Things to do in the Malvern Hills
Beyond the walks: hillforts, springs, a medieval priory, geology you can touch and plenty of ways to get active.
On the hills
- Climb the Worcestershire Beacon The highest point, at 425 m, with the 1897 toposcope naming the view.
- Explore the British Camp hillfort Iron Age ramparts on Herefordshire Beacon, one of the finest hillforts in Britain.
- Find Giant’s Cave A tiny cave cut into pillow lava south of British Camp. Great with children.
- Walk the whole ridge Every summit from Chase End Hill to North Hill in a day.
- Watch the sunset The ridge faces west over Herefordshire towards Wales.
Water, history and heritage
- Find the springs and wells The springs that made Malvern a spa town, from St Ann’s Well to the Holy Well. Boil spout water before drinking it.
- Great Malvern Priory A medieval priory church with England’s largest display of 15th-century stained glass.
- Little Malvern Priory and Elgar’s grave A small priory church below British Camp. Elgar is buried nearby at St Wulstan’s.
- Follow the Shire Ditch An earthwork along the ridge with a disputed history.
Rocks and quarries
- Earnslaw Quarry Pink granite and diorite faces in an old quarry, now a car park with a lake.
- Gullet Quarry A dramatic quarry lake. Look, don’t swim: swimming is banned and dangerous.
- Malvern Hills GeoCentre A small visitor centre and café by the Wyche, and the official centre for the Geopark Way.
Active days out
- Mountain biking Three signposted trails (5.6 km, 8.7 km and 19 km) from North Quarry car park. Bridleways and permitted routes only.
- Climbing Eleven permitted climbing locations, including Ivy Scar Rock above Great Malvern.
- Long-distance trails The Worcestershire Way (31 miles) ends in Malvern, and the 109-mile Geopark Way runs along the spine of the hills.
- Paragliding and hang gliding Pilots must contact the Malvern Hang Gliding Club before flying.
Nearby attractions
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A castle and deer park south-west of the hills, open on selected dates in season.
- Dogs welcome
Directions to Eastnor Castle (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
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Guided tours only, in a short season (late April to June in 2026), and not for under-16s. Book ahead.
Directions to Madresfield Court (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
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A small local history museum in the Priory Gatehouse, with rooms on the hills and the water cure.
- By a walk start
- Near a station
Directions to Malvern Museum (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
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A wet-weather option for families, a few minutes from the town centre.
- By a walk start
- Near a station
Call Malvern Splash Directions to Malvern Splash (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
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After-the-walk entertainment in the town: shows most evenings and a film programme.
- By a walk start
- Near a station
Directions to Malvern Theatres (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
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Free to visit during library hours. Pair it with a walk at the southern end of the hills or a train trip to Ledbury.
- Near a station
Directions to The Master's House (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
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A good wet-day plan: roughly two-hour factory tours, Monday to Saturday, booked in advance. The FAUN café is on site.
- Near a station
Directions to Morgan Experience and factory tours (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
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A small, free visit in Ledbury, open most afternoons in the season.
- Near a station
Call 16th Century Painted Room Directions to 16th Century Painted Room (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
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Open on event days only. Big shows fill the local car parks and roads, so check the event calendar before planning a walk nearby.
Directions to Three Counties Showground (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Opening days change each season. Check with the venue before you travel.
Making a weekend of it?
The most practical base for this walk is West Malvern: quiet hillside village on the western side of the northern hills.
- Quiet stays
- Northern hills
- Sunset views
Our picks nearby
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A large hotel beside the Priory in the centre of Great Malvern, convenient for the station and the walks up from the town.
- Walk from the door
- Dogs in rooms
- Near a station
- Parking
- Breakfast
- Packed lunches
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for The Abbey Hotel (opens in a new tab) Directions to The Abbey Hotel (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
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A Georgian hotel on Belle Vue Terrace in the centre of Great Malvern, a short walk from the paths up the hills. Its Mulberry Tree restaurant serves afternoon tea daily.
- Walk from the door
- Near a station
- Parking
- Breakfast
- Food on site
- Afternoon tea
Website for Mount Pleasant Hotel (opens in a new tab) Directions to Mount Pleasant Hotel (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
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A pub-hotel in central Great Malvern. The hotel says the walking trails to the top of the hills start just over the road. There is no lift.
- Walk from the door
- Near a station
- Breakfast
- Food on site
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for The Foley Arms Hotel (opens in a new tab) Directions to The Foley Arms Hotel (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Also close: Great Malvern or Malvern Wells. Compare all areas.