National Character Area 67 - Cannock Chase and Cank Wood : Key Facts & Data

National Character Area 67

Cannock Chase and Cank Wood - Key Facts & Data

Landscape and nature conservation designations section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Some 6,617ha (9 per cent) of the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) falls within the NCA (Cannock Chase AONB Management Plan, Natural England, 2011).

National Landscape (AONB) Management Plans

National Landscapes (legally known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – AONBs) are nationally important landscapes, designated under the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act. Their primary purpose is to ‘conserve and enhance natural beauty’. Clicking on the relevant National Landscape in the below map will also take you to that specific National Landscape website.
 
The following National Landscapes can be found within this NCA:

 

People walking a path over the coastal headlands

Designated nature conservation sites

The NCA includes the following statutory nature conservation designations (Natural England, Special Protection Areas; Special Area of Conservation; Ramsars; National Nature Reserves; Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserves, 2021):

Please note: (i) Designated areas may overlap (ii) all figures are cut to Mean High Water Line, designations that span coastal/marine areas below this line will not be included.

Condition of designated sites
All designated sites within England are covered by Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI) units. The condition to these SSSI units within the NCA are as follows (Natural England, Sites of Special Scientific Interest Units, 2021; 2023):

MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool

Maps showing locations of statutory sites can be found on Defra’s MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool by referring selecting Designations/Land-Based Designations/Statutory.

Map

Natural England Designated Sites View

Details of individual designated sites and their condition can be found on the Natural England website. To view the condition of a site, selects a site, then select the SSSI that legally underpins this, then select “View summary unit condition”.

A group of bushes in a field

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to nature conservation designations, such as biodiversity. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 35: Staffordshire
  • 38: Warwickshire
  • 39: West Midlands

 

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Landscape and nature conservation designations map for NCA67

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Landform, geology and soils section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Elevation

Elevation ranges from 57m above sea level to a maximum of 271m. The highest point is at Turners Hill, Rowley Regis (Natural England, 2010).

Landform and process

Prominent hills in the NCA include the Silurian Limestone hills of the Wren’s Nest and Castle Hill in Dudley and the Carboniferous dolerite of the of the Rowley Hills surrounded by the Carboniferous Staffordshire Coalfield (Cannock Chase and Cank Wood Character Area Description, Geological Narrative West Midlands Geodiversity Partnership).

Bedrock geology

The landscape of the central core is mainly formed of the Coal Measures of the South Staffordshire Coalfield. The highest elevation is found in the prominent north-north-west-south-south-east Rowley-Sedgley ridge formed of dolerite and the hills of the Silurian limestone inliers of Dudley. Triassic rocks outcrop around the north and east of the coalfield, with the harder sandstones of the Kidderminster formation giving rise to the higher ground of Cannock Chase AONB and Barr Beacon (Geological Narrative West Midlands Geodiversity Partnership).

Superficial deposits

Thick glacial till and glacio-fluvial sands and gravels cover much of the bedrock north of Wolverhampton. Strewn boulders (erratics), characteristic of the area north of Wolverhampton to Walsall, denote the maximum advance of the Devensian Stage ice sheet. Deposits have been widely exploited for aggregates over the last 200 years (Geological Narrative West Midlands Geodiversity Partnership).

Designated geological sites

The NCA includes the following geological sites (Natural England, Geological and Mixed Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 2021):

wdt_ID NCA_ID NAME NCAAreaHa Interest type Area (ha) 2021 Percent of NCA (2021) Count
2361NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAIN37,669.6Geological6.80.01
2371NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAIN37,669.6Mixed1,029.52.75
2382NORTHUMBERLAND SANDSTONE HILLS72,694.6Geological45.40.14
2393CHEVIOT FRINGE51,591.3Geological17.10.02
2404CHEVIOTS36,487.9Geological165.00.52
2414CHEVIOTS36,487.9Mixed3,488.99.61
2425BORDER MOORS AND FORESTS127,155.9Geological85.70.18
2435BORDER MOORS AND FORESTS127,155.9Mixed35.80.01
2446SOLWAY BASIN98,350.4Geological7.20.02
2456SOLWAY BASIN98,350.4Mixed5,569.25.74

Natural England Designated Geological Sites View

Details of individual designated geological sites and their condition can be found on the Natural England website. To view the condition of a site, selects a site, then select the SSSI that legally underpins this, then select “View summary unit condition”.

A close up of layers of limestone on exposed rock face

Man-made sections – including disused quarries and road, rail and canal cuttings – are of critical importance to the geological understanding of the NCA. For example, the Wren’s Nest NNR, in the heart of Dudley, comprises a network of disused limestone quarries and underground workings. The NNR is internationally important for both the sequence of Silurian Limestone and its extremely diverse and well-preserved fossil fauna (Natural England, 2011).

Soils and Agriculture Classification

Much of the central coalfield area is covered by glacial till of varying thickness which gives rise to poorly drained soils originally covered by heathland. There are extensive coniferous plantations on Cannock Chase itself and significant areas are affected by active or reclaimed minerals sites. On the good sandstone-derived soils at the eastern and western edges, there is substantial arable cultivation (Cannock Chase and Cank Wood Character Area Description).

The main grades of agricultural land in the NCA are broken down as follows (as a proportion of total land area) (Natural England, Provisional Agricultural Land Classification, 2019):

MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool

Maps showing locations of statutory sites, soils and ALC can be found on Defra’s MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool by selecting Designations/Land-Based Designations/Statutory and Landscape.

Map

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to landform, geology and soils, such as geodiversity services and erosion control. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 35: Staffordshire
  • 38: Warwickshire
  • 39: West Midlands

 

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Building Stones of England Database

The Building Stones of England Database was created by Historic England in conjunction with the British Geological Survey. It is a interactive map that allows users to explore building stones and their sources throughout England, as well as the bedrock and superficial geology. You can browse the geological map, as well as search for a building stone, stone source or structure, or search by postcode, address or place name.

Old brick buildings with straw roofs

Landform, geology and soils map for NCA67

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Key waterbodies and catchments section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Major rivers/canals

The following major rivers/canals (by length) have been identified in this NCA (Natural England, data informing the 2014 National Character Area Profiles, 2010):

wdt_ID REF_CODE NAME_1 Name Length (km) SumOfShape_Length
11NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINRiver Aln7.67,587.2
21NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINRiver Coquet5.55,516.0
31NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINWhiteadder Water2.92,904.9
410NORTH PENNINESBlack Burn11.911,853.4
510NORTH PENNINESCroglin Water10.010,042.3
610NORTH PENNINESCrowdundle Beck4.34,337.4
710NORTH PENNINESDevil's Water20.520,464.6
810NORTH PENNINESHarwood Beck9.79,740.2
910NORTH PENNINESRiver Allen4.94,889.0
1010NORTH PENNINESRiver Derwent15.315,268.4

Please note: other significant rivers (by volume) may also occur. Tidal stretches of rivers are not included, which may include some major rivers.

The major rivers in the immediate area are the Trent and the Tame, both of which lie in broad floodplains to the north and east of the NCA itself. Streams drain radially from the high ground around Cannock Chase to the surrounding rivers of the Penk, Sow and Trent. Further east and south, the higher ground drains through various tributaries to the Tame. The vast majority of the NCA lies within the Trent part of the Humber Catchment; a small part around Dudley in the south-west is within the Severn Catchment. The canal network is a notable feature of the NCA, and contributes significantly to the drainage of the urban areas. Apart from the extensive network in Birmingham and the Black Country, the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal and Coventry Canal both provide links to the Trent and Mersey Canal which runs along the Trent Valley.

Water quality

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) are areas designated as being at risk from agricultural nitrate pollution. These can impact surface water (waterbodies and waterways located above ground) and groundwater (water bodies and waterways located below ground).

Waterbodies such as lakes can also be designated as “eutrophic waters” if the enrichment of the waterbody by nitrate pollution causes accelerated growth of algae, impacting the quality of the water and the balance of organisms within it.

The following NVZs are located within the NCA (Environment Agency, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Designations, 2021):

Water framework directive

River basin management plans cover river basin districts and describe the challenges that threaten the water environment and how these challenges can be managed and funded. The plans include the classification of water quality of surface waters and ground waters.

Draft River Basin Management Plan

The current state of water quality within the NCA can be viewed via the Draft River Basin Management Plan map.

A bridge over a body of water surrounded by trees

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to waterbodies and catchments, such as water provision and water quality regulation. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 35: Staffordshire
  • 38: Warwickshire
  • 39: West Midlands

 

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Green Infrastructure Interactive Map

Defra and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure (GI) interactive map can be used to understand access to existing green infrastructure within each NCA.
 

Graphical user interface, application, map

Catchment Based Approach Data Hub

The Catchment Based Approach Data Hub is a webmap displaying a variety of data layers suitable for supporting integrated  catchment management planning. These data layers cover an array of themes including opportunities, issues, characteristics, causes, actions and monitoring. These data layers can be use to help understand the state of waterbodies and associated habitats within the NCAs and the identified issues and opportunities within these.

A sunset over a body of water

Click on the Water Framework Directive layers on the below map to view the corresponding river names.

Key waterbodies and catchments map for NCA67

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Trees and woodlands section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Total woodland cover

Ancient woodland is any area that has been wooded continuously since at least 1600 AD. National Forest Inventory (NFI) woodland includes all forests and woodlands (0.5 hectares and over). The total woodland cover within the NCA is as follows (Forestry Commission, National Forest Inventory, 2020; 2023; Natural England, Ancient Woodland, 2021; 2024; this does not consider Natural England’s ‘Ancient Woodland – Revised (England) – Completed Counties’ data as this is being updated in tranches and no full dataset is yet available):

Distribution and size of woodland and trees in the landscape

There are extensive coniferous plantations on Cannock Chase, interspersed with pockets of sessile oak and birch, with alder on the damper soils and beech along the edges of roads and forestry compartments. Brocton Coppice is an area of national importance. In the surrounding landscapes, there is a mixture of ancient, plantation and secondary woodlands. Historic parks such as Beaudesert, Teddesley, Shugborough and Wolseley contain significant areas of woodland and veteran trees. Sutton Park includes areas of oak/holly/rowan woodland of national importance. The urban areas are characterised by many small woodlands and, since 1990, there has been quite extensive new planting through the Forest of Mercia and Black Country Urban Forest initiatives (Cannock Chase and Cank Wood Character Area Description).

Woodland types

A statistical breakdown of the area and type of woodland found across the NCA is detailed below (Forestry Commission, National Forest Inventory, 2020; 2023):

Area and proportion of ancient woodland and planted ancient woodland sites (PAWS) within the NCA (Natural England, Ancient Woodland, 2021; 2024):

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to trees and woodland, such as timber and plant-based energy provision, air pollution and climate regulation. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 35: Staffordshire
  • 38: Warwickshire
  • 39: West Midlands

 

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Green Infrastructure Interactive Map

Defra and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure (GI) interactive map can be used to understand access to existing woodland access within each NCA.
 

Graphical user interface, application, map

Catchment Based Approach Data Hub

The Catchment Based Approach Data Hub is a webmap displaying a variety of data layers suitable for supporting integrated  catchment management planning. These data layers cover an array of themes including opportunities, issues, characteristics, causes, actions and monitoring. These can be use to help understand the state of waterbodies and associated habitats within the NCAs and the identified issues and opportunities within these, including woodland planting.

A sunset over a body of water

Trees and woodlands map for NCA67

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Boundary features and patterns

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated.

Boundary features

Mature hedgerows (including some species-rich hedgerows) with hedgerow trees are a feature of much of the farmland across this NCA. There has been deterioration through over-cutting and neglect, particularly in arable areas. Ha- has and woodland belts are features of the historic parks. Wire fences and thin or gapped hedges are associated with land on the urban fringe, particularly where horse grazing predominates and where land has been reclaimed from past minerals working (Cannock Chase and Cank Wood Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Field patterns

The central area of Cannock Chase is an unenclosed landscape of open heathland and woodland. On the western fringes of the Chase, there is a regular field pattern of low-hedged fields reflecting enclosure in the 18th and 19th centuries. To the east of the Chase, and around Lichfield, the landscape shows a mix of regular and irregular field patterns, reflecting different historical enclosure periods – some medieval, some 18th- and 19th-century planned enclosure, as well as arable areas where fields have been amalgamated in the 20th century. In the southern part of the NCA, in the Black Country and Staffordshire Coalfield, fields are of a smaller size and the pattern of enclosure is more irregular (Cannock Chase and Cank Wood Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Agriculture section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

The following tables provide the most recently available statistics from Defra on agriculture within the NCA.

Farm type

The following farm types are located within this NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm size

The following table outlines the sizes of farms within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm ownership

The following table outlines the ownership of farms within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Land use

The following table outlines the types of agricultural land use within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Livestock numbers

The following livestock are farmed within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm labour

The following table outlines the types of farm labour within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Please note: (i) Some of the Census data are estimated by Defra so may not present a precise assessment of agriculture within this area (ii) Data refers to commercial holdings only (iii) Data includes land outside of the NCA where it belongs to holdings whose centre point is recorded as being within the NCA.

NCA67 Farmsteads Character Statement

The Historic England Farmstead & Landscape Statement summarises evidence on farmsteads and buildings in their landscape and settlement context, as well as the historic character, significance and foresight issues for the NCA.

A lush green field with an old farm building

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to agriculture, such as livestock, cultivated crops and plant-based energy provision. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 35: Staffordshire
  • 38: Warwickshire
  • 39: West Midlands

 

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NCA67 Countryside Stewardship statement of priorities

Defra have produced Countryside Stewardship statements of priorities and associated maps for each NCA. These are designed for applicants for Countryside Stewardship funding to identify the priority features and issues being targeted in their NCA and help choose which options to include as part of an application.
 
Further information about Countryside Stewardship is provided by the Rural Payments Agency, Defra, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.

A herd of cattle grazing on a lush green field

Note that the below map only shows agri-environment scheme coverage, and not other schemes.

Agriculture map for NCA67

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Key habitats and species section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Habitat distribution/coverage

Internationally important heathland habitats are found on Cannock Chase. Extensive lowland heathland Now once a characteristic of this NCA and relic areas occur across the NCA, even within the urban areas, with nationally important heathland sites for example at Chasewater and Sutton Park. The remaining areas of heathland and acid grassland are floristically distinct from the heathlands of southern England and represent a transition between lowland and upland heath; here, the open heathland habitats grade into semi-natural woodland and, on Cannock Chase, conifer plantations. The complex range of habitats supports a wide range of species which include nationally rare hybrid bilberry and nationally rare birds such as nightjar and woodlark and a rich and important invertebrate community. Significant habitats exist within the urban areas and the urban fringe. There are often remnants of ancient habitats, such as species-rich marshy grassland, ancient woodland and heathland. Post-industrial sites have also provided a diverse range of habitats, which include important wetlands such as Fens Pools and Clayhanger (Midland Plateau Natural Area Profile).

Key Habitats

The NCA contains the following areas of key main habitats, as mapped by the national Priority Habitat Inventory (Natural England, Priority Habitats Inventory, 2021; 2024; Natural England, Wood Pasture and Parkland, 2020). Note: lakes and ponds were not included in 2021 data:

MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool

Maps showing locations of priority habitats and some key species can be found on Defra’s MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool by selecting Habitats and Species/Habitats and Habitats and Species/Species, including priority species for Countryside Stewardship targeting.

Map

National Biodiversity Network Atlas

The National Biodiversity Network Atlas is an online tool that provides a platform to engage, educate and inform people about the natural world. This includes maps showing locations of S41 species.

A butterfly sitting on a flower.

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to key habitats and species, such as biodiversity and pollination. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 35: Staffordshire
  • 38: Warwickshire
  • 39: West Midlands

 

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Defining Favourable Conservation Status Reports

Favourable Conservation Status definitions describe an England scale ambition for habitats and species. They provide context for decision making and actions to achieve and sustain thriving wildlife for each habitat type. This can inform actions for each of the relevant habitats within the NCA.

Broadleaf woodland in autumn

Carbon Storage by Habitat Reports

Terrestrial and marine managers can mitigate climate change by adopting practices which promote carbon storage and reduce emissions while enhancing the biodiversity value of ecosystems. The Carbon Storage by Habitat report examines how different management options may impact on sequestration or loss of carbon by habitat, and can inform actions for each of the relevant habitats within the NCA.

Body of water on marsh landscape

National Biodiversity Climate Change Vulnerability Model Report

Natural England has developed a GIS model that provides an assessment of the vulnerability of priority habitats to climate change based on principles of adaptation for biodiversity. It identifies why areas are vulnerable and which possible interventions can have the biggest impact in increasing resilience to the changing climate. This will inform prioritisation of adaptation action and assist in the development of adaptation strategies for biodiversity within the NCA.

Houses on a white coastal cliff edge

Catchment Based Approach Data Hub

The Catchment Based Approach Data Hub is a webmap displaying a variety of data layers suitable for supporting integrated  catchment management planning. These data layers cover an array of themes including opportunities, issues, characteristics, causes, actions and monitoring. These data layers can be use to help understand the state of waterbodies and associated habitats within the NCAs and the identified issues and opportunities within these.

A sunset over a body of water

Key habitats and species map for NCA67

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Settlement and development patterns section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Settlement patterns

The northern part of the NCA is dominated by Cannock Chase, a former hunting forest that is largely devoid of settlement. Around the periphery of the Chase, Cannock and Rugeley developed as market centres from the late 12th century. The cathedral city of Lichfield has its origins in the 7th century, and the present cathedral dates in part from the 12th century. Urban expansion continues, particularly in the vicinity of the M6 toll road. The southern part of the NCA covers much of the Black Country and part of Birmingham. Coal, iron and manufacturing industries developed at many different centres, and there is a complex pattern of dispersed towns and villages which tend to sprawl; yet there are significant areas of captured countryside within these. Originally, there Now a mixed pattern of village-based and dispersed settlement, with 19th- and 20th-century urban development having subsumed many small settlements. Very small or small- to medium-scale farmsteads were dominant across the centre of the area, with areas of large-scale and very large-scale farmsteads concentrated to the east and the west (Cannock Chase and Cank Wood Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Main settlements

The total estimated population for this NCA (derived from Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2001 Census data) is 1,173,217; much of this is concentrated within the conurbation, but the populations of the significant freestanding towns are: Cannock (pop. 65,000); Lichfield (pop. 28,400); Rugeley (pop. 22,700); and Burntwood (pop. 22,200) (Cannock Chase and Cank Wood Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003 Natural England, 2012, ONS Census data, 2001).

Local vernacular and building materials

The predominant building material of the 19th-century and early 20th-century buildings is brick, usually red, with Welsh slate roofs. There are some timber- framed buildings of medieval to 17th century date. Sandstone Now used for some of the more important buildings, particularly churches. Furnace slag Now used locally as a material for walls (Cannock Chase and Cank Wood Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

NCA67 Farmsteads Character Statement

The Historic England Farmstead & Landscape Statement summarises evidence on farmsteads and buildings in their landscape and settlement context, as well as the historic character, significance and foresight issues for the NCA.

A lush green field with an old farm building

Building Stones of England Database

The Building Stones of England Database was created by Historic England in conjunction with the British Geological Survey. It is a interactive map that allows users to explore building stones and their sources throughout England, as well as the bedrock and superficial geology. You can browse the geological map, as well as search for a building stone, stone source or structure, or search by postcode, address or place name.

Old brick buildings with straw roofs

Settlement and development patterns map for NCA67

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Key historic sites and features section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Origin of historic features

Evidence for legible prehistoric activity is limited, apart from bronze-age barrows on Cannock Chase and the iron-age hill fort of Castle Ring. Commencement of woodland clearance resulted in heathland. Ryknild Street and Watling Street cross the NCA, but the only upstanding evidence of Roman occupation is at Wall. Cannock Forest covered most of the NCA in the 11th to early 14th centuries. The Chase Now granted to the Bishop of Lichfield in 1290 as a private hunting forest. Continuing woodland clearance had left the high plateau of Cannock Chase as mainly heathland by the mid 17th century. Sutton Park Now a medieval deer park and contains extensive, well-preserved archaeological remains of deer park management. Much of it is a Registered Park and a Scheduled Monument. Historic parks are a feature, and often incorporate historic deer parks and large, planned estate farms. Shugborough Park is an 18th-century designed landscape. A complex range of industrial archaeological features (particularly in the Black Country) including an extensive canal network constructed during the late 18th and early 19th centuries are notable. Cannock Chase Now used extensively for military activity from the early 20th century, with large training camps in both world wars now surviving only in template form as roads (Countryside Quality Counts Draft Historic Profile, Cannock Chase and Cank Wood Countryside Character Area Description).

Designated historic assets

The NCA includes the following designated historic assets (Historic England, National Heritage List for England, 2021; 2024):

Listed buildings

The NCA includes the following listed buildings (Historic England, National Heritage List for England, 2021; 2024):

Heritage at Risk Register

The NCA includes the following designated historic assets listed within the Heritage at Risk Register (Historic England, Heritage at Risk Register, 2021; 2023):


NCA67 Farmsteads Character Statement

The Historic England Farmstead & Landscape Statement summarises evidence on farmsteads and buildings in their landscape and settlement context, as well as the historic character, significance and foresight issues for the NCA.

A lush green field with an old farm building

Aerial Archaeology Mapping Explorer

The Aerial Archaeology Mapping Explorer is a tool that displays archaeology that has been identified, mapped and recorded using aerial photographs and other aerial sources across England, including within the NCA over time.

Archaeologists excavating a site near the coast.

Key historic sites and features map for NCA67

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Recreation and access section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Public access
The following areas of public access for recreation are located within this NCA (Natural England, 2021; National Trust, 2021):


Please note: Public access areas may overlap.
The following linear routes or public access for recreation are located within this NCA (Natural England, 2021; Sustrans; 2021):

Green Infrastructure Interactive Map

Defra and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure (GI) interactive map can be used to understand access to existing public rights of way within each NCA.
 

Graphical user interface, application, map

Recreation and access map for NCA67

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Experiential qualities

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated.

Tranquillity

Based on the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) map of tranquillity (2006), the highest scores for tranquillity are on Cannock Chase, within the AONB. The lowest scores for tranquillity are at all the towns and within the Black Country conurbation. The majority of this NCA falls within areas considered to be least tranquil.

A breakdown of tranquillity values for this NCA are detailed in the table below (CPRE, Tranquillity Map, 2006):

Dark skies

Light pollution is a generic term referring to artificial light that shines where it is neither wanted nor needed, and can impact on people’s experience of the countryside within the NCAs. CPRE host an interactive map, depicting the light pollution and dark skies within the NCA.

Dark Skies Interactive Map

CPRE commissioned LUC to create maps of Great Britain’s light pollution and dark skies. Using satellite data, the map shows the amount of light spilling up into the night sky. By turning on the National Character Areas layer on the map, the light pollution and dark skies within England’s NCAs can be viewed. By clicking on the individual NCA and selecting PDF Map/More information, more detailed mapping and information for this NCA can be viewed.

Intrusion

The 2007 intrusion map (CPRE) shows the extent to which rural landscapes are ‘intruded on’ from urban development, noise (primarily traffic noise), and other sources of visual and auditory intrusion. This shows that the undisturbed areas are confined to the Cannock Chase AONB.

A breakdown of intrusion values for this NCA is detailed in the table below (CPRE, Intrusion Map, 2007):

Notable trends from the 1960s to 2007 are a significant decrease of 14 percentage points in the proportion of undisturbed or intruded land, matched by increases in urban and disturbed land.

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