Tag: Cannock Chase

On the Chase

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

It’s a good place for wandering on a cold, bright and sunny day – even when it’s half term. The numerous parked cars are evidence of other people (and their children / grandchildren / dogs), but there’s plenty of space here. We only really become aware of others at the visitor centre, where (conveniently) it’s lunchtime, and despite the crowds (that’s a relative term – it’s not quite Blackpool beach), there’s a table where we can sit indoors. Fed and watered, we’re heading back towards the start. Like the trees, there are paths galore here – no need to retread our steps.


View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=399195&Y=316501&A=Y&Z=120

Mist on the Chase

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

It was more like fog at home, and might be worse further west. We headed east instead, for a walk on Cannock Chase, from Milford to the visitor centre at Marquis Drive (tea, sausage rolls, cake – we try to live life to the full). Our outward route followed, roughly, the old railway trackbed – not so easy at the southern end of the walk. Returning, we made our way to the Sherbrook valley, retracing our steps only for the last half-mile down the cutting. As forecast, the day gradually brightened, and the sun began to break through towards the end of this very pleasant ten-mile trip.

Map

Or view OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=398585&Y=317851&A=Y&Z=120

Back to the Tackeroo

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Walks1 Comment

We’re taking advantage of dry and bright weather in the early afternoon – rain is forecast to spread from the west later, so if we head east, we might stay dry.

The “Tackeroo” was the first world war military railway on Cannock Chase. Much of its route can still be traced, especially the long straight cutting as it climbs from Milford towards the plateau. We begin our walk this way, leaving the trackbed at the south-eastern end of the cutting to head for the stepping stones over the Sher brook. Still heading south-east, Heywood Slade leads us to Marquis Drive and the trig point, where we turn towards the brook and up again to the glacial boulder. As we descend to the northern fringes of Brocton, four deer cross our path, some distance away. They haven’t seen us, but they’re not posing for photographs.

The windscreen wipers are on within minutes of leaving for home – excellent timing!

Map of the military railways on Cannock Chase