William Langland, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, W.H. Auden, J.R.R. Tolkien – to name just a few of the writers who found inspiration in the magnificent landscapes of the Malvern Hills. Spread across the three counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty boasts a variety of landscapes including ancient woodlands, rolling pastures and wild open commons.
But of course, the most famous feature of the Malvern Hills AONB are the hills themselves. An eight mile ridge running north to south, the hills offer amazing views over the surrounding countryside. Incredibly, the Malverns are also the site of extensive Iron Age earthworks, most notably the so-called ‘British Camp’ on the summit of the Herefordshire Beacon – one of the best preserved hillforts in the country. In fact, there’s evidence of prehistoric settlement across the whole Malvern area, making the Malvern Hills one of England’s most exciting archaeological sites.
This design shows the view from the top of the Herefordshire Beacon – a view once described by the diarist John Evelyn as ‘one of the godliest vistas in England’. Go on: add some beauty to your kitchen with this spectacular tea towel!
