Check live before you travel: Opening hours, services, prices, events and transport can change. Use the attraction’s current visitor information on the day, especially for heritage railways, museums and booked activities.
Destination information reviewed against the Glanfar attractions pack dated 6 August 2026.
Water, wildlife and industrial landscape
Chasewater Country Park
Chasewater feels spacious, but its story is closely tied to Burntwood’s working past. The country park surrounds a large reservoir with open water, heathland, wildlife habitat, walking and cycling routes. It suits anything from a quiet shoreline stroll to a fuller day of activity.
AddressChasewater Country Park, Pool Lane, Burntwood, Staffordshire WS8 7NL
Best forLakeside walks, cycling, birdwatching, picnics and watersports
Allow1–4 hours
Typical driveAbout 12–15 minutes
A little history
The reservoir opened in 1797 as Norton Pool to feed the Wyrley and Essington Canal. Its water supported the canal network that carried coal and goods towards the Black Country and Birmingham. The name Chasewater came into use during the twentieth century.
Getting there from Glanfar
WalkAbout 1¾–2¼ hours each way to the main Pool Lane hub. Treat it as a committed day walk using mapped public routes.
CycleAbout 25–35 minutes. Use signed cycle links where available and remember that the Lichfield–Chasewater Greenway is not a direct campsite route.
BusTravel towards Burntwood, Chasetown or Brownhills and complete the final section on foot. Check the live return journey.
DriveAbout 12–15 minutes. Follow signs for Chasewater and Pool Lane. Parking charges and payment arrangements should be checked on arrival.
What visitors tend to enjoyVisitors value the open views, broad paths, wildlife and the choice between a gentle stroll and a longer circuit.
Good to knowToilet hours can be limited, parking is chargeable and sunny weekends can be busy.
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Heritage railway
Chasewater Railway — The Colliery Line
A living piece of the South Staffordshire coalfield. Volunteer crews operate steam and diesel trains between Brownhills West and Chasetown, with stops beside the lake and heathland. The compact journey, museum and traditional station atmosphere make an easy half-day outing.
AddressBrownhills West Station, Chasewater Country Park, Pool Lane, Brownhills, Staffordshire WS8 7NL
Best forFamilies, railway enthusiasts and industrial history
Allow1½–3 hours
Typical driveAbout 12–15 minutes
A little history
Part of the route uses a former Midland Railway branch built to serve local collieries. The preservation story began in 1959 and now protects locomotives, rolling stock and the practical railway culture of the coalfield.
Getting there from Glanfar
WalkRoughly 1¾–2¼ hours each way to Brownhills West. For a shorter heritage outing, reach Chasetown and view the railway from public areas on a running day.
CycleAbout 25–35 minutes. Bikes may be carried in the guard’s compartment on some services, subject to space and the operating day.
BusTravel towards Chasetown or Brownhills and complete the journey on foot. The best station can depend on the event and timetable.
DriveAbout 12–15 minutes. Follow Chasewater and Pool Lane signs to Brownhills West Station and use the railway’s designated parking.
What visitors tend to enjoyFriendly volunteers, the old-station feel, the small museum and the manageable journey length receive the strongest praise.
Good to knowThe railway does not run every day, and a steam locomotive is not guaranteed. Check the live operating calendar before leaving.
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Traffic-free walking and cycling
Lichfield–Chasewater Greenway
Opened in October 2025, the Greenway follows 6.5 kilometres of the former South Staffordshire Railway between Chasewater and Lichfield. Tree-lined cuttings, open views and a separated surface make it a strong choice for walking, running and family cycling.
AddressAccess points at Chasewater, Ogley Hay Road, Fosseway Lane and Chesterfield Road, Lichfield
Best forTraffic-free walking, running and family cycling
Allow1½–2 hours one way on foot
Typical driveReach the chosen access point
A little history
The corridor began as a nineteenth-century railway linking coal and industrial settlements with Lichfield. After decades of disuse, local volunteers and Lichfield District Council helped bring it back into public use.
Getting there from Glanfar
WalkReach an official access point first. Do not expect the route to begin at the campsite.
CycleAbout 25–35 minutes to the Chasewater end, then continue towards Lichfield according to ability and daylight.
BusTravel to Lichfield or Chasewater and join at the nearest signed access point. Ordinary buses cannot guarantee bike carriage.
DriveUse a recognised destination car park. Parking is not provided at every access point, and informal verge parking should be avoided.
What visitors tend to enjoyEarly users value the smooth, separated route and the countryside views, particularly for family cycling.
Good to knowIt is a destination route rather than an on-site campsite path. Join only at an official access point.
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Prehistory and high views
Castle Ring Iron Age hillfort
Castle Ring rewards a short climb with one of the broadest views in the district. Its surviving banks and ditches mark an Iron Age hillfort, with later earthworks connected to the medieval hunting landscape of Cannock Chase.
AddressCastle Ring car park, Holly Hill Road, Cannock Wood, Staffordshire WS15 4RN
Best forViews, a short historical walk and older children
Allow45–90 minutes
Typical driveAbout 12–18 minutes
A little history
The hillfort is a scheduled monument. Archaeology confirms Iron Age occupation, although the people who built it left no names that can be stated with certainty. Later remains point to a medieval hunting lodge within the earthworks.
Getting there from Glanfar
WalkAround 1½–2 hours each way, using rural roads and uneven ground. Best for confident walkers with a mapped route.
CycleAbout 25–40 minutes, with a hilly finish. Do not ride over the protected earthworks.
BusThere is no practical direct service to the hillfort. Travel towards Cannock Wood or Hednesford and arrange a taxi for the final section.
DriveAbout 12–18 minutes via Cannock Wood and Holly Hill Road. The car park is small, so avoid private land and verges.
What visitors tend to enjoyVisitors value the far-reaching views, quiet atmosphere and sense of walking inside ancient earthworks.
Good to knowThe ground can be muddy, interpretation is limited and the small car park fills quickly.
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National Landscape and war history
Cannock Chase — Marquis Drive and the Tolkien Trail
Cannock Chase combines heath, woodland, valleys, wildlife and more than 150 kilometres of public rights of way. Marquis Drive is a practical first stop for maps, orientation and routes into the wider First World War landscape.
AddressCannock Chase Visitor Centre, Marquis Drive, Hednesford, Staffordshire WS12 4PW
Best forWalking, wildlife, First World War history and longer outdoor days
Allow2 hours to a full day
Typical driveAbout 15–22 minutes
A little history
The Chase was once a medieval royal hunting forest and was later shaped by forestry, mining and military use. During the First World War, the Brocton and Rugeley camps trained thousands of soldiers. J. R. R. Tolkien knew this landscape while serving as an army signals officer.
Getting there from Glanfar
WalkRoughly 2½–3 hours each way. This is a planned long walk, not a casual stroll from the campsite.
CycleAbout 40–60 minutes with hills and mixed surfaces. Follow designated routes and the Cannock Chase Code.
BusWeekday route 62 links Burntwood with Hednesford. Continue by a long walk or taxi and check the return service.
DriveAbout 15–22 minutes via Burntwood and Hednesford. Use signed visitor parking and never park on heathland verges.
What visitors tend to enjoyRepeat visitors praise the scenery, wildlife and the choice between an easy wander and a serious hike.
Good to knowPopular hubs can be busy, some side paths are poorly signed and mobile signal can vary. Carry an offline map.
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Forest recreation
Cannock Chase Forest — Birches Valley and Go Ape
Birches Valley is the activity-focused forest hub on Cannock Chase. Waymarked walks, family cycling and more demanding mountain-bike trails sit alongside Go Ape for guests who want a structured outdoor day.
AddressBirches Valley Forest Centre, Lady Hill, Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 2UQ
Best forMountain biking, family trails, forest walking and Go Ape
Allow2 hours to a full day
Typical driveAbout 20–30 minutes
A little history
Modern forestry overlays a much older landscape shaped by hunting, common rights, military training and timber production. The wider Chase history is part of the experience even when the day is focused on trails and activity.
Getting there from Glanfar
WalkMore than three hours each way and not practical for most guests.
CycleAbout 60–80 minutes depending on route and fitness, before beginning any forest trail.
BusTravel to Hednesford or Rugeley and use a taxi for the final forest section. Keep a return taxi number.
DriveAbout 20–30 minutes. Follow Forestry England signs to Birches Valley and expect paid parking on busy days.
What visitors tend to enjoyVisitors value the range of trails, scenery and family facilities. Go Ape guests often praise the instructors and confidence-building challenge.
Good to knowParking and commercial activities are chargeable, and weather or forestry work can close trails at short notice.
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Cathedral city day out
Historic Lichfield — cathedral, Johnson and Darwin
Lichfield offers a rich small-city day out with the cathedral’s three spires, Georgian streets, Beacon Park and museums connected with Samuel Johnson and Erasmus Darwin, all within a walkable centre.
AddressStart at Lichfield Cathedral, The Close, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 7LD
Best forArchitecture, faith, literature, science and museums
AllowHalf a day to a full day
Typical driveAbout 10–15 minutes
A little history
St Chad established the Mercian see in the seventh century. The city later produced an exceptional eighteenth-century circle including Samuel Johnson, Francis Barber, David Garrick, Erasmus Darwin and Anna Seward.
Getting there from Glanfar
WalkAbout 1½–1¾ hours to the centre. Use a mapped daylight route that avoids difficult road crossings.
CycleAbout 25–35 minutes. Use quieter links and secure bikes in the centre.
BusOne of the easiest car-free days. Routes 8, 60, 61 and 62 serve Burntwood and Lichfield in different patterns.
DriveAbout 10–15 minutes. Use signed city parking and check restrictions around the pedestrianised centre and Cathedral Close.
What visitors tend to enjoyThe cathedral’s architecture and welcome, Johnson’s intimate rooms and Darwin House’s science and garden are recurring highlights.
Good to knowThe museums are small enough to combine in one itinerary. Cathedral services and events can change sightseeing access.
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Roman history
Wall Roman Site — Letocetum
At Wall, visitors can still read the ground plan of Roman Letocetum: a posting inn for official travellers and a public bathhouse beside Watling Street. The remains are modest but atmospheric.
AddressWall Roman Site, Watling Street, Wall, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS14 0AW
Best forRoman history, a quiet short visit and ancient transport
Allow45–90 minutes
Typical driveAbout 12–18 minutes
A little history
The settlement grew as a staging post on the Roman road towards north Wales. Officials, imperial messengers, soldiers, horses and other travellers passed through this important transport corridor.
Getting there from Glanfar
WalkAbout two hours each way. Only recommend as a planned long walk using mapped paths and safe crossings.
CycleAbout 30–45 minutes. Avoid treating the fast A5 and Watling Street driving line as the obvious cycle route.
BusTravel to Lichfield, then use a local service or taxi to Wall. Coordinate the trip with the museum’s selected opening dates.
DriveAbout 12–18 minutes. Free parking is located a short distance from the entrance.
What visitors tend to enjoyVisitors interested in archaeology value the clear remains, peaceful setting and knowledgeable volunteers when the museum is open.
Good to knowThe museum opens on selected dates, the surfaces are uneven and wheelchair access to the Roman remains is limited.
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Remembrance landscape
National Memorial Arboretum
The National Memorial Arboretum brings more than 400 memorials into a 150-acre landscape planted with thousands of trees. It remembers armed forces, emergency services, charities, civilian groups and communities of service and sacrifice.
AddressNational Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR
Best forRemembrance, accessible walking, military and civilian history
Allow3–5 hours
Typical driveAbout 25–35 minutes
A little history
The Arboretum developed from an idea in the 1980s and opened to visitors in 2001. The Armed Forces Memorial was dedicated in 2007. Its power lies in named lives, collective memory and a carefully maintained living landscape.
Getting there from Glanfar
WalkNot practical from the campsite for most visitors.
CycleAround 65–90 minutes each way for confident riders using a planned route.
Bus or trainTravel through Lichfield or Tamworth and use the current official onward connection. The NMA1 service has linked Tamworth railway station with the site.
DriveAbout 25–35 minutes via Lichfield and the A38. Pre-book parking when recommended, especially for commemorations and school holidays.
What visitors tend to enjoyVisitors repeatedly describe the site as moving, peaceful, beautifully maintained and much larger than expected.
Good to knowAllow enough time. Major commemorations can be busy and emotionally intense; mobility options and the land train can help.
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Country estate
Shugborough Estate
Shugborough combines a Georgian mansion, formal and working landscapes, monuments, servants’ spaces and riverside walks. It is particularly strong for visitors interested in how wealth, labour, travel and estate management fitted together.
AddressShugborough Estate, Milford, Stafford, Staffordshire ST17 0XB
Best forHistoric interiors, gardens, estate walks and social history
Allow4–6 hours
Typical driveAbout 30–40 minutes
A little history
The estate is closely connected with the Anson family. Admiral George Anson’s naval career and circumnavigation helped finance its transformation, while Thomas Anson shaped the architecture and landscape. Photographer Patrick Lichfield later lived here.
Getting there from Glanfar
WalkNot practical from the campsite.
CycleAround 90–120 minutes each way, depending on route and fitness.
BusTravel through Lichfield towards Great Haywood, then complete the journey on foot or by taxi. Rural services may not match opening hours.
DriveAbout 30–40 minutes via Lichfield and Great Haywood or Milford. Follow National Trust signs to the visitor entrance.
What visitors tend to enjoyThe riverside landscape and the breadth of the estate receive strong praise, particularly the balance between grand rooms and service spaces.
Good to knowThe site involves a great deal of walking, room openings vary and non-member admission should be checked before travel.
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Family attraction with estate history
Drayton Manor Resort
Drayton Manor is the area’s major family theme-park day out, combining rides, Thomas Land and a zoo. It is close enough for a full day without a long cross-country journey.
AddressDrayton Manor Drive, near Tamworth, Staffordshire B78 3TW
Best forFamilies, rides, Thomas Land and the zoo
AllowA full day
Typical driveAbout 25–35 minutes
A little history
The Bryan family opened the amusement park in 1950. The earlier estate was connected with the Peel family and Sir Robert Peel. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited Drayton Manor in 1843, and the surviving clock tower recalls the former house.
Getting there from Glanfar
WalkNot practical from the campsite.
CycleAround 80–100 minutes each way and not recommended before a full theme-park day for most families.
Bus or trainTravel through Lichfield and Tamworth, then continue by local bus or taxi. Compare the full connection time with a pre-booked taxi.
DriveAbout 25–35 minutes using the A5 and Tamworth approaches. Follow official event signs to the correct parking entrance.
What visitors tend to enjoyFamilies value Thomas Land, the compact layout and the combination of rides and animals.
Good to knowQueues, ride downtime and food prices are the usual cautions. Book ahead, arrive early and check current ride information.
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Family farm day out
National Forest Adventure Farm
A strong family option for animals, active play and enough indoor cover to cope with changeable weather. Seasonal events and the maize maze vary through the year, while the main farm combines indoor and outdoor activities.
AddressPostern Road, Tatenhill, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire DE13 9SJ
Best forYoung families, animals, play and seasonal trails
Allow4–7 hours
Typical driveAbout 35–45 minutes
A little history
The attraction began with a maize maze in 2004 and developed into a year-round adventure farm in 2011. It also sits within the wider National Forest, a major landscape project reconnecting former industrial and agricultural land across the Midlands.
Getting there from Glanfar
WalkNot practical from the campsite.
CycleA long inter-town ride and not suitable for most family visitors.
Train or taxiTravel towards Burton upon Trent where practical and use a taxi for the final rural section. Compare the total journey with driving.
DriveAbout 35–45 minutes via Lichfield, the A38 and Tatenhill. Use the attraction’s official final directions for rural lanes.
What visitors tend to enjoyFamilies value the range of activities, friendly staff and the ability to fill most of a day.
Good to knowPeak events can be crowded and some activities cost extra. Arrive early and check the exact ticket package.
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Local nature reserve
Hednesford Hills Nature Reserve
Hednesford Hills offers a more natural, less managed outing than a formal country park. Heathland, scrub and rising ground create wide views and useful wildlife habitat.
AddressHednesford Hills Local Nature Reserve, Valley Road, Hednesford, Staffordshire WS12 1TD
Best forWildlife, heathland, views and energetic short walks
Allow1–2½ hours
Typical driveAbout 15–20 minutes
A little history
The hills reflect the wider Chase landscape shaped by common land, industry and later conservation. The adjacent Museum of Cannock Chase closed to the public on 26 April 2025 and should not be treated as an open attraction.
Getting there from Glanfar
WalkAround 2–2½ hours each way. Better reached by bus, bike or car.
CycleAbout 35–50 minutes, with hills at the destination.
BusWeekday route 62 links Burntwood and Hednesford. Check the return time before walking up towards Valley Road.
DriveAbout 15–20 minutes via Chase Terrace and Hednesford. Use designated parking and respect nearby residential streets.
What visitors tend to enjoyVisitors value the views, sense of space, dog walking and seasonal heathland colour.
Good to knowPaths can be steep, muddy or indistinct, facilities are limited and the adjacent museum is closed.
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Local heritage and community
Burntwood heritage, blue plaques and Prince’s Park
Burntwood’s history is not confined to a museum. Blue plaques, the Memorial Institute, church and chapel sites, old road lines and Prince’s Park let visitors read the town in the open air.
AddressSuggested start: Burntwood Memorial Institute, Rugeley Road, Burntwood, Staffordshire WS7 9BE
Best forGuests without a car, local history and a gentle exploration
Allow1–3 hours
Typical driveA few minutes
A little history
Prince’s Park was created in 1863 to mark the marriage of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, and Princess Alexandra of Denmark. The wider heritage trail links Burntwood’s rural beginnings with church and chapel life, mining, transport and civic development.
Getting there from Glanfar
WalkThe Memorial Institute is roughly 10–20 minutes from Glanfar, depending on the confirmed guest gate. Selected plaques and Prince’s Park can form a 60–90 minute loop.
CycleAbout 5–10 minutes to the Institute. Dismount on busy pavements and around small heritage features.
BusUsually unnecessary for the closest sites, although a local service may shorten the return for guests with limited mobility.
DriveOnly a few minutes. Walking is the better way to see nearby plaques; use parking only where it is intended for public visitors.
What visitors tend to enjoyThe pleasure comes from the density of small historic details and the surprise of finding Prince’s Park tucked into the townscape.
Good to knowChoose a coherent route rather than chasing every plaque, and keep church access and road crossings in mind.
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