Nature | Culture |Community| Wellbeing
When you visit The Malverns don’t just see it, you experience it, you become part of it.
Located in England’s green and pleasant Worcestershire, in an oasis between Birmingham and Bristol, The Malverns is your escape to the English Countryside – but it’s no ordinary countryside destination.
As well as our iconic landscape, rich heritage and charming towns The Malverns has heart, creativity, community and a desire to share it’s magic with the world.
Whether you come from far or wide, for a long or short trip, to see the brilliant Malvern Hills or quaint Tenbury Wells, we want you go away knowing not only have you had a nice holiday, but you have made a positive impact on The Malverns.
It’s a bit of a buzzword at the moment, but at its core ‘Regenerative Tourism’ is the idea that communities, nature, visitors and locals can all benefit positively from tourism trade – making the location better for everyone to enjoy into the future.
We want to help you book accommodation that plans sensitively for how it impacts its environment, support restaurants that give back to local producers, and help you find ways to work with local people on important projects during your trip.
And it’s not just about being green, many attractions, businesses and community interest companies provide great experiences for visitors as well as providing brilliant services to local communities. Bransford Court Farm, for example, provides community support as well as a great place for visitors to pick sunflowers, buy local produce and enjoy the countryside.
Malvern Hills Trust look after our brilliant landscape and make sure it is thriving for years to come – supporting residents and visitors to access this magical place.
Fashion Museum Malvern, Tudor House Museum Upton upon Severn, Malvern Museum and Tenbury Museum are amazing info points for visitors looking to learn more about the local area but use visitor entry fees and donations to preserve and promote important local stories that residents can feel proud of.
If you’re looking for sustainable accommodation we have awarded our Green Mark Accreditation to 18 locations from self catering barns, and campsites to top hotels.
And for a kinder day out we have accredited seven attractions across the district with the Green Mark.
We welcome you to share in the beauty of The Malverns, please be a responsible visitor and promise to take care of this precious place: The Countryside Code: Take The Pledge – Visit The Malverns
We are our towns
Meet our town centres across The Malverns
Each of our towns has its own unique character – Malvern is largely Victorian in make-up and clings to the side of the ancient Malvern Hills – Upton upon Severn traces its roots back into history due to its importance as one of the main crossing points on the River Severn – and Tenbury Wells has a long agricultural history as one of the key market towns of the area with national importance for apples, mistletoe, holly and hops.
In the videos below we meet some of the businesses and people that keep our town centres friendly, buzzing and great places to hang out!
Highlights
Cultural Attractions
The Malverns has a strong history of creatives, innovators and intellectuals so those interested in history and culture will find plenty of compelling attractions here. Great Malvern, Upton upon Severn and Tenbury Wells all have local museums which are a great place to start. Further afield, experience the oldest still in use racetrack in the world at Shelsley Walsh or take in a fantastic example of arts and crafts architecture and interior design at Madresfield Court which is offering rare tours this summer.
Renowned as Elgar Country, you can follow in Sir Edward Elgar’s footsteps on a walk or drive around the Elgar Route – an AA signposted self-drive leisure route around the Malvern Hills, Upton upon Severn, the historic city of Worcester, as well as visiting The Firs: Elgar’s Birthplace Museum and Visitor Centre (National Trust) in Lower Broadheath. Download the Elgar Route leaflet and route here.
Malvern Hills AONB
The Malvern Hills AONB contain ancient burial grounds, an iron age hillfort, spectacular views across three counties and a geological history dating back 700 million years.
Morgan Experience Centre
Hand built in the adjoining factory Morgan cars are a piece of vintage British engineering. Book a factory tour and see how they are made, learn the fascinating history in the interactive museum, or hire your own for the ultimate driving experience.
National Trust at Croome
The parkland at Croome National Trust is second to none. Designed by 18th century star gardener ‘Capability’ Brown the mixture of lakes, mature trees, follies and gentle hills make for an exceedingly pretty walk. At the centre of the grounds is historic house Croome Court which hosts various exhibitions.
Phenomenal Festivals
The Malverns is brimming with festivals and events to suit all tastes. In terms of music Upton upon Severn takes centre stage as the host to over 5 music festivals each summer. Great Malvern hosts one of the largest free food festivals in the region and, last year, launched The Great Malvern Festival of Stories for Children to celebrate the towns literary history. In the Autumn cultural festivals come into their own with Autumn in Malvern, Applefest, F.E.A.S.T and many more. Head to our events finder for all the up to date information.
Great Malvern Food Festival
This annual feast of flavours is one of the largest FREE food festivals in the region. Taking place in Great Malvern’s Priory Park on 6 & 7 July 2024.
Sample a selection of locally sourced food at the market, enjoy a tipple from the bar and watch live cookery demonstrations at the Bandstand Cookery Theatre. All while enjoying entertainment from fantastic musicians and street performers.
Malvern Well Dressing and Water Festival
The community comes together every spring to celebrate Malvern’s long history as a spa town for the Well Dressing . Around 45 wells across The Malverns are creatively decorated around a unified theme.
As part of the Malvern Well Dressing & Water Festival, a FREE family fun day is hosted every year in Priory Park to bring together the local community and our visitors to celebrate Malvern spring water. This year it takes place on Monday 6 May.
Malvern Walking Festival
The Malvern Walking Festival comprises of 9 days of fantastic themed walks on the Malvern Hills and the surrounding countryside. Many walks include talks on various topics such as geology, history and wildlife.
With walks for every ability, this popular festival is usually a sell out so keen walkers are encouraged to book early. Walks start from £5 each.
Extraordinary Eateries
With a combination of access to excellent local produce and passionate chefs there’s a great range of food and drink in the district. Sample Michelin Star fine dining at Pensons, vegan innovations at Rise and flavoursome tapas at The Boathouse. The best holidays are ones planned around food, check out our blog on the best foodie experiences for inspiration, or follow our plan for a fantastic foodie weekend.
The Cottage in the Wood
The Cottage in the Wood’s restaurant, 1919, was recently awarded 3 AA Rosettes and showcases some of the best cuisine in The Malverns. Led by Head Chef Rob Mason there is a focus on simplicity and depth of flavour with pickling and seasonality playing a big part in menu choices.
L’amuse-Bouche Restaurant
L’amuse Bouche’s menu is based on traditional French style cooking with their expert Chefs bring a modern twist. Local and organic produce is used wherever possible and the Chefs take great pride in their presentation with the philosophy that diners eat with their eyes first.
The Inn at Welland
Opened in 2010 after extensive refurbishment The Inn at Welland aims to provide refined dishes using only fresh ingredients sourced from the kitchen garden or local farms. The Sunday Lunch menu is full of delights with locally sourced meats served with all the trimmings and spiced garden apple & blackberry crumble with vanilla custard for desert.
Outstanding Accommodation
There’s plenty of distinctive accommodation to choose from. Stay in award-winning hand-built treehouse Treeopia, have all the relaxation of the spa bought to your tent at Swallowfields Luxury Glamping Retreat or experience unique designer décor at The Elms Hotel.
The Cottage in The Wood
If it’s views you want then The Cottage in the Wood is the place to stay. With comfort and crisp white linen inside and miles of footpaths along The Malvern Hills outside, it makes for an exceedingly restful countryside retreat. Top tip – book one of the rooms with a roll top, free standing tub to soak after a long walk.
Stanbrook Abbey
Set in 26 acres of extensive gardens, Stanbrook Abbey Hotel is one of Worcestershire’s best-kept secrets and the perfect retreat, whether you are looking for a romantic break or somewhere unique to hold a special event, wedding or meeting. You can even share your experience with your canine companion, just ask about dog-friendly breaks.
The Elms Hotel & Spa
Breathe a sigh of relief as you enter The Elms. This large country house, located near Tenbury Wells, is anything but old fashioned. From their award-winning spa to their individually decorated artful rooms there is something delightfully unexpected around every corner, as well as views over the Worcestershire countryside from every window. Treatments are offered in the botanically decorated Greenhouse Spa including massage, facials and manicures.
Explore The Malverns Storied Past
The Malverns has several mapped routes which take you through both our stunning landscape but also through the stories of some of our most talented past residents and visitors. On the Route to the Hills find out about the hardships of the Victorian water cure, secret Second World War research projects, medieval monks and a royal donkey on this walking tour with themed benches and and artwork along the way. The Elgar Route takes you, either by car or bicycle, through the countryside that inspired England’s greatest composer as well as locations that were important in Elgar’s life. In The Chronicles of Malvernia walking stories find out about famous authors, J.R.R. Toliken and C. S. Lewis, connections to The Malverns.
Everyone’s Welcome
Everyone can have the holiday that suits them in The Malverns. Whether you are looking to support destinations that are more friendly to our planet, bring your furry friend or make sure that locations provide for accessibility needs, The Malverns welcomes you.
