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Cannock Chase is a mixed area of countryside in the county of Staffordshire, England. The area has been designated as the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Chase gives its name to the Cannock Chase local government district.
Cannock Chase is located between Cannock, Lichfield, Rugeley and Stafford. It comprises a mixture of natural deciduous woodland, coniferous plantations, open heathland and the remains of early industry, such as coal mining. Despite being relatively small in area, the chase provides a remarkable range of landscape and wildlife, including a herd of around 800 fallow deer.
The Chase is home to a number of less-common and endangered birds, not least migrant Nightjars. A feeding station at the Marquis Drive Visitors' Centre, sponsored by the West Midland Bird Club, attracts many species, including Brambling, Yellowhammer and Bullfinch.
There are a number of visitor centres, museums and waymarked paths, such as the Heart of England WayThe Heart of England Way is a long distance walk of around 100 miles through the Midlands of England. It passes through the counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. The walk provides links to a number of other long distance walks The B. Additionally, there are many unmarked public paths. On the chase's north-eastern edge can be found Shugborough HallShugborough Hall is the ancestral home of Lord Lichfield and is situated near Stafford on the north eastern edge of Cannock Chase. The grounds and hall are open to the public and include a working farm museum and a cafeteria. The hall is owned by the Nati, home of Lord Lichfield. At its southern edge are the remains of Castle RingCastle Ring is an Iron Age hill fort situated high up on the southern edge of Cannock Chase. Apart from the perimiter earthworks, little remains visible. It is situated north of Burntwood and adjacent to the Heart of England Way. There are excellent views, a bronze age hill fort.
Cannock Chase is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a conservation designation in the United Kingdom. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are areas of England and Wales so designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949). There are 41 AONBs, and is the smallest such area so designated in mainland Great BritainGreat Britain (often abbreviated as Britain is an island lying off the western coast of Europe, comprising the main territory of the United Kingdom. Great Britain is also used as a political term describing the combination of England, Scotland, and Wales,.