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Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses
High sandstone ridge and hill fort overlooking dramatic red sandstone rock houses
Holy Austin Rock Houses, Compton Road, Kinver, near Stourbridge, Staffordshire, DY7 6DL
Opening times for 1 November 2024
Asset Opening time Countryside Dawn - Dusk Garden and tea room 10:30 - 16:00 Rock Houses 10:30 - 16:00 Please note, last admission into the property is 30 minutes before the property closes.
Layby carparks open 24 hours a day for access to the countryside, located on Compton Road, Sandy Lane and Comber Road.
Gated car parks located on Kingsford Lane DY7 5NP & DY11 5SB and Blakeshall Lane DY11 5XT.
Car park opening times 9am - 7pm March 31st - 26th October, 9am - 4pm 27th October - 30th March.
No overnight parking permitted.
MTWTFSS282930311234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829301OpenPartially openClosedAdmission to Rock Houses for non-members
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £7.50 Child £3.75 Family £18.75 1 adult, 2 children £11.25 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Bookshop
Second hand book shop located behind the tea room
Dogs allowed
Dog on leads allowed in the meadow and garden at the Rock Houses, but not inside the Rock Houses or Tea-room. 'Off lead' walks on Kinver Edge, please look out for seasonal signs that designate 'on lead' areas.
Car park
Free lay-by parking on Compton Road for the Rock Houses or on Comber road for countryside walks on Kinver Edge.
Tea-room
Located on the top level of the Rock Houses. Accessed by steep steps.
Rock Houses are accessed via steep steps. Accessible toilet available. Steep inclines on countryside pathways.
Accessible toilet
Located on the top level of the Rock Houses. Accessed by steep steps.
Steps/uneven terrain
Steep steps to access the Rock Houses.
By road
From Kidderminster take the A449 or from Stourbridge take the A458, following signs for the village of Kinver. The Rock Houses are signposted from Kinver High Street.
Parking: is free lay-by parking, on Compton Road for the Rock Houses, or on Comber Road for the wider countryside of the Edge.
Sat Nav: use postcode DY7 6DL to arrive at the Rock Houses
On foot
The rock houses are a 15 minute walk away from Kinver village. You can also walk up on to Kinver Edge from Kingswood to the southwest. The estate lies at the end of the Staffordshire Way, a popular 91 mile path to Mow Cop in Cheshire. It also links up with the North Worcestershire Way, which continues on to Major's Green, via the Clent Hills.
By train
Stourbridge is the nearest train station, 5 miles away
By bus
From Merry Hill bus station take the number 228 to Kinver. From Stourbridge Interchange take the number 242 to Kinver. From Kidderminster take the number 580 to Kinver. We recommend you check operating days and times before you travel.
By bicycle
National Cycle Network route 54 is 5 miles away at Stourbridge and 8 miles away at Kidderminster. Canal towpaths link to Kinver from both towns. Look out for areas on Kinver Edge that are designated for cyclists and be mindful of other users.
By ferry
The Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal is one miles walk away from Kinver Edge. It links with the Stourbridge canal 2 miles north of the village. Both canals pass through some remarkable countryside and industrial scenery
Holy Austin Rock Houses, Compton Road, Kinver, near Stourbridge, Staffordshire, DY7 6DL
Planning your visit
Article
A Christmas visit to the Rock Houses
Spend magical time at Kinver Edge this Christmas, take part in family craft activities and visit Father Christmas in one of the restored Rock Houses.
Article
Visiting Kinver Edge with your dog
Kinver Edge is a two pawprint rated place. It's a great place to come and exercise with your dog, with miles of footpaths and open countryside for you to explore.
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Learning at Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses
Discover the learning opportunities at Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses, and get in touch about bringing your group.
PDF
PDF
Map of Rock Houses at Kinver Edge
Download or view a map of the Rock Houses, garden and tea-room at Kinver Edge.
PDF
Article
Accessibility at Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses
Discover the accessibility features at Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses. The historic Rock Houses and countryside we care for present challenges in creating access for all, but we are working to ensure Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses are accessible to as many visitors as possible. Here you’ll find information about how to make the most of your visit.
Highlights
Rock Houses
Quirky homes carved into sandstone. Restored Holy Austin houses show how life was lived in the rock until the 1960s.
Kinver Edge
Iron Age hillfort, heathland and woodland escarpment with viewpoints over Shropshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire.
Tea-room
Tea-room serving hot and cold drinks, light lunches and cakes. Outdoor seating offers extensive views over Kinver and beyond.
Spotlight events
What's on at Kinver Edge?
There are a range of events and activities happening at Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses throughout the year. Find out what we have planned.
Kinver Rock Houses by Night - After Hours Halloween and Diwali Event
Experience Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses in a different light at these spectacular after hours events. See magical lights illuminate the woods, Rock Houses and caves, enjoy a Halloween trail and craft activities from 26-31 October, and Diwali trail and activities from 1-2 November.
Walk with a Ranger on Kinver Edge
Follow in the footsteps of a National Trust Ranger and find out what it takes to look after nature and wildlife on Kinver Edge.
Forest School at Kinver Edge
Build a den, learn how to use traditional bushcraft tools and cook some yummy treats on the campfire. Spend time in nature and reconnect with your surroundings.
Christmas Book and Book-Crafts Sale
Come along to see what treasures you will find, we will be selling our most interesting Christmas and winter themed books and crafts.
Visit Father Christmas at the Rock Houses
Dressed in traditional green robes, Father Christmas will be paying a visit to the Rock Houses this year. Step inside the Rock House with its cosy wood fire and enjoy a magical Christmas experience.
Things to see and do
Article
A Christmas visit to the Rock Houses
Spend magical time at Kinver Edge this Christmas, take part in family craft activities and visit Father Christmas in one of the restored Rock Houses.
Article
A family-friendly day out at Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses
Discover what family-friendly things there are to do at Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses in Staffordshire. From natural play to seasonal trails, there's plenty to keep everyone busy.
Article
Wildlife at Kinver Edge
The fragile heathland habitat at Kinver Edge is home to many rare species, with more familiar plants and animals also found in the surrounding woodland.
Top trails
Trail
Centenary trail
Discover two very different Rock Houses on this trail - one restored and another hidden in the trees - as you walk through woodland and heathland habitats.
Trail
Woodland trail
Follow this family-friendly walking trail at Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses. You'll walk through woodland, enjoy natural play areas and finish off with far-reaching views from the hillfort.
Trail
Heathland trail
An easy circular walk through rare heathland habitat at Kinver Edge, with plenty of opportunities for taking in the views and spotting wildlife along the way.
Eating and shopping
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Eating and shopping at Kinver Edge
The Rock House café serves everything from light bites to sandwiches and soup, all in a unique setting. Inside you’ll also find second-hand books for sale.
Upcoming events
Event
Kinver Rock Houses by Night - Diwali
Experience Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses in a different light at this spectacular after hours event. See the magical lights illuminate the Rock Houses and Caves, enjoy a Diwali trail and craft activities.
Event
Christmas Book and Book-Crafts Sale
Come along to see what treasures you will find, we will be selling our most interesting Christmas and winter themed books and crafts.
Event
Rag rug craft workshops (Sold out)
Join us for a guided craft session at the Rock Houses. Using the rag rug technique, you'll make your very own rug or wreath to take home. All materials are included plus a hot drink and delicious piece of cake. £30 per person.
Event
Quiet Visits with Father Christmas at the Rock Houses
Longer quieter visits with traditional Father Christmas for those children who need to visit at a quieter time or need extra time.
Event
Visit Father Christmas at the Rock Houses
Dressed in traditional green robes, Father Christmas will be paying a visit to the Rock Houses this year. Step inside the Rock House with its cosy wood fire and enjoy a magical Christmas experience.
Event
Breakfast Stories With Father Christmas
Father Christmas, dressed in traditional green robes, will be visiting Kinver this December. Come along for breakfast and listen to magical seasonal stories inside the cave. Booking is essential.
Event
Forest school sessions on Kinver Edge
Join Flat Pack Forest School for some woodland adventures on Kinver Edge.
About Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses
With sweeping views, a wildlife haven in the heath and unique homes carved straight into the rock...Kinver Edge is full of surprises.
The famous Holy Austin Rock Houses are cosily restored to help you soak up the atmosphere of these unusual homes. Get comfortable by the fire and our volunteers will tell you tales of the people that lived right inside the rock.
Just outside is the heathland of Kinver Edge - a pocket of wilderness, buzzing with insects and heady with the scent of gorse and purple heather. A stroll along the sandstone ridge offers dramatic views across surrounding counties from the ramparts of an imposing Iron Age Hill Fort. Beyond the views miles of walking country awaits, winding through birch and oak woodland and exposed areas of red sandstone geology.
History
Article
The history of Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses
Kinver Edge is home to both the Kinver Hillfort and the Kinver Rock Houses. Find out more about the history of this unique area in the West Midlands.
The Kinver Edge Committee
The Kinver Edge Committee was established in 1917 by the Lee family, the same year they gifted the Rock Houses and land to the National Trust. Today, this dedicated group of local people, work alongside and support the National Trust, to look after this special place for generations to come.
Our work
Article
Our work at Kinver Edge
From looking after rare lowland heath to managing woodland for butterflies, discover some of the important work the ranger teams at Kinver Edge do.
Project
Project
'Sandscapes' Heathland restoration in the Midlands
Sandscapes is a nature recovery project which aims to restore and reconnect areas of sandy habitats across the three counties of Shropshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire.
Support us
Article
Volunteering at Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses
Find out about volunteering at Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses, and the current opportunities available.
Donate to Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses
Your gift will help to conserve and protect the landscape and historic dwellings at Kinver Edge for future generations to enjoy.
OR
£
£25 could buy 10m of hedgerow trees to support our solitary bees.