Really local things to do
Knapp & Papermill Reserve – A beautiful 27 hectare nature reserve of orchard, meadow and woodland nestled in the valley of the Leigh Brook. This is quite close to the cottage and there is also parking outside. Alfrick WR6 5HR www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk
The Hop Shed ‐ local brewery on a hop farm which opens up and serves their beers on Friday evenings (4 to 9pm) and Saturday afternoons (2‐6pm or 12‐6pm if there’s food on). There is often food from a local supplier ‐ there is a calendar and details on their website and their shop is open longer hours.
The Old Chicken Shed, Suckley WR6 5EQ Tel. 01886 884110 www.thehopshed.co.uk
Other things in Malvern
Walking the Malvern Hills ‐ Famed for their breathtaking views which inspired creatives including C.S. Lewis and Edward Elgar, the hills offer truly spectacular scenery and the freshest of air. There are hundreds of different trails and paths but our favourite two are:
(1) park at the Lower/Upper Beacon Road Car Park and walk from there to the Worcestershire Beacon (you’ll start half way up from here!) or
(2) park in the British Camp Car Park and walk up to the Iron Age and later Roman) Fort which is the Herefordshire Beacon.
From either of these you can just keep on walking… or head back into Malvern for tea and cake. www.malvernhills.org.uk for more information and downloadable maps.
The Morgan Motor Company ‐ offers a factory tour of the company that has been making the famous Morgan Sports cars for over 100 years. Guided tours are available Monday – Thursday, and Friday/Saturday mornings (no actual manufacturing on the Saturday); booking is essential. They also hire their cars and offer Experience Drives.
Morgan Motor Company, Pickersleigh Avenue, Malvern, WR14 2LL
Tel. 01684 573104 www.morgan‐motor.co.uk
Malvern Theatres ‐ Well known theatre complex (formerly the Festival Theatre) which hosts a number of touring productions and a Panto at Christmas. There is also a cinema here.
Tel. 01684 892277 www.malvern‐theatres.co.uk
Malvern Splash Swimming Pool (and leisure complex) ‐ a really family
friendly pool with a beach, childrens’ play section, slides and waves. The pool hosts both lane swimming sessions and family fun sessions (with waves, slide and floats at the weekend and during school holidays).
Priory Rd, Malvern WR14 3DS Tel. 01684 893423
Great Malvern Priory ‐ Great Malvern was a Benedictine monastery c.1075‐1540 and is now an Anglican parish church. In 1949 it was designated a Grade I listed building. It has the largest display of 15th century stained glass in England, as well as carved miserichords from the 15th and 16th century and the largest
collection of Medieval floor and wall tiles. In 1860 major restoration work was carried out by Sir George Gilbert Scott. It also the venue for concerts and civic services.
Coffee shops – There’s a Nero and Costa Coffee in Malvern. Both are on Church Street in Great Malvern.
The Malvern Spa ‐ New‐ish built spa hotel ‐ so modern rather than classical. Offers spa treatments and days and an actual spa(!) ‐ they say: “The spa boasts a unique 35°c 20 meter, indoor‐outdoor hydrotherapy pool filled with Malvern Spring water and featuring vigorous bubble massage stations, powerful water jets, gentle hydrotherapy beds, and spacious relaxing booths. The first ever water cure establishment was set up in Great Malvern in 1842, and we have now taken on this heritage. At The Malvern, we gain a unique source of Malvern water through one of the last remaining boreholes in the town which sources fresh Malvern Spring water that our visitors can relax in”
Grovewood Road, Malvern WR14 1GD, England
Tel. 01684 898290 www.themalvernspa.com
Priory park ‐ For a relaxed morning with children, feeding the ducks in Priory Park is lovely… they’re tame enough for children to hand‐feed them bread. There’s an Iceland on Church Street if you need bread and a Café Nero and a Costa also both on Church Street if grownups need a coffee incentive! There’s a nice children’s play area and live music at the bandstand on Sunday Afternoons from mid‐May to mid‐September.
Priory Road, Great Malvern. Worcestershire, Malvern Wr14 3DS
Great Malvern railway station ‐ for fans of railways or Victorian architecture, this is one of two stations serving the town of Malvern, Worcestershire, England (the other being the modern Malvern Link station) on the Hereford to Worcester section of the Cotswold Line. It is situated downhill from the centre of Great Malvern and near to Barnards Green. The station retains most of its original Victorian station design by the architect Edmund Wallace Elmslie and is a Grade II listed building.
Malvern WR14 3AU
Malvern Museum of Local History ‐ describes itself as Tardis‐like ‐ a lot of fascinating information packed into a small space. Children can dress up as Benedictine monks, pretend to be poor medieval peasant boys and girls or take on the role of a soldier or nurse from the Great War. Whole families are challenged to build a castle, guess what the scientist might be doing, or take part in our QR code trail. Dinosaurs, Victorian scenes, a Water Cure patient and an observation bee hive are just some of the experiences our visitors enjoy. Audio guides offer gentle, often amusing glimpses into our rich past.
Open late March to the end of October www.malvernmuseum.co.uk
The Theatre of Small Convenience ‐ an intriguing place ‐ transformed from an old Victorian Gentleman’s lavatory, this is apparently the smallest theatre in the world (Guinness Book of Records 2002). Pure british eccentricity at its finest. Presently closed and seeking redevelopment(!) but worth a walk by if you are in town.
Edith Walk, Malvern WR14 4QH, England
Tel. 01684 568933 www.wctheatre.co.uk
Elgar Birthplace Museum ‐ The birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar, now in the stewardship of the National Trust, houses an extensive collection of Elgar memorabilia.
Elgars Birthplace, Crown East Lane, Lower Broadheath WR2 6RH
Tel. 0905 333330 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the‐firs
Three Counties Showground ‐ home to the RHS Spring and Autumn shows and the Royal Three Counties Show and many events ‐ from caravanning to tractors to trucks to antiques ‐ there’s something on pretty much every week of the year.
Tel. 01684 584900 www.threecounties.co.uk
Clive’s Fruit Farm ‐ A great morning or afternoon out. Working fruit farm with pick your own in season (June to November). Run by the Clive family since 1917 there’s a farm shop, butchery, café, children’s play area, feed the animals and markets at various points in the year. The farm makes and sells their own delicious fruit juices and cider.
Clive’s Fruit Farm, Upper Hook Road, Upton‐upon‐Severn, WR8 0SA.
Tel. 01684 592664 www.clivesfruitfarm.co.uk
Cob House Country Park – A place to relax and enjoy the countryside from the Mayfly Cafe overlooking beautiful lakes and parkland. Free admission and 7 walks available to take in. For the little ones (and bigger ones!) the parkland contains the timber trail play area, wildlife pool, and Football Goals (please bring your ball). They have have 5 Reindeer, 4 Alpacas, 2 Pigs, 7 Goats and feathered friends to visit and feed too.
Cob House Worcester Road, Wichenford WR6 6YD
Tel. 01886 888517 www.cobhouse.org
Croome Court (National Trust) ‐ At the heart of the park lies Croome Court, once home to the Earls of Coventry. Outside is the grandest of English landscapes, ‘Capability’ Brown’s masterful first commission, with commanding views over the Malverns.
Severn Stoke, WR8 9DW
Tel. 01905 371006 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croome
Eastnor Castle ‐ This historic house is full of medieval armour and fine art and in the beautiful grounds, visitors will find an arboretum and a lake with many spectacular walks, trails and views. There is a tea room and lots of lovely spots to picnic. For children there’s an Adventure Playground, Knight’s Maze, Junior Obstacle Course and, they say “tree climbing, hill rolling, leaf kicking and stick collecting actively encouraged as children connect with the great outdoors”. Open on selected days from Easter until the end of September, dogs welcome.
Eastnor Castle, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1RL
Tel. 01531 633160 www.eastnorcastle.com
Eastnor Deer Park ‐ across the road from Eastnor Castle and is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest where a herd of Red Deer graze in a designated area. Free to have a walk round and spot the wildlife. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times. The obelisk, also detailed on the webpage linked below, is an interesting excuse to stretch your walk onto the Malvern Hills.
Eastnor Deer Park, Eastnor, Herefordshire HR8 1RA
www.eastnorcastle.com/eastnor‐deer‐park/