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Inspiring healthy lifestyles/ Cannock/ Museum

Museum of Cannock Chase

The Museum of Cannock Chase is set to re-open at 11am, Thursday 27th August

We want to make sure you have the best visit possible with us at the museum, so please make sure you have looked at our new safety procedures and museum etiquette before your visit (listed below).

Currently we do not require prior booking and you can turn up anytime between our opening hours of 11am - 4pm (last entry 3.30pm), Thursday to Saturday.

To ensure social distancing we will be capping the number of visitors in the museum to 20 visitors at a time, so there may be a short wait on entry at busy times (for groups more than 8+ people, please contact the museum in advance to make a booking).

As per government guidelines, face coverings are to be worn inside the museum building, except for those who are exempt and children under the age of 11.

We have also introduced some self-guided outdoor activities in our outdoor space for families to enjoy. Family activity packs will be available to purchase outside the museum and will retail at £4.99.

Please read the information below on the changes we have made to the museum in the interest of the safety of our visitors and staff.

 

The Museum of Cannock Chase offers free admission and tells the fascinating story of Cannock Chase, from its industrial beginnings, to its military role, famous local citizens, social history, domestic life and wildlife.

What you need to know

Opening times

  • Easter to September (spring and summer seasons): Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11am to 4pm (Last entry at 3.30pm).
  • October to Easter (autumn and winter seasons): TBC.
We are closed for two weeks over Christmas and New Year.

 

Re-opening information regarding safety, distancing and changes in etiquette

The safety of our staff and visitors is our number one priority. In response to COVID-19 we have made some changes here at the museum in line with government guidelines:

As per government guidelines, face coverings are to be worn inside the museum building, except for those who are exempt and children under the age of 11.

Do I need to book to visit the museum?

Currently we do not require prior booking and you can turn up anytime between our opening hours of 11am - 4pm (last entry 3.30pm), Thursday to Saturday.

To ensure social distancing we will be capping the number of visitors in the museum to 20 visitors at a time, so there may be a short wait on entry at busy times.

For groups of 8+ people or if you or someone in your party has additional requirements please contact the museum, to make a booking: 01543 877666

 

New outdoor activity packs

We have put in place self-guided activities in our fabulous outdoor space for families to do. Family activity packs will be available to purchase outside the museum and will retail at £4.99. 

What is inside the activity bag:

  • Branded Museum of Cannock Chase canvas bag
  • A4 Nature Explorers Activity Pack including instructions on a fairy house trail in the woods, word search, drawing activity, scavenger hunt and heathland mosaic activity
  • Peg character making kit
  • Nature coaster making kit
  • Branded pencil
  • Walking guide around the Hednesford Hills

 

New safety measures and changes to facilities:

  • Making your way around the museum: “One-way” directional signs to help you move around and maintain social distancing. Visitors enter at the front entrance as usual and then exit out the back door. Signage will show visitors which route to follow.
  • Cleaning and sanitising stations We’ve enhanced cleaning regimes and there will be a regular cleaning regime on site. We will also have Hygiene Stations/hand sanitation points throughout the site in indoor and outdoor spaces in the museum.
  • Toy Room - Interactive Exhibits Temporarily Removed: To keep our visitors safe, some of our interactives in the museum have been temporarily removed, including our Toy Room. The Toy Gallery, Domestic Galleries and Mining Gallery will be open.
  • Toilet Facilities: We will have separate toilets open on site for our outdoor visitors, and the toilets in the main building will be open for visitors coming inside – all will operate on a one in one out basis.
  • Coffee Shop: The coffee shop will become al fresco and all orders will be taken outdoors and brought outside for visitors to collect. We have plenty of space for picnics too!
  • Gift shop the gift shop will be open with a few extra guidelines in place which will be displayed on clear signage.

 

About the Museum of Cannock Chase

The museum site was once home to the Valley Colliery, the training pit for thousands of young men beginning their working lives in the local coal industry.

The pit has gone and in its place are over 30 acres of green space on the edge of Cannock Chase, at the gateway to the Hednesford Hills Nature Reserve.

Today the hills form one of the last remaining areas of heathland in Britain.

With free entry and a year-round programme of activities it is a great day out for the family!  

The Museum of Cannock Chase is packed with fascinating stories for all the family. Learn about...

  • Cannock Chase's industrial beginnings
  • Its important military role
  • Famous local citizens
  • Local life - and wildlife.
 

What's here?

  • Cannock Chase Gallery
  • Interactive Toys & Games Gallery (Temporarily closed due to Covid-19 restrictions)
  • 1940s Room
  • Miners Cottage Gallery
  • Coal Mining Gallery with crawl through tunnel!
  • Coffee Shop selling cakes, hot & cold drinks, ice creams and snacks. 
  • Visitor Information Point 
  • Gift Shop with a great range of gifts, pocket money toys, jewellery and souvenirs 
  • Excellent range of local history books 
  • Local Walks on the beautiful Hednesford Hills and Cannock Chase 
  • Quizzes to amuse the kids!

Throughout the year we run a packed programme of family events and children's workshops. We also run an award-winning education service and have an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions.

Opening times

October to Easter (Autumn and Winter Seasons)

TBC

Easter to September (Spring and Summer Seasons)

Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11am to 4pm (Last entry will be at 3.30pm)

Where we are

The museum is just 15 minutes' walk from Hednesford bus and railway stations, with ample free parking. Follow the brown ‘purple stag’ signs from major routes into Cannock Chase.

Our address

Museum of Cannock Chase
Valley Road
Hednesford
Staffordshire
WS12 1TD

How to get here

By car

Located on the edge of the Hednesford Hills Nature Reserve, the museum is just 15 minutes walk away from Hednesford bus and train station. It is easily accessible by car and coach from the M6 and M6 Toll, and A460 with ample parking.

Parking
The front of the museum will be closed to vehicles – visitors are to use the rear car park and there will be designated disabled parking at near to the craft workshop.

By public transport

Nearest railway station: Hednesford

http://www.travelinemidlands.co.uk/wmtis/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2

this site provides easy and free access to public transport timetable information.

How to get in touch

Email us: museumofcannockchase@ihlmail.org

Call us: 01543 877666

Events at the Museum

Due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 we are currently not running any events in the museum,  we will update this page as soon as we announce new events, please keep on checking our Facebook Page for updates @MuseumofCannockChase

Families can take part in exciting activities outside with our  Family  Activity Pack. The Activity Packs will be on sale for £4.99 at the outdoor order point outside the museum entrance.

The pack contains self-guided outdoor activities including a walk guide around Hednesford Hills, an enchanted fairy trail, a nature scavenger hunt and great craft activities- all packaged together in a  Museum of Cannock Chase branded canvas bag.