site why not enjoy freshly made food and high quality coffee in the cafe, hire a range of bikes from Swinnerton Cycles Forest Centre, 'more than just a bike centre', or brave the new Go Ape high ropes adventure course. Plentiful parking available, but remember, Cannock Chase is a working forest, please comply with all operation signs. High quality rest rooms and a friendly welcome are always available on site. Open all year: Please check opening times for Swinnerton Cycle Centre at www.bikechase.co.uk and Go Ape at www.goape.co.uk Car Parking – open dawn till dusk. £1.50 for first hour or £3.00 all day. For further details contact: Birches Valley Forest Centre Birches Valley, Lady Hill, Rugeley, Staffs, WS15 2UQ Telephone: 01889 586593 www.forestry.gov.uk/cannockforest
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, free of charge, for people with mobility problems. There is an adventure playground, picnic sites, BBQ stands, bird watching area and a recently reconstructed Great War Hut (limited opening). The small 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 - 5.30pm Winter 10am - 4pm Marquis Drive, Hednesford, Near Cannock WS12 4PW Visitor Centre: 01543 876741 Café: 01543 878690
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 308859 chasewater.countrypark@lichfielddc.gov.uk www.lichfielddc.gov.uk
Chasewater Innovation Centre
	Chasewater Innovation Centre is situated in a prime position at the entrance to Chasewater Country Park and Reservoir. The centre is innovative in its design and construction, promoting the use of timber as a sustainable material for both building purposes and as a source of renewable energy. The Innovation Centre offers visitor information and conferencing facilities and a changing programme of exhibitions, activities and events for all ages. The excellent waterside location of the Centre encourages appreciation of wildlife.
	For more information contact: Chasewater Innovation Centre, Chasewater Country Park, Pool Road, Nr Brownhills, WS8 7NL Tel: 01543 370737 www.staffordshire.gov.uk/environment/e-land/countryside chasewater.ic@staffordshire.gov.uk	Opening Times Summer Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm Winter Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm Saturday and Sunday 10am - 4pm
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 new 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 also provide an exciting interactive experience for families! 2010 is our 21st birthday and we have lots of events and exhibitions to celebrate our coming of age, including Family Fun Days in August and December! We also have an exciting temporary exhibition programme. Please call us for an Exhibitions & Events Diary or visit the website www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/museum General Admission is FREE
	The Museum of Cannock Chase, Valley Road, Hednesford, Staffordshire, WS12 1TD. Tel: 01543 877666 Fax: 01543 428272 www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/museum museum@cannockchasedc.gov.uk A Museum Leaflet is available to download here Size: 3.3Mb Format: pdf	Opening Times Daily, 11am - 5pm. Last admissions 30 minutes before closing. Closed for two weeks over Christmas and New Year.
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
	Launched in 2003, the Wolseley Centre is Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Visitor& Education Centre, set in 26 acres of some of the most varied landscapes anywhere in Staffordshire. Using many of the fi ne features created for the former Wolseley Garden Park, the grounds are now being managed for wildlife, yet still cater for people of all ages and disabilities. A self-guided circular nature trail takes in three lakes, the Stafford Brook and River Trent before returning to the Visitor Centre that provides information on Staffordshire’s wildlife, interactive displays for children, together with sales and refreshment areas. Parking to the centre and grounds are free, and an average visit can take between one and three hours. Opening Times: Monday - Friday 9am -5pm and Saturday & Sunday 11am - 5pm Why not combine a visit to the Wolseley Centre with some time at the other attractions at Wolseley Bridge, which include craft shops, a pub, a garden centre and an 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 Fax: 01889 880101 www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk
Shugborough
	Journey through the historic estate of Shugborough and discover a bygone era of our costumed living history characters bringing the past to life. Shugborough, the UK’s only Complete Working Historic Estate is no ordinary stately home but a living, working experience of life as it was 200 years ago. Located on the fringes of Cannock Chase, the estate is set in 900 acres of stunning parkland and riverside gardens with elegant mansion house, working Victorian servants’ quarters, Georgian farm & mill and restored walled garden, which are 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, craft workshops, ice cream parlour, old fashioned sweet shop, restaurant & tea rooms, gift shop and all the facilities to enjoy a full day out. Opening Times 19th March - 28th October 2010 Daily, 11am until 5pm Admission Charges - 2010 Adults: £12.00 Children (under 5s Free): £7.00 Seniors: £9.50 (£5 On Mondays) Family (2A+3C): £30.00 Family (1A+1C): £15.00 Super discounts available on above prices if purchased online at www.shugborough.org.uk or through the telephone box office on 0845 459 8900. Shugborough Estate, Milford, Stafford, ST17 0XB www.shugborough.org.uk

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