Wyche Cutting to British Camp (and back again!)
Grade - Moderate, with one or two stiffish, short climbs
Map - O.S. Explorer 190 (Malvern Hills and Bredon Hill)
Suitable for - All ages/families, but keep an eye on tinies!
Duration - 3 hours (more if you like!)
Start - Wyche Cutting car parks, Grid ref. SO768437 (click here for start point map)
Refreshments - None on the Hills, but pub and cafe at Wyche cutting, pub and cafe
at British Camp.
'Just a note to say thanks for the walks on your web site. We had a day free in Worcester
(yesterday), and joined your walks 2 and 3 together to make a very delightful 4.5
hour walk.' My thanks to Philip, Cambridge, for his kind comment!
This is a great walk that follows the Malvern ridge, ascending from Wyche Cutting
by an easy path, soon to gain the top of the ridge and following it up and over the
lesser hills to the South of Great Malvern. En route the views are panoramic and
magnificent, with the Cotswold scarp seen quite clearly to the South-East, the rolling
countryside of Herefordshire to the West and the distinctive outline of British Camp,
an iron age hill fort, soon becoming apparent to the South. Sad to say, this walk
really isn't suitable for push- or wheelchairs, as the way, though apparent and fairly
easy, has uneven ground underfoot in a couple of sections and one or two fairly steep,
though thankfully short, climbs.
To start, park in the same spot as in Walk No. 1 - click here for directions. This
time, however, rather than going uphill towards Great Malvern (the Hill, not the
town!) walk back down the slope until you come to the main road through Wyche cutting,
i.e., the one you've just turned off to gain the car park. Opposite you will see
steps leading upwards towards the ridge, next to a stone marker marked 'British Camp',
just to the left of some public conveniences.
Here starts your first climb, following the steps and soon a continuing track upwards
along the flank of the hill until, quite suddenly, the top of the ridge is gained.
Pause to draw breath and admire the scenery: directly to the North is the bulk of
Great Malvern, looking impressively large from this viewpoint, with North Hill and
neighbouring Table Hill seen behind.
To the East spreads the Severn Plain, to the West rolling countryside, with the Welsh
Hills visible on the horizon. After regaining puff, carry on following the obvious,
well-trodden path uphill until you gain the first summit, then - you guessed it!
- go down the other side to the saddle between this and the next hill, which is a
bit bigger and involves a fairly strenuous slog to ascend by the path on its Easterly
side. Stop if you get tired (I do) - you can always use the view as an excuse and,
frankly, with these views, no excuse to stop is ever needed. And what the heck? It's
not a race - take your time and enjoy it!
Descend the other side of this hill taking a little care - it's probably the steepest
bit and sometimes a bit gravelly due to the path being worn. Don't worry, though,
even without walking boots it's OK if you take your time. The next saddle is broad
and large and points you directly at a much smaller eminence - it's all like a slow
rollercoaster, really!
From here simply follow the path which at all points is obvious (and probably well
populated anyway) until a surfaced track is seen which as you descend veers to the
right to terminate at a car park Cross the car park heading for the road at the bottom
and bear left up this road - a good track runs alongside it - to arrive in a few
hundred yards at the Malvern Hills Hotel and the main British Camp car park.
Having taken refreshment and recovered somewhat, the walk is merely a case of retracing
you steps until you regain Wyche Cutting and perch on a bench for a rest, having
completed the first ever walk I did on the Malverns, and still one I enjoy best for
a Sunday afternoon stroll.
A short, if fairly sharp detour can be made at British Camp (otherwise known as the
Herefordshire Beacon) to ascend the ramparts of the iron age hill fort (The British
Camp - confusing isn't it?). Opposite the drinks kiosk a broad surfaced path leads
steeply uphill then follows a series of zig-zags (being stepped in the upper reaches)
until the breezy summit is gained. It's a fairly stiff climb but the footing is very
good and the views from the top are superb, stretching away to the South for miles.
If you don't fancy it today, don't worry, I'll be taking you round it in walk number
three!
This is always busy on virtually every day of the year (try parking on New Year's
Day!) and just to the right is a small cafe-cum-kiosk which has a varied selection
of snacks and soft drinks, tea etc. (Tea especially recommended). If something stronger
is required, the aforesaid Malvern Hills Hotel welcomes walkers (though not their
boots if covered in mud!). (Back to walk 8)
