KINVER CAVES



Kinver sits in that small part of Staffordshire that has almost been annexed by Worcestershire and has many fascinating features. These features derive largely from the geology of the area. Kinver Edge is an escarpment of red sandstone laid down as dune sand around 200 million years ago in the Permian period.

Lying hidden under the Edge is a huge complex of tunnels about which much local myth abounds. During the last war three huge tunnels capable of taking In large modern articulated lorries were secretly excavated to create a shadow factory. Many smaller interconnecting tunnels were also created. Managed by Rover this was largely put to work producing aircraft engine parts. During the cold war the complex became a nuclear bunker or RSG (Regional Seat of Government). When the writer visited the bunker at its decommissioning it contained among many things; a BBC Studio, Telecommunications, operating theatre and still signs for government departments such as the DHSS. It beggars belief that politicians could imagine the populace queuing for dole after a nuclear holocaust!

The same sandstone provides the raw material for some fascinating dwellings at Holy Austin Rock. First recorded by J.Heely in 1777 he describes how the dwellings have been carved out from the soft stone to produce rooms that "were curious, warm and commodious". The expanding Iron Industry along the Staffs and Worcester Canal saw a rise in the demand for homes. In 1861 there were eleven families resident, forty five souls in total. By 1891 only four families remained as the industry declined. At the beginning of the twentieth century the cave dwellers made capital out of the growth of tourism selling teas to visitors. At the end of the Second World War one family remained, occupying the three gabled upper level, another lived in the whole of the lower caves until the 1950's and the upper level remained a cafe until 1967. Surprisingly the rock houses were comfortable. Dry and warm in winter and cool in summer. Water was drawn from two wells until pumping lowered the water table and the water company provided a stand pipe. Gas was installed in the 30’s, indeed the supply pipe can still be seen.

1964 the National Trust acquired the site and the first stage of restoration was completed in 1993. As the site had been a tourist attraction for more than a century a wealth of photographs, postcards and written material existed enabling the upper gables to be accurately reconstructed. This now forms the home of the custodian.

In 1977 the lower caves were restored. This involved stabilizing the rock which had become damaged by roots. A brick vault was constructed and the rock frontage secured. The interior and exterior were lime washed. The painting of Mr and Mrs Fletcher at home in their cave by Alfred Rushton in 1903 allowed for a detailed reconstruction of the interior with its black lead grate. The Kinver Edge Volunteers have acquired furniture and various other artefacts to give visitors an impression of how life in the caves must have been around the turn of the last century.

                    
Credit for this article is given to  For You Online

First Photograph: Image produced from the Staffordshire Past Track service with permission of Landmark Information Group Ltd.

Second Photograph: Image produced from the Quinton Local History Society.  Copyright © B. J. Taylor 2003



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