Discover The Malverns
Shhh… The Malverns is one of Britain’s best kept secrets. It may not be as famous as its neighbouring Cotswolds, but this Area of Outstanding Beauty offers up some of the most beautiful countryside Britain has to offer. Picturesque villages, sweeping views, historical landmarks and cultural heritage – The Malverns is an escape away from the typical British tourist hotspots and The Cottage in the Wood Malvern is the perfect base to explore and discover The Malverns.
Discover
Discover The Malverns – the pretty towns and villages surrounding The Cottage in the Wood Malvern, including the Victorian spa town of Malvern, the historic market town of Ledbury and the riverside town of Upton upon Severn.
Visit the home of the famous Morgan car at the Morgan Motor Company in Malvern for a guided tour of the working factory or see a play, musical, film or exhibition at the Malvern Theatres, which attracts productions from the London circuit.
The nearby historical Croome Court is set in a landscape designed by Capability Brown, and famous composer Edward Elgar, who was born in Malvern, composed some of his greatest music whilst walking in the hills surrounding our hotel. The Elgar Route, a 40-mile circular driving route through Worcester and Great Malvern, takes in places of interest associated with Elgar, his works and his life. Alternatively, walking trails in Worcester and Great Malvern visit Elgar’s houses, the places where he taught and where he and his wife are buried.
If you enjoy a tipple, there are plenty of local vineyards to explore close to the hotel, or you could take a tour of the Friday Beer Company Brewery based in Malvern, founded by three local scientists.
If you’re feeling active, go cycling through the steep woodland or undulating tracks, go horse-riding across the hills or book the Land Rover Experience at Eastnor Castle, with miles of diverse tracks and exciting terrain.
There is so much of the wonderful Worcestershire countryside to enjoy on foot. Many of the walking routes start at The Cottage in the Wood Malvern, too. We have shared five of our favourite walks here.
Culture
The beauty of the Malvern Hills has long been known for capturing the imagination of writers and composers including Elgar, J.R.R Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, who were all inspired by their visits to this unique part of Britain.
Did you know? It is rumoured that the opening chapter of C.S Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, where Lucy first glimpses the world of Narnia, was inspired by C.S Lewis’ experience of stepping out of a pub in Malvern in winter. The author set eyes on a gas lamp shining brightly through the snow and said “that would make a very nice opening line to a book” – and so The Chronicles of Narnia began. There are 109 Victorian gas lamps around Great Malvern to visit, alongside The Unicorn, the pub that C.S. Lewis was leaving on that fantasy-filled night. And you might have noticed our logo has a gas lamp, too!
