Along with the natural beauty that is The Malverns in Autumn you’re sure to be inspired by the vibrant and creative atmosphere, enhanced by a multitude of arts and cultural festivals.
The Malverns has been a source of inspiration to creatives, artists and thinkers since at least the Bronze Age. Across the years some of the worlds most creative minds have used The Malverns as a place to think, invent, write, paint and play. The Malverns ancient inhabitants were inspired to create the ancient hillfort British Camp and in the 1100’s notable medieval mathematician and astronomer, Prior Walton, became the second Prior of Great Malvern Priory. Composer Edward Elgar wrote many of his famous tunes in the shadow of the Malvern Hills and writers J.R.R Tolkien and C.S Lewis drew inspiration from our landscape for their fantasy novels. The painter Dame Laura Knight was a regular to the hills often painting the landscape ‘en plain air’ (outdoors). The Malverns continues to be a great hub for cultural festivals with many taking place this Autumn including Autumn in Malvern, the Malvern Autumn Show and Applefest.
Cover image: Jan Sedlacek, Digitlight Photography
Worcestershire Living History Show 16 – 17 September
Family friendly re-enactment weekend action packed with battles, displays and history.
- Meet soldiers and civilians from 2,000 years of history.
- View skirmishes throughout the day.
- Get refreshment from beer tent, food, drink and market stalls.
- Largest show in the area located in the heart of Upton upon Severn at Fish Meadow.
Adults: £10
Children (5-16): £5
Family Ticket (2 adults, 3 children): £30
Children under 5 free
Heritage Open Days 8 – 17 September
This years Heritage Open Days take place from 8 – 17 September and carries the theme ‘Creativity Unwrapped’. The festival will highlight the creative people and places that give the UK’s heritage it’s X Factor. Some of our best cultural attractions including Croome National Trust are opening for FREE on selected days.
Events across The Malverns include “Crafts of the countryside” at the historic Guarlford village hall, Hanley Castle “Creative Community” Exhibition and exhibitions at the Tudor House Museum.
Heritage Open Days
The Regal Comedy Festival 9 – 23 September
Get ready to giggle as The Regal in Tenbury Wells brings you it’s first Comedy Festival on the 9 – 23 September 2023. The festival promises to bring hilarious stand up comedy, classic comedic cinema and comedy workshops to Tenbury Wells this Autumn. Attendees can look forward to a wide range of acts from seasoned comics to rising stars with Mock the Week one-liner Mark Simmons and Radio 4’s Simon Evans already confirmed.
Find out more
Autumn in Malvern Festival 23 September – 29 October
Founded in 1989, Autumn in Malvern Festival is classical music based with a strong literary and visual arts element. The festival comprises of concerts, historical and artistic exhibitions, and talks in a variety of venues across Malvern.
Highlights of this year’s programme include ‘Malvern’s outstanding chamber choir’ Aldwyn Voices, an illustrated talk by expert Eleanor Rawling and a talk from leading expert on the St Ives Colony of Artists, David Tovey. There’s lots on, see the full programme below.
Find out more
Malvern Autumn Show 22 – 24 September
With record-breaking giant vegetables, show stopping floral displays, delicious food, shopping galore and plenty of fun family entertainment, celebrate the very best of the season at the Malvern Autumn Show on 22, 23 & 24 September 2023.
Adult tickets are £20 in advance, and under 16s go free!
Book Tickets
Tenbury Applefest 7 October
Tenbury Applefest is a celebration of apples and apple growing in the area, Tenbury famously having been called “my little town in the orchard” by Queen Victoria. It is a one-day outdoor event which has taken place nearly every year over at least a dozen years and is well supported by many traders, local families of Tenbury, the surrounding areas and visitors from around the UK. Learn about local cider and apple varieties and take part in a multitude of apple themed activities.
Applefest
Great Malvern Festival of Stories for Children 24 – 29 October
The Great Malvern Festival of Stories for Children is all set to return following the huge success of last year’s first ever festival.
Taking place from 24 October to 29 October 2023, the six day festival has been given the green light to return across a number of venues throughout Great Malvern, with an extra two days added for local schools.
The weekend festival has a mixture of free storytelling, ticketed events, puppet shows, author talks and workshops. The full line-up will be announced shortly.
Find out more
Festival of Innovation Family Day – 7 October
The Festival of Innovation returns for it’s 12th year this October. With a focus on discussion of new ideas, technologies and research this festival aims to encourage innovation and transformation in all areas of life such as how we do business, use resources and react to new ideas.
This year the free family day takes place on 7 October and is aimed at giving young people hands on experiences with practical science and technology.
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Shakespeare Folio 400 5 – 12 November 2023
A brand new festival to celebrate a very old book is coming to Great Malvern this November. It’s the 400th anniversary of the first folio – the first time that all Shakespeare’s plays were collated into one book – and The Coach House Theatre are putting on an exciting programme of plays, films, workshops and talks to celebrate.
This opportunity won’t come along for at least a hundred years when our great-great-grandkids will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of the publishing of the First Folio.
Tickets will be available at Malvern Theatres Box Office: 01684 892277 [email protected] or visit the link below.
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FEAST 6 – 12 November
FEAST (Festival of Equality in Arts and Society through Theatre) is a week-long festival of theatre, dance, clowning, circus, workshops, and a community ‘Feast of Thought’.
Set in Great Malvern and rooted in the ‘hub’ Malvern Cube, FEAST will spread throughout the town. Previous festivals have included puppet shows, multi-media performance pieces, theatre, interactive community events and much more.
Find out more
Find out more about cultural attractions and everything that makes The Malverns special on our Especially in The Malverns page:
Especially in The MalvernsMore Cultural Events Across The Malverns
Where to Stay
There’s so much to experience in The Malverns, stay a while and soak it all in…
