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Inspiring healthy lifestyles/ Cannock/ Museum

Museum of Cannock Chase

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

 

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

  • October to Easter: Thursday- Saturday 11am to 4pm (Last entry at 3.30pm).
We are closed for two weeks over Christmas and New Year.

 

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

Here’s how to enjoy your visit safely:

  • The safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers is our highest priority.  Face coverings help to keep us all safe, so we encourage everyone to consider wearing one if they can during their visit.
  • Please respect other people’s space whilst at the museum, and be mindful that others may make different choices to yours.
  • If you use the NHS Test and Trace app you may still choose to scan in when you enter, or we can take your details if you’d like to ‘check in’ manually.
  • Please use the hand sanitiser around the museum, and wash your hands when possible.
  • We have increased ventilation throughout the museum spaces and we are cleaning regularly.
  • Where interactives are available, please use hand sanitiser before and after touching them.

 Thank you for your support, and we hopw you enjoy your visit.

Outdoor activity packs

We have put in place self-guided activities in our fabulous outdoor space for families to do.Busy Bags will be available to purchase inside 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

 

 

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): Tuesday - Saturday 11am to 4pm (last admission at 3.30pm)
  • Easter to September (spring and summer seasons): Thursday - Sunday 11am to 4pm (last admission at 3.30pm).

We are closed for two weeks over Christmas and New Year

 

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 free parking.

Parking
The front of the museum will be closed to vehicles – visitors should use the rear car park and there will be designated blue badge parking near to the Craft Workshop opposite the main museum building.

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

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.