Planning an event on Cannock Chase
Planning an event
If you are planning an event on Cannock Chase then you will need to apply for authorisation from each of the landowners where the event will be happening. You will need to do this before you start making plans or advertising your event.
Any landowner will require:
- At least three months’ notice.
- That the event is covered by public liability insurance.
- Your safety plan, demonstrating how you are going to prevent the public from being harmed by your event.
- Evidence that a robust risk assessment is in place.
- That you have a clear set-up and clear-up plan.
However having these in place does not mean you will automatically get permission.
Please ensure that you apply well in advance of your event, allowing at least 3 months for your application to be reviewed and a response to be sent back to you.
Landowners Map for information on who owns what parts of the Chase. Please find links for each landowner below.
Staffordshire County Council
Contact Cannock Chase Visitor Centre
Cannock Chase Forest
National Trust Shugborough Estate
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Cannock Chase District Council
Protected Species and Habitats
The main protected habitats are the heathland (open areas of heather, bilberry, cowberry), ancient woodland (Brocton Coppice) and the watercourses.
There are particular times of year or particular types of activity that landowners cannot allow to take place due to their legal obligations to the protected landscape.
For example:
- Orienteering on the open heath between early March and the end of August due to ground-nesting birds and adder activity.
- Activities that involve large numbers walking, riding or wheeling through watercourses. Cannock Chase is home to rare aquatic invertebrate species that are susceptible to contamination that can be carried on footwear, paws, hoofs and wheels.
- Night events that will disturb feeding activities of nocturnal animals.
Also any disturbance of the soil (digging trails, building jumps) is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as is removal of vegetation and cutting trees in the SAC or SSSI areas.
Safety
Parts of Cannock Chase are a working forest and it also has two working quarries.
At any time there is likely to be active forestry operations (tree felling, large machinery, timber wagons) taking place and areas of the forest closed to keep the public safe.
There are also large expanses of water, mining and military heritage that have left a legacy in the landscape.
There is a small possibility of coming across unexploded ordnance or unknown sinkholes.
Access
Your event is not allowed to block any Public Right of Way (footpath or bridleway). The public must be able to safely use the site alongside your event.
Basic requirements
It is essential that you discuss your event with all the landowners of the land you would like your event to use before you start making plans or advertising your event.
Any landowner will require;
- At least three months notice.
- That the event is covered by public liability insurance.
- Your safety plan, how you are going to prevent the public from being harmed by your event.
- A robust risk assessment is in place.
- That you have a clear set-up and clear-up plan.
Having these in place will not mean you will automatically get permission
Activities
Find all the places to visit in the area together with routes for walking, cycling and horse riding.
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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