Kingsford Forest Park

The criss-cross of sandy tracks and views from the top of the ridge make it a pleasure to explore these woods, and the pockets of heathland.

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.  

After the Ice Age Kingsford, like the rest of Britain, was covered by natural Oak forest. In Norman and Saxon times it formed the central part of the great Royal Hunting Forest of Feckenham, equivalent to the New Forest and the Forest of Dean today. There was a Royal Hunting Lodge situated on Castle Hill to the west of the park, and because the road to the lodge passed through the stream, the area became known by the Kings' ford.

Timber from the large Oaks was used for building ships for the Royal Navy. Wood was taken to Bewdley and transported down the River Severn on flat barges. Trees were grown spaced well apart, to encourage large branches bending upwards. These curved shapes, known as elbows and knees, were perfect for curved sides of ships.

Gradually areas of wood were cleared for agriculture, but the soil was not very productive, so was used for grazing sheep and rabbits and lowland heathland formed, typified by gorse, heather and bracken. The grazing prevented trees growing up again, so specialised heathland flora and fauna was able to establish itself. The purple carpet of Heather in summer attracts butterflies like Small Heath, Common Blue and Small Copper. Birds such as Stonechat come to nest in the gorse and can be heard making a call like two stones being knocked together. The Yellowhammer is also seen around gorse and broom bushes, giving their rasping calls said to sound like 'a little bit of bread and no cheese'.

In some parts of the Park commercial forestry plantations of Pine and Larch were established by private owners between 1930 and 1960. These are less rich in wildlife value, but there are birds like Woodpeckers, Nuthatches and Woodcock and lots of fungi in autumn enjoy the damp dark woodland floor.

There is a waymarked path linking the forest with Cookley, so you can explore on foot from the area. You can join this at Debdale Bridge or Bridge Street, and it takes you to the Blakeshall Lane side of the Forest Park.  

Site Information

Kingsford Forest Park is located in north west Worcestershire, 1 mile south west of Kinver. Signposted from the B4189 at Wolverley. Grid Reference: 825820.

Download Kingsford Forest Park site map  (844.84 KB)

OS Maps

Explorer 218, Landranger 138

Opening Times

Open daily, pedestrian access 24 hours, vehicular access 8.00am – 5pm (winter), 8.00am – 7pm (summer).

Site Facilities

To help you enjoy your visit to Kingsford Forest Park, a site leaflet is available which contains a map and information on the site’s history and geology.

For further information contact the Countryside Service on 01562 710025.