BBC Radio WM breakfast host Sarah Julian and her team camped overnight at Cannock Chase on July 9, 2026, for a ghost hunt at the reputedly haunted nature reserve. However, they stumbled upon something unexpected: suspected doggers.
During Friday morning's show, Julian told listeners that she and sidekick Josh Tranter discovered drivers parked with their lights on in a car park, unaware of the area's reputation. "Did you know about this other thing it's famous for? No-one told me about it," she said. "We found out about it for ourselves last night. Josh and I were in the forest last night when this happened."
Unexpected Discovery
The broadcast cut to a clip from the overnight vigil, where Julian was heard saying: "We've found a car park on the Hednesford side of Cannock Chase. Why are there cars parked here with people in them and nobody doing anything?" Tranter replied: "I don't know, we've just got here and there are people sitting with their (car) lights on. I don't know if Cannock Chase has a reputation for anything."
Julian then remarked: "Dog walking is what it's known for. Let's get back in the car." After resuming the live broadcast, she added: "We didn't expect that - somebody should have warned us."
Reputation of Cannock Chase
Cannock Chase is known not only for its stunning countryside but also for creepy legends, including the Pigman—a humanoid figure with a man's body and a swine's head—said to stalk the area. The creature allegedly resulted from genetic experiments during World War II and is reported to emit high-pitched squeals near Pye Green Tower and Castle Ring. Another legend involves the Black Eyed Child, where witnesses encounter children with pitch-black eyes who ask for help before vanishing. Additionally, there are claims of big cats roaming the 16,800-acre wilderness.
However, the Chase is also infamous for human late-night visitors, with some areas serving as meeting spots for outdoor sex. In 2012, Staffordshire Police launched Operation Muttley to crack down on dogging in the area. Insp Donna Gibbs said at the time: "It isn't particularly nice for families or people walking their dogs to find people engaging in this behaviour."
