Published: Monday, 5th October 2026
Cannock Chase Council has officially opened the new Cannock Park Heritage Trail, giving visitors a fresh way to discover the stories, heritage and green spaces that make Cannock Park such a special place.
To mark the opening, councillors, community representatives, supporting partners and council staff joined a guided walk led by Christine Salmon, Chair of the Friends of Cannock Park. The group followed the Heritage Trail route through Cannock Park and Cannock Park Golf Course, stopping at each of the 10 new interpretation panels where Christine shared fascinating stories and historical insights about the locations along the trail.
The walk was also supported by the Forest of Mercia CIC, who shared information about the wide variety of trees planted throughout the park and along the trail route. Their contribution gave attendees an insight into the new Tree Trail and highlighted how the park's landscape and biodiversity continue to evolve for future generations to enjoy.
The interpretation panels form part of three new trails designed to help individuals and families explore the park in different ways:
• Tree Trail - a nature-based trail featuring QR codes that reveal interesting facts about some of the park's most significant trees.
• Hear Our Heritage - an audio trail that brings the park's history to life through stories about the people, events and features that have shaped Cannock Park over the years.
• Cannock Park Tales Trail - a family-friendly trail featuring animations, poetry and characters inspired by the park, created by local artists with the help of local schoolchildren and community groups.
The creative content for the Cannock Park Tales Trail was developed by local artists Jennie Moore and Pep the Poet, working with pupils from Hednesford Valley High School, Chaselea Alternative Provision Academy, St Luke's Primary School and Sherbrook Primary School. Together they helped create characters, stories and poems inspired by the park's heritage and wildlife.
All three trails can be accessed through the Cannock Chase Can app, allowing visitors to unlock digital content, complete challenges and discover more about the park as they explore.
Christine Salmon, Chair of the Friends of Cannock Park, said: "It was wonderful to lead the official opening walk and share some of the stories behind the places people pass every day without necessarily knowing their history. Each interpretation panel reveals a different part of Cannock Park's story, from its heritage and landscapes to the people who have helped shape it over the years. I hope the new trails encourage more people to slow down, take a closer look and discover something new about this fantastic park."
Councillor John Parkes, Portfolio Leader for Operational Services and Parks, said: "The new Heritage Trail is a brilliant addition to Cannock Park and another important milestone in the park's ongoing improvements. The interpretation panels, digital trails and creative content provide something for all ages, whether you're interested in local history, nature or simply enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.
“I'd like to thank Christine, the Friends of Cannock Park, our local schools, artists and partners who have helped bring this project to life. The official opening walk was a great opportunity to experience the trail first-hand and celebrate all the hard work that has gone into creating this lasting legacy for the park."
Download the Cannock Chase Can App for free from Google Play or the App Store. To find out more visit www.cannockchasecan.co.uk