Birches Valley Forest Centre

 

Forestry Commission’s Birches Valley Forest Centre provides the ideal base for a host of educational and recreational activities. Only minutes walk from the centre is the Fairoak Valley with its magnificent fishing pools and abundance of wildlife. Take a stroll along one of the circular waymarked routes and maybe glimpse one of the three types of deer that inhabit the forest. For children there is the adventure play area, the deer dash or the hedgehog hike trails to explore. The more adventurous may like to try one of the permanent orienteering courses, or cycle routes. With plenty of parking, picnic spots throughout the forest, toilets, and cycle hire there is something here for everyone. Birches Valley has been awarded the Eco-Centres Green Flag Award.

There are three way marked walking trails from Birches Valley Forest Centre. And two children's trails, the Deer Dash and the Hedgehog Hike. Worksheets and maps are available from the Forest Shop.
Deer Dash Trail
Fairoak Fishing Pools
Tackeroo Orienteering Course
Fairoak Walk
Route to Health Sculpture Trail
Adventure Play Area

Cycling trails

Cannock Chase Forest is arguably the premier location for mountain biking in the West Midlands. There are a range of routes on offer to suit both sports and leisure cyclists. Bike hire is available at Birches Valley Forest Centre.
Trail Questing Course
Follow The Dog
Leisure Cycle Route

How to get there:

Rugeley is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: SK 018 170

From Rugeley head towards Penkridge along Hagley Road. The road changes into Penkridge Bank road as it enters Cannock Chase AONB. The Forest Centre is signposted on your left.
From Stafford head towards Cannock on the A34. Follow the signs for Pye Green or Rugeley. Once on Cannock Chase continue to head for Rugeley until signs for the centre on your right.

Other places to go in Cannock Forest

• Forest Classrooms and Education Centre
  
• Rifle Range Corner - Cadet Buildings
  
• Beaudesert Car Park
  
• Swinnerton Cycle Centre
  
• Tackeroo Caravan Site
  

Facilities:

	With plenty of parking, picnic spots throughout the forest, toilets, forest café, cycle hire and a brand new 'Go Ape' high ropes course, there is something here for everyone.
	Our new Forest Cafe is now open and offers a selection of delicious hot and cold food and drink.:Open 9.30am - 5.30pm (Mon-Fri) and 9.00am - 6.00pm (Sat-Sun)
	A programme of public events is run all year round by Forestry Commission staff look out for our 'What's On' leaflet for details.

Activities

	There are three way marked walking trails from Birches Valley Forest Centre. And two children's trails, the Deer Dash and the Hedgehog Hike. Worksheets and maps are available from the Forest Shop. Deer Dash Trail Fairoak Fishing Pools Tackeroo Orienteering Course Fairoak Walk Route to Health Sculpture Trail Adventure Play Area
	Cannock Chase Forest is arguably the premier location for mountain biking in the West Midlands. There are a range of routes on offer to suit both sports and leisure cyclists. Bike hire is available at Birches Valley Forest Centre. Trail Questing Course Follow The Dog Leisure Cycle Route
	Cannock Chase is crossed with numerous bridle paths. For those wishing to extend this network by using forest roads and rides annual riding permits are available from Birches Valley Forest Centre. Please contact the office on 01889 586593.
	Official "Educational centre of excellence". Extensive education services on offer for all ages including adults. Many curriculum linked activities. Teachers pack available.
	Season fishing permits available for the use of four magnificent pools. Course fishing including 50 double figure fish in one pool alone! Excellent all round fishing for very competitive prices. Access with vehicle subject to conditions.
	Tackeroo Caravan site is 1.5 miles from Birches Valley. This is a touring caravan site only.
	Cannock Chase is a haven for a wide variety of plants, birds, mammals and reptiles. The heathland and pine forests play host to three types of deer, nightjars, wood larks, cross bills, adders and the unique Chase Berry (a hybrid between the billberry and the cowberry)
	There are two permanent orienteering courses in Cannock Chase Forest, Pepperslade and Tackeroo. Maps are available from the Forest Shop. Groups wishing to use either course should contact the Forest Office on 01889 586593
	The Route to Health is a community arts sculpture trail. Open all year round, a 1 mile route on level tracks.
	There are numerous picnic sites through out the Forest. The most popular are at the Fairoak pools and in Lady Hill coppice. Both of these are a walkable distance from Birches Valley Forest Centre.
	Birches Valley Visitor Centre has a fenced adventure playground suitable for children 4-13 years old.

Contact: