2:26pm Monday 20th February 2012
A KINVER tourist attraction will be bigger and better for 2012 with a new feature looking back nearly 90 years.
On Thursday March 1, the National Trust will be unveiling the recently refurbished and reconstructed Martindale Caves at Kinver Rock Houses.
The new attraction tells the story of the Reeves family, who lived there from 1932 to 1937, although the site is known to have had residents from the 1770s to the 1960s.
Rock Houses custodian, Mike Parker, said: "It’s a hugely exciting time for us, the new house gives us a chance to tell more stories about the people who lived here and add another dimension to the visitor experience.”
Last year the Rock Houses attracted more than 12,000 visitors who helped shape the new feature during a consultation on what people would like to see in the caves.
Staff and volunteers spent the winter creating the Reeves home by reconstructing the old porch, laying lino on the floors, and sourcing historic furniture and objects.
The National Trust is celebrating the launch of the new rock house with a family fun day on Saturday March 3.
The event will run from 11am to 4pm and feature free activities including face painting, Plant a Bean Trails and object handling.
Entry to the Rock Houses is free for National Trust members, tickets cost £1.60 (child), £3.30 (adult) or £6.60 (family).
The Rock Houses will be open for visitors from 11am to 4pm every weekend from March 3 until November 25.
A spokesperson from the National Trust said: " With these extended hours and the opening of the Martindale Caves the National Trust is on the look out for more volunteers to help show visitors around the Rock Houses.
"Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Laura Broadhurst on 01562 712 822."
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