Chasewater - Country Park & Reservoir

Essential Intel

Several clues are located at Brownhills West Station, which has restricted opening hours. Check the Chasewater Railway opening information before setting off to make sure you'll be able to complete the investigation.

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Chasewater Country Park and Reservoir, with Detectives helping DCI Eve Ningall investigate the disappearance of fisherman Olly Oyster and his murky connections with a gang of smugglers known as the Sharks.

The case covers approximately 3.5 miles and should take around 3 hours to complete. You can tackle the route either on foot or by bicycle, following paths around the reservoir, beside the Chasewater Railway and through Brownhills West Station before looping back towards the Innovation Centre.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route includes lakeside paths, access roads, a level railway crossing, a narrow footbridge and sections beside steep banks and deep water. If walking, good comfortable waterproof footwear is recommended. Cyclists should also watch for pedestrians and dismount where directed.

Take particular care close to the reservoir and on sections where the water's edge is steep or unprotected. You may also encounter cattle, deer and other wildlife, so give them plenty of space.

Getting There

Time to gather your squad and begin this decidedly fishy investigation:

By car

Park the squad car at Chasewater Innovation Centre, off the A5 (WS8 7NL), using ///total.partly.minute.

Pay and display charges apply, so check the tariff before leaving your vehicle. Your first clue is near the roundabout at the entrance, beside the access road to the Workshop Units.

If you're tackling the case by bicycle, you won't need the bikes immediately, as the opening clues are around the Innovation Centre and workshop area.

By public transport

Make your way to Chasewater Country Park and head for the Innovation Centre to begin the investigation. The circular route eventually returns to this area once the final suspect has been eliminated.

Need the Loo?

Even reservoir Detectives need the occasional pit stop. Cafes with toilets can be found at the start, around Clue 07 and again in the Brownhills West Station section around Clues 12-16.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives can join the outdoor investigation 🐾

This is a countryside and waterside route, so keep canine colleagues under control throughout. You may encounter cattle, deer and other animals, while several stretches run close to deep water and steep banks. Keep dogs away from the water's edge and give wildlife plenty of room.

Food & Drink Stops

Trawling through evidence for three hours can give any squad a serious appetite.

There are cafes at the start, around Clue 07 and during the Brownhills West Station section between Clues 12-16. Chasewater also has plenty of good picnic spots, so bringing your own provisions is a cracking option if the weather cooperates.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Chasewater Railway

The heritage railway is the standout extra for this investigation. It runs along part of a former Midland Railway colliery branch dating from 1881, with heritage trains operating along the route. Tickets are available from the stations when services are running, so check opening times and save the train ride until after the case is cracked.

Chasewater Country Park and Reservoir

Once the Sharks have been dealt with, there's plenty of reason to linger around Chasewater itself. The reservoir, lakeside paths, wildlife and open views make it easy to turn the investigation into a longer outdoor day, especially with a picnic packed.

Chasewater Innovation Centre

The investigation begins beside the Innovation Centre, which is worth exploring if it's open. The environmentally conscious building includes features such as a wildlife-friendly green roof and was designed to showcase timber, energy conservation and wood fuel. There's also a cafe and toilets, making it a handy pre-case or post-case base.

Brownhills West Station

Even without taking a train, the station area gives railway-loving Detectives plenty to nose around. Its heritage centre replaced an earlier terminus lost to the M6 Toll development, and several pieces of old railway equipment survive around the station.

Family Activities Around Chasewater

Later in the route you'll pass the Outdoor Gym, crazy golf course and children's playground, giving families a few easy ways to stretch the day once Olly Oyster's case has finally been netted.