The right base depends on how you are travelling and which end of the ridge you want to walk. Here is how the main areas compare, then the places to stay in each.
Stay in Great Malvern. The station, shops and restaurants are all at the foot of the hills, and you can walk up to the Beacon from your door.
Stay near British Camp or in Colwall. You will be close to Herefordshire Beacon, Midsummer Hill and the quieter southern ridge.
Look at West Malvern or Malvern Wells. Both are on the hillside with paths straight onto the hills, away from the town centre.
41 of 41 places
A large hotel beside the Priory in the centre of Great Malvern, convenient for the station and the walks up from the town.
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)
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.
Website for Mount Pleasant Hotel (opens in a new tab) Directions to Mount Pleasant Hotel (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
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.
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)
A town-centre hotel that says it often has walkers to stay: every room has dirty-boot storage and it will wash and dry walking gear. Food Monday to Saturday; small car park.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for Great Malvern Hotel (opens in a new tab) Call Great Malvern Hotel Directions to Great Malvern Hotel (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
On the A449 below the eastern slopes at Malvern Wells, a short climb from the Wyche. The inn describes itself as family and dog friendly.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for The Railway Inn (opens in a new tab) Call The Railway Inn Directions to The Railway Inn (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
High on the eastern side by the Wyche Cutting, close to the Beacon Road car parks, with views over the Severn Vale.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for The Wyche Inn (opens in a new tab) Directions to The Wyche Inn (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
A hotel with a restaurant in a Victorian building on Graham Road, in the town.
Website for The Cotford Hotel and L'amuse-Bouche Restaurant (opens in a new tab) Directions to The Cotford Hotel and L'amuse-Bouche Restaurant (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
One-bedroom holiday cottage for couples in Malvern, with an enclosed rear garden suitable for dogs. Sleeps: 2 (one bedroom, super-king or twin).
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for Cottage on the Common (opens in a new tab) Directions to Cottage on the Common (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
A walker-minded B&B at Barnards Green: the owners write their own walks from the house, lend walking guides and maps, dry wet gear on request and offer a take-out breakfast for early starts. No dogs.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for Cannara (opens in a new tab) Call Cannara Directions to Cannara (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
A hillside hotel above Malvern Wells with wide views east. It serves afternoon tea in its restaurant or on the covered terrace (book at least 24 hours ahead), and has pet-friendly rooms.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for The Cottage in the Wood (opens in a new tab) Directions to The Cottage in the Wood (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
A B&B on the flatter east side of Malvern, about 15 minutes’ walk from Great Malvern station, with parking and an EV charger. Allow 30–40 minutes on foot to reach the hills.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for Treherne House (opens in a new tab) Call Treherne House Directions to Treherne House (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
A country-house hotel in Colwall village, close to the station and handy for car-free walks over the ridge. Dogs are welcome in some rooms. Afternoon tea needs 48 hours’ notice.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for Colwall Park Hotel (opens in a new tab) Directions to Colwall Park Hotel (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Two B&B rooms with a vegan cookery school, five to ten minutes’ walk from Malvern Link station: a car-free base for the northern hills. Street parking only; two-night minimum without a course.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for Our Lizzy (opens in a new tab) Call Our Lizzy Directions to Our Lizzy (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Showground campsite taking tents and touring units, bookable online. What is on at the showground varies with the events calendar.
Website for Three Counties Showground Campsite (opens in a new tab) Directions to Three Counties Showground Campsite (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
A B&B in two acres of garden below the central hills at Malvern Wells, with parking. Bookings are by phone or email. The owners say sat-navs using the postcode go to the wrong end of Green Lane, so use the house name.
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Five self-catering cottages on a 700-acre working farm estate at Mathon, west of the hills, with a tennis court and gym for guests. Sleeps: Brook House 10; Parker's 8; Quabbs Head 8; Parkers Lodge 4; The Bothy 4.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for Netherley Hall Estate (opens in a new tab) Directions to Netherley Hall Estate (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Three self-catering properties on the Perrycroft estate on Jubilee Drive, right on the western flank of the hills, each with a private garden. Sleeps: The Lodge 6; Coach House Cottage 4; The Hayloft 2.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for Perrycroft Holiday Cottages (opens in a new tab) Directions to Perrycroft Holiday Cottages (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Afternoon tea in the Grovewood restaurant; book at least 24 hours ahead and request dietary versions when booking.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for The Malvern (opens in a new tab) Directions to The Malvern (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
A B&B on the Herefordshire side, about 3 km west of West Malvern: the owners say you can walk to the hills from the house, and the 417 bus stops outside. A pub is ten minutes across the fields.
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Directly across the road from the British Camp car park, so it is the obvious stop before or after the hillfort. The hotel says walking maps are available from reception.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for Malvern Hills Hotel (opens in a new tab) Directions to Malvern Hills Hotel (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Year-round club site near Hanley Swan taking tents, caravans, motorhomes, trailer tents and rooftop tents, with hill views from some pitches. Season: All year (2026: 1 Jan to 31 Dec; 2027: 1 Jan to 31 Dec).
Website for Blackmore Camping and Caravanning Club Site (opens in a new tab) Directions to Blackmore Camping and Caravanning Club Site (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Large club-run touring site for caravans and motorhomes on the edge of Hanley Swan, with grass and hardstanding pitches and electric hook-ups. Season: 2026: 20 March to 2 November; 2027: 19 March to 1 November.
Website for Malvern Hills Club Campsite (opens in a new tab) Directions to Malvern Hills Club Campsite (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Pub-run touring and camping field next to a country inn in Welland, below the southern hills. Season: March to October (the page text reads 'March 2025 - October', so the year may not have been updated).
Website for The Marlbank Inn Caravan Site (opens in a new tab) Directions to The Marlbank Inn Caravan Site (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
A quiet, car-dependent B&B in Herefordshire countryside north-west of the hills, with views to North Hill, an EV charger and two ground-floor rooms with a ramp. Dogs by arrangement.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for Woodlands Malvern (opens in a new tab) Call Woodlands Malvern Directions to Woodlands Malvern (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Seven farm cottages at Ridgeway Cross, north-west of the hills, sleeping two to six. Sleeps: Duck Pond 2; Cider Press 2; Sparrows Nest 2; Willow 2; Haywain 3; Saddlestones 4/5; Old Hop Kiln 6.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for Whitewells Farm Cottages (opens in a new tab) Directions to Whitewells Farm Cottages (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Family-run riverside holiday-home park with a touring area for tents, caravans and motorhomes and an on-site clubhouse. Season: Touring season 1 March to 31 October.
Website for Riverside Caravan Park (opens in a new tab) Directions to Riverside Caravan Park (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Farm campsite and events venue near Cradley with tent pitches, electric hook-ups and wooden bell pods. Season: Select weekends through the summer (the site says it is not open for weekday camping); exclusive hire for weddings, festivals and private events May to September.
Website for Out To Grass (opens in a new tab) Directions to Out To Grass (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Small luxury glamping site with three large safari-tent lodges, each with a hot tub, at the southern end of the hills.
Website for Swallowfields (opens in a new tab) Directions to Swallowfields (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Small adults-only touring caravan site with serviced pitches, plus self-catering for couples, beside Castlemorton Common.
Website for The Turbles (opens in a new tab) Directions to The Turbles (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Two one-bedroom self-catering units for couples next to The Turbles' adults-only caravan site on the edge of Castlemorton Common. Sleeps: Described as self-catering accommodation for couples (one-bedroom units).
Website for The Turbles Self-Catering (Swallows Nest and Wagtail) (opens in a new tab) Directions to The Turbles Self-Catering (Swallows Nest and Wagtail) (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Farm retreat near Leigh with a shepherd's hut, a bell tent and self-catering barn and cabin, each with a private hot tub, plus a seasonal outdoor pool.
Website for Hop Pickers Rural Retreats (opens in a new tab) Directions to Hop Pickers Rural Retreats (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
A single hand-built timber cabin on a farm near Birtsmorton, with a wood-fired hot tub, private sauna and cold shower, log burner and outdoor pizza oven. Sleeps: 4 (own website).
Website for Malvern Hills Lodge (opens in a new tab) Directions to Malvern Hills Lodge (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Small rural touring field for caravans and motorhomes with electric and water. There is no toilet or shower block, so units need their own facilities.
Website for Red Brick Barn (opens in a new tab) Directions to Red Brick Barn (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Three self-catering properties on the Eastnor Castle estate below the southern hills: a lodge in the deer park, an apartment in the castle stables and a large group house. Sleeps: Golden Gates Lodge 4; The Stables Apartment 6; Hillend House 18.
Book direct (opens in a new tab) Website for Eastnor Castle Holiday Cottages (opens in a new tab) Directions to Eastnor Castle Holiday Cottages (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Two-bedroom holiday lodge at Malvern Holiday Park, let mainly by the week, near Castlemorton Common. Season: Priced for November to March and April to October, i.e. available year-round. Sleeps: 3 (one double and one single bedroom).
Website for Broad Down Luxury Holiday Lodge (Malvern Holiday Park) (opens in a new tab) Directions to Broad Down Luxury Holiday Lodge (Malvern Holiday Park) (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Small park at the southern end of the hills offering several types of shepherd's hut, vintage caravans, a converted ploughing van and a holiday lodge, plus seasonal caravan pitches.
Website for Malvern Holiday Park (opens in a new tab) Directions to Malvern Holiday Park (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Yurt glamping on a working farm on the Malvern side of Worcester, with ten yurts in two paddocks. Season: March to October each year.
Website for Worcester Glamping (opens in a new tab) Directions to Worcester Glamping (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Family-run 28-acre park near Ledbury with touring and tent fields, timber camping pods, a bunkhouse and Scandinavian lodges, plus fishing and wild swimming. Season: Year-round, as shown on the touring page (disabled facilities vary October to Easter).
Website for Woodside Country Park (opens in a new tab) Directions to Woodside Country Park (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Ten Scandinavian-style timber lodges on a family-run country park near Ledbury. Sleeps: 2 to 7 depending on lodge.
Website for Woodside Lodges (opens in a new tab) Directions to Woodside Lodges (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Off-grid farm-stay glamping on a working dairy farm, with canvas tents that have wood-burners and hot tubs, and farm activities for families.
Website for Feather Down - Hollings Hill Farm (opens in a new tab)
Small glamping site in Welland with pods and bell tents that also takes guests' horses.
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Distances are straight-line from the Worcestershire Beacon. Facilities are from each business’s own website: “Walk from the door” means a walk on this site starts within 600 m, or the business says so.
Straight-line distances from the centre of each area. Walking routes are longer.
| Area | Best for | Station | To the Beacon | To British Camp | Walks within 2 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Malvern | Car-free trips, First visits | Great Malvern | 0.9 km | 6.0 km | 5 |
| Colwall | Quieter stays, Station-to-station walks | Colwall | 3.0 km | 2.4 km | 4 |
| British Camp | Walking from the door, Southern hills | No | 4.9 km | 0.5 km | 6 |
| Malvern Wells | Central ridge, Quieter stays | No | 2.9 km | 2.5 km | 5 |
| West Malvern | Quiet stays, Northern hills | No | 0.5 km | 5.6 km | 5 |
Town base with a station, shops and places to eat, right at the foot of the Worcestershire Beacon.
The main town, built on the eastern slopes of the hills. It has the station, shops and restaurants, and paths straight up to the Worcestershire Beacon.
8 places to stay listed
Quieter village base on the Herefordshire side, with a station and paths up to the ridge.
A village at the western foot of the hills with its own station. It is quieter than the town, and paths climb to the ridge between the Beacon and British Camp.
1 place to stay listed
Right at the hills, below the Iron Age hillfort, with the southern ridge on the doorstep.
The crossing of the A449 at Wynds Point, below the British Camp hillfort. It is the best position for the central and southern hills, though there is no station.
1 place to stay listed
Hillside village between the town and British Camp, close to the central ridge.
A hillside village south of Great Malvern, named after its springs. It sits between the town and British Camp on the eastern slopes.
4 places to stay listed
Quiet hillside village on the western side of the northern hills.
A quiet village strung along the western slopes of the northern hills, close to the Worcestershire Beacon and Sugarloaf Hill.