These unique locations in the south of the district are brimming with character, history, and iconic landmarks.
Kinver
Kinver is a large village steeped in history and legend.
It was known for making sturdy woollen cloth and profited from being a stop on the ‘Great Irish Road’ from Bristol to Chester - with town’s White Harte pub dating back to this time.
Its pretty high street is preserved within a conservation area and boasts a number of listed timber-framed buildings. It is still recognisable as a 13th century planned town, with a wide central market street flanked by houses with long, narrow plots.
Today it buzzes with cafes, pubs and independent traders.
Many other buildings within the village and parish are listed and others are in the process of being added.
Much of Kinver is highly photogenic and an annual competition is held to produce pictures for the Kinver Calendar. These images are exhibited in the library – itself a building worthy of capture.
People have lived in Kinver since the retreat of the ice sheets 10,000 years ago, with the iron age hillfort being the most visible site in the village.
It had a thriving iron industry until the mid-1800s, after which tourism took over with Kinver’s heritage drawing in visitors and making it a desirable place to live.
The village is dominated by the sandstone ridge of Kinver Edge which leads onto a vast heathland managed by the National Trust and declared a site of special scientific interest.
The native lowland heath vegetation is internationally rare and a threatened habitat but remains accessible for walkers and cyclists.
Kinver is the centre of the largest inhabited group of houses cut from rock in Britain - of which Holy Austin Rock is most famous. These are now a major tourist attraction, visited by thousands each year.
The last cave-dweller left in the 1960s and the National Trust has preserved the interiors and furnishings of some, together with the stories of the inhabitants.
The village prides itself on being family friendly, with a host of clubs and activities open to all ages.
Families might enjoy a ride on the Kinver Miniature Railway. Open from 2-4pm between Easter and September, anyone can ride - and over 10s can learn how to drive the engine. Located on Sterrymore Gardens, the site also provides light refreshments at The Whistle Stop Café.
Enville
Enville is a tiny village of around 100 houses, a post office, general store, coffee and gift shop, and the award-winning Cat public house.
The village is dominated by the large Enville Hall estate which once boasted its own racecourse which is now a forest track.
Its grounds are home to a recreation field where Enville Cricket Club and Enville Athletic Football Club play.
The hall is the private home of the Williams family and occasionally open to the public when it hosts events.
Enville Brewery is another jewel in the village crown, where award-winning ales have been brewed since 1993. Among its offering is the Enville Ale, which the brewery describes as a ‘traditional beekeeper’s ale’ - the recipe for which they say dates back to the 19th century.
Outside the village is Enville Golf Club, plus Enville and Highgate Common walking areas.