Nature and wildlife
Cannock Chase
Cannock Wood makes up part of Cannock Chase lying at the south eastern corner of the Chase. Cannock Chase is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs are now renamed National Landscapes) and Cannock Wood is the only village that is completely within the boundaries of the AONB.
Countryside, forest and heath
Cannock Wood is surrounded by dazzling countryside, including woods, fields and agricultural land, and nationally important lowland heathland. Together with the adjoining the village of Gentleshaw in the Parish of Longdon further to the east, the area enjoys the benefit of immediate access to a series of stunning walks. These offer the opportunity to view the wonderful landscape as well as observing roaming wildlife, including deer, foxes, and buzzards.
Castle Ring and Nunswell Park
Both sites are owned and managed by Cannock Chase District Council. Cannock Chase District Council is preparing a management plan for Nunswell Park during 2025, and information about the history and uses of the site of Nunswell Park is provided in the document below.
Gentleshaw Reservoir
The grass covered reservoir is owned and managed by South Staffordshire Water. In 2025 they conducted a Biodiversity Net Gain Survey and a biodiversity strategy for the land over the next 5 years and beyond is being developed. Historically water levels and the site were monitored by employees who lived in the village, but nowadays monitoring is primarily carried out remotely. The reservoir opened in 1930 as a replacement for the Scout House Reservoir, Hednesford, as described in the excerpt from the History of South Staffordshire Waterworks in the document below.
Caring for what we have
Our natural habitat is a crucial element of our ecological systems. As such, in line with national guidance, hedges are not cut during the spring and summer, so as to afford protection to our birds, particularly at their nesting time.
Attempts are also being made in conjunction with the District and County Councils to manage our verges in a different fashion, leaving them uncut for longer. This is known to prolong habitat and food provision for insects and other wildlife.
The Parish Council, as a public authority, has a duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity and our biodiversity strategy is available from this webpage. You can help us support biodiversity in Cannock Wood by planting a 1 metre square of wildflower seed in your garden - as part of the Bee Squared project. The Parish Council are keen to hear your ideas about our surroundings. Don’t hesitate to let us know, and help us to help you to assure that our village remains an ecological haven.
Nature sites
The Parish Council commissioned Staffordshire Wildlife Trust to prepare ecological data and report on nature sites in Cannock Wood as part of the evidence base for the Neighbourhood Plan. You can download this information from this webpage.
