Malvern is famed for its hills, its water and Morgan Motor Cars. Many people have heard of this town, nestled in the English Midlands, but surprisingly few take the time to experience its beauty for themselves.
Situated about 20 minutes’ drive from the city of Worcester, Malvern boasts two stations with direct rail links to Birmingham, Oxford and London. Great Malvern station is a gentle walk from the town centre, where the grand Priory church can be seen. Visitors can sample the renowned Malvern water fresh from a spring on Belle Vue Terrace, before admiring views over Worcestershire next to a statue of composer Edward Elgar, whose connections to the area are another draw for tourists.
A blue plaque on the Unicorn Pub hints at Malvern’s literary links, as C.S. Lewis (author of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe) drank here on many occasions. Continuing up the road from the Unicorn will lead you to the hillside. It is steep in places, but refreshments are available at St Ann’s Well café, a quaint octagonal building that specialises in vegan food. This is by no means the top of the Worcestershire Beacon, but those that persevere to the summit will be rewarded with stunning panoramas across the Midlands and towards Wales.
The Worcester Beacon is the tallest hill in the Malvern range, but those looking for a gentler amble could try the Hereford Beacon, also known as British Camp. Children armed with cardboard sledges are a common sight here, as British Camp was an Iron Age hill fort and is distinctively shaped by defensive ditches, which today form a natural playground.
Besides being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Malvern also offers culture, largely thanks to the Malvern Theatres complex above the Winter Gardens park. From music concerts and world cinema to classical ballet and drama, there is something here for everybody to enjoy. An excellent range of restaurants fall within short walking distance of the Theatre, including Indian, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Fresh air, glorious scenery, entertainment to choose from, fine dining readily available and plenty more to discover: need I describe further why Malvern in undoubtedly a gem of the Midlands?
Written by Jemma Saunders
Follow Jemma on Twitter @JemSaunders1 or read more on her blog.