Discover Malvern Hills and Great Places To Visit Nearby
On the border of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, in the midst of the Severn Plain, rises the dramatic Malvern Hills. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the stunning landmark is one of the county’s finest places to walk and cycle, full of wildlife and breath-taking views.
The surrounding area includes some delightful towns, so when you’re done exploring the hills and need a rest, you can head to Great Malvern, Ledbury and Hereford to enjoy great local food and drink, and independent retailers. Just check out our short guides below for ideas of what to see at each of these top destinations.
Taking a GWR train to the Malvern Hills and the surrounding area is easy. Check out our website for train times to Hereford on the Hereford station page, Great Malvern on the Great Malvern station page and Ledbury on the Ledbury station page.
We ask all passengers to wear a face-covering in stations and on trains. Make sure you plan your journey in advance, reserving a space and downloading tickets to a mobile device if you can, and avoiding travel when it’s busy. For more safety guidelines, visit gwr.com/safety.
The ivy-covered Malthouse Café and Gallery is a pleasant spot to grab a bite to eat, with a courtyard where you can enjoy a little something out of doors.
Nearest GWR station: Ledbury
Starting from Great Malvern train station, make sure you check out the Route to the Hills trail, a short 45-minute walking route guiding you through Malvern’s beautiful parks, amazing views, ancient buildings and fascinating history, with helpful information panels and artwork along the way.
The Great Malvern Priory is a must-see attraction. Originally built as a home to some 30 monks, the Priory has a long and eventful history, including partial demolition during the reign of Henry VIII. What remains includes a Grade I listed church with stunning 15th-century stained glass.
Iapetus Gallery is an independent retailer selling hand-made crafts, perfect for bagging a little something to decorate your home, or for great gift ideas.
As the gateway to the hills, Great Malvern is the ideal place to begin when trekking the Malverns. Take the traditional route from Great Malvern to Ledbury (just over four miles), traversing the entire ridge, and you can discover roaming deer, the Worcestershire Beacon and Eastnor Castle.
Nearest GWR station: Great Malvern
The city’s Cathedral is worth a visit, especially as it’s home to Mappa Mundi, a medieval map of the world created around 1300. The Jacobean-era Old House, now the Black and White House Museum, offers a fascinating window into the 17th century.
If you’re looking for a stylish dining experience, look no further than the Bookshop, a tasteful restaurant on Aubrey Street, with hearty dishes made from local ingredients.
Nearest GWR station: Hereford
The surrounding area includes some delightful towns, so when you’re done exploring the hills and need a rest, you can head to Great Malvern, Ledbury and Hereford to enjoy great local food and drink, and independent retailers. Just check out our short guides below for ideas of what to see at each of these top destinations.
Taking a GWR train to the Malvern Hills and the surrounding area is easy. Check out our website for train times to Hereford on the Hereford station page, Great Malvern on the Great Malvern station page and Ledbury on the Ledbury station page.
We ask all passengers to wear a face-covering in stations and on trains. Make sure you plan your journey in advance, reserving a space and downloading tickets to a mobile device if you can, and avoiding travel when it’s busy. For more safety guidelines, visit gwr.com/safety.
Ledbury
The charming Herefordshire market town of Ledbury, at the foot of the Malvern Hills, is best known for its timber-framed buildings. Among them is the striking Market House, built in 1617, with its sixteen pillars, under which traders continue to sell their wares to this day.The ivy-covered Malthouse Café and Gallery is a pleasant spot to grab a bite to eat, with a courtyard where you can enjoy a little something out of doors.
Nearest GWR station: Ledbury
Great Malvern
Nestled into the side of the mighty Malvern Hills the town of Great Malvern, once a popular destination for people – Charles Darwin among them – looking to take the waters at the region’s famed natural springs.Starting from Great Malvern train station, make sure you check out the Route to the Hills trail, a short 45-minute walking route guiding you through Malvern’s beautiful parks, amazing views, ancient buildings and fascinating history, with helpful information panels and artwork along the way.
The Great Malvern Priory is a must-see attraction. Originally built as a home to some 30 monks, the Priory has a long and eventful history, including partial demolition during the reign of Henry VIII. What remains includes a Grade I listed church with stunning 15th-century stained glass.
Iapetus Gallery is an independent retailer selling hand-made crafts, perfect for bagging a little something to decorate your home, or for great gift ideas.
As the gateway to the hills, Great Malvern is the ideal place to begin when trekking the Malverns. Take the traditional route from Great Malvern to Ledbury (just over four miles), traversing the entire ridge, and you can discover roaming deer, the Worcestershire Beacon and Eastnor Castle.
Nearest GWR station: Great Malvern
Hereford
Perhaps one of region’s most picturesque cities, Hereford is a vibrant destination on the banks of the River Wye, attracting people from the surrounding region for shopping, as well as its cafes and restaurants.The city’s Cathedral is worth a visit, especially as it’s home to Mappa Mundi, a medieval map of the world created around 1300. The Jacobean-era Old House, now the Black and White House Museum, offers a fascinating window into the 17th century.
If you’re looking for a stylish dining experience, look no further than the Bookshop, a tasteful restaurant on Aubrey Street, with hearty dishes made from local ingredients.
Nearest GWR station: Hereford