In 2010 over 30 garden bloggers from all over the world met for the first ever UK get together at RHS Malvern Spring Show. This blog documents the lead up to that event plus the subsequent informal get togethers we've had in Malvern. There are also insights into the events of 2009, insider views from various exhibitors and personal views of Malvern and surrounding places of interest.

Thus this blog also forms a valuable resource for anyone wanting to visit either the spring or autumn versions of the show, or contemplating a visit to the area.

Monday 22 February 2010

My Malvern: Patient Gardener

In the first of our forays outside the Three Counties Showground, Helen tells us a little bit about The Malverns...



Everyone knows that Malvern is by the Malvern Hills but how many visitors to the Spring Show actually take time to do more than admire them from the showground?

The Malverns are a gentle range stretching from North Malvern to Eastnor where they are surmounted by the Obelisk. The Malvern Hills are designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) primarily because of their geology. It is also part of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark, one of 7 in the UK and 50 worldwide. You can find out more information on the area's geology, archaeology, industrial and cultural heritage and ecology via this link

The beauty of the Malvern Hills, to me, is their accessibility. I’m definitely not an enthusiastic walker and certainly not a hill climber but you don’t need to be when considering tackling the Malvern Hills. The Malvern to Ledbury road runs all the side of the hills, crossing over the top at British Camp where one of the biggest car parks is located. On the other side of the hills you can access various car parks from points along Jubilee Drive. You can access a map of the Hills via this link.


The walk to the top of British Camp is very popular with visitors. British Camp is a complex of earthworks built during the Iron Age. However, my favourite walk is from the Earnsilaw Quarry car park which is located on off The Wyche (road between Malvern and Colwall). I like this walk due to the range of trees and woodland in the lower parks, there is also a beautiful quarry which is now full of water and quite eerie at times. You can see more information via this post on my blog.

So if you are visiting the Malvern Spring Show and particularly if you are staying overnight why not build in some time to explore these beautiful hills.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this Helen. We are trying to be up to speed on the area and will check out every link. The quarry looks particularly interesting. I hope the trees are leafed out when we are there?
Frances

Carrie said...

Oh oh, Iron age earthworks close by - I'll be at that then; the hubby is an archaeologist! Best bring some comfy shoes.

Gail said...

Comfy shoes seems a must for rain and hiking! Can't wait! gail

M@M aka VP ;) said...

Frances - with luck they're be wearing their coats of freshest green. It should be the time of the year when the light shining through newly opened leaves is just fantastic. However, it's dependent on what the weather does from now until then.

Carrie - British Camp is stunning, so comfy shoes are a must for a visit there AND the show!

Gail - got it in one :)

Mark Walker said...

Hi my name is mark I'm exhibiting for the woodland trust at the malvern spring show. The spring show for me is the best in the world . A great start to the horticultural calender totally a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of things to see & do. I'm so looking forward to it I just hope all our plants perform beautifully for you all.I will keep you posted on all the news regarding our garden

M@M aka VP ;) said...

Mark - welcome!

I've been trying to find out where you'll be at the show - is it a Woodland Trust stand? I'd love to find out a bit more about what you're doing so we can feature it here on the blog. If all else fails I'll try and find you at the show...