Frequently asked questions
Who owns Cannock Chase?
Cannock Chase is unusual amongst the National Landscape family in that 56% of the AONB is owned by just 5 public bodies, and a further 7% by 3 charities. The remaining 37% is in multiple private ownership.
The land in public ownership includes:
- Cannock Chase Country Park (Staffordshire County Council),
- Cannock Chase Forest (Forestry England),
- Castle Ring and Hazelslade Local Nature Reserve (Cannock Chase Council),
- Gentleshaw Common (Lichfield District Council – managed by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust),
- Shoal Hill Common (South Staffordshire Borough Council and Cannock Chase Council),
- Land owned by charities includes Shugborough mansion and estate (National Trust),
- Beaudesert Activity Centre (The Beaudesert Trust),
- and George’s Hayes and Piggot’s Bottom nature reserve (Staffordshire Wildlife Trust).
How is the National Landscape funded?
The National Landscape is funded 75% from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and 25% from the constituent local authorities (Staffordshire County Council, Cannock Chase Council, Stafford Borough Council, Lichfield District Council and South Staffordshire Borough Council). Funding is used to enable the AONB partners to carry out activities that achieve its core statutory purpose to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of Cannock Chase.
The annual cost to Staffordshire residents to support the AONB is just 22p per person per annum.
Can I hold an event on Cannock Chase?
Cannock Chase plays host to a number of sponsored walks and cycling events, orienteering races and dog trials each year. Landowner permissions for events are always needed. See about Planning an Event.
Where can I have a BBQ?
BBQs are not permitted on any of the publicly accessible land on Cannock Chase. This is to help reduce the risk of wildfires.
Can I go wild camping?
Wild camping is not permitted anywhere on Cannock Chase without prior permission from the landowner. You can book a pitch at one of the designated camping and caravanning sites on the Chase.
Where can I fly my drone?
Drone operators must have permission from the owner of the land where a drone takes off and lands. When flying drones please look after Cannock Chase and respect other users and avoid disturbance to wildlife. Flying drones is not permitted on nature reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest or on National Trust property.
Where do I put my litter?
Litter bins are provided at the main car parks and at visitor centres/hubs. Elsewhere, litter bins are not provided so that visitors are encouraged to recycle and take home their litter.
If you want to do your bit for Cannock Chase and its wildlife please pick up any litter you come across and take it home with you or dispose appropriately.
Follow the Cannock Chase Code. Keep Britain Tidy has more useful information on how we can all help and become #Litterheroes.
To report an issue with litter please see the following links to councils around Cannock Chase. This provides details on how you can report littering Cannock Chase District Council, Stafford Borough Council, Lichfield District Council, South Staffordshire Borough Council To report fly tipping please contact the relevant landowner.
The main landowners around Cannock Chase can be found on this map.
What do I do with my dog’s poo?
Leaving your dog’s poo and dog waste bags is disgusting and a crime, and harmful to wildlife. Cannock Chase is for everyone to enjoy – please respect it and take your litter and dog waste home with you.
Can I metal detect on Cannock Chase?
Under the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales metal detectorists are required to obtain the landowner’s permission before undertaking any detection work on that land. Metal detecting is not permitted on land owned by the National Trust or Staffordshire County Council, and it is illegal to detect on (without a licence from Historic England), disturb, or cause damage to, a scheduled monument. Any finds potentially covered by the Treasure Act should be brought to the attention of the county’s Finds Liaison Officer, and they must be reported to the coroner within 14 days of discovery. All other finds should be recorded through the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Can I scatter ashes and leave a memorial to loved ones on Cannock Chase?
You will need the permission of the landowner to scatter ashes and create memorials to loved ones. Because of the potential environmental impact on soils, plants and animal life, scattering ashes and leaving memorials is not permitted on designated sites, such as, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Scheduled Monuments.
Report a crime including wildlife and heritage crimes, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage
Call 999 and speak to the police if the crime is happening right now, the suspect is still at the scene, or anyone is seriously injured or in immediate danger. Call 101 or report the incident to Staffordshire Police online if you have witnessed or been the victim of crime.
Report an injury to a deer
Vehicle collision with a deer
Stay Safe and Report the Incident
- Pull over at a safe place
- Call the Police: if in the road 999, on the side of the road 101
- Give as precise a location as you can use What3Words
- They will deal with the situation and have access to specialists.
- Do not try to assist or move the deer as this can put you in danger.
If you hit a deer while driving, your priorities, in this order, are:
- Keep yourself and anyone with you as safe as you can
- Park your car in the safest place with hazard lights on.
- Call an ambulance if human injuries warrant it
- Call the Police
If the deer is alive and still visible at roadside:
- It is best not to approach it. Doing so may cause it to run across traffic causing another accident.
- Do not move or handle live deer, this needs a trained specialist.
- Call the Police, if in the road 999, on the side of the road 101. Giving as precise a location as you can use What3Words. They will deal with the situation and have access to specialists.
The British Deer Society have lots more information on their website available.
Alternatively the RSPCA can be called on Telephone: 0300 1234 999 (call charges may apply).
I have found an injured deer:
- Keep your distance from the animal
- Find your location using What3Words
- Call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 and follow
their advice
About the Chase
Cannock Chase National Landscape is a beautiful wilderness in Staffordshire in the heart of the West Midlands. Find out more about this landscape and what makes it special.
Our Partnership
Find out more about the team, our joint committee, partners, volunteers and organisations. You will also find our annual reviews and meetings detail here.
About Cannock Chase
Find out more about the landscape, wildlife, nature, history and heritage the wildness and tranquility.
Latest news
The news posts below provide more information on work in progress and latest news of Cannock Chase and our partners.
Take a look at the latest Cannock Chase National Landscape e-newsletter for May 2026. Booking is now open for the Annual Conference 2026. You can find
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Join us for Cannock Chase National Landscape Annual Conference 2026, and a day of networking, learning and sharing ideas! This year’s conference is being held
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Take a look at the latest Cannock Chase National Landscape e-newsletter for April 2026. The National Landscape offers a range of grants that can help
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We are pleased to announce that the Cannock Chase National Landscape Annual Conference will be held on Wednesday 3rd June 2026 at the Aquarius Ballroom,
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Take a look at the latest Cannock Chase National Landscape e-newsletter for March 2026. The e-newsletter will keep you up to date on news from
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This is a face-to-face meeting taking place on Monday 16th March 2026 at 2pm at the Main Conference Room, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Wolseley Centre ST17
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