Best Watering Holes in the Malvern Hills

From the top of the Malvern Hills a patchwork of English counties spreads before you. It is clear why one of England’s most famous composers, Sir Edward Elgar, drew such inspiration from these outcrops of stunning countryside; his symphonies linger naturally in the hills.

Although home is now the equally fine county of Wiltshire, Worcestershire and the Malvern Hills remains one of my top spots for a good walk and most importantly a good pint.

For the hardy walker the ‘Hills’ (circa 8 miles in length) can be completed in around 5 hours. My favoured route is starting at the southern end of the ridge at the village of Bromsberrow. A good halfway point for a pint of Black Pear fruity and crisp local ale (produced by the Malvern Hills Brewery in West Malvern) is the Malvern Hills Hotel at British Camp. On a sunny day this is a busy spot; the less than enthusiastic walker can park a matter of meters from the bar and yet still soak in a fine few of the county of Herefordshire, but it’s worth squeezing through to the well stocked bar. If time permits you will not be disappointed by the menu and resulting meal. The special board changes on a regular basis and reflects the varied produce found within the shadow of the hills.

With a couple of Pears inside you or a good night’s sleep (the Malvern Hills Hotel has well priced, well presented rooms) head north along the most photographed stretch of the ridge. The town of Great Malvern and its Abbey will gradually emerge on the Western flank. At the end of the ridge having conquered the highest peak en route (the Worcestershire Beacon) descend from North Hill (be aware, slippery in places, especially if you leave the marked paths - I speak from experience!) to the outstanding pub in the town, The Nags Head.

This is a fine drinkers’ pub; no loud music, traditional English fare, open fires and a cracking range of locally produced real ales. The locals mix seamlessly with the tourists and a comforting atmosphere ensues. The Nag’s is a pub that has collected many awards and if you are in the vicinity a visit is a must, make sure you book a taxi home though!

I hope this brief introduction to the Malvern Hills and a couple of its watering holes have inspired you, like Sir Edward, to take to the hills. Keep logging on, future blogs will continue the drinking journey in the vicinity of this understated corner of Britain and beyond.