Restoration of Holy Austin Rock
In 1993 the upper houses were restored as a family home once more. The restoration was accurately based on the many photographs from times past and the many memories buzzing to be told. A custodian was installed to live here and volunteers engaged in the rest of the site, discovering and restoring the original gardens. Proper visitor access was built and suddenly, Holy Austin Rock caught public interest.
In 1996 work began at the lower level – the original home of Mr and Mrs Fletcher. The huge space known as the Ballroom was made secure with brick arches and rock bolting. Windows and doors where reconstructed exactly as the originals. Chimneys were rebuilt and fireplaces installed. Using photographic evidence and the Rushton painting as the basis for decoration, the Fletcher cottage was depicted to represent life in the rock houses in the early 1900’s. Volunteers welcomed first visitors on 25th October 1997.
The Martindale residence was next to be restored, set slightly later in its twilight years of the 1930s and telling the story of tourism.
Other rock houses on Kinver Edge
Beyond Holy Austin Rock, there are other rock houses on Kinver Edge to discover. Nanny’s Rock is a natural cavern, and there are references to it’s occupation in the 17th and 19th centuries. Also known as Meg o’Fox hole, this empty cave is tucked away in the woods but can be found by following the purple waymarked ‘Rock House’ trail. Traces of an old chimney can be seen in the ceiling.
Vale’s Rock is on three levels and was occupied into the 1950s, but is now overgrown and currently closed to the public. There are still trees growing around here from an old orchard, and there is a well that used to supply water for the families here. We have recently completed a laser scan of the Vale’s Rock complex and are looking at a future project to make it more open for people to enjoy.
There’s much more information in The Centenary Guide - Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses available at Holy Austin Rock