Kingsford Forest Park

Kingsford Forest Park

Kingsford Forest Park
Wolverley
Kidderminster
Worcestershire
DY11 5SL

Tel: 01562 710 025

Web: Kingsford Forest Park

About Kingsford Forest Park

quiet & beautiful park, Kingsford lies on edge of dramatic red sandstone ridge. With 200 acres of cool Pine forests & open heath land, miles of sandy tracks as well as more traditional broadleaved woods.
Along the length of the ridge there are frequent outcrops of red sandstone. This rock is very soft and over centuries families created dwellings to live in, especially in the 18th century when the Hyde Iron Works in Kinver opened and the workers coming in from the Black Country arrived and found a severe shortage of accommodation. Occupants took great pride in these homes and rooms were tiled, windows glazed, cupboards added and every house had at least one fireplace and a well. They were even surrounded by carefully cultivated gardens and orchards. Later these rock houses were equipped with gas. When the Iron Works closed in 1880 many families earned a living by providing tea for visitors. The rock houses had become a tourist attraction; even the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret were taken for a visit. Most of the rock houses are now derelict and out of bounds, but Holy Austin rock house on Kinver Edge (owned and managed by the National Trust) has been restored at its original condition, and can be viewed safely by visitors.