Wimblebury & Cannock Wood

Wimblebury and Cannock Wood lie on the western edge of Cannock Chase AONB, where heathland and mixed woodland meet a sandstone plateau. Large blocks of forest are managed by Forestry England, and Birches Valley visitor centre and waymarked mountain‑bike routes sit within that network of tracks and bridleways. Public car parks and a dense pattern of footpaths give direct access to open heaths, pine plantations, small streams and exposed sandstone. Walkers often note ground‑nesting birds such as nightjar and woodlark in the summer, and paths pass visible traces of the area’s industrial past where small spoil heaps and old pit hollows remain among the trees.

Cannock Wood village occupies narrow lanes and wooded clearings, while Wimblebury forms housing and green corridors that link straight into the Chase. The landscape is used for walking, cycling, horse riding and managed conservation, with seasonal restrictions on parts of the heath to protect wildlife during breeding periods. Local ranger activities, signage and waymarked routes help balance recreation and habitat protection, and minor roads and public paths provide straightforward access for day visits.