The Malverns
The Hills erupt out of the landscape as you travel down the M5 past Hopwood Park services, always signalling a return home from my travels after landing in BHX. Having worked around the world in hotels across Australia and aboard cruise ships, I have realised “there’s no place like home”.
My home, Malvern; the name derived from the ancient British moel-bryn, meaning “Bald Hills”. A town rich in history from early Roman settlers to Victorian watercures, world renowned artists, musicians and writers have all found peace, tranquillity and of course inspiration from my home town.
For me though, as a child growing up it wasn’t Malvern history that I fell in love with, more the fun you could have, Weekly family walks across the Malvern Hills with the dogs gave us unrivalled views towards the Cotswolds on the east side and over Herefordshire to the west, countless hiding spots and summers of paragliders drifting overhead as they leap from the Beacon. Never have you seen such perfect sledging spots on a snowy day in winter.
As I returned back from the years forging my hospitality career, hiding on the hills playing tag and sledging down steep slopes became frowned upon, my realisation of what Malvern and its surrounding area had to offer ventured further into my lifelong passion, great food and drink.
Malvern is bursting with great produce. World renowned hop growers have led to some fantastic breweries developing in the area. Wye Valley Brewery, just over the hill, is a stalwart of pubs across Herefordshire and Worcestershire with its HPA (Herefordshire pale ale) being my favoured drop. On a smaller scale, The Hop Shed Brewery, which fortunately is located only a short stumble from my house, produce delicious ales but even better offers an open house on a Friday evening inviting different food trucks each week, which brings together a fantastic community feel.
The banks of the Malverns have gifted us with the perfect terroir for some fantastic award-winning vineyards. Three Choirs Vineyard and Sixteen Ridges continue to grow in recognition but my favourite, Deer Park Winery on Bredon Hill, has a Pinot Noir to die for.
Croome Cheese’s “Whittington Oak” would be a perfect accompaniment for the Pinot Noir if you asked me! Or even washed down with a beautiful crisp cider from Oldfields Cider Mill.
The abundance of quality produce has in turn lead to an array of top eateries and watering holes in the area. Here at The Cottage in the Wood, our skilled head chef, Mark Potts, delivers an acclaimed three rosette menu that showcases the local flavours. Guests can enjoy a set menu or an incredible eight course tasting menu while enjoying those perfect views from the top of the hills.
We are amongst good company in Malvern with amazing pubs and tap rooms such as The Nag’s Head and Weavers, which offer ever changing and wide-ranging craft and cask ales. There are countless beautiful gastro pubs that serve delicious fresh home cooked menus, with The Swan at Hanley and The Inn at Welland being the pick of the bunch.
And one of the best delicatessen cafes you will find is Faun in the centre of Malvern, who bake their own delicious sourdough which they serve accompanying breakfasts, brunches and bowls.
Writing this has left me too famished to continue; you will find me in one of the above and I will be smiling as I reminisce over a life of fortunate upbringings, indulging in drinks and dishes from a region brimming with deliciousness.
