Overview

This is a delightful half days visit through beautiful scenic woodland and open pastures, and a trip that a disabled person can manage and enjoy. We Start the trip in the small town of Kinver which lies in South Staffordshire, in the district of Stourbridge. The earliest record is found in a charter of 736ad, and it’s present church dates from the 12th century. It’s High Street was laid out in the late 13th century, while it’s main Pub, the White Hart dates back to the 14th century. KINVER was known for its sturdy woolen cloth, and it was also a stop on the road from Chester to Bristol, where the White Hart benefitted by the passing trade route. The river was used to power Slitting mills during the mid 1600,s, and with these mills they Slit bars of Iron into rods to be made into nails. Sadly these mills closed by about 1892. There is a local story, but completely unfounded, that the family of Dick Whittington lived here in the area. We then moved across to Kinver Edge, with its broadleaved woodland, famous now for its landmark of the rock caves, carved into the sandstone, and lived in until the 1960,s, some of them restored to show us how they lived in the 1930,s, where at one time 11 families lived here. The caves date back to the 18th century, believed to be used as a home from 1770. An able bodied person can walk up the hill to the caves to see its gardens, orchard, and allotments, now being restored, and there is a tea room and toilets, with an outdoor seating area. Sadly, for those of us disabled, there is no way we can get up to see them, but the paths around the hill allows us a chance to see the rock face, as our photo shows. Now though, we can enjoy Kinver woods, sometimes called the Royal Forest, with almost 19 acres of wood containing many broadleaved trees, such as Birch, Oak, and Sweet chestnut. To the South you will find coniferous woodland. In 1917 almost 19 acres of these woods were given to the National Trust, and it now has a circular path, but not really ideal for disabled people at the moment. All in all, some 200 acres of land, with 40 or so miles of footpaths and bridleways cover the area and surrounding countryside, and here you may see Adders, Common Lizards, Badgers and the Red fox. It truly is a beautiful woodland, and we wish to now offer you our review, to see if we can encourage you to go and see for yourself this delightful area. We hope you will enjoy your trip, but if you feel you will not be able to travel that far, why not read our review, and if you like it, please tick the “I like “ button, which may encourage others to read the review and consider taking the trip. KINVER is a small town in the area of Stourbridge, (photo 1). It has just one small street, but a nice place to start, and it may draw you to want to see some of the small shops, and a few coffee shops. The Clock Tower attractively stands by Kinver drive (photo 2) which leads up to Kinver church. Just on the edge of the street is a small tea room, which looks inviting , a Miss Marple tea room. (photo 3). A short drive away , we parked in the one disabled bay, to admire the woodlands (photo 4) it is possible to get a view of the famous Kinver Edge rock, (photo 5) and it’s old inhabited sandstone caves. Unfortunately it is impossible for a disabled person to get up to the caves. KINVER woods is an ancient woodland of an unknown date, (many speculate of course) with many a pathway of hard compressed soil, so on a dry day an ideal friendly route for us. The middle path (photo 6) allows a short walk to another car park that your carer could perhaps easily manage for you. The Autumn colours were just beginning to show their beauty at this next car park (photo 7) on an early November day. Depending on how you both feel, it is possible to attempt another mile or so to the next car park, (photo 8) or return to pick your car up at the first car park, then make the journey by car on a scenic narrow lane to the car park (photo 9). The next car park is along this lane with easy access into the woods (photo 10). From here you can return to the first car park if you attempted the ride, a scooter or powerchair will manage this quite well, (photo 11) and again the photo shows quite a level hard core path. Our final thoughts Very enjoyable few hours, starting off in Kinver with perhaps a coffee break at one of the very few “watering holes” On a dry day a ride through Kinver will raise your spirits, as these woods are delightful whatever the time of year.

Transport & Parking

Three woodland car parks are available which are close to openings to get you into the woods, and the paths are compressed soil, perhaps difficult after rain, but otherwise quite easy for your carer. There is no charge for you to see these woods.

Access

It’s all woodland, so expect a little huffing and puffing, but on a dry day, you may get around quite easily, it depends on the strength of your carer. We did not see any benches for a rest, so bear this in mind as to the distance you want carer to push.

Toilets

There are no toilets on this woodland ride

Staff

The land is open, so no staff or support for you other than your carer.

Photos