Open 25th March - 31st October. Abbey Gateway. T: 01684 567811
The Museum housed in the medieval Abbey Gateway or Priory Gatehouse is an interesting relic of Malvern's monastic buildings, although restoration has robbed it of much of its medieval appearance. It was built between 1480 and 1500 but there has probably been a gatehouse here since 1145. The north side is a fine example of the Perpendicular style, while the south displays merely brickwork, a difference that has led to the conjecture that the structure is only half its original size. According to local tradition, Henry VII lodged in the Gatehouse during his visits to Malvern. It is certain that he must have frequently passed under the arch.
The Museum displays extend through five different rooms.
The Malvern Hills Room tells the story of the geology of the Malvern Hills , the history of the Iron Age hill forts and the work of the Malvern Hills Conservators.
The Medieval Room reflects the history of the Royal Forest Priory Church
The Water Cure Room traces the history of Malvern spring water and its uses including the story of the water cure doctors and their hydropathic establishments. The history of the bottling of water from 1622 onwards is also shown.
The Victorian Room examines Victorian Enterprise, locai government, leisure, costume, trades, the railway and education, and has an exhibition on the life and work of Sir Edward Elgar.
The Twentieth Century Room shows the impact of two World Wars on Malvern, the origins and development of Santler and Morgan cars, the history of defence research at Telecommunications Research Establishment and the story of the Malvern Festival.
Malvern Priory
Church Street, T: 01684561020 www,greatmalvernprior.org,uk
The 900 year old Priory Church contains some of the finest medieval stained glass in the country, plus the largest collection of medieval floor and wall tiles as well as carved misericords from the 14th & 15th century,
The original Norman Church, the remains of which can be seen in the massive Norman arches of the nave, was part of the Benedictine Priory of Great Malvern founded in 1085 by a monk called Aldwyn, The Church was developed over succeeding years and largely completed in its present Perpendicular style by 1500.
Springs On The Hills ...
Another feature of the Hills are the many springs, wells and fountains where locals and visitors can collect water for free, St, Ann's Well above Great Malvern and Holy Well in Malvern Wells were both used for the water cure,
Clives Fruit Farm ...
Farm Shop and Pick Your Own
Home of the Hervey-Bathurst family, this Georgian Castle with deer park
Historic cottage and modern visitor centre with displays on Elgars life and works.
Leigh Court Barn ...
St. Wulstan's Roman Catholic Church
St. Wulstan's Roman Catholic Church at Little Malvern , containing some good modern glass and where Sir Edward Elgar is buried
Little Malvern Court
Former Priors Hall and Gardens with Benedictine connections and magnificent views over the Severn Valley
Little Malvern T: 01684892988
A medieval mooted manor house situated on the Brockhampton estate of farm and woodland.
Limited opening times for guided tours from April to July.
Madresfield T: 01905830680
Tiltridge Vineyard ...
Tours, wine-tasting, snacks and shop
Picton National Michaelmas Daisy Collection ...
Part of the Old Court Nurseries, specialist growers with one of the largest collections of Asters (Michaelmas Daises). Old Court Nurseries, Colwall T: 01684540416 www.autumnasters.co.uk
Three Counties Showground ...
Venue for many events throughout the year, the main shows being the Spring and Autumn Gardening Shows and the Three Counties Show. Corner of B4209 & B4208 between Malvern Wells and Hanley Swan.
T: 01684584900 www.threecounties.co.uk
One of England Witley Court today is a spectacular ruin, The fountain has been restored and is fired regularly. Great Witley, T: 01299896636
St. Michaels & All Angels (Great Witley Church
Known as Britain Finest Baroque Church Great Witley Church
St. Wulstans Church ...
Edward Elgar, his wife Alice and daughter Carice are buried in the church yard,
Little Malvern T: 01684574658
Music and Arts Festival. ..
The Autumn in Malvern Festival is held annually during October and features high quality classical music, film, literature and visual art.
The Three Choirs Festival is held each year in August and the venue is rotated between Hereford , Gloucester and Worcester
Upton Upon Severn holds Folk, Jazz and Blues festivals during the summer months.
Malvern Theatres ...
T: 01684892277 www.malvern-theatres.co.uk
Malvern Theatres is one of the leading regional venues for a wide range of artistic performances. The state of the art Theatre complex attracts pre and post-London productions and provides top class entertainment throughout the year. The Theatres present a wide variety of performances, ranging from successful West End
The Festival Theatre later became home to the Malvern Drama Festival, first launched by Sir Barry Jackson in 1928/29 and in the early years saw the premieres of many George Bernard Shaw and J,B, Priestley plays with Sir Edward Elgar conducting his own violin and cello concertos.
To entertain the increasing number of people visiting the town the Festival Theatre began life in 1885 as the Great Hall of the Malvern Assembly Rooms and together with the miniature "Crystal Palace
Theatre of Small Convenience ...
Malvern's other theatre is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as being the smallest theatre in the world! Performances of the puppet shows are five minutes long and audience sizes very small!
limited opening times, Edith Walk,
T: 01684568933 http://www.wctheatre.co.uk/
T: 01684560285 www.stannswell.co.uk
Known best for its use during the water cure the area around the spring had once been an 11th Century hermitage for monks from Worcester
The original cottage can still be seen today and now offers visitors other refreshments as weli as Malvern water. The cafe is only open at weekends during the winter but during the week in the summer, however, the spring is open all year round, Although there are no longer donkeys to carry people up the hill, the 20 minute walk from the town centre is rewarded with a drink of the famous Malvern water and fine views of the town,
Great Malvern Station ...
The Great Malvern Railway Station was built in 1861 to impress the affluent visitors, It is also preserved os the most ornate small station in the country due to the columns supporting the platform root each decorated with a different design ranging from acorns to spiky chestnuts,
Gas Lamps ...
The Malvern Gas Lamps are possibly the inspiration tor the lamp in the forest of C,S, Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The original lamps can be found in the Priory Church Yard, along the A449 crossing Wells Common, Holywell Rood in Malvern Wells, Moorlands Rood in Malvern Link and In West Malvern,
Things to do
Walking ...
Some of the most inspirational countryside in the Country is on offer in the Malverns for you to enjoy at whatever pace suits you. If you want to relax and take in the breathtaking views, then walks for all abilities are on offer across the Malvern Hills
The town of Great Malvern
Throughout the year, walkers on the hills are likely to see a variety of birds including swallows, swifts, kestrels and buzzards, For the more serious walker, the Worcestershire Way is a 31-mile waymarked long distance path that starts in Great Malvern and ends in Bewdley,
The local Civic Society run guided town walks of Victorian Malvern on Saturdays and Sundays from April until the end of September. The walks last approximately one and a half hours and include the main sites of interest in Malvern.
The Tourist Information Centre can provide information on walks, attractions and events in the town and surrounding area,
Swimming & Leisure ...
Malvern Splash Leisure Complex
Priory Road. T: 01684893423 www.everyoneactive.com
Swimming pool and Leisure Centre with 25m pool, flume, wave machine and beach. Sauna, steam room, sun beds, treatments rooms, fitness suite and exercise classes.
Shopping ...
Enjoy exploring the steep streets and hidden alleyways to discover a fine range of speciality shops and stores. You will find unique goods including locally produced foods, designer clothes and shoes, jewellery and gifts, as well as antique & second hand book shops and arts & craft centres - all guaranteed to keep you happily browsing for hours.
