Complete Guide to Worcestershire Beacon Walk in the Malvern Hills
The Worcestershire Beacon walk is accessible from the village of Great Malvern and is part of a protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty of the Malvern Hills. The hills run for 13km along the border of Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
The walk has links to royalty. For example, the walk up to the top takes place on the road built to accommodate Queen Victoria when she was young princess. In addition, the summit has a toposcope that was installed in 1897 to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria.
At 425m, The Worcestershire Beacon is the top point in the Malvern Hills and the highest point in Herefordshire or Worcestershire. The climb is steep, but it’s rewarded with stunning views of the city of Malvern, and on clear days fourteen counties can be seen from the summit.
The walk is trendy, with numerous routes to reach the top. The hike we describe leaves from Great Malvern Village, towards St Ann’s Well, to the summit and returns to the village. It is a fabulous short route with exceptional views (if you are lucky with the weather).
Worcestershire Beacon Walk Details
Distance: 3.6km (2.2 miles)
Time: 1 hour- 30 minutes
Route Type: circular
Elevation Gain: 222m
How to get to the Worcestershire Beacon
Car: from Birmingham, follow the A4440 and A449 to Great Malvern. From Cheltenham, take the A4019 and M5 to A38. Take exit one from M50.
Train: the nearest train station is Great Malvern which is 0.7 miles from the start of the walk we describe. You can reach the station within an hour of Birmingham New Street Train station on the West Midlands Railway.
Worcestershire Beacon Car Park
The best car park for the walk we describe leaves from Belle Vue Terrace. This car park has charged seven days a week, 24 hours a day. There is a rule where you cannot return within 2 hours.
Day time charge (8am – 4pm): 1 hour – 50p or 2 hours £1.40
Evening charge (from 4 pm): £1.50
You can pay by coins or by phone, where someone will call you back for payment.
It is free on-street parking on the main street in Great Malvern, but there is no return. It is from 8 am-5:30 pm, Monday to Saturday. Therefore, you can park for free. But only if you complete the walk before 8 in the morning, in the evening or on a Sunday. There are options! There are no toilets in the car park.
Please follow the Google Map Directions here.
The address is: Belle Vue Terrace Car Park, 2 Bellevue Terrace, Malvern WR14 4PZ
Worcestershire Beacon Weather
Remember to check the weather before you set off up the hills. The area is exposed, and you will have to battle the elements. Besides, as you can see so far from the top, it is a good idea to save this one for a clear day (if you can).
Mountain Forcast for the Worcestershire Beacon
Top Tips
- Fires and BBQs are not permitted on the Malvern Hills.
- Dogs must be kept on leads in the area due to grazing livestock.
- Clean up after your dogs.
- Put all rubbish in the bins provided (near St Ann’s Well) or take it home with you.
- Wear appropriate footwear. We saw plenty of people attempt this walk in trainers and others in walking boots. We think that the weather should influence your decision because after rainfall, for example, your trainers are likely to get ruined.
Worcestershire Beacon Walk Directions
You can also access the walk via a quick long, unpathed, steep climb starting from Jubilee Drive on the western side or by walking more leisurely up the ridge from the car park near Wyche Cutting, which is about a mile south of the town’s centre.
Step One: Great Malvern to St Ann’s Well
From the Beacon Car Park, turn left onto St Ann’s road. There is a green sign that will direct you to the Worcestershire Beacon! Walk up the road and keep going up, following the public footpath signs for the route to the hills.
The road ends, and you will have to walk along the tarmac path in the woodland. Take the first left to continue along the tarmac toward St Ann’s well.
At the opening, admire the view and then turn sharply right to walk uphill and continue straight.
Step Two: St Ann’s Well to the Worcestershire Beacon
When the path begins to bend right, take the left-hand grassy path and walk uphill l you will reach a round stone information point, which has the directions of the other hills in the Malvern Hills.
From here, turn left to walk around the Beacon to see some spectacular views over Great Malvern and beyond. Follow the path around until you reach a bench on your left. From the bench, turn left and walk uphill. There are then many ways to get the Beacon.
We continued past the gate and turned almost immediately right for a quicker route. Although, it does require walking up some stones and then to a grassy path to reach the top!
Once you reach the top, you will see a trig point and a toposcope to commemorate Queen Victoria’s reign.
Step Three: The Worcestershire Beacon to Great Malvern
When you have finished exploring at the top, you need to head back down towards the stone circle information point from before. This time take the direct route down (there are many paths, take the one you like).
Once you get to the stone circle information point, you can detour Sugarloaf Hill or continue straight on the path.
Take a sharp right before you reach the bend and walk under the trees.
The path is quite steep and rocky at this point. Take your time and go downhill. Keep going, and eventually, you will reach the tarmac path you began on.
Keep going down, rejoin St Ann’s Road, and the car park will be on your right. You will see the Unicorn Pub, where C.S Lewis used to go when he lived in the town. So you can step in the writer’s footsteps and maybe grab a pint!
Frequently Asked Questions
How far can you see from the Worcestershire Beacon?
On clear days, fourteen counties can be seen from the summit, as it is the highest point of the Malvern Hills.
The panoramic view includes the Lickey Hills, The Wrekin, Cannock Chase, Herefordshire, and Gloucestershire and the Welsh border mountains, The Shropshire Hills and across the valleys of the Severn and Avon towards and from the Cotswold Hills.
How long does it take to walk to Worcestershire Beacon?
The return trip takes about 1.5 hours. You can walk to the summit in about 40 to 45 minutes.
How many metres high is the Worcestershire Beacon?
The Worcestershire Beacon is 425 metres high (1,394 feet).
Is there a trig point on the Worcestershire Beacon?
Ordnance Survey established trig points in 1935 to help accurately identify the UK, and they placed one on top of the Beacon.
Why is it called the Worcestershire Beacon?
The name Beacon signified that this hill was used to ignite flames to announce urgent warnings. Before the invention of telephones, if an urgent message needed to be communicated, like the arrival of troops from the enemy and troops – a fire was ignited at the top of the highest hill in the region.
The flame could be seen across the entire area, and those who witnessed it set off an ember on their closest high hill. This way, a warning of imminent danger could be delivered across the country within just a few days.
In World War II, the Beacon was used to watch for fires in Birmingham and Coventry.
What is a toposcope?
It’s a brass disc engraved 25 inches in diameter that highlights all the places of interest accessible on a clear day. The toposcope was created for Arthur Tryote Griffith, a local architect and a friend of Edward Elgar, and installed in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria in 1897.
The original toposcope is in a secure location, and a replica is now on the top. Unfortunately, it was stolen in the past!
Is there a cafe at the top of the Beacon?
There used to be a cafe at the top, but it was destroyed in a fire in 1989. Parliament did not permit building a new one due to the Malvern Hills act, which says nothing can be made on the hills! There are cafes in Great Malvern, including the popular Faun Bakery!
There you have it, our guide to the wonderful Worcestershire Beacon walk in the beautiful Malvern Hills. We loved it and cannot wait to go back again. Besides, there are plenty of pubs and cafes to visit in Great Malvern.
Remember, if you’re in the West Midlands, please read our guides to:
One Day in Birmingham Itinerary – 10 Exciting Attractions
15 Exciting Day Trips from Birmingham, UK
One Day in Birmingham Itinerary – 10 Exciting Attractions
Photo Credits: averagelives.com
