MALVERN WATER
The Malvern Hills are home to over 100 wells and spouts, each with its own unique charm and history. Every May, the tradition of well dressing brings these springs to life with stunning decorations.
Malvern water is famously known for containing 'nothing at all' and has attracted people for centuries, believed to have special healing properties.
By the Victorian era, this reputation had soared. Doctors like James Wilson and James Manby Gully popularised the "Malvern Water Cure," a treatment involving drinking and bathing in the water. It became immensely popular, drawing notable figures such as Charles Darwin and Florence Nightingale.
Malvern Water continues to be bottled and people travel to collect the water direct from the springs.
MALVERN GAS LAMPS
One of the unique things about Malvern is its old gas lamps. These were first installed during the Victorian era when Malvern was booming as a spa town. What’s amazing is that many of these lamps are still in use, casting a soft, warm glow over the streets. Walking through Malvern at night feels like stepping back in time. These gas lamps are a reminder of the town’s rich history and its connection to a more elegant, slower-paced era.
INSPIRATION FOR TOLKIEN AND C.S. LEWIS
The Malvern Hills aren’t just beautiful—they’ve also inspired some of the most famous stories ever written. J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis both spent time here, drawn to the area’s beauty and tranquility. Tolkien, who grew up in nearby Birmingham, loved the hills and may have drawn on them when imagining the landscapes of Middle-earth. C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, also visited Malvern often. The two were close friends and would take long walks together, discussing their books and ideas. One snowy evening, as they walked home from the Unicorn pub in Malvern, Lewis reportedly saw a gas lamp glowing in the snow, which later inspired the iconic lamppost in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
