Trains to Malvern

How to get cheap train tickets to Malvern

Looking for affordable train tickets to Malvern? Follow these tips:

• Travel Off-Peak: Fares are typically cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends. To get better deals, avoid traveling during peak hours.
• Get a Railcard: Save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys with a Railcard. It’s ideal for anyone who catches the train a few times a year.
• Use GroupSave: If you’re traveling in a group of 3 to 9 people, take advantage of GroupSave discounts. You could save up to 34% on Off-Peak
• Book Direct: No booking fees for all train journeys on our website or app.

Things to do in Malvern

Escape to Malvern by train for a revitalising day out in England’s scenic Malvern Hills. Stroll past ornate Victorian houses, taste pure spring water straight from ancient hills and discover local food, arts and culture in this quintessential English town.

Culture and heritage

Hop on a train to Malvern and discover a charming Victorian spa town with a fascinating history.

In the late 18th century, Malvern was just a small village. Thanks to its acclaimed healing springs flowing from the ancient Malvern Hills, it quickly grew into a town with three centres: Great Malvern, Barnards Green and Malvern Link.

People came from all over for outdoor walks and icy cold baths, believed to cure a variety of ailments. Notable ‘water cure’ patients included Princess Victoria in 1830 and Charles Dickens, who described Malvern as "beautiful."

The town responded by constructing hotels and the Great Malvern station, making it more accessible for visitors. Schweppes also started bottling Malvern's spring water at the Holy Well, which is believed to be the world's oldest bottling plant.

Malvern, with its scenic hills and Victorian charm, became an inspiration for many. Poet Cecil Day-Lewis wrote about it, composer Edward Elgar found creativity here for his music, and C.S. Lewis, who grew up here, may have been influenced by Malvern for his Narnia stories.

Connect with Malvern's roots by tasting the heritage spring waters, admiring the Victorian architecture and letting the rolling Malvern hills inspire you.

Attractions

Discover Malvern's literary and cultural connections by taking the train to Great Malvern station, a strikingly elegant piece of Victorian Gothic architecture with beautifully coloured ironwork pillars.

Walk uphill past Victorian mansions, through Priory Park , an elegant landscaped park, to Malvern Priory church. This Gothic masterpiece, restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott, houses Britain’s finest collection of medieval stained-glass.

Pass under the gas lamp archway and up the steps to Belle Vue Island where Edward Elgar’s statue looks onto the Enigma Fountain and Malvern's famous water flows from Malvinha well.

Visit Malvern Museum of Local History in the Priory's gatehouse to learn more about the icy Victorian hydrotherapy.

Turn left towards Mount Pleasant hotel to Rose Bank Gardens , for some of the best views of the surrounding countryside. In the corner of the park, take the steep 99 steps up. Halfway up, a donkey bench tells you that the Victorians took donkeys up here rather than walking.

At the top, follow the Way to the Hills sign up a wide, but steep zigzag path for 10 to 15 minutes to St. Ann's Well . The intricately carved Victorian water spout inside the 1813 building is a welcome sight.

Food and drink

Great Malvern is a culinary haven, where wholesome local and seasonal ingredients shine alongside its famed spring waters.

Start your day with the very Victorian tradition of a cream tea at Lady Foley’s tea room , at Great Malvern station or head to Bluebird tearooms , a charming stop often visited by composer Edward Elgar, opposite his statue on Belle Vue Island. Both open Monday to Saturday only.

Malvern water is renowned for its purity, naturally filtered through the granite-rich Malvern Hills. Refill your bottle at springs like the Malvhina water fountain on Belle Vue Island, and at St Ann’s Well , which also serves teas, coffees and snacks.

A short walk from Belle Vue Island is Rise Plant Kitchen on Edith Walk which offers plant-based dishes and adaptogenic drinks. FAUN on Worcester Road, is a large bakery, coffee shop and kitchen with seasonal and locally foraged produce, sweet and savoury pastries.

For family friendly dining, try Alturo Lounge on Belle Vue Terrace with its home-from-home vibe.

Or for a more gourmet experience and afternoon tea, consider The Mulberry Tree at Mount Pleasant Hotel or The Priory View Restaurant at The Abbey Hotel.

Sports and outdoors

Nestled in the Malvern Hills, Malvern's scenic beauty has been attracting visitors seeking wellbeing for centuries, from Charles Dickens to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Today, Malvern's graceful scenery continues to rejuvenate body and spirit.

Follow in the Victorian’s footsteps on the Route to the Hills , a free 45-minute walk from the station to St. Ann's Well . Find plaques and art installations narrating Malvern's past, from the Victorian water cure to Edward Elgar and even donkeys.

The walk starts from Great Malvern station. Go uphill past grand Victorian homes. Stroll through Priory Park , landscaped for the water cure visitors with an ornamental-style lake and an elegant Victorian bandstand. And head to Rose Bank Gardens for spectacular views, four Victorian gas lamps and a sculpture of two buzzards. The final section involves 99 steps and a steep zigzag path up to St. Ann's Well . Thankfully it’s all downhill back to the station.

For panoramic vistas across 13 counties, continue your hike up from St. Ann’s Well to Worcestershire Beacon , at 425 m, the highest point of the Malvern Hills.

Malvern Hills cycling trails suit every level so add a leisurely village trip or mountain biking on your list of things to do.

Music and nightlife

Malvern comes alive with captivating live music and performances at the foot of the hills that inspired composer Edward Elgar's works like Pomp and Circumstance and Land of Hope and Glory, and also drew other musical legends including Jenny Lind, aka The Swedish Nightingale.

Enjoy free concerts at the Victorian bandstand on summer Sunday afternoons at Priory Park .

Attend top touring dramas and musicals at the 800-seat Malvern Theatres , overlooking Priory Park, once under the patronage of George Bernard Shaw. Discover the Malvern Male Voice Choir , a prominent ensemble performing year-round. Or for intimate shows, The Coach House Theatre spotlights local theatre, arts and French films in a cosy 80-100 seat space.

Soak in literary history at Malvern's oldest pub, The Unicorn , where a plaque commemorates C.S. Lewis, who often visited with J.R.R. Tolkien to chat about writing after a walk in the hills.

Unwind in Bar Limon 's garden, with live acoustic music nights and Mediterranean tapas. Quench your thirst at The Water Cure cocktail bar, where drinks draw inspiration from Malvern's heritage spring waters, or sample Malvern's craft beverage scene at microbar Weavers of Malvern , offering a rotating selection of beers, wines and spirits.

Shopping

As the heart of the Malvern hills, Malvern inspires a thriving food scene and delightful shopping experiences from artisanal delights to unique finds, literary inspiration to pre-loved items.

In Great Malvern, Malvern Cellar , St Ann’s Road, sells ciders and perries from the surrounding Three Counties. Greenlink Organic Foods in Graham Road is a haven for organic products, while The Bran Tub on Worcester Road caters to 'free from' diets. Discover Church Walk's hidden delights: Malvern Bakehouse ’s sourdough bread, doughnuts at Dirty D’s , Sweet Street ’s traditional sweets or Chocolate Avenue ’s artisan chocs and ice cream.

On Church Street, find stylish homewares at Rhubarb , alongside charity shops and chains like Boots and WHSmith.

Crafts, gifts and curio stores line Belle Vue Terrace or explore local artists’ unique gifts at Malvern Hills Gallery .

For literary gems, explore the town’s plentiful independent bookshops such as Malvern Book Cooperative on Abbey Road and Rossiter Books on Church Street.

Additionally, check out the monthly Great Malvern Farmers’ Market on Abbey Road and En Plein Air art and craft market on Belle Vue Island, Sundays from August to Christmas.

For cycling enthusiasts, visit Happy Bike for rentals and repairs or Detour for servicing.