Can I walk on Cannock Chase?
691 hectares of heath and woodland at the Brocton end of Cannock Chase.
Yes, on foot,
unless a closure or restriction is in place.
Natural England's open access map shows all 691 hectares of Cannock Chase as open access land. It is registered common land.
That is the registered common. Across the wider Chase, Natural England's map shows 2,072 hectares of open access land within 3 km of it.
Access map version 52, 29 Sep 2026. Data checked 23 Oct 2026.
Check closures on Natural England's map- Open access land
- Neighbouring common land
Mostly in Brocton parish (87%), with parts in Berkswich; Stafford district, Staffordshire.
Dogs
Keep dogs on a lead no longer than 2 metres from 1 March to 31 July, and near livestock at any time.
Cattle graze parts of the Chase: keep dogs on a lead in a grazing paddock.
Other local or seasonal restrictions can apply. Notes on dogs and grazing from Cannock Chase National Landscape: Dogs on the Chase.
What the right to roam covers
Walking, running, watching wildlife and climbing, on foot.
It does not usually cover horse riding, cycling, camping, fires, driving, water sports or taking animals other than dogs. A bridleway or byway across the land, the landowner's permission or a local right may allow some of these.
Some land inside stays private even where the map shades it, such as buildings, gardens and crops.
What the walk is like
- Look out for
- The Glacial Boulder, a local landmark by the Chase Road out of Brocton, and the stepping stones over the Sher Brook in the Sherbrook Valley.
- Wildlife
- Four kinds of bird nest on or near the ground, adders live on the heath, and there are many deer, so ticks are common.
- Underfoot
- Gentle paths with some steep sections and uneven ground; strong-soled shoes help.
- A walk to try
- The council's 8-mile circular from the Glacial Boulder crosses the heath to the pine woods at Brindley Heath and ends in the Sherbrook Valley. Allow 3 to 4 hours.
- Visitors
- About 3 million visits a year, many of them with dogs. Bag dog mess and take it home.
From Staffordshire County Council: Cannock Chase circular walk, Cannock Chase National Landscape: Dogs on the Chase.
Getting there
- Car
- The Glacial Boulder car park is on the Chase Road out of Brocton village.
- Parking charges
- The council's car parks at Milford Common and Marquis Drive charge £1.20 for up to two hours or £3.50 all day, by cash, card or the RingGo app.
- Information
- A volunteer-run hut opposite Milford Common car park has walking routes and trail maps, weekends 11am to 3pm.
- Cafés
- At the Marquis Drive visitor centre and the Birches Valley Forest Centre.
From Staffordshire County Council: Cannock Chase circular walk, Staffordshire County Council: Cannock Chase Country Park.
Common land nearby
Also nearby: Haywood Warren and Satnall Hills (next to it, 361 ha), White House Land (0.2 km, 12 ha), Brindley Heath Land (0.8 km, 151 ha), Penkridge Bank Heath Land (0.9 km, 20 ha).
Straight-line distance between nearest edges. All common land in Brocton
Questions
Can I walk on Cannock Chase?
Yes, on foot, unless a closure or restriction is in place. Natural England's open access map shows all 691 hectares of Cannock Chase as open access land. It is registered common land.
Can I take my dog on Cannock Chase?
Yes. Keep dogs on a lead no longer than 2 metres from 1 March to 31 July, and near livestock at any time. Cattle graze parts of the Chase: keep dogs on a lead in a grazing paddock.
Can I cycle or ride a horse on Cannock Chase?
Not under the right to roam, which covers access on foot. A bridleway or byway across it, the landowner's permission or a local right may allow it.
Can I camp on Cannock Chase?
Not under the right to roam: camping and fires are not covered. You would need the landowner's permission.
Is there parking at Cannock Chase?
The Glacial Boulder car park is on the Chase Road out of Brocton village.
Spotted something wrong?
If this page doesn't match what you found on the ground, or you walk here often and know something it's missing, email hello@caniwalkhere.co.uk. Corrections are checked against the source and fixed; notes about the walk are credited if you'd like.
This is not the legal register of common land, which Staffordshire County Council holds, and it is not legal advice. Landowners can close access land for up to 28 days a year, and other restrictions can apply, so check closures before you go. Register unit CL89, Staffordshire. Data changed 23 Oct 2026, checked 23 Oct 2026.