Home to a bounty of wildlife, varied habitats—like meadows, ponds, quarries and orchards—and world-famous springs (known for their purity and healing properties), the dramatically rising Malvern Hills, full of ancient woodland, rolling pastures and wild commons, boast some of the most spectacular landscapes in England.
While the Malvern Hills may feel many miles from Birmingham (about forty, to be exact), you can get to this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in just over an hour—either by driving or hopping on the train to Malvern, where the spa town is every bit as beautiful and worth visiting as the Hills.
Tell me more about Malvern…
Heavily Victorian in style, Malvern was first established by Benedictine monks in the 11th century, but has roots back to the Bronze Age. The town really took off in the 19th century, thanks to its popular hydrotherapy spa, with Great Malvern (an area inside Malvern) a designated conservation area for its architectural and historic interest.
Today, you will find an impressive mix of independent cafés and restaurants, arts and craft shops, galleries, boutiques and second-hand bookshops around three town centres in Malvern (Great Malvern, Barnards Green and Malvern Link)—perfect for anyone shopping for a one–of–a–kind gift.
Make sure to visit the 900-year-old Priory that has the largest collection of English 15th century stained glass of any parish church in England; the small family-run garden and nursery for unusual plants, Old Court Nurseries & Picton Garden; and, if you’d like, stay over at The Cottage in the Wood, home to Malvern’s only 3AA Rosette restaurant, 1919.
Other highlights of the town include a wander around the tranquil Priory Park, a sip of water from St Anne’s Well (or countless other springs in the Malvern Hills), and the Morgan Experience Centre’s luxury sports car collection. Discover local history at Malvern Museum, community arts at the Malvern Cube, and live performances at the Malvern Theatres.
What about the Malvern Hills?
While Malvern is a charming countryside town well worth the visit all on its own, you can’t overlook those amazing hills just a stone’s throw away. Climb to the staggering 425 metre heights of the Worcester Beacon for breathtaking panoramic views, while the AONB is full of a mis oc hiking trails—including the popular 2-hour trail, North Hill Circular.
How do I get there from Birmingham?
For once, it might be quicker by public transport to get to Malvern from Birmingham. There’s a direct train from Birmingham New Street to Great Malvern that takes less than an hour, with many hiking trails into the Hills leaving from the town. If you’d prefer to drive, it won’t take much longer, however, just over an hour via the M5.