BBC Radio WM breakfast show host Sarah Julian found herself in an unexpected situation while camping at Cannock Chase, a beautiful Midland nature spot known for its eerie legends and unusual activities. On the night of July 9, during a ghost hunt live broadcast, Sarah and her colleague Josh Tranter were camping under the stars when they stumbled across something quite different — a number of cars parked with their lights on and occupants inside, seemingly doing nothing.
Sarah revealed on her Friday morning show, “Did you know about this other thing it’s famous for? No one told me about it. Josh and I were in the forest last night when this happened.” She shared a live clip where they questioned why so many cars were stationary in a car park in Hednesford side of Cannock Chase. Josh seemed unsure, adding, “I don’t know if Cannock Chase has a reputation for anything.” Sarah quipped, “Dog walking is what it’s known for. Let’s get back in the car.” The surprise discovery left them both amused and unsettled, with Sarah commenting live, “We didn’t expect that – somebody should have warned us.”
Cannock Chase is not just a picturesque countryside area but also famous for its spooky folklore. The “Pigman” legend tells of a humanoid creature with the body of a man and the head of a pig, said to have originated from World War II-era experiments. This creature reportedly makes high-pitched squeals and is often sighted near Pye Green Tower and the Castle Ring. Additionally, the area has sightings of the mysterious “Black Eyed Child,” an eerie young figure with jet-black eyes who disappears after asking for help. There are also accounts of big cats roaming this vast 16,800-acre wilderness.
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Beyond the supernatural, Cannock Chase has earned a reputation for more human nocturnal activities. Certain locations within the Chase have become known as dogging hotspots — places where strangers meet for outdoor sexual encounters. In response to community concerns, Staffordshire Police launched a crackdown, known as Operation Muttley, in 2012. Insp Donna Gibbs explained that warmer weather often sees a spike in such complaints, which can negatively impact families and dog walkers who visit the Chase for its natural beauty.
Sarah Julian’s candid recounting of her unintentional encounter revealed a lesser-known facet of Cannock Chase — one that combines startling folklore with unexpected modern realities, making it far from an ordinary camping spot.