The Malvern Hills is a gorgeous place to go hiking in the Midlands and one of my favourite sunset locations. It’s perfect for a solo hike or in the company of family and friends, with parking across the whole area and the spa town of Malvern below.
The hills are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Worcestershire, and it’s easy to see why — from the panoramic views to the charming town, it’s a beautiful place to spend a few hours, a full day or a weekend.
The route
North to south along the ridge
Length
About 8 miles
Highest point
Worcestershire Beacon, 425m
Terrain
Well-kept paths, a few steep climbs
Halfway
Toilets and a cafe at the A449
- North Hill Start at the most northerly point and climb from the car park up onto the ridge.
- Worcestershire Beacon The tallest point at 425 metres, with the best views over the town and the landscape beyond.
- Summer Hill to Perseverance Hill Cross the A449 — toilets and a cafe here make a good halfway stop.
- British Camp An Iron Age hillfort at 338 metres, first built around the 2nd century BC.
- Towards Eastnor Carry on for superb views out to the Eastnor Estate and its obelisk.
Most of the route is fairly flat with gradual inclines once you’re up — the steep sections are the climbs from the car parks and the Beacon itself. Pay-and-display car parks run the length of the hills.
When to go
Golden hour
Sunrise or sunset on the Beacon
The light casts a warm glow across the landscape. For sunset, start exploring 2–3 hours beforehand to find your spot.
Quieter days
Weekdays and evenings
Fewer people around, and the town is almost deserted on a mid-week evening.
Summer weekends
Arrive early
Even on a sunny Saturday it wasn’t too busy — arriving early meant easy parking and cooler walking.
Pack
A flask and a layer
It can be bitterly cold on top when the wind cuts through you — a hot cup of tea helps.
I spent some time just watching the sun dance across the fields with a hot cup of tea to keep me warm.
British Camp
English Heritage has found evidence of as many as 118 hut circles in the larger hillfort — wooden structures with thatched roofs — suggesting quite a large settlement. A small excavation in 1879 turned up medieval finds and a Roman jar from the 2nd or 3rd century.
A wooden castle may once have stood here too, a military outpost on what was a highly disputed boundary.
After the walk
Bring a bottle
Malvern spring water
Fountains are dotted all over the area. In 1756 the water was declared the ‘purest of them all’ — Darwin credited it with curing him.
In town
Great Malvern
Restaurants and country pubs for a meal after the hills, and the Great Malvern Priory to wander round.
At the foot of the hills
Eastnor Castle
A deer park, lake and arboretum — and Land Rover off-roading, a partnership of over 50 years.
