Cannock Chase Heritage Trail

Saturday 7th October 2023

Apart from my fortnight in the Lake District I did very little walking last summer, so when good weather and a window in my busy schedule coincided I forced myself to take the opportunity and grabbed my rucksack, getting off the train in Cannock. I first came to Cannock Chase in 2021 and I have been back only a couple of times subsequently, so a return visit seemed warranted and a short internet search revealed the existence of a Cannock Chase Heritage Trail, which seemed ideal as it runs between railway stations. However, it doesn’t start right next to Cannock station so first I had to make my way through Cannock until I reached the town centre and the old pumping station at Hall Green where I read up on the history of the area before setting off through the town centre and back to the railway station, but I was already finding that the Heritage Trail was not very well signposted and the map from the District Council website was also not very helpful. Therefore, I relied on an Ordnance Survey map and wandered around vaguely heading in the right direction going wherever I wanted, whether I was strictly on the trail or not. For example, after passing the railway station I entered Mill Green and Hawks Green Nature Reserve and immediately climbed up onto the embankment the runs alongside the railway line to walk through the beech wood rather on the tarmacked path that soon brings you out of the reserve and onto a busy road.

I had an enjoyable walk through the woodland making my own way through the reserve until finally I emerged at the northern end onto the busy road which I now followed to a roundabout where a cycle path took me through Anglesey Nature Reserve and into the town of Hednesford. A walk through the town centre brought me to the railway station, but just before I reached there I turned right past a superstore and entered Hednesford Park. The last traces of invasive balsam was the only flowers to linger in these parks and reserves at this time of the year and provided me with some interest as I made my way through these municipal areas, but I longed for more natural environments like the woods and moors of Cannock Chase. Eventually my wish was granted as I crossed the railway line and took a path that led me through Brindley Heath as I slowly climbed into the Cannock Chase Country Park passing through an area that I remember previously walking in 2021. I was now beginning to see signs marking the Heritage Trail, but rather than be clear, they appeared to be in the process of being removed or perhaps they were being replaced. Fortunately I was still able to follow the route with a map and since I was now in an area that I had previously walked I was able to make my way through with little difficulty.

By the time I reached the area of the visitor centre the long promised sun was beginning to break through the overcast skies that had lingered all morning, but it would stay rather hazy for the rest of the day. Eventually I left the crowds behind and descended into the Fairoak Valley to walk beside the Fairoak Ponds that I have passed on several previous occasions until on reaching the Stonybrook Ponds I turned right to climb away from the main Cannock Chase area and onto a road. Now, I followed a footpath beside Rising Brook, which was decorated with invasive balsam whose sweet smell added to the air as I slowly made my way into Hagley Park on the outskirts of the town of Rugeley. All that remained for me from there was to find a way through the town that eventually brought me to Rugeley Trent Valley railway station and the end of the Cannock Chase Heritage Trail. This was a disappointing walk since most of it passed through man-made areas that were just not interesting enough for me, while Cannock Chase itself was all familiar territory so also nothing special. However, at a time when I was struggling to find the motivation to get out for a walk this was exactly what I needed and I was prompted after this to start going out for walks in my local area as often as possible, which provided me with the recuperation and healing that I needed after a summer of stagnation.