Great Malvern, the historic Worcestershire town roughly an hour from Birmingham, has been named the best place to live in the West Midlands by the Sunday Times. The accolade highlights the area's Victorian spa-town charm, spectacular hill walks, a medieval priory and literary connections to C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.
Why the Sunday Times chose Malvern
The Sunday Times praised the Malverns for their majestic setting, elegant towns and villages, and a rousing cultural scene that goes far beyond the inevitable Elgar connections. The newspaper noted that the hills are alive with the sound of classical music in this neck of the picturesque woods.
According to the Sunday Times, there is something for everyone in Malvern: high-paying, high-tech defence industry jobs at QinetiQ and the science park, appealing shops, cafés and restaurants, and useful rail links. The paper also highlighted spectacular walks on the bracken-clad hills, mighty views across to Wales and the Severn Plain, and immaculately kept parks that are proof of a real sense of local pride.
Scenery and ancient history
The Malvern Hills rise dramatically from the Severn Valley, with views towards the Cotswolds, across Herefordshire and, on a clear day, as far as the Black Mountains. The hills stretch for approximately nine miles, offering walking routes to suit different levels of fitness and experience. Their changing colours, striking cloud formations, sunrises and sunsets make them worth exploring throughout the year.
The hills' ancient rocks date back around 650 million years, while the visible earthworks at British Camp and Midsummer Hill are reminders of the area's much later hillforts. For a gentler outing, the wider Malverns area has riverside routes and woodland walks. Malvern Hills District Council's walking guides provide details of routes, difficulty levels and downloadable maps, while the Malverns Walking App offers another way to plan a trip.
Spa heritage and hydrotherapy clinics
Malvern's history stretches back well before its Victorian villas and hotels. The town developed around an 11th-century Benedictine priory, parts of which survive in Great Malvern Priory, now a parish church known for its medieval stained glass. Its later growth was closely tied to the reputation of Malvern spring water, as visitors came seeking the supposed health benefits of the water, as well as fresh air, rest and beautiful surroundings.
In 1842, doctors James Wilson and James Manby Gully established hydrotherapy clinics in Malvern. The town expanded rapidly, with large hotels, villas and boarding houses catering for visitors. By 1855, it had 95 hotels and boarding houses. Among those who came for treatment were Charles Darwin, Florence Nightingale and Catherine Dickens, the wife of Charles Dickens. Queen Adelaide also visited St Ann's Well in September 1842.
Today, visitors can sample Malvern water at the Malvhina fountain in Great Malvern. The town's water heritage is also celebrated through the Malvern Well Dressing and Water Festival, when local people decorate wells, springs and spouts to an annual theme.
Literary and musical connections
Malvern has connections to some of Britain's best-known writers. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien visited the area and walked the hills with George Sayer, head of English at Malvern College. In 1952, recordings of Tolkien reading extracts from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings were made at Sayer's Malvern home.
Composer Sir Edward Elgar spent much of his life around Malvern. A statue of him looking over Great Malvern stands beside the Enigma fountain on Belle Vue Terrace, while Malvern Concert Club, which he founded in 1903, adds to the town's musical heritage. Malvern Theatres offers theatre, music, comedy and children's entertainment, providing another reason to extend a day trip into an evening out.
Independent shops and exploring beyond
Malvern comprises three town centres: Great Malvern, Barnards Green and Malvern Link. Great Malvern's hillside setting and Victorian architecture make it a rewarding place to explore on foot. The town has independent galleries, gift shops, boutiques and jewellers, alongside cafés, pubs and restaurants where you can stop after a walk. Farmers' markets take place in the Priory church grounds on the third Saturday of the month. For a different side of Malvern, the Morgan Experience Centre offers factory tours exploring the town's long-standing connection with the British car maker.
The wider area includes Upton upon Severn, with its riverside setting, and Tenbury Wells, a market town with a long agricultural history and associations with apples, mistletoe, holly and hops. Rail and bus services offer alternatives to driving. The Worcestershire on Demand service also allows passengers to book journeys through an app within its Malvern Zone, with routes adapting to bookings. For walking routes, attractions and help planning a visit, head to visitthemalverns.org/escape.
