It was also inhabited until the 1960s but due to its dangerous condition has since been fenced off to prevent public access. Geography Kinver Edge is situated to the east of the Severn Valley, and is in the South Staffordshire/Wyre Forest Districts. It is situated in green belt land, and is at the very edge of the urban metropolitan West Midlands. Kinver Edge rises to 164 metres (538 ft) above sea level at the summit, and provides views to the Clent Hills, Shatterford Hill, Dudley, Wenlock Edge, Malvern Hills and the Shropshire Hills. The Edge is a sandstone ridge topped with Bunter pebbles, and is subject to erosion. Flora and fauna Kinver Edge contains two areas of heathland, the larger near the top of the escarpment in the north and the smaller in the former Forest Park to the south. The broadleaf woodland in the north includes birch, oak and sweet chestnut trees, while the former Forest Park is largely made up of coniferous plantation woodlands. the National Trust is proposing to restore a further 47.9 acres of heathland in the former Forest Park over the next 10 years. The heathland on Kinver Edge is inhabited by wildlife, including the adder, common lizard, and heathland birds such as the skylark. Common buzzard, Eurasian jay, great spotted woodpecker, and many other bird species are present in the woods, as are the badger and red fox. From time to time longhorn cattle are allowed to graze on the heathland areas. Contemporary uses The primary economic activity is tourism and estate management. The Staffordshire Way long-distance footpath passes over the summit, while the North Worcestershire Path runs through the former Forest Park, which is also used for mountain biking. References Notes External links Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses - National Trust Internet Guide to Stourbridge Kinver Page BBC Radio 4 documentary about Kinver Edge (listen online) Hills of Staffordshire Hills of Worcestershire National Trust properties in Staffordshire Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Staffordshire Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Worcestershire South Staffordshire District Historic house museums in Staffordshire Escarpments of England