So - just where are the Malvern Hills and Cotswolds?

It's an odd thing, you know - because I live in Malvern and am familiar with the Cotswolds I do sometimes forget that many people have never heard of them or, if they have, don't have the foggiest idea of where they are or how to get there. This page attempts to redress my shortsightedness! Below are some answers to questions I've been asked in the past, plus some more information that should be helpful.

The Malvern Hills.

The Malverns Hills are about thirty miles South-West of Birmingham and are almost ringed by Malvern, which is itself divided into several parts. Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Malvern Wells and Little Malvern are all to the East of the Hills whilst North Malvern (arguably) and West Malvern are to the West.

Bang in the middle, in a saddle of the Hills is The Wyche, whilst the small town of Colwall spreads down from the Western slopes.West Malvern, notably, encroaches quite a way up the slopes of the Hills. It might be thought from this that the Hills feel quite claustrophobic and it's true that, as you stand on the summit of the Worcestershire Beacon, you can clearly see Malvern town spread beneath you to the East. Oddly, a feeling of remoteness still prevails.

Turn around and look to the West and the story is very different. For those of you old enough to remember, visions of Nutwood and Rupert Bear spring to mind. Church steeples peep through the trees, the fields are a patchwork quilt and your gaze finally comes to rest on the distant Welsh mountains (for those not old enough to remember Rupert, sorry but you'll have to come and look for yourself!). A final thought. Turn around again and face East. Fact: there is no higher point in a straight line until you come to the Ural mountains!

Getting here.

By car - junction 7 or 8 of the M5 will get you here - just follow the road signs from J7 to Malvern and Ross. From M5 J8 (M50) come off at JI M50 and head for Upton-upon-Severn, then follow road signs for Malvern.   If you're arriving from the West, best routes are through Ludlow/Leominster/Hereford/Ross on Wye - Malvern is signposted but if in doubt head for Ledbury or Worcester.        

By train - I don't pretend to have the answers here. The nearest large rail station is Worcester, from where trains regularly run to Malvern then on to Colwall and beyond. For such a (relatively) small town, Malvern has two stations - Malvern Link and Great Malvern. Try First Great Western for times.

If you're on foot from the train, Malvern Link is nearest (just) to the Hills. From the platform, leave the station by crossing the small car park. This will bring you out on the main A449 road running through Malvern. Don't worry! Even here it's nice to look at, with Link Common dead opposite. Turn right and walk uphill until you reach the second set of traffic lights, almost opposite The Vaults pub. Turn right, then left almost immediately to head steeply uphill again on a one-way road. At the top keep ahead along the upper (left) branching road until you reach the clock tower (obvious to anyone!). From here access to North Hill is easy if steep. Out of puff already? You will be... Seriously, just follow these directions and you'll be on the hills within a half hour.

The Hills Hopper  

No, this isn't some strange Malvern version of the Yeti, it's a local bus service and a very good one too. The Hills Hopper (Service 244) runs on a circular route, from Great Malvern station around the Hills to British Camp, Ledbury, Eastnor, Welland and back. Every 2 hours, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from Easter until end of October (2006 pattern). The 'loop' to Three Counties Showground has been extended to take in Upton-upon-Severn too, and the buses can carry bicycles and wheelchairs. You can get off and on the bus as many times as you like. For details of local buses click here.

The Cotswolds.

Wheras the Malvern Hills can be described as a place, the Cotswolds are most definitely an area; bounded at its furthest points by (N) Chipping Campden, (S) Bath, (W) Stroud and (E) Woodstock.

For me, the real Cotswolds are (N) Chipping Campden, (S) Tetbury, (W) Painswick and (E) Burford. I know this is arguable but it's my personal opinion. For a general map of the Cotswolds click here. Because it is such an extensive area, access can be gained from many routes and frankly a detailed breakdown is beyond the scope of this website. A good site to visit can be seen by clicking here but just tap in "The Cotswolds" into any search engine and you will have enough info to plan a year's holiday, let alone a couple of weeks or a day’s walking!

I can only suggest a few of my favourite places for you to visit - there are so many to see but just try these - I guarantee you won't be disappointed:-

Snowshill - a beautiful little place not far from Winchcombe.

Upper Slaughter - forget the name, just make your way down to the Windrush river - little more than a stream, Idyllic.

Lower Slaughter - forget the crowds, just look at the place!

Stanton - probably the quintessential Cotswolds village.

Bourton-on-the-Water - commercialsed now, but steal away to walk alongside the Windrush on a summer's evening to step back in time...

There are so many more. Go explore!

If anyone has any suggestions for favourite places, drop me a line by clicking here.

My favourites.

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