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Your first, far-off view of 'The
Malverns' tells you that you are approaching an area
with a difference - unusual and intriguing. They are
the centre piece of a wonderful region stretching
from lowland, riverside Upton upon Severn to Malvern
itself, and up the River Teme's winding course
through northwest Worcestershire's hills to
delightful Tenbury Wells.
Perhaps it was the pure water of the
Malvern Hills springs that first attracted the
iron-age builders of The British Camp (Herefordshire
Beacon), and then, hundreds of years later, the
founders of Malvern's two medieval priories.
Certainly it was those waters that made Malvern a
19th Century spa, with the elegance to become a
place of culture, attracting people like Sir Edward
Elgar and Bernard Shaw. From the hills you will see
some of England's grandest views, eastwards towards
the Cotswolds, northwards to Shropshire and westward
to the misty mountains of Wales.
St Ann's Well
Malvern Water is well known. The
well waters of Malvern are many - but often well-concea led.
St Ann's Well (where you can enjoy a peaceful break
with delicious refreshments) and Holy Well, are
tucked away in valleys. But in and around the
Malverns are many more springs, some well restored
like the Beauchamp Spout in Cowleigh Road or the
well known fountain, Malvhina, at Belle Vue Island
and others more obscure. Finding them makes an
interesting treasure hunt.
The Abbey Gateway
Malvern's has two medieval
jewels - one is the Abbey Gateway, which is home to
Malvern's Museum. It i s
small but filled with exhibits on every aspect of
Malvern's history and development; geology,
intriguing insights into the 19th Century, era of
the water cure and items from Malvern's famous
defence research establishment, where historic wartime radar was developed.
Great Malvern Priory
The other medieval building is The Priory. The
building itself has a rich heritage going back over
900 years and is a combination of Norman and
Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Its treasures
include fifteenth century English stained glass,
medieval floor and wall tiles, and some unusual
carvings
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