Perching on the Worcester-Staffordshire border is the incredible remains of the people living in the last caves of the UK – and they are far more comfortable than you think. Kinver Edge features several houses built straight into soft limestone around cliffs that date back earlier in the 16th century.
According to the National Trust, which manages the site, the earliest record for those living in these cave homes is 1777. A man called Joseph Healy was evacuated from the storm and was given shelter by “clean and decent family.” He explains how Rock House created a good home “warm in the winter and cool in the summer.” The house was large enough to be carved out of the sandstone on the cliff, with no well water and subsequent gas, but no electricity. As the family grew, the rooms could be split up, and often guests were taken. The 1861 census listed 11 families living on the cliff.
The BBC reports that the living conditions on the cliff were far superior to the living conditions of nearby villages.
Claire Hale of the National Trust told the BBC that people living in Kniver Edge are exposed to less pollution and disease. The average life expectancy of the Industrial Revolution was in the early 50s, but the residents of the Rock made it much better.
Claire said: “They (at the rock house) lived in the 80s.”
By the turn of the 20th century, the community is already becoming a tourist attraction, and residents are offering tea from home to curious visitors.
Most families left by the 1930s, but the last residents left in the 1960s, causing the rock house to collapse.
By the 80s, the committee was formed to try to save the home, and by 1993 the first property was restored, and then other property was restored in 2010.
Today, Kinver Edge is a great place to visit for a day. If you are a National Trust member, it is free, but for other visitors it costs £15.
One mom is described as “glorious” posted to Tiktok under the username “I'm bored with my kids.”
She said:
She also added that there is an incredible tea room with fantastic views of the countryside.
“This is by no means a hidden gem, but it's a great place to go for a family walk.”
