Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses

After a quiet night in Ironbridge, this morning we drove to the National Trust carpark at Kinver Edge.

We parked up and after coffee set out on the hike. This 3.5 mile circular walk goes out through woodland before climbing up and following the ridge back to the carpark.

Halfway along the outbound leg we came to Nanny’s Rock. This unrestored rock house which had five rooms complete with doors and windows was carved into the soft sandstone rock.

The ridge climbs slowly and at the top there is a 3000 year old hill fort. There is nothing to be seen of the fort but the far reaching views are worth the climb!

We returned to Kiki for lunch and then went to see the restored rock houses. There are about 6 houses in total that have been sympathetically restored to how they would have been in the late 19th century. Two have been furnished as 1920’s homes and were surprisingly cosy - one even had a wood fire burning in its range cooker! The rock houses were occupied until 1963 when the last person moved out. The local council had decided that they were uninhabitable due to the lack of running water and sewerage.

We walked back to Kiki and hit the road to the southwest where we’re visiting our family again before our next mini tour - stay tuned!

Our overnight stops