National Trust - Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses — Attraction in South Staffordshire

Coming back from Kidderminster and popped by the cave houses as recommended by friends. When we got there we realised they charge entry @ £6.50 each, seems a lot for what it is and I belive it was free to visit a few years ago. As we only had 20 minutes we decided to give it a miss and enjoy a short (free) walk through the surrounding woods instead. We happened upon the tea house up the hill and decided to get some drinks. Unfortunately, we were met with a very forthright lady who informed us it was takeaway only as we hadn't paid entry and weren't allowed inside the building. That was fine, so we entered the small takeaway counter and grabbed some hot drinks and a cake each. When we came out we went to sit on the outside benches only to be told that they were for "paying customers" only. Even though the main cafe/eatery was around the front of the building and looking at the Google pictures there is plenty of seating out the front. We were then basically herded towards the exit gate and shooed off to find a bench in the woods. My husband told me after that whilst I was paying he had tried to take a picture of the view, not the stone houses that we hadn't paid to see, but the lady kept hovering in front of him with her arms wide telling him it wasn't allowed. She also refused to let a heavily pregnant mother sit down with her young child and husband as they weren't "paying customers" either.

I would like to go to see the cave houses when I have more time but am completely put off by the attitude of this staff member. All we wanted was to sit down and eat the cakes we had just purchased. To not even let a 8 month pregnant lady rest was a little extreme.

** the seating in the picture is not where we wanted to sit. They had two tiny tables without parasols outside the takeaway area not shown in...

Attached to some good walking country so bring your walking boots. We once again naively thought we'd could pull in this visit and a visit to Clent Hills in an afternoon... well Clent Hills didn't get a look in, maybe next time we're in the area? Back to Kinver Edge... The parking is a kind of organised fashion off road layby at the foot of the hill and rock houses. Access to the houses can be made from the layby through an opening where you can make your way across a small wooded area before an inclined path parallel to the first visible house. It's worth saying at this point that in my opinion, this is not a wheel chair friendly attraction simply by the nature of what it is. Also, as we saw an elderly couple struggling with some of the steps, if you struggle with a set of stairs you might want to rethink your visit or ring ahead for more information. The houses themselves were atmospheric, the guides very informative, I've never seen anything like them, the houses not the guides. After seeing them all we were commenting on them being the half step between living like a caveman and recognisable civilisation with the last of them being inhabited as late as 1963! We really enjoyed the visit and feeling fit and healthy, decided to go up to the hill fort to take in the views. So glad we did as although it wasn't a very clear day, the autumn trees were stunning. We decided to walk a little further (understatement) which turned into a 3 mile round walk taking in the Nanny Rock, and plenty of steep path climbs and descents. Think it's the healthiest I've felt in a while but i was ready for a coffee from the shop when we got back. I'd thoroughly recommend this attraction and if you're fit and able bodied, allow more time to...

🌟 Kinver Edge & Rock Houses – A Hidden Gem in Staffordshire! 🌟

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

A Step Back in Time Visiting Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses was like stepping into a history book! The cave dwellings carved into sandstone are unlike anything I’ve seen before—some were lived in until the 1960s, and the National Trust has done an amazing job restoring Holy Austin Rock House to its early 20th-century charm. Walking through the tiny rooms, seeing the old fireplaces, and imagining life inside a real cave house was surreal.

Stunning Views & Great Walks The Kinver Edge ridge offers panoramic views over Staffordshire and Worcestershire—perfect for a picnic! We did the circular walk (about 3 miles), passing the ancient hillfort and through beautiful woodland. The trails are well-marked, though some paths are steep and may behest going for some, so wear good shoes!

National Trust Magic As always, the National Trust keeps the site well-maintained. The staff were friendly and full of fascinating stories about the Rock Houses’ past residents. Entry was free for members, but even non-members will find it worth the small fee.

Small Downsides The Rock Houses have limited opening days (closed Mon & Tues), so check ahead.

Final Thoughts If you love history, hiking, or quirky landmarks, Kinver Edge is a must-visit. It’s family-friendly, dog-friendly, and feels like a secret escape. We’ll definitely be back!

👟 Wear sturdy shoes! 📸 Don’t forget your camera—the views are stunning!

Highly...