Note: This is part of MalvernTrail’s Walking pages – see Malvern Hills Walks for more.
The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Discovery Walks can be downloaded as large pdf files. To save you half the bother, the following includes the bulk of the info from the cover pages, with permission.
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 190 can be used for all of these.
- Martin Brent Walk (no. 1), 7 miles around Colwall, mostly flat with two short hill climbs – parts can be muddy in winter. Starting Point Colwall Station* (Grid Ref SO 756424), alternative starting points The Chase Inn (SO 766430) or Colwall Parish Church (SO 737423). Additional map referred to in the text: Colwall Footpath Map (obtainable from Colwall Post Office and Ledbury TIC).
- Two Churches and a Vineyard (No. 2), 5.5 miles from Colwall to Coddington, easy walking with one steady climb. A short stretch can be muddy in winter. Starting Point Colwall Church (SO739423), alternative starting point Coddington Church (SO718427) or Colwall Station* (SO756424). If you arrive by train, use the Colwall Footpaths map (available from Colwall Post Office) to get to the church (1.6 km). On the return journey leave the churchyard by the ale house and go straight across the lane onto footpath CW23; this leads to the cricket pitches; follow round Stowe Lane to join Walwyn Road which leads to Colwall Stone and the Station (2 km). Refreshments: None, but Colwall itself has various inns and there is also a pub at Wellington Heath (at SO712403, 700m off the route). Car Parking at Colwall and Coddington Churches by kind permission of the Rector.
- Commons, Churches and a Castle (No. 3), 5.6 miles across Castlemorton Common. Terrain: some roads; the areas after point 3 and after the Mill pond can be boggy in winter; gradients are relatively gentle. Starting Point Swinyard Car Park (SO 766382), alternative starting point SO 767368. Refreshments: The Farmers Arms (SO 790363); The Robin Hood (SO 786380).
- Science & Trains in Malvern Wells & (Great) Malvern (No. 4), 7.75 miles. Terrain: Roads, fields, tracks, bridleways, woodland, common land; paths are good but muddy in wet weather. Starting Points: Great Malvern Station, Court Road bus stop or the car parking areas off Peachfield Road. Refreshments: Lady Foley’s Tea Room on Great Malvern Station platform; Court Road Bakery shop and cafe, Court Road; Railway Inn, Wells Road by the junction with Peachfield Road; Three Horseshoes, Poolbrook Road near Malvern Common; The Morgan (was Cavalry Arms), Clarence Road.
- Hill and Valley (No 5) from Colwall Station to beyond British Camp, 6 miles, hilly (total climb height of 310m) but not severe. Starting Point: Colwall Station* (SO756424), alternative starting points Gardiner’s Quarry (766421), Black Hill (766406), British Camp (763403). Short Cuts: The spur to the station can be avoided by using the car parks on the hills. Refreshments: The Kettle Sings cafe (SO765421), The Malvern Hills Hotel and Kiosk (SO763404), The Crown Inn (SO755425).
- Hills and Hops at Mathon ( No 6), 5 or 7 miles. Terrain: Mostly flat; there is one slight climb. Generally good underfoot with two short muddy sections. The longer route has a longer uphill section and a very steep downhill stretch. Starting Point Mathon Village Hall (SO 743454).
- Back to Nature in Malvern Wells (No. 7), 4 miles. Terrain: Tracks, fields, bridleways and some roads. Some steep climbs, generally good but could be muddy in places in wet weather. Starting point St Wulstan’s Local Nature Reserve, St Wulstan’s Drive, Upper Welland, Malvern Wells (SO 780414). Buses 343 and 675 stop on the Wells Road at the junction of Upper Welland Road. Only the 343 goes down Upper Welland Road to either Assarts Lane or the Spar village store (which can provide food and drink). NB This bus info may be out-of-date – see Getting to Malvern for bus links.