The Malvern Hills are a 15km (c.9 mile) range of ancient rocks made up of a complex assemblage of crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks (granite) of pre-Cambrian age (at least 650 million years old). The soils on the ridge top are thin and support little more than short wiry grasses, providing ideal walking conditions and stunning views. Lower down the soils are stony but thicker and support gorse, bramble and bracken interspersed with silver birch, mountain ash, hawthorn, sycamore and oak. The trees are stunted at higher levels but grow thick and lush in the valley bottoms.

The Hills divide the Counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire with the rolling hills and fields of Herefordshire to the West and the flatter plains of the Severn Valley to the East. Much of the drama and beauty of the Hills arise from the way they dramatically rise out of this landscape. Another feature of the Hills are the many (c. 88) springs and fountains which flow from outlets all around them - of particular note are St Ann's Well and Holy Well.

The Hills are protected under Acts of Parliament (originally passed in 1884 and subsequently amended in 1909, 1924, 1930 and 1995) and are administered and maintained by the Malvern Hills Conservators, controlled by a Board comprising directly elected members and representatives from the various Local Authorities and funded by a precept on local rate payers. Although now protected, our ancestors were not so caring and exploited the stone in the hills. As a result there are a number of old quarries dotted around the hills, all of which are now well weathered and form an integral part of the overall landscape.

The highest point on the Hills is the Worcestershire Beacon (425m) with North Hill (397m) and the British Camp Hill (Herefordshire Beacon - 338m) the other highest points. In total there are some 20 named hills comprising the complete range. The entire length of the Hills are open to the public and are criss-crossed with about 160km (100 miles) of bridleways and footpaths. Dogs are allowed on the hills and can be let off lead so long as they are well behaved. Cycling is allowed on bridleways only.

More detailed information on the Hills including a profile view and links to other sources is available.

The town of Great Malvern lies at the Northern end of the Hills on the Worcestershire side, underneath the Worcestershire Beacon and North Hill. There is direct walking access to the Hills from the town via the path and 99 steps up to St Ann's Well (and café). The smaller village of Colwall lies on the Western slope of the Hills, about one third down their length. Both Great Malvern and Colwall have railway stations on the Worcester to Hereford line that can be used as starting points for a visit to the Hills.

There are car parks located at points all round the hills. The highest one is located on Beacon Road at the Wyche Cutting (B4218 road from Malvern to Colwall). This is also the closest to the Worcestershire Beacon. For those wanting to walk the Hills from end to end, the car parks to use are at the Clock Tower at the Northern end (on North Malvern Road) and at Hollybush at the Southern end (on the A438 Ledbury to Tewkesbury Road). Hollybush isn't quite at the very Southern end as Chase End Hill is only reachable on foot, although there is a minor road that goes to Whiteleaved Oak. The other major car park is at British Camp. This is situated about half way along the Hills, on the A449 Malvern to Ledbury road, and is the car park to use for the Herefordshire Beacon and points south. For those with difficulties walking, the Conservators have constructed "easier access paths" and disabled parking spaces at Blackhill Car Park on Jubilee Drive (B4232 road from Wyche Cutting to British Camp on the Western side of the Hills) and at Earnslaw Quarry on Wyche Road (B4218). There are public toilets at St Ann's Well, the Wyche Cutting and at British Camp.

For those wanting to use public transport, the Wyche Cutting can be reached:

• on Monday to Saturday by the 675 service from Malvern to Ledbury
• on weekends and Bank Holidays in Summer by the "Malvern Hills Hopper" (244 service) which runs a 2-hourly circular service to Upton Upon Severn and Ledbury
• on Sundays and Bank Holidays until the last Sunday in October by the hourly 44B service from Worcester which goes to British Camp from Malvern along the A449 Wells Road and then returns along Jubilee Drive and the Wyche cutting
• on Sundays and Bank Holidays by the 476 service from Malvern to Hereford

British Camp and Hollybush can be reached on weekends and Bank Holidays in Summer by the "Malvern Hills Hopper" (244 service). British Camp can also be reached on Sundays and Bank Holidays until the last Sunday in October by the hourly 44B service.

It is also just possible to get to Hollybush by public transport via Ledbury on winter Saturdays

Finally, a taxi from Malvern to British Camp will cost about £7

Contact the Malvern Tourist Information Centre or consult the Worcestershire County Council bus timetables for more details of these services.

For those needing refreshment whilst on the Hills, there are a number of cafés and pubs in convenient locations. There are cafés at St Ann's Well (closed during the week in winter), and The Kettle Sings on Jubilee Drive.There are also various cafés within the town of Great Malvern.

There are also pubs serving food:

• at the Wyche Cutting - Wyche Inn and Chase Inn
• at British Camp - the Malvern Hills Hotel and
• on West Malvern Road - Brewers Arms
• there are no food and drink facilities south of British Camp other than pubs off the hills at Castlemorton (Plume of Feathers and Robin Hood) and Rye Street (Duke of York). There are also a number of other town pubs in Great Malvern and Colwall.

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