Dudmaston Hall, Holy Austin Rock Houses and Knowles Mill

We woke again to a lovely sunny day.

After breakfast we drove to Dudmaston Hall. Stretching a cross 3000 acres of park and woodland, Dudmaston has quietly moved with the rhythms of the local community for over 875 years. The estate remains today a muck loved and lived in family home of the Hamilton Russell’s.

Dudmaston was gifted to the National Trust in 1978 by Rachel Labouchere, the nice of forestry management pioneer Geoffrey Wolryche Whitmore whose forward thinking techniques saved the estate from financial ruin after the World Wars.

We had a walk around the gardens and down to the lake as the house didn’t open until 12:30. We had the traditional tea/coffee and crisps before the tour of the house. The house was pretty unremarkable. A bit disappointing really.

Then we headed over to Kinver Edge for a look at the Holy Austin Rock Houses. From 1600 onwards, homes were carved from the rock. Those at Holy Austin Rock, Nanny’s Rock and Vale’s Rock are amongst the finest cave dwellings in Europe.

Then we headed off in search of Knowles Mill. The last mile or two was down what ca only be called a very bumpy single cart track. We were just starting to wish we hadn’t bothered when we finally found it. The mill dates from the 18th century and includes the frames of an overshot waterwheel.

We headed back to the van for tea and a nice relaxing warm sunny evening.