The Malvern Hills, which divide the beautiful English countryside of Worcestershire and Herefordshire, are quite possibly the most perfectly located peaks in the country.
They sit within easy striking distance of Birmingham, London, Bristol and Cardiff, and are dominated by a long, rippling ridgeline that offers routes to suit every type of walker. This is the kind of place that makes you feel on top of the world, with far-reaching views over the Teme and Severn valleys, and further afield to the rolling countryside of the Cotswolds.
The long ridge of the Malvern Hills sits in a wide open plain, along a north/south axis, and is overlooked by nothing but sky. Light moves across it, day after day, with nothing but night casting a shadow over its spine of volcanic rock. There really is nowhere else quite like it.
Walking in the Malvern Hills
The highest point of the Malvern Hills is Worcestershire Beacon at a fairly modest 425m, but that doesn't even tell tell half of the story. The ground drops away impressively on all sides of the ridge, making you feel like you're walking the length of an island above a vast ocean of green.
There are plenty of walking trails scattered across the top of the Malvern Hills, including the popular End to End Trail, but there's also adventure to be found lower down. The region offers up a wide variety of valley, meadow, parkland and woodland routes, from the pink blossom of Teme Valley's orchards in spring to the riverside wildflower meadows of Upton upon Severn in summer. Winter is a magical time to walk in the Malverns too, with short days providing the perfect opportunity to watch sunrise and sunset from its summits.
Nature therapy and history
The links between spending time outdoors and improving your well-being are widely reported. And no matter what time of year you visit, exploring the natural beauty of The Malverns is a surefire way to boost both your physical and mental health. Experiencing the seasons changing across this dramatic and historic landscape can reduce feelings of stress, increase feelings of connectedness with nature, and keep your body physically active.
Since the days of the Victorian Water Cure, and even further back to some of England’s earliest residents, people have traveled to the Malvern Hills to drink the pure water, undertake alternative therapies, enjoy uplifting views, and feel exhilarated by walking walk atop 650 million years of history.
From as early as the Bronze Age, humans have lived on and visited the Malvern Hills, forging deep and spiritual connections with the ancient trees, river meadows and shapely hills. You'll still find evidence of that deep connection between humans and the landscape if you visit during the annual Malvern Well Dressing and Water Festival, with around 60 wells, springs, and spouts across the hills and town lovingly dressed by the local community in a continuation of an ancient pagan tradition. This year’s theme is Kings and Queens.
Plan your visit to the Malverns
Find out more about the Malvern Hills and some of the incredible walks on offer here: www.visitthemalverns.org/ontopoftheworld
KEY DIARY DATES
Malvern Well Dressing and Water Festival: 29 April–7 May 2023 and 27 April–5 May 2024
Malvern Walking Festival: 27 May–4 June 2023 and 25 May–2 June 2024
Find great walking trails in the Malvern Trails in OS Maps – the Ordnance Survey's online and mobile routes service. Trail magazinemembers get 50% off a digital subscription HERE.
