Malvern Hills Hotel
Situated at the foot of the Iron Age British Camp fort at the southern end of the Malvern Hills, this hotel will be no stranger to many readers. Indeed the hotel has featured in recent articles, including in this edition the article on the re-launch of the Elgar Route. The hotel is also an occasional meeting place for the Midlands MSCC for their monthly “Noggin and Natter”, and is on the Morgan factory test run. In fact passing as frequently as I do, it is rare not to see a Morgan parked outside, so you will be in good company if choosing to stay here.
The hotel has 24 recently renovated bedrooms, which comprise of 1 family suite, 1 family room, 6 double rooms, 3 twins, 3 four-poster rooms, 2 king-size rooms, and 8 junior suites. There is a large bar and 2 restaurants – the contemporary Vu Restaurant with a dramatic wall of glass offering diners the chance to watch the glorious sunsets to the west of the Malvern Hills, and the cosy Oak Lounge with wood panelling and log fires, plus outdoor patio and garden both with tables and parasols. Visiting car clubs can also meet / dine in private should they wish by pre-booking the lower ground floor function room. There is parking for 44 cars, plus 2 disabled spaces. The hotel prides itself on serving the finest and freshest locally sourced products, including local beers and artisan gins.
The hotel enjoys a rating of 4 on Trip Advisor, and 9.2 on Booking.com. However if you are planning a stay, then the hotel advises that you book through them direct as they can then ensure that you stay in the most appropriate room to meet your requirements, for example ground floor/ first floor/ walk in shower/ room with a view/ quiet room/ dog-friendly room/ dog-free room, and so on. The hotel operates a variable tariff throughout the week, and readers are advised to refer to the hotel web site for current rates and offers.
The hotel is 5 miles from the Morgan factory, and on the main Malvern to Ledbury road at Wynds Point. Literally across the road is the large car park for visitors walking the hills, and also visiting the iron age fort – the Herefordshire Beacon. The fort is thought to have been first constructed in the 2nd century BC (BCE to be modern), and extensive earthworks remain clearly visible today. The Romans ended the prehistoric settlement around AD 48 (or 48 CE, see previous date entry), and then in Norman times a castle was said to have been erected here, probably in the ten years immediately before 1066, by Earl Harold Godwinson, the future King Harold II of England. Hotel guests not taking a walk up to the fort are missing out on a remarkable view from the top…described by diarist John Evelyn in the 1600’s as “one of the godliest vistas in England”. Other things to do nearby in addition to visiting Malvern town and the Morgan factory include the Malvern Theatre with its excellent programme, Eastnor Castle (see their web page for seasonal events), and the attractive market town of Ledbury with its black and white buildings and small independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
If travelling by train the hotel is 3 miles from Colwall station and 4 miles from Great Malvern station.