‘England’s last cave dwellers’ whose small caves deep in the sandstone cliffs are perfectly preserved to this day

SANDSTONE caves near the Black Country were once home to England’s last cavemen.

Kinver Edge is a high heathland and woodland slope on the Staffordshire–Worcestershire border.

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A network of hollow houses was carved into the three soft red sandstone rocks: Holy Austin, Nanny’s and Vale’s.

The cliff houses were inhabited until the 1960s and are now owned by the municipality National Trust.

The houses at Holy Austin were restored in 1993 to reflect life in the rock houses at the turn of the 20th century.

Mr and Mrs Fletcher’s original home on the ground floor was reconstructed from photographs and memories.

There is now furniturewindows, doors and even stoves – just as they were when the houses were occupied.

Visitors were welcomed in October 1997, but Nanny’s and Vale’s have not been restored.

The first mention of people living in the quirky rock houses dated from 1777.

Joseph Heely took refuge from a storm and was given shelter by a “fair and decent family”.

He described the rock houses as “warm in winter, cool in summer”.

They had water from the well and later gasbut there was no electricity and sanitation via earth boxes.

The rooms were larger and the ceilings higher than in nearby cottages, and according to an 1861 census, eleven families lived there.

Some cliff dwellings were owner-occupied, but most were rented out.

Entry to Kinver Edge today costs £7.50 for a full-paying adult.

Beyond Kinver Edge, there are a number of fascinating caves and caverns all over Britain.

Gaping Gill, Yorkshire

For anyone who is afraid of heights or afraid of the dark or both, the idea is to be brought down from almost 120 meters high a waterfall Entering a cave may seem like a terrifying prospect.

Others, however, are overwhelmed by their journey past Gaping Gill in Yorkshirewhere there can be visitors twice a year lowered into the cave on a winch.

Painsill, Surrey

Painsill in Surrey is home to the largest in Europe man-made crystal cave.

The cave is described as a “highlight of any day out in Painshill”, where “children are fascinated and adults are awed by the incredible man-made feature”.

Carnglaze Caves, Cornwall

The Carnglaze Caves are located 60 meters underground.

They were originally created over 300 years ago by a group of local miners, but have since opened as a tourist attraction.

There are three separate caves to explore, including one that has since been flooded and turned into a cave underground lake.

In the meantime there are five cheap and free activities to do during the summer holidays.

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