Welcome to MalvernTrail

A chance to enjoy the natural and cultural delights of the countryside and towns on and around the Malvern Hills, easily accessible in the Heart of England (and also in reach of Welsh border country).

What's New

Our biased view of interesting developments in and around Malvern.

• The railway bridge in Colwall finally re-opens as previously announced on 26th June (today as I type this). There'll be a week of tidying up, which shouldn't be disruptive. Read the background on the local dedicated web site on the problems with the bridge,

• Work to dual-track much of the Cotswold rail line to Oxford and London will mean closure for most of July/August 2009. See our Get to Malvern page for information.

• Malvern Community Forest, the new group aiming to create a sustainable community woodland for the benefit of local people, now has a website (and some nicely designed leaflets).

• The National Trust's Croome Park has a '2 for 1' cyclists welcome offer for 2009 - probably needs the voucher off their publicity leaflet (find at a local tourist info centre). I guess this will extend to Croome Court when it opens later in 2009, but currently just for the grounds - the first complete landscape by Capability Brown. They also have basic cycle repair kit and trackpump available at reception if any visitor's machine arrives in need of sustenance - and a cafe for the owner.

• The Malvern Star bicycle range has been relaunched in Australia where, according to cyclingnews.com, it is "unarguably the most well-known bicycle brand". I expect to see a few more stray visits from people looking for info on this, especially as the Legend is Back is in search engine unfriendly Flash. So hi from MalvernTrail to visitors from Oz!

• MalvernTrail has been tweaking the Events section of the website, creating a separate page for regular music sessions and local bands. Now we've taken the crafts courses section, combined it with the local artists/galleries info and created a new Creative Malvern page. Local creative types have asked for a space for them to be featured before, so here it is!

• A bit outside MalvernTrail's territory, but it might encourage more people to cycle into Herefordshire. A new lightweight bridge across the River Wye at Tintern for walkers and cyclists, part of the Sustrans Connect2 project, is making steady progress, with plans being submitted for planning permission. News item on Bike Radar, or read much more on the Wye Valley Communities for Safe Cycling site.

• MalvernTrail put together a bike ride complete with recommended lunch pub and cycle hire for a bakers-dozen sized family group, celebrating an 80th birthday. An enjoyable event by all accounts, despite a strong wind, and the route is captured on GPS. We're looking to develop more possibilities, so if you want to have a good time on a bike in the Malvern area, do get in touch! (Info on About us page)

Your comments

We'd be happy to have comments and suggestions on places to visit, good cycle or walking routes in the area, etc. See About Us for contact details.

Disclaimer: All content is provided in good faith and is usually checked for accuracy at time of production. However, things change and we can give no warranties. Words, images, web design for whole site © J. Howes 2001-2008 unless stated otherwise. Page last updated 26-6-09.