Guidelines for Educational Establishments on Cannock Chase

If you are organising a school visit, you will know that there is a lot to do, but in addition to the logistics of bringing a group of young people into the outdoors, there are some further considerations that need to be made.

• Have you thought about the ecological impact of what you want to do on the habitats and species living there?
• Do you need to follow – bio security measure (esp. for river/pond studies)
• Have you asked the landowner whether you can access their land with an organized group?
• The Outdoor Education Advisory Panel (OEAP) provides guidance in planning a visit to the countryside. Details can be found here Guidance

What is Cannock Chase National Landscape and Special Area of Conservation?  Why is it important?

Cannock Chase is a beautiful wilderness in the heart of the busy West Midlands, and one of Staffordshire’s most loved places. Created for William the Conqueror as a hunting forest 1,000 years ago it is packed with landscape, nature and heritage.   There are old oak woodlands, shady pine forests, historic parklands, viewpoints, rivers and canals to enjoy. The heathlands are the most extensive in the Midlands and a stronghold for endangered wildlife.

Cannock Chase is an incredibly important landscape and has been designated a National Landscape.

4.9 square miles (20%) of Cannock Chase has the designation of Special Area of Conservation (SAC).  It is one of the best areas in the UK for European dry heath and is the most extensive in the Midlands region.  Worldwide, heathland habitat is rarer than rainforest!

Special Areas of Conservation are designated for their international importance, all of Cannock Chase SAC is also Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for species of national importance.

Designations for the SSSI vary across the Chase however the SAC is designated for being a prime example of European Dry Heath with contributory factors of Valley Mire and Ancient Woodland. The areas of the SAC can be viewed on our interactive map.

Cannock Chase is a special and fragile place that needs great care.  It faces a number of challenges ranging from the impacts of climate change to accidental harm caused by people who come to enjoy it.  The harm includes eroding plant life and disturbing wildlife by straying from paths and various anti-social behaviours from littering and starting wildfires to illegal mountain biking.  There is also a general lack of awareness of the area’s importance and special qualities, how fragile it is and what each of us can do to look after it and protect it for future generations.

Find out more about the Cannock Chase National Landscape.

The following video, will help you gain an understanding of pressures on Cannock Chase

Sustainability Matters with ecologist Mike Dilger – Cannock Chase AONB, are we loving it to death? 

The Benefits of Educational Trips into Cannock Chase

Children and young people, can benefit enormously from school trips in Cannock Chase, enabling them to connect with nature, landscape, whilst learning in a practical multi- sensory way.

Yet, it is important to be aware, that key considerations need to be followed to help mitigate against damaging the fragile landscape and its wildlife.

Contact the Landowner

Well in advance of a proposed trip to Cannock Chase, you need to get permission from the relevant landowner.  They are responsible for assessing the visit and getting any permissions from Natural England.

Please refer to the map, to see who owns the land in the Cannock Chase that you intend to visit.

Staffordshire County Council land, Please contact: –cannockchasemarquisdrive@staffordshire.gov.uk

Forestry England land; please contact:- info-cannock@forestryengland.uk/susannah.diep@forestryengland.uk

National Trust, please contact:- shugborough@nationaltrust.org.uk

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust:-   getwild@staffs-wildlife.org.uk

The Cannock Chase Code 

Please follow the Cannock Chase Code during your educational visit

Special Considerations for River Studies/ Pond Dipping

Note: – rare, White-Clawed Crayfish are in some of the water courses.  It’s important to follow biosecurity measures to ensure, you don’t unwittingly bring in invasive plants and animals into the water courses or spread crayfish plague.

• Arrive with clean, dry (ideally disinfected) wellies, nets and buckets. Survey in a downstream direction. Wash off (and ideally disinfect) after site visit and fully dry kit before further use.
• Follow  Check, Clean, Dry advice
• Arrive at the site with clean footwear
• Ensure footwear is clean (visually from soil and debris) before leaving the site.
• Make use of facilities provided on the site to clean footwear/equipment.
• Where possible avoid areas of livestock and areas with known plant disease.

Check whether your organisation has any other guidance.

Alternative sites for River Studies in Staffordshire

Cotton Dell Nature Reserve, Oakamoor -Contact :-  getwild@staffs-wildlife.org.uk 

River Trent Washland, Burton on Trent:-  Trent Washlands | National Forest

Visit an information centre before your visit

To provide you with more details about Cannock Chase prior to your educational visit, try and visit one of the information centres.

Cannock Chase has 6 wonderful  Visitor Centres – What to Do? – Cannock Chase   in and around its borders

Areas for Coach Parking

Minibuses will be able to park in most of the Cannock Chase Car Parks.

However, coaches should park at any of the 6 visitors centres in Cannock Chase (please make arrangements for parking with the relevant centre prior to your visit).

Toileting in Cannock Chase  

Each of the 6 centres have toilets that your group can use

Future Guardians of Cannock Chase – Activities for children and young people

The Cannock Chase National Landscapes team in conjunction with Cannock Chase SAC Partnership have created a whole range of activities for children and young people.

Scouting and Guiding groups can work towards a special challenge badge.

For those doing Duke of Edinburgh there is a pack designed to support people who complete the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.  In it you will find suggestions for activities in each of the required reward sections.