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View Full Version : Drakelow Rock Houses, Kinver, West Mids, Dec 08



boxfrenzy
29-12-2008, 10:13 PM
One of my first reports, posted a thousand years ago. Revisited with kids and new camera. These houses were carved out of the rock, and lived in by families probably about 300 years ago, although exact dates are unknown. They were last inhabited in the early decades of the twentieth century.
The Rock Houses are on a hill, where miles of tunnels were carved out during the war for the shadow factory for Rover. The tunnels became a Regional Seat of Government and nuclear bunker during the cold war.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3241/3148271294_aaec119f7d.jpg

The front door
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/3148262554_d574bbaea1_b.jpg

Sadly no trace remains of window and door frames.They were warm in winter and cool in the summer.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/3147429019_02f24ff8f3.jpg

Because of their hidden position, the caves remain in good condition.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/3148261396_bcd7df9c37.jpg

Remains of a chimney
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/3148263760_2c2ecf7fae_b.jpg

Shadows on the sandstone
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/3147432967_859c9c0b6b.jpg

It is likely that J.R.R Tolkein would have visited these, or other nearby Rock Houses* and based his Hobbit Holes on them
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/3147427793_6f886f7d32.jpg

Drakelow Rock houses in the early years of the twentieth century, still inhabited.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/thedownings10/2008-03-25-1759-29_editedSmall.jpg

Nearby is the remains of a power station, that would have supplied the Drakelow tunnels.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/3148270166_ed8be4ced8.jpg

Old lights
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/3147436467_517a74b958.jpg

A junior explorer shines some light on things, while my mother prevents a small toddler running in and falling straight into a trench.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/3147437571_b8b42d5268.jpg

Banksy type graffiti.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/3147435333_09a6c812c6.jpg

*This is part three of the Rock Houses trilogy. Readers may be interested in parts 1 and 2, still available here.
http://www.urbexforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1570&highlight=rock+houses

http://www.urbexforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=971&highlight=rock+houses