Living in Malvern

[Elvini]

We're thinking of relocating to Malvern. Any MNers from the area? I wondered what it's like in the way of a community feel, schools and things to do. We like walking so the hills and scenery are what's attracting us to the area. Also DH would commute to Birmingham on the train, does anybody do this and find it ok?

Which residential areas are preferable and which not so much?

Thanks in advance.

I have lived in Malvern for 20 years. I love it. Lots of people commute to Birmingham on the train. Takes longer than you might think (55 mins) but you can always get a seat from Malvern, which is not the case from Bromsgrove onwards. London Midland service could be better though. Plenty of sporty opportunities here, a very active running club, lots of music, lovely theatre, has a bit of an alternative "green" vibe too. My kids long left school now but we're both educated at one of the 2 local comprehensives and were happy there. Not up on which primary schools and secondary are currently seen as this week's most desirable, but most of the primaries were pretty good. Regards areas, depends what you want. In general Malvern Link slightly cheaper than Great Malvern or Barnards Green. Area between Great Malvern station and Barnards Green very convenient. Some like West Malvern for the views and the light - but parking difficult. Beware of buying house too tucked under the hills on the east side as will be very dark in evenings. Personally I would look at Great Malvern, Barnard's Green, Link Top, Poolbrook areas, but depends what you are looking for.

Thanks so much for replying Rhubarb. It's really nice to hear you talk about it so positively. Running club etc sounds great.

We are in Birmingham at the moment and I just feel so claustrophobic here. We visited Droitwich yesterday and while it was nice enough, I still had a bit of that suffocating feeling there. I was very aware that it is a commuter town and the M5 was penning us in!

What is the traffic like coming back into Malvern at the end of day during rush hour? I've lived in some places where it just grinds to a halt.

We are visiting tomorrow anyway, so we will have a walk around the areas you suggested, thank you

I don't live there now but did about 10 years ago and I loved it!

OP I live near Clent - have you considered that as an area to look at?! M5 and M42 are less than a 10 min drive, Birmingham 30 mins drive and train stations in surrounding villages. Schools are lovely and clent hills are beautiful. Kinder edge is also close by and really think it's a lovely part of the world. We moved here from London and couldn't be happier - feels like you are out in the sticks but great amenities near by and excellent transport links. Sorry I can't comment on Malvern as have only been a few times.

Hi febmum - yes we did think of Clent. We are West Birmingham at the moment and often walk in the clent hills and I go running around the area too. It is lovely. Unfortunately its amazing location for commuting puts it out of our price range for what we want

Well hopefully you will find somewhere lovely in Malvern

OP, the main sticking point getting back to Malvern from Birmingham during rush hour is getting off the motorway at J7 Worcester. It is a horrible bottle neck. However, they are doing work on it right now to widen that stretch of road, although there is a bit that they can't easily widen. I have been known to drive down to J8 and drive to Malvern that way, where there is never a problem, but obviously not ideal. Regards J7, if you miss the main rush hour times, it is fine. You haven't said what your criteria are for a house/location, but can offer more advice if needed. Btw parking at Great Malvern station or streets around is free.

Thanks Rhubarb that's good to know. My work takes me all over the place so it's good to know there are times I can avoid the build ups.

We want to be in a detached property with 4 bedrooms or 3 and the potential to extend to 4 at a later date. Not fussed about big gardens but we'd like to be close to somewhere green to walk. Also we don't want to be on a main road or a road that's used as a thoroughfare - we are at the moment and I can't stand it!

Ah, Elvini , that doesn't narrow it down much. Plenty of green spaces to walk in Malvern , not counting the hills. 3 commons and of course plenty of lovely villages and countryside surrounding. Good luck with your search!

There are previous posts on Malvern with recommendations on schools etc; the running club (Malvern Joggers) is really friendly, there's a triathlon club too and lots of yoga.

I commute to Warwickshire and find early start/early finish works well. I go motorway or cross country depending on advice from satnav; If I ever go Kidderminster side you can take country routes and avoid the traffic.

I love the country roads so commuting can be a pleasure; the road from Powick over the river to the M5 is a pain after 7.30am but only adds about 10 minutes in general

There are previous posts on Malvern with recommendations on schools etc; the running club (Malvern Joggers) is really friendly, there's a triathlon club too and lots of yoga.

I commute to Warwickshire and find early start/early finish works well. I go motorway or cross country depending on advice from satnav; If I ever go Kidderminster side you can take country routes and avoid the traffic.

I love the country roads so commuting can be a pleasure; the road from Powick over the river to the M5 is a pain after 7.30am but only adds about 10 minutes in general

I work in Malvern but no longer live there, I found the overbearing hills too oppressive and it was bloody cold!
The areas around the train station are nice though, there's some beautiful big old houses around there. Fruitlands was well thought of when I lived there I think (older new build estate), and the bit around Qinetiq.
Don't like Malvern Link much.
School wise I'm not sure either of the Secondary Schools are much to write home about (The Chase and Dyson Perrins) but neither are bad. Lots of good primary schools, Eastnor isn't far out that's an excellent school.
Actually if I was you I'd take a look at Ledbury.

?!!! Oh my goodness did you really say that about the beautiful hills!?! An area of outstanding natural beauty... We were at British Camp today and it was sunny and stunning...

The hills are lovely, when you're stood on top of them. Living in their shadow, not so much.
Obviously many people disagree as plenty live there!

I get it, Malvern not for you...

We love it! Areas such as the Wyche lose the sun as the day moves on... but get a lovely dawn. As for us, we have a stunning view of the hills and lots of sunlight afternoon and evening at the back, and morning sunrise across the vale of Worcestershire at the front...guess we chose a good spot!

Agree the Link not so good; lots of lovely areas though and stunning architecture; it's a series of villages all joined up - love Malvern Wells, Upper Colwall, Great Malvern, Hanley Swan, Madresfield, West Malvern, North Malvern, Hanley Swan has a great school and smaller; The Chase is outstanding for 16-19 year olds, we know a few who went to Oxbridge this year and last, lovely kids.

love I think you did! Some parts are indeed lovely, the part I was in always seemed ti be in the shadow. I think that's probably why I prefer the 'other side' of the hill

I found the overbearing hills too oppressive

Thank heavens for that, I thought it was just me being weird in thinking they are sinister!

Used to stay in Malvern a lot when my brother lived there a few years ago, and still go back sometimes. It's well off for shops and restaurants, great Waitrose, and the theatre is lovely. Did have quite a sleepy, old fashioned feel, but that can be nice? Seems to have a good community vibe, lots of baby groups around etc? Church seemed active, from what I could tell. I thought the Link was quite good for shops, too.
School wise I think there are a choice of good private schools, if that is something you'd be considering?
Second the recommendation of Clent upthread - it has always seemed to me a sort of paradise on Earth!

It works for us - we LOVE the Malvern Hills and all the cafes and pubs along the way. There's a strong community feel and always loads for the children to do. We moved here when they were 3&5 and have never looked back. It has a relaxed, creative, friendly vibe. Always something going on. Seems to have its own microclimate as we're sure the weather is better than when we lived near Kidderminster.

We're surprisingly self sufficient with the Malvern shops although I love a trip to Cheltenham (easy by train or drive ) for a clothes shopping day out with the girls! DH thinks his commute is well worth it and says he still gets that holiday feeling as he arrives back in Malvern after a few days away with work.

Thanks for all the responses.

Rhubarb - sorry to be so vague! I think we have a rather ridiculously long list of wants but I wasn't sure how much would be relevant! I think I may have more questions when I've visited the area. Very excited to have a look around :)

Citygirl - I had searched for previous discussions but could only find one from 2009...not sure my searching skills are up to much. Thanks for info re travel - I quite enjoy a good drive too so that all sounds positive.

Love - thanks for those tips re areas. It all seems a tad confusing but saying it's lots of villages linked up makes sense. I'm hoping that once we've visited we'll have a better feel for it. We have a 1 year old and hopefully will have a couple more children so schools are important though I have no clue what I'm looking for other than good offsted results but not even sure how much to hang on those! Relocating is certainly making me feel very young and inexperienced!

Ahhh thanks supermum (I missed your post in taking a lifetime to write my last one). What you've said sounds just what we want and it's makes me feel really hopeful We've both moved around quite a lot and just really want somewhere to settle and call home. Fingers crossed!

I think the hills are beautiful but agree that it feels rather old-fashioned and faded but perhaps some people like it that way.

Bit baffled at the Droitwich comment.

Agree re Junction 7 of M5, it's currently horrible with the island at Whittington onwards being a bit of a nightmare.

I like Malvern but only to visit. It did feature a lot in the thread about places that are sinister.

Helooooooo and welcome to our lovely corner of the planet.
I live on a farm outside Malvern, but I am there most days.

We love the slightly-alternative-but-not-scarey-alternative vibe....LOADS of artists and makers (including meeee), interesting shops, spa, for those all important MumsNet spa days :) and we have four dogs, so spend quite a lot of time wandering the hills.

There are lots of good schools, a theatre, cinema, and even WAITROSE :)
DS used to get the train just as far as Worcester each morning and said it was jam packed, but earlier trains to Brum will be easier...but whatever you do DONT plan to drive to the M5 at Worcester at any time other than 3am on a Tuesday morning, it is hell...luckily the M50 connects you to the outside world as well.

Good luck, and do let us know how you get on

I'm from Worcester but spent a lot of time in Malvern. I think if I was choosing between Malvern and Droitwich I'd definitely chose Malvern.

Getting from the motorway in Worcester to Malvern is not fun at rush hour. The Whittington roundabout and ketch roundabout is a nightmare but they are working on it.

The only thing I hate about driving around Malvern is all of the hills and narrow roads.