Pictures of England

Search:

Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

St Osyth in the snow

St Osyth

in the county of Essex

The little thatched church at Little Stretton, Shropshire

Little Stretton

in the county of Shropshire

Pictures of Cannock

in the county of Staffordshire

About Cannock

Think of Cannock and nearly always there springs to life a vision of the wonderful landscape of Cannock Chase, originally a giant "Royal Forest" gradually reduced in size and grazed by numerous flocks of sheep until the turn of the 20th century. By this time only a tiny portion of the old forest had survived, this was Brocton Coppice.

It was not until later in the century that the area became popular. By then it had become recognised for its rich combination of fascinating wildlife, heath and marshland. Rare plants flood the heath-land, amongst these is the bilberry-cowberry cross. Marsh Orchids and sundew flourish in the valleys, and in Brocton Coppice there are the ancient oaks and birches that gave the chase its historic character. Ongoing plantation by the Forestry Commission and wildlife, including fallow deer, badger, red squirrel, and an amazing variety of woodland birds add to the enchantment and beauty of the area which has been an Area of Outstanding Beauty since 1958. It now acts as a Country Park, inviting to nature lovers, birdwatchers and country lovers from all parts of the region. Interestingly, many are drawn here to see the graves of the first Zeppelin crew shot down over Britain. There is also an informative visitor centre.

But Cannock also has an interesting, lively town with a modern town centre and square with a dramatic looking town clock. Spread out from this are streets full of shops where a glance above the windows crammed full of attractive goods, reveals buildings of a bygone age. Some show handsome black and white timber framing from Tudor times, others are solid Georgian and Victorian.

Visitors will find plenty of interest in the town, gardens to relax in when you've tired of the shops and a good mixture of inns, cafe's and restaurants for refreshment. As recently as 2003 Cannock made the news when it was thought an Alligator type creature had been spotted in a pool in Roman View, Churchbridge. However, on investigation both the police and RSPCA inspectors thought it to be nothing more dramatic than a basking carp!

Sons of the town have included author David Christie Murray(1847-1907) who was born near to Cannock and set all his novels in and around the area. William Henry Robinson, novelist and publisher (1847-1926) was born in Cannock, and Tom Wakefield (1935-1996) the novelist who was born and brought up in the town, his father was a local miner. Famous footballer Stan Collymore is also from Cannock and American singer Tiffany lives in Cannock having married a local businessman.

Historically, Cannock is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, its name comes from the old English for "small hill" so it is likely the first settlement here developed along a hill. Latter day history rests with the spread of the coalfields during the middle of the 19th century, and the restless march of industry during the Industrial Revolution.

Today, this ancient area with its attractive centre and beautiful country park has rapidly developed into a desirable residential location for people working in local commercial centres, such as Wolverhampton, Walsall, Stafford and the City of Birmingham.

Recommended towns & villages near Cannock

This is Saint Peters Church in the heart of Wolverhampton city center

Wolverhampton (38 Pictures) in the county of West Midlands

(8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction SW of Cannock)

..

St. Mary's Church, Stafford

Stafford (55 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Staffordshire

(9.2 miles, 14.7 km, direction NW of Cannock)

Set in a landscape of contrasts with constantly changing scenery from the Royal hunting forests of Cannock Chase to the breweries of Burton, it is pleasurable to come across the.....

Canal at by Dudley Tunnel

Dudley (78 Pictures) in the county of West Midlands

(12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction S of Cannock)

Dudley is a market town, it was granted its market charter in the 13th century, since then the lively outdoor market has been a focal point which has drawn regular visitors to the town...

Dungeon

Tamworth (32 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Staffordshire

(14.6 miles, 23.5 km, direction E of Cannock)

In the 8th century the Saxon Kingdom of Mercia was ruled from Tamworth. Later in AD 913, a fortress was built here by the daughter of King Alfred...

Victoria Square, Birmingham

Birmingham (224 Pictures) a Historic City in the county of West Midlands

(15.0 miles, 24.2 km, direction S of Cannock)

Birmingham, Britain's second city, known as the city of a thousand trades, has long been recognised as one of the World's most important manufacturing and commercial centres...

All towns & villages in Staffordshire
Complete A to Z of towns & villages in England

Nearby attractions..

Sunrise through the Pines, Cannock Chase

Cannock Chase Country Park (140 Pictures)

(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction N)

Once upon a time this vast area was the 'Happy Hunting' ground of Kings and Queens of England who came here to enjoy a good day's.....

The River Trent, Shugborough Estate

Shugborough Estate (37 Pictures)

(7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction N)

Shugborough Hall with its vast surrounding estate has been the seat of the Earls of Lichfield, the Anson family, ever since it.....

Sunrise in Beacon Park, Lichfield

Lichfield Cathedral (112 Pictures)

(7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction E)

Most recently Lichfield Cathedral has been the scene of an important archaeological find which has astounded the world of.....

Wolverhampton - St Peter`s Gardens & Art Gallery

Wolverhampton Art Gallery (8 Pictures)

(8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction SW)

..

Ancient High House, Stafford

Ancient High House (1 Pictures)

(9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction NW)

Dominating Stafford's Greengate Street, is an impressive Elizabethan building that has stood at the centre of the town for over.....

Stafford - Shire Hall

Shire Hall Gallery (1 Pictures)

(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction NW)

Stafford's handsome Shire Hall Gallery with its impressive porticoed frontage, served for a time as the local Crown Court. .....

Seventeenth Century Weston Park House

Weston Park (5 Pictures)

(10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction W)

..


All attractions in Cannock
All attractions in Staffordshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England