Situated as it is, just off the main A5 between London and the Welsh coast, thousands of motorists must pass this Staffordshire beauty spot every day without ever realising the delights that it contains. But travellers who regularly use the Midlands stretch of the near-200 mile long A5 would be well advised to stop - important appointments permitting - and enjoy the delightful piece of nature that is
Chasewater Country Park.

Count the swans at Chasewater Country Park
Visitors will discover that there is always plenty to see and do at Chasewater Country Park, which covers a massive 360 hectare site including a 90 hectare reservoir and vast areas of green open space. For people simply wanting to enjoy the environment at its most relaxing Chasewater is an ideal venue to take your dog for a walk, go on nature trails, try your hand at bird watching or cycling, or simply go for a gentle stroll and maybe enjoy a picnic or barbeque.

Plenty to see and do
But the reservoir, while accommodating a great variety of birdlife, such as an abundance of swans, is also a beacon for the more adventurous visitor as it readily offers an extensive range of watersport activities, ranging from sailing to the more energetic pursuits of wake-boarding, water skiing, water zorbing and paddle-boarding.

Water skiing is one of the watersports on offer
And should the weather be less than perfect, or become wet while you are there, then why not head indoors by paying a visit to Chasewater Innovation Centre. The environmentally friendly visitor centre provides visitor information, art and craft exhibitions by local artists, a programme of summer holiday activities and recreational workshops for both children and adults. Facilities at the Innovation Centre include meeting and conference facilities, a gift shop and a café serving snacks and light refreshments.

Keep a lookout for deer on a nature trail
At varying times of the year, Chasewater Country Park also offers other activities, especially at weekends or during school holidays, including mini fairs, pedal go karts, crazy golf and the Chasewater steam railway which operates from Brownhills West Station within the country park. A round trip of nearly four miles on the steam train takes in stations at Norton Lakeside, Chasewater Heaths and Chasetown and takes around an hour, with the railway operating on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays throughout the year, as well as most Saturdays between Easter and October.

The 90 hectare lake is a main feature
For more information about Chasewater Country Park, which is open all year, phone 01543 370737, email chasewater.ic@staffordshire.gov.uk or go
online.