Malvern Hills (Malvern Hills Conservators)
Reserve Name Malvern Hills
Managing Authority Malvern Hills Conservators
Address
Malvern Hills Conservators
Manor House
Grange Road
Malvern
Worcestershire
WR14 3EY
Phone Number 01684 892002
Email conservators@malvernhills.org.uk
Website Visit Website
Google Map Link See Location on Google Map
Access (Transport)
Parking & Toilet Provision
Opening Hours
Admission Charges
Description of Habitat & Facilities
The Malvern Hills
At first sight, the Malvern Hills look a bit of a no-go area for the disabled, but my wife and mother have had a number of trips near the tops and seen some interesting birds. The best time for birding is early in the morning and the hills can become quite busy with walkers at weekends and bank holidays in the summer.
Worcestershire – The Malvern Hills – British Camp area
Owned by the Malvern Hills Conservators
A good starting point is the path leading from the car park (SO763405) at British Camp which goes between the Hill Fort and the reservoir. There two starts to the path, the one at the bottom of the car park is the best, but even there is difficulty 5 at the start because of the steepness of the path for the first 100 metres or so which requires a good quality scooter or a bit of assistance. Thereafter the path, which is generally exposed stone, becomes difficulty 3 or 4. It is possible to continue to Hangman’s Hill, although the difficulty becomes 5 again towards the end. The views are excellent.
Birds – Buzzard, Kestrel, Raven, Meadow Pipit, various Warblers. See the Malvern Hills Conservators website
Other wildlife – Butterflies (including Small Heath, Small Copper), Fungi, Flowers.
Worcestershire – The Malvern Hills – Castlemorton and Hollybed Commons
Owned by the Malvern Hills Conservators
Castlemorton Common (SO790393) can be a bit of a quagmire, particularly in winter, but sometimes even in summer. However there is a good paved road which penetrates fairly well in and has little motor traffic allowing easy access with a difficulty level of 1. Turn right off the B4208 about 500 metres south of Welland village onto the asphalted track and park on the grass. The track then continues for the best part of a kilometre. The upper parts of Castlemorton Common can be reached from the car park at Berrow Downs (SO766382). There are various grass and stone surfaced tracks here with difficulty levels of 3 to 5.
Birds – Turtle Dove (now rare), Stonechat, Green Woodpecker, Warblers. See the Malvern Hills Conservators website
Other wildlife – Butterflies (including Marbled White, but not easily seen from track
Hollybed Common (SO775371) is similar to Castlemorton Common, but more compact. Park somewhere near the Mill Pond and there are various grass surfaced paths with difficulty levels 3 or 4.
Birds and wildlife as Castlemorton Common, but can be better for Turtle Dove.
Worcestershire – The Malvern Hills – Easy access path
Owned by the Malvern Hills Conservators
This path has been introduced by the Malvern Hills Conservators to improve access for disabled people and details can be found on their website.
There are two disabled car parking spots and a gently rising path leads up to the ridge line of the hills. Difficulty level 1 at this point. Once beyond this point the difficulty level rises, with one steep stretch taking the level to 4, but otherwise it is possible to continue for about a mile northwards on a reasonable surface for electric scooters.
Birds – Not the best place on the hills for birds as it is a very popular part with walkers, but the common birds such as Buzzard, Raven, Meadow Pipit etc. can usually be seen. See the Malvern Hills Conservators website
Description of Trails
Trail Surfaces
Number of Hides
Description of Hides [By name or number]
Target Species
Nearby Sites
Grimley – Owned by Tarmac Ltd
The site is divided into two parts, the old workings and the new workings. The new workings are generally the most interesting, although the old workings have thrown up rarities like Spotted Crake in the past. However they are now becoming overgrown and are not as accessible as before. So this concentrates on the new workings.
The new workings (SO834594) are formed from gravel extraction, which is still in progress. They attract a wide variety of water birds, particularly in winter and on migration. The centre of the water is quite deep and thus attracts diving ducks and grebes, but there are fringes which attract dabbling ducks and waders. This site is potentially as good as Upton Warren, but is much less watched apart from a few stalwarts.
At present access is poor for disabled people. From Grimley village, proceed up Camp Lane towards the Camp House Inn, park on the grass verge at the top of the track going down towards the river and the Inn. Then proceed back up the lane towards Grimley village to the black corrugated iron barn on the left opposite the farm house. Here there is a stile, which is the only significant impediment to disabled people, from this go 10 metres to the other side of the barn to view the entire workings. A local enthusiast keeps a notice board here which has information on the birds to be seen and the latest sightings.
There are plans by Tarmac, I believe, to build a proper hide with parking on the site of the barn, which will be demolished. Hopefully this will include provision for disabled people. This report will be amended when it happens.
Contributor Sally Saunders
Contributors Email Sandy.saunders@dsl.pipex.com
Date Last Updated