Middle Earth and NimrodDiscover the dramatic range of hills that inspired CS Lewis
JRR Tolkien and Edward Elgar to create some of the greatest works in the English canon
Standing on the ridge of the Malvern Hills
you’d be forgiven for feeling a little light-headed
Whether it’s the effect of the ascent, the fresh air, the panoramic view or the sense of being seemingly on top of the world, something about this location resets the soul. And it certainly had that effect on the likes of JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis and Edward Elgar, all three of whom once stood upon the same ridge
gazing out across the landscape that helped them forge some of the most significant creative works of their time
Today, the Malverns remains a draw for the creative arts as well as those looking for a rewarding ramble or cycle. It has a number of festivals throughout the year, spanning classical music, antique fairs, arts markets and the Festival of Ideas
you can connect with the great creators of the past through a simple walk
The magical land that Lucy first discovers in The Lion
the Witch and the Wardrobe may have looked a little different had CS Lewis not studied at Malvern prep school (now called Cherbourg) and college
Here, he discovered Norse mythology – which it’s thought shaped the divine-like character of Aslan – and spent many hours hiking around the hills
In 1916 he went to University College Oxford
where he met his lifelong friend JRR Tolkien
along with George Sayer – a pupil of Lewis who went on to become his biographer – often returned to Malvern to hit the trails together
There’s a well-known association between the now-famous Victorian gas lamps in Great Malvern and the lamppost that features in the opening description of Narnia in The Lion
There is something undeniably Tolkienesque about the Malvern Hills
a looming line of sleeping giants formed during the Precambrian Age and littered with the relics of bygone days
CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien cut a comical path on their walks here
Sayer recalled in the sleeve notes of a Lord of the Rings reading by the author
Tolkien would often relive the book as they walked
JRR Tolkien took much of his inspiration for his mythical tales from real locations in Britain
Mathew Lyons embarks on an adventure to find Middle Earth
Elgar, who is buried in Little Malvern, is perhaps the region’s most famous musical son – and you can visit the red-brick cottage of his birth, The Firs
View more National Trust properties for classical music lovers to visit at our sister title
He wrote some of his most-loved compositions in and around the Malvern Hills, including the Enigma Variations
windswept momentum and wistful character have been compared to a pictorial landscape replete with valleys and panoramic vistas
Walk: Malvern Hills, Worcestershire and Herefordshire
Hike along the Malvern ridge from British Camp
before descending into the picturesque town of Great Malvern for a well-earned pub meal
Picture: Malvern Priory./Credit: Leading Lights/Getty
If you’re in search of some spiritual quietude, consider stopping in at Little Malvern Priory
a Benedictine monastery first built in the middle of the twelfth century
The medieval writer William Langland is thought to have been educated here in the 1300s
writing one of the most significant works of early English literature – Piers Plowman
This semi-autobiographical work involves everyman Will falling asleep on the Malvern hillside and embarking upon a spiritual journey
More evocative writing followed in the 19th and 20th centuries from writers such as WH Auden (The Malverns); The Dymock poets; Robert Frost (Iris by Night); and Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Aurora Leigh)
But perhaps one of the most moving and humble sentiments about the Malverns came from Elgar
He had been humming the theme to his Cello Concerto to a friend
and said: “If ever after I’m dead you hear someone whistling this tune on the Malvern Hills
The Worcestershire on Demand bus service in the Malvern Hills District has seen a big rise in usage in recent months
provides public transport based on demand rather than using fixed routes and timetables
and now averages over 1000 completed trips per month and equates for 37% of all journey’s carried out by the Worcestershire on Demand service
The buses provide a service for areas including Upton upon Severn
Passengers can travel to local points of interest
Malvern Link and Great Malvern railway stations and Malvern Retail Park as well as further afield to places like Worcestershire Parkway Station
Worcester Countryside Centre and Tewkesbury town centre
Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport at Worcestershire County Council said: “It’s fantastic that we’re seeing more people using the service in Malvern
but in recent months the service has become increasingly popular
covering many journeys across the district and beyond
The buses provide a sustainable and efficient way of getting around a rural setting and are a key part of our mission to enhance bus travel in Worcestershire.”
Buses in the Worcestershire on Demand Malvern zone are operated by Malvern Community Action (in conjunction with Worcester Wheels) and LMS Travel
The service is funded by Worcestershire County Council and Malvern Hills District Council
Leader and Portfolio Holder for Communities
Health and Wellbeing at Malvern Hills District Council
said: “It’s great to see the Worcestershire on Demand bus service thriving within the Malvern Hills District
Community Transport initiatives like this provide a lifeline to residents with limited travel options
Not only does it open up more opportunities for people
but it is also a sustainable and eco-friendly travel solution
We hope the service continues to grow and more people take advantage of this brilliant service.”
The buses run from 7:00am until 7:00pm Monday to Saturday
There’s a flat fare of £2.50 for journeys per person
with additional passengers paying £1.25 and concessionary cards are accepted
Malvern is the second area to operate Worcestershire on Demand buses
following the successful launch of the service in Bromsgrove in July 2021
The Bromsgrove service also saw an expansion earlier this year
On demand buses offer a bespoke alternative service to the familiar local bus
Passengers request a journey through an app
and they are collected quickly and within a few metres of their location
Journeys may involve a short walk to maximise route efficiency
and replicate journey times in a private car
which has over 7500 accounts created since launch
is available to download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store
A passenger will be able to select their pick-up and drop-off location when booking a journey
The system will then direct people to a nearby ‘virtual bus stop’ for pick-up and drop-off
allowing for quick and efficient shared trips
If you want to find out more, please visit the Worcestershire On Demand Bus Service pages of the County Council website.
the new service will go-live at Malvern Library on Monday 19 August 2024
Worcestershire County Council has invested in new technology which now offers longer opening hours at Malvern Library outside of core opening hours.
Libraries Unlocked is a new service which provides more flexibility for customers and community groups to use their local library at times that are convenient to them
between 8am and 8pm Monday to Saturday.
members can enjoy a range of library services outside core staffed opening hours
utilising free library computers and Wi-Fi
"I am delighted about the launch of Libraries Unlocked at Malvern Library," said Hannah Perrott
Assistant Director for Communities at Worcestershire County Council
libraries are at the heart of community life
and I am glad that we are developing new approaches to accommodate residents' busy lives."Libraries Unlocked membership is for ages 15 and over
Under 15s can visit the library during Libraries Unlocked opening hours if they are accompanied by a Libraries Unlocked member
Library members who wish to upgrade to Libraries Unlocked membership are required to complete a short induction
To arrange a Libraries Unlocked induction visit Malvern Library and speak to a member of library staff or call 01905 822722 to make an appointment
Join Worcestershire Libraries this August for our Libraries Unlocked Group Induction Sessions at Malvern Library
These sessions are a perfect opportunity to discover how Libraries Unlocked can benefit you and to sign up for a free membership
Wednesday, 14 August,- from 5:15pm to 6:15pm. To book visit the Eventbrite event pages.
Saturday, 24 August, from 2pm to 3pm. To book visit the Eventbrite event pages.
Existing Libraries Unlocked members in libraries already using the service have said it is a "brilliant idea and it's enabled us as a family to access the library more" and that it is the "best thing Worcestershire Libraries have done since the introduction of self-service."
Libraries Unlocked will see a change to core staffed opening hours
so upgrade to free Libraries Unlocked membership and use your library card to visit the library from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday
For more information and updated opening hours visit the Libraries Unlocked pages of the County Council website.
delicious food and a brand new cake contest
celebrate the very best of the season at the Malvern Autumn Show this September 2024
Embrace the joys of autumn — soaking up the sights
sounds and scents of the season in a beautiful setting at the base of the magnificent Malvern Hills
From Friday 27 to Sunday 29 September 2024, the Three Counties Showground is packed full of fantastic food, drinks, produce and entertainment for the annual Malvern Autumn Show
there are a host of new features to enjoy. The Great Malvern Cake Off tent offers cake and dessert baking demos as well as competitions and challenges
cider and beer producers is hosting live music sessions
well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome at the showground
pooches can take part or keep an eye on a dedicated dog show looking for the ‘waggiest tail’
‘softest coat’ and ‘dog most like its owner’ among a host of other categories. Sunday dog entry tickets are free but need to be booked in advance.
It wouldn't be the autumn show without a host of old favourites including the incredibly popular CANNA UK Giant Vegetables Championships
Hundreds of keen gardeners and producers will put their pride and joy on display in the Harvest Pavilion with more than 100 different Grow to Show classes
And there'll be a blaze of autumnal colour in the Floral Marquee and RHS Flower Show with top quality plants
Little ones aren't forgotten with a Family Green offers activities for all ages
where children can meet animals aplenty.
There's also a Vintage Village with a dancefloor
along with a vintage funfair and vintage vehicles
A Great Taste Market is offering an array of artisan produce
From 9am to 6pm with last entry at 4pm each day
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