West Midlands country park named among Britain's most enchanting woodlands

Cannock Chase aka The Chase in the West Midlands region has been named one of Britain's most enchanting woodlands by experts from The Telegraph newspaper.

The Chase is a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and it’s located in Staffordshire.

The country park, which is 26 square miles in size, is made up of hills, heathlands, and woodlands.

It’s a gorgeous place to visit if you ever need to runaway from city life, therefore it was rather unsurprising to find out that The Telegraph found the area to be just as magical as we know it to be.

The list was compiled by the newspaper’s travel expert, Chris Leadbeater as well as other experts, in an article entitled ‘Britain’s most enchanting woodland - according to 10 experts’.

The writer, Chris Leadbeater, recognised the country park as an ‘antidote’, to the images that are often associated with nearby Birmingham’s industrial past.

Offering a serene escape from the clouds of smoke that dominated the skylines of industrial West Midlands towns and cities.

It’s an area of woodland, that has been in operation since the 1920s.

Chris Leadbeater said of this particular enchanting woodland: “The predominant image of the Birmingham conurbation – and the satellite areas which surround it – is lost to the cliché of smoke and toil; to the endless echoes of an industrial era diminished to rust. But Cannock Chase – just over the “border” in Staffordshire – is an antidote to all that. And it has been for the best part of a millennium – ever since William the Conqueror set it aside as an area for royal hunting, finding respite from a country which bridled at his rule in its sprawling heaths and leafy confines.”

We recently re-visited The Chase, and were amazed to explore more about the area’s history.

We came across, a popular favourite, ‘The Sherbrook Valley Stepping Stones’.

For decades, the stones have been known as a place whereby people from all over the region have enjoyed stepping over, but the stones which were installed in 1954 harbour a dark past.

• Read more: In pictures: West Midlands scenic stepping stones that's a must-visit for residents despite its 'dark' history

The stones were from the historic 'Hangman's Gate' at Stafford Prison, where prisoners were at one point ‘hung’ for lack of a better word.

The stones were put in its place by Friends of Cannock Chase - known today as an association of volunteers who preserve the area for public usage.

Many are all too familiar with Stafford Prison, and they were created using stones from the prison itself. Now of course, the stepping stones are a quirky feature for those hopping across during long weekends and days-out.

During the summer months, from May-August, Cannock Chase is opened from 7.30am until 9pm each day.

For those travelling to The Chase, it’s best to enter the Sat Nav postcode, WS15 2UQ, Birches Valley, Rugeley.