Worcestershire’s Malvern Hills (England’s mini-Himalayas!)
The county of Worcestershire is one of many land-locked areas of England, home to many pretty villages and lovely countryside. Much of it is taken up by the Malvern Hills (so steep that climbers attempting to climb Mount Everest often use them for practice!)
If ambling along the lower levels, you’ll still find some of the best views of the West Midlands. And on a good day, you can see as far as the Severn Valley, the Black Mountains and even the Cotswolds.
If out walking, follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe.
The hills support habitats of many rare birds and butterflies, plus wildflowers and spring bulbs like bluebells and foxgloves (keep flower-nosey dogs away, as all spring bulbs are toxic to pets).
Worcestershire Beacon is the highest point (425 metres) which offers amazing sunrises and sunsets, clear air and open skies, reached by miles of footpaths that wind through wooded valleys.
The Malvern Hills are known for their natural spring, where people can partake of the ‘healing waters’ from public fountains dotted around nearby.
The Town of Great Malvern
This pretty town sits at the foot of the Malvern Hills, and is full of historic buildings, independent shops and art galleries. The Priory church dominates the town, with stunning medieval architecture.
Nearby, you’ll find villages like West Malvern, Malvern Wells, and Colwall, each with its own character and friendly spots to stop for tea or a pint.
One local resident was composer Edward Elgar (his music often played at Last Night of the Proms). He wrote the first football anthem (for his team Wolverhampton Wanderers, he would cycle 40 miles to see them play). Likely his anthem was a bit more classical than ‘it’s coming home, it’s coming home, football’s coming home…!’
