Places of interest, grouped by town, village or locality, that could be included on a day’s bike ride from Malvern, but some more so than others (depending on fitness, electric assistance etc.). The info and web links below should give you some idea of what might be worth a visit. Ordnance Survey grid references are given in italics for some, and we try to highlight refreshment possibilities that are most of interest to the hungry/thirsty cyclist.
Also See
Abberley
The old Norman church (SO754678) opposite Manor Arms is based on a Saxon one and has some interesting features – see album. Also a nearby clock tower which is highly visible to the west. Earth Heritage Trust have an Abberley Church geology guide – see Malvern Hills geology section.
The Bell pub at Pensax is a regular in local real ale awards.
Village website – basic.
Witley Court, owned by English Heritage, is to the south east (towards Worcester). Once a great country house, now a spectacular ruin due to a fire in 1937. Some of the gardens have been restored. Next door is Great Witley Church, with an Italianate interior and nearby tea rooms (check website for in-season opening times).
Alfrick and Lulsley
Village community web site A nice church with sundial on the wood-clad tower – see Around the area album.
There is also a community-run village shop in Alfrick (next to village hall). (Facebook link in case their website isn’t working.) Has a full cafe area – closes 11:30am at weekends, 2:30pm weekdays, may be open on bank holidays. A good idea for groups to phone ahead, 01886 832862.
Black and White Village Trail
This is taking you out of the immediate Malvern cycling area, but worth planning a trip this way (north west of Hereford). Can take in Weobley, Eardisland, Pembridge, Eardisley, Dilwyn, and Lyonshall, which are all pretty villages. There is a published Cider Cycling Route covering much of this – obtain from Herefordshire Tourist Information or Come Cycling Ledbury.
Book: Black and White Village Trail (part of Family Walks series) Scarthin Books, ISBN 0 907758 47 9.
The Black and White Trail website has some information and pictures on the trail. Download the Black & White Villages Leisure Cycle Ride (9 or 15 miles) as a pdf, 580KB from Herefordshire Council site. A car-based tour leaflet from Leominster Tourism website has some useful info.
Eardisland Visitor info on community site. Flower festival in late May. Rita’s Tearoom 9.30 – 3.30 except Tuesdays, cakes, teas, home cooked meals 01544 388064.
Monkland Cheese Dairy could be fitted in a tour. Cafe open most of the year, shut Sundays mid October to Easter. The Pleck, Monkland, HR6 9DB, phone 01568 720307.
Pembridge SO392583
Dunkertons Organic Cider, SO393569. The cider shop is now open for tastings and sales at the weekend only – most operations have moved to Cheltenham. Phone 01544 388653.
Pembridge itself is an interesting ‘black and white’ town, most famous for the free-standing belltower (mainly 17th century but some dates back to 12th). See Mediaeval Pembridge. Visitor Centre in East St, phone 01533 388761. Old Chapel Gallery for contemporary arts and crafts.
Weobley
Jules Restaurant (at the top of the ‘square’) is/was a good place to eat, but sadly Jules himself died November 2022. He was always happy to see cyclists partaking in his cooking – see pic on CycleTrail album.
Bransford
Half way between Malvern and Worcester, on the A4103.
The Fold has designer workshops and a healing centre. Its Eco Cafe provides organic and Fairtrade food and drink. Next door is Foal Yard Gallery.
Leigh, just to the north west of Bransford, has one of the largest and oldest surviving tithe barns in the country (SO783534). Open Thursday to Sunday and Bank Holidays, 10am to 5pm (English Heritage, no entry charge).
Clifton-upon-Teme
Clifton-upon-Teme and Shelsleys (Shelsley Walsh/Beauchamp/Kings). This web site includes bus timetable (under Services), a couple of local walks.
See separate entry re Shelsley Walsh below.
Cradley SO735472
Has an interesting medieval village hall (left), just up the lane from the war memorial. Restoration work, set back by a roof fire, has been completed. (Another pic)
The village site is very much for locals.
Martley
The Rodney (was Admiral Rodney), at Berrow Green just south of Martley, is on the Worcestershire Way.
Shelsley Walsh
Known for its hill climbs – one of the oldest motor sport events. Also wonderful church (pic).
Shelsley Water Mill (near the foot of the hill climb course) has been renovated.
Suckley
Village site has some history. The White House (SO721528) is distinctive, with Thomas Farnolls Pritchard the ‘inventor of cast iron bridges’ having carried out some ‘modernisation’ work on it.
Tenbury Wells SO594678
and Teme Valley
Tenbury Wells Visitors Guide. Check out the unusual Pump Rooms, built in 1862.
Teme Valley for Tenbury Wells and further upstream (Ludlow, Knighton). Mainly local history.
Burford House Gardens has a National Collection of Clematis. West of Tenbury Wells.
Kyre Park Gardens SO623632. 29 acres created 1754, has recently been restored, large collection of ferns. Tea room. Phone 01885 410669.
See Mistletoe festival info on Events page.
Tourist Information Centre: 21 Teme Street, WR15 8BB, phone 01584 810136.
Whitbourne SO718568
East of Bromyard.
Parish site has a little background to the local churches.
Whitbourne Hall is a private residence, with ownership divided between the residents of 20 units which have been created from this large house. Occasional open days and events. Descendants of the original family owners live in the farm house and modern building near the lake. Detail from drawing room, left (the major downstairs rooms are shared and in pretty good nick). Another pic in the Photo Album.
The Live Inn is/was the local pub (previously the Live and Let Live, also the name of one on Bringsty Common) – closed at summer 2023 as looking for a new landlord. You could try the community shop for ice creams etc. (10-4 weekdays, closes earlier at weekends).
Worcester
A well-known city like this doesn’t need us to trawl through the web, but here are a few options.
Just to the west of Worcester is Lower Broadheath and Elgar’s birthplace cottage, now the main part of National Trust’s The Firs (refreshments). See our Elgar the Cyclist page.
East of Worcester
Near the village of Crowle is Springridge Nurseries Tea Room (new summer 2018) on Old Turnpike Road, WR7 4AG, with excellent cakes, light lunches, 10am to 4pm daily.
Further Afield
Heading to Shropshire
Wigmore Castle Pics from the Mortimer family pages. Or see CastleWales page.
Mortimer Country Outdoor activities and more from local tourism site, near Leominster.
Ludlow town site (with links to other local web sites), also Ludlow Castle.
Severn Valley Railway Nearest station to Malvern: Bewdley.
Wilden to Witley Church Trail Although designed for cars, the trail probably would make a good cycle ride too.
AE Housman’s A Shropshire Lad Poetry about the area.
Virtual Shropshire Tourist and community info.
Visit Shropshire Hills Includes Ludlow, Church Stretton, Clun, Much Wenlock, etc.
Shropshire Tourism – the official site. Has sites for walking and cycling too.
Shropshire Hills Shuttle Buses – bus services.
Shropshire Geology have or are developing geological discovery trails and field guides.
Stiperstones Inn A traditional country hostelry in the Marches area of Shropshire.
Visit Bridgnorth has info for Much Wenlock too.
Town sites for Church Stretton; Clun and Clun Valley; Bishops Castle.