What To Experience In The Beautiful Malvern Hills
The first time you visit the Malvern Hills, you’ll almost certainly have a ‘wow – I didn’t see that coming’ moment.
Residing mostly in Worcestershire and Herefordshire (with a little bit in northern Gloucestershire), the hills have been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
And it’s not hard to see why – the soaring hilltops are genuinely breathtaking.
If you’re planning a trip to the wonderful Malvern Hills, here are a few activities you might like to get stuck into.
Get climbing!
It stands to reason that – if you’re in the Malvern Hills – one thing you should conquer is climbing the hills. So, be sure you pack some sturdy hiking shoes before setting off.
If your jump-off point is Great Malvern, then head towards St Ann’s Well. Halfway up the hill is St Ann’s Well Cafe, which has a modest but tasty selection of vegetarian bites.
Grab yourself a sarnie, coffee and piece of cake, set yourself down on one of the picnic tables outside, and take in the spectacular scenery.
Here you can plan your route, debate whether to press on to the top of the hill, or roll happily back down again.
Bonus fact: The Malvern Hills are also famous for their spring water, which initially came from holy wells such as St Ann’s. And the production of modern bottled water began in the spa town of Great Malvern.
If you keep going up, there are walks for all abilities. Highly recommended is the circular walk around Worcestershire Beacon, Sugarloaf Hill, and North Hill.
This requires moderate effort, but you won’t be disappointed by the views.
For the more adventurous, the End-to-End walk takes you along the Malvern Ridge, and you’ll scale most of the major summits.
This is a 9.3-mile trek from Chase Hill in the south to North Hill, which should take about five hours. Or you can break it into sections.
On the flip side, if you fancy a leisurely ascent that isn’t too much for slightly older kids, head up the Worcestershire Beacon from The Wyche. Park at Wyche Cutting, and you’ll be atop the beacon in just half an hour.
Though not too punishing a route, it’s still 425 metres high. From here you can see 14 counties on a clear day and The Black Mountains. Not bad!
Superb theatre and vintage gems
If you’d like to indulge in a few hours of culture, see what’s on at the Malvern Theatre in Great Malvern. It’s home to two 850-seat theatres – the Festival and the Forum – and a 300-seat cinema.
It also sometimes previews shows before they go on their West-End run.
Perhaps you’re looking for quirky collectibles, trinkets, furniture, or decorations? Great Malvern is home to a treasure trove of second-hand and vintage shops.
And the Three Counties Showground hosts numerous events for collectors such as antique fairs, toy train fairs, and the Malvern Flea & Collectors Fair.
Hosted nine times a year, this is the UK’s largest flea fair and a great place to pick up collectibles and rarities if you have the eye for it.
Indulge in a delicious feast
What many of us secretly (and not-so-secretly) love most about going somewhere new is trying out the eateries and hostelries.
There’s no shame in that, and Malvern is well kitted-out with both.
Great news if you love a curry – there are some stellar Indian restaurants and takeaways. Anupam in Great Malvern has been a perennial favourite since it first opened its doors in the late 1980s.
The menu – while containing several familiar favourites – is a cut above, with plenty of interesting choices.
If you’re not sure what to choose, come along for Sunday lunch, when they serve tapas portions of their most popular dishes.
The Everest Eatery in Malvern Link also does a lovely curry and has an extensive Nepalese and Indian menu.
And both restaurants do takeaway and delivery if you fancy eating in the comfort of your own pad.
Fancy dressing up for dinner?
But if you really want to make a meal of eating out, go for a spot of fine dining at L’amouse Bouche.
Sample dishes include Hereford Beef fillet with black truffle, Severn and Wye salmon with soft-boiled quails eggs, and of course the titular amouse bouche.
They also do afternoon teas, which you can enjoy in the cosy lounge of The Cotford Hotel.
If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can upgrade to a sparkling afternoon tea.
Or would you prefer a hearty pub lunch?
As you might expect, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is dotted with lovely country pubs.
On the western face, The Wellington Inn in Colwall has a stunning backdrop in the shape of the Malvern Hills.
This gorgeous oak-beamed pub is a necessary stop for real ale lovers and you’ll get to taste some fabulous local produce. Plus, dogs are allowed in the bar.
Another great spot is The Brewers Arms, also on the western face, near West Malvern. It’s a cosy village pub, complete with a terraced area overlooking sensational views of the hills.
But our favourite on the east side is The Nags Head, which is within an easy stroll of both Great Malvern and Malvern Link stations.
Brimming with rustic charm, it’s the perfect spot to read the paper and enjoy an ale in front of the fire.
You’ve discovered a new peaceful retreat
We think you’ll find it difficult to tear yourself away from the idyllic scenery and feel-good atmosphere that makes up the Malvern Hills.
But there’s always next time. So, when will you be back to do it all again?