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Perhaps the most fascinating and appealing part of Drakelow is the group of rock houses, with their associated landscape (which includes the remnants of hedges and private gardens) on the southern side of the site. These have their origins as squatters’ homes on pre-Enclosure common land. The cave dwellings of the marginal inhabitants of Kinver Edge’s heath lands and woods are extremely important survivals of peasant architecture almost unrivalled in Britain. They are a nationally important reminder of a forgotten chapter of England’s history and must be preserved, protected and their story told for the enjoyment of the public who should inherit them.
At Drakelow there are two main groups of cave structures; an eastern group of at least nine dwellings (on two levels and almost intact) and a smaller group of shallow overgrown cave houses which extend down the hillside to the west. The caves are dug into terraces in the soft rock, windows and doors appear from the cliffs. Behind are houses made up of groups of rooms provided with fireplaces and cupboards and shelves cut into the rock.
Associated with the caves are the remains of numerous rock-cut structures, roadways and building bases. The extensive use of freestanding rock-cut walls as building bases is unique to Drakelow and is not found elsewhere.
In the mid 19th century, the Hancock's of Blakeshall Hall built a complete village, with a school, to cater for the growing population in the rock houses and surrounding areas. The construction was philanthropic in purpose and was built in the fashionable picturesque style. The Swiss inspired houses, built in red sandstone and brick, were a delightful architectural oddity and were the subject of numerous postcard views. Unfortunately, the MOD demolished the larger structures in 1982 but many remains of the “Swiss Village” may be found on the site today.
The largest building of the village was the Blakeshall Common School and this survived for the next 100 years, being used as a mission chapel by a non-conformist sect in the 1890’s but little used in the 20th century until it was finally demolished in the 1980’s. The importance of this aspect of the site’s history lies in the role that the little village was to play in providing poor people with the essentials of life. Again, the overall story of Drakelow is that of the ‘forgotten communities’ of English history. It is important to reiterate the fact that once these fragile old remains are destroyed, this story will forever remain un-researched and partially told.
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