The 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!)
Out walking? Follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms (and other toxic plants/trees) and on leads during nesting season (and near barnyard friends and wild ponies).
At the coast, keep away from nesting birds and never walk on sand dunes. Learn how to keep dogs safe by the seaside (check beach bans before travel).
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.
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.
A small range with a big mountain feel
This is where the mini-Himalayas nickname makes sense, at least in spirit. The hills are not alpine, and nobody confuses them with real mountains. Still, they give you some of the same pleasures, steep pulls, exposed paths and weather that can shift fast.
On a windy day, the ridge feels bigger than it is. Low cloud can turn the tops moody and spare. Then, an hour later, the sun breaks through and the whole place opens out again. That changeability adds a lot.
The geology helps too. These are very old rocks, among the oldest in England, and the ridge has a hard, worn, bony look. Then there’s the water. Malvern spring water has shaped the town’s name and fame for generations, and it still gives the area a distinct identity.
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…!’
