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Malvern HIlls

Great Malvern is 8.5 miles Southwest of Worcester. Malvern became a prosperous spa during Victorian times. Visitors came to take the water cure. In the 1840s a doctor named Wilson started the process that altered Malvern from a village to a spa town. St. Ann's well is close to the town, accessed from St. Ann's road. George Pullen, a blind organist played his Harmonium here every day for fifty years, until his death in 1936. He walked from his home in Storridge, a distance of 4 miles each way. A map showing all the wells, fountains, spouts and springs, is available from the tourist information bureau, in Church Street.
The early Norman (1085) Priory Church (now the Parish Church) in the town's main street contains a large amount of 15th century stained glass noted for its brilliant colour and it's translucent quality. The rough Malvern Granite used by the Norman builders can be seen in the arches of the nave.
The Malverns are spread out, over a large area. Malvern Wells and Little Malvern are to the south; North and West Malvern to the North and Malvern Link on the lowlands to the Northeast.
Two major annual events take place, the spring gardening show in May and the Three Counties Agricultural show in June, held on a permanent site below Great Malvern. The garden show is said to rival Chelsea, the whole area becomes extremely busy. Many other events are held on this site throughout the year.
Hand built Morgan sports cars are still manufactured in Pickersleigh Road Malvern Link, although this world famous car now uses a BMW power unit.
Below Herefordshire Beacon is Little Malvern the smallest of the Malvern's, it has the remains of a 12th century priory, now part of Little Malvern Court.
The Malvern Hills are easily accessible. Suitable for every kind of walking, from just taking a stroll, walking the dog, or even a 9-mile hike, along the whole length. Malvern is an ideal holiday base for the walker.
Ample parking has been provided at the quarry car parks on the A4232, for the Worcestershire Beacon and North Hill. The Beacon is 1394ft and North Hill is 1295ft. The views from the ridge are spectacular in all directions, the Welsh borders can be seen in the west and the Severn Valley in the east. Herefordshire Beacon, also known as British Camp has a Major Iron Age Fort.
Parking is provided near the Malvern Hills Hotel, on the A449, for The Beacon and Millennium Hill. Parking for Midsummer Hill, which has another fort, and the Gullett is at Hollybush on the A438 near Eastnor.

The Malvern Hills District Footpath Society
The society, formed over thirty years ago, now has several hundred members. The main objective of the society is to endeavour to safeguard access to the countryside by the preservation and improvement of public rights of way, especially those within or on the periphery of the Malvern Hills District. A further objective is to encourage people to enjoy walking and to foster an understanding of the value of rights of way in the countryside.

The society produces leaflets and other information on local walks. It also Reports footpath obstruction (over 400 in 2002), works with the local authority on a number of practical issues including the identification of lost paths and also operates on behalf of the Ramblers Association with the local authority on planning diversion and modification matters affecting footpaths in approximately 100 local parishes. The society also organises social functions and holidays for its members.

A newsletter is sent to every member three times a year, listing time and place of walks and also the degree of difficulty. There are two led walks per week: a shorter walk usually between 4 to 6 miles is held on a weekday, while at the weekends a more demanding walk is offered, sometimes to 15 miles. Experienced walkers reconnoitre and lead most walks and a backmarker is nominated to ensure nobody gets left behind. As often more than 25 members turn up, he does a vital job.

The walks programme is displayed on the notice board in the library at great Malvern and on the web site at www.communigate.co.uk/worc - click on "clubs and societies" and look for Malvern Hills District Footpath Society. Each weeks walk's are also usually listed in the "what's on" section of the Malvern Gazette.