STAFFORDSHIRE - CANNOCK CHASE CAMPSITE REVIEW (C&CC)
28th August - 1st September 2020
NEED TO KNOW
This was a Camping and Caravan Club site - so certain rules apply, for example:
• dogs on leads at all times
• no fires (off the floor bbq's only)
• quite after 11pm
more can be found here
We stayed August bank holiday weekend, site looked pretty full so recommend booking in advance
It cost is £81.90 for a 3 nights, grass only no electric pitch. This works out to be £13.65 per person, per night - Personally, I find Club sites can be quite expensive, for not a great deal extra – so it's always worth looking around for alternatives. More information on the club site prices can be found here
Take chocks with you for this site and a decent hammer as the ground is solid!
WiFi signal very weak in some areas and we both had no phone signal so download any playlists\movies before hand
Take eye masks and ear plugs if you're a light sleeper
THE SITE
The site is easy to find and 'brown sign posted' from the road. It has a barrier opperated by a keypad code which you get upon arrival. You can't arrive beofre 1pm, or after 8pm - however if you are running late/early - you can call and they will do what they can to assist you. This site does have a reasonable size car park before the barrier which you can stay in for the night if needed.
The club site lady met us at the gate and gave us all the usual jargon/info about the site, and pointed in the direction of the water, waste etc and then showed us to our pitch. Pitch 53.
It was a great pitch as we had a little bit of land all to ourselves. She recommended we went in one way which we disagreed with due to how un even the ground was and the amount of rain meant the ground was very soggy, but she was happy for us to park to suit our needs as the whole area was ours.
We were however right next to the main road which was quite noisy, and the facility block which had lights on 24\7 (which was quite handy for the awning at night! And didn't effect us with our curtains in the van, but this might be an issue if you were in a tent). It also meant we had people walking past to wash the pots quite a bit too (however due to the covid restrictions this was a lot less than it normally would if been). We also appeared to be the only spot that got practically no sun throughout the day. However, it was not the worst pitch on the site - as one was right next to the elsan\toilet waste disposal unit (this was however the nicest and poshest toilet waste area I'd ever seen!)
So if you're fussy maybe request avoiding these areas upon booking\arrival.
The site also has 'motorhome service points' (a drive to water fill-up and waste disposal area which is handy if you need it) a couple of 'glamping pods' for hire, a designated 'bike wash' stand - but no water outlet so take a bucket - and a dog walk area with various dog poo bin scattered about the site also. Due to covid reception, shop, toilet blocks and child's play area weren't open.
There was a notice board with walks and places of interest pinned to it and the location is perfect for walks and bike trails, but there's not much else in walking distance.
SURROUNDING AREA
Unfortunately for us and Dave having been off his feet for 5 weeks due to a bad knee we weren't able to go far - however we did one walk that was recommended, the 3mile circular to 'Castle Ring'. The walk was a lovley, lots of sniffs, and a lake for wander however the final destination was a little anti climaxable 😂 - we expected some form a ruin, or bricks on the ground but it was just a raised circle path around some plants and a noticeboard in a car park.
On our second day we took a drive out towards Rugley to find some waterfalls we'd seen on Google maps. We parked at the Rugley leisure centre, cut through a break in the hedge, and then headed down the left hand side of the rugby field until you meet a gravelled path the 'heritage trail' which you follow to the left. It was an apx 10-15 min walk to the first 'Slitting Mill'.
About another 10 mins for the other 'Rising Brook' - this was a lot harder to find as you have to take a left off the path through a metal kissing gate, and then continue the same direction (right), and you'll hear it before you see it.
Re 'Rising Brook' the pictures uploaded too google look very similar to the first - don't be fooled / give up! There are two different mini falls to see. Also Google maps may say you've gone past it, when you haven't just keep walking and listen out for it.
On a dry day you can access both waterfall's 'pool' by going down a cut in the trees and down a muddy bank – be sure to take care on much wetter days! They both also have a bridge so that you can walk over the top of them and see them from above.
This little walk is great /suitable for all - especially families with small Welly boot wearers, bike riders or dogs that like a paddle.
After 'Rising Brook' we continued on this side of the river to the fishing lake 'Duttons Pool' to re join the path and cross the river further down and to head back the way we came.
On the way back the the campsite we visited Marquis visitor centre however Dave was in quite a lot of pain by now with his knee so we just had a short stroll around the main field.
I did however log a few bits of useful information for other passer by's such as it was very busy and popular. The road was full on the lead up to he car park, and carpark was only £1 for 3 hours or £2 for over 3hours. However the carpark did shut at 4 - which might be why most folk had parked on the road.
There was a small cafe, play area, and toilet block and benches dotted about also. The park was full of families/friends taking chairs and tables to have picnics or dog walking but mainly mountain biking. There appeared to be a lot of biking trails running off from this central location. Going from what we saw, these trails looked suitable for people of multiple ages and experience. One track looked exceptionally fun - this was called 'follow the dog' and was marked 'difficult'. There was maps and marker signs dotted throughout, giving details on the trails and the Difficulty.
Monday morning we packed up - (you have to be off majority of sites by 12pm) and on the way home we attempted to visit chase water which was apx 15min drive from the site. The carpark was busy, so we drove all the way to the end and got to see the steam train - then we left. This is because the whole place was just swarming with little flies that looked like midges. And I mean swarming - there was no way we'd of been able to sit and have a coffee and a little enjoyable stroll whilst those things were around so we decided to call it a day and head home.
OVERALL
To summarise - it was a lovely site, clean, well kept and ample facilities (obviously the circumstances can't be helped of having to have some closed) and with the camping and caravan club you get what you pay for - which is the re assurance of a good, quite, family friendly campsite. It's just a shame that it costs SO much, and that Dave was injured so we couldn't make the most of the scenic walks. Because of that we'd defo go back if there if a club meet/THS site on in the area.
an impromptu 1 night trip to Spring Lakes, Nottingham to use our own kayak and paddle board.
A site that has everything and more!
Where we stayed to climb Snowdon March 2022.
A small, all season, gorgeous little campsite walking distance (30mins) from Whitby.
