24 hours in: Malvern

Getting to know the Worcestershire Victorian spa town

DAYTIME

Elgar’s Birthplace

Edward Elgar’s penchant for cycling came to the fore around Malvern. An archive of his maps and routes are on display at his birthplace in Lower Broadheath. nationaltrust.org.uk/the-firs

The Elgar Birthplace Museum at Lower Broadheath (Image: Stephen Roberts)

Great Malvern Priory

Founded in 1085, it has a fine collection of medieval and Victorian glass, 90 different patterns of medieval tiles, and misericords dating back to the 14th century. greatmalvernpriory.org.uk

Malvern Museum (Image: Tracy Spiers)

Malvern Museum

Find out more about Malvern’s springs, wells and water at the Malvern Museum in the abbey gateway (malvernmuseum.co.uk) and also at St Ann’s Well Café. (stannswell.co.uk)

NIGHT TIME

Lamp-spotting

Malvern street lamps are renowned for inspiring CS Lewis’s fictional snowy lamp-post in Narnia. A lamp-spotting trail is available from Malvern Tourist Information Centre, just off Church Street. visitthemalverns.org

The gaslights in Great Malvern Priory churchyard were the inspiration for CS Lewis's Narnia stories (Image: David Cannings-Bushell)

The Abbey Hotel

Built on the site of the old Priory House, close to both Malvern Priory and the Malvern Museum, this ivy-clad hotel has 103 bedrooms and splendid views across the Vale of Evesham. sarova-abbeyhotel.com

The Abbey Hotel, Malvern (Image: sarova-abbeyhotel.com)

Malvern Theatres

The Malvern theatre complex has been a provincial centre for the arts since 1885, and hosts diverse and top-class drama, ballet and live music, plus film screenings throughout the year. malvern-theatres.co.uk

EATING

The Terrace on the Hill

This café-by-day turns into a brasserie-restaurant on one evening every weekend, featuring superb food and fine dining in an unpretentious atmosphere. So popular it’s best to book ahead. 01684 438130

The Nag’s Head

You’ll find hearty, good food, including locally-sourced beef, at this Bank Street alehouse, as well as 24 whiskies, 18 different gins, and a selection of fine wines and ciders. nagsheadmalvern.co.uk

The Mulberry Tree is The Mount Pleasant Hotel’s restaurant and bar (Image: © Thousand Word Media)

Mulberry Tree

The Mount Pleasant Hotel’s restaurant and bar features the best locally-sourced produce, based on seasonality and nutrition. In the summer, expect to see Herefordshire berries on the menu. mulberrytree.co

SHOPTIME

Brave Fine Art

A boutique art dealership with gallery established in 2017 on Belle Vue Terrace, with clients ranging from private collectors and interior designers across the world. bravefineart.com

Malvern town (Image: Tracy Spiers)

Hunky Dorey
A high-quality dress agency on Abbey Road that also sells antiques, curios, decorative arts, furniture, and all manner of eclectic items from the past and present. hunky-dorey.co.uk

Church Street, Malvern (Image: Tracy Spiers)

Rhubarb

Set on Malvern’s Church Street, this popular shop specialises in home and lifestyle inspiration, including lighting, furniture, mirrors, gifts... and golden poodle table lamps. rhubarb-malvern.co.uk

View over Great Malvern (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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