Your first visit to Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses

Wander around quirky rock houses, explore miles of wildlife-rich heathland and woods, or sit back and enjoy a freshly baked scone from a tea terrace with an outstanding view of surrounding counties. Whether you're just passing through or here for the whole day, there's plenty to discover at Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses.

When can you visit?

The restored Holy Austin Rock Houses and tea rooms are open Thursday - Monday, 11am - 4pm until 3 November, and daily during school holidays. After 3 November they are open weekends, again 11am - 4pm. Please check here for detailed opening times.

The countryside of Kinver Edge is open all year round, with several free car parks that open at 8am but also free lay-by parking that is open at all times. You'll find a toilet at the Kingsford Lane car park.

How much does it cost to come in?

Entry to the Rock Houses is free for National Trust members and children under 5. You can find prices for tickets for non-members on our website here. We are a charity and rely on the money from membership sales and tickets to look after these special places.

The countryside of Kinver Edge is free to access, and all the car parks are free.

Exploring the Rock Houses

Inside the restored Rock Houses you can soak up the atmosphere of these unusual homes that are cut straight into the rich red sandstone. One room is a huge cave, others are cosy cottages with furniture, windows and crackling fires. There are volunteer guides in the rooms ready to share stories and anecdotes of the families that lived here until as recently as the 1960s. If you're feeling hands-on you can have a go at rag-rugging, and there's an activity sheet and traditional toys to entertain the kids.

Children playing inside the Rock Houses — Children can enjoy playing with traditional toys

You might even spot one of the lesser horseshoe bats that now call these caves home, roosting here throughout the winter months and sometimes hanging from the Rock House ceilings. Also look out for the historic carved graffiti - but please don't add any more!

Wandering into the gardens around the houses you’ll find a quaint heritage orchard and working allotments, and plenty of shady spots for a picnic or just to sit and enjoy the spring bulbs.

Get out into the countryside

In the wider countryside of Kinver Edge you can discover the buzz of wildlife on the heathland, enjoy the heady scent of gorse in spring and sweeping purple of heather in autumn. This heathland area is really important for wildlife and is home to many rare species such as adders, tree pipits, cuckoos and all sorts of bees, butterflies and moths.

Wildlife at Kinver Edge

With rare heathland habitat and miles of surrounding woodland, there's a wealth of special wildlife to discover at Kinver Edge

There are woodland walks as well, and routes for cyclists and horse-riders. For a short stroll you can stomp ten minutes uphill from the Rock Houses to the site of an impressive Iron Age Hillfort with spectacular views of surrounding counties. If you're looking for a full day out, the purple trail is a good 3 hour walk, or even longer if you stop for picnics!

Pick up a map from the Rock Houses to follow different coloured trails or follow the directions on one of the noticeboards at the car parks.

Nanny's Rock in the woodland of Kinver Edge

Rock House 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.

Time for a bite to eat

Using fruit and veg grown in the allotments, the Rock House tea rooms serve up a treat. The tea room is actually inside one of the former Rock Houses, and serves freshly made sandwiches, cakes, scones, soup, ice cream, cold drinks and a variety of teas and coffees…and rock cakes, of course! You can sit outside with reaching views, or get cosy indoors by the stove. Either way, you'll feel right at home.