What's Malvern like?

[AppleCorey]

Have been house hunting for ages trying to find the right location and house to suit both DH and I. Wanting a rural house (DH wants this) but a decent town nearby like 10-15mins away (I need this, I'd like to live in an arty place with community things I can get involved in to make friends, build outside interests like join a running club etc).

Malvern seems to tick a lot of boxes, have visited a few times and really like the town and we both adore hiking so the Malvern Hills is a huge plus. But I know visiting is very different to living there.

Are there any areas to avoid that aren't nice? I know everywhere has their worse areas. Particularly interested in hearing about Storridge, Cradley, Malvern Wells etc - have heard that you should live the 'right side' of the hills so that you're not in shadows - not sure which side/area this is?!

Would you say Malvern is lively, arty etc?

Appreciate any help!

Have you had a look around? Ive not bedn for years but not very diverse, very hilly, drugs, was my impression 15 years ago.

Thanks for your reply! Hopefully someone who knows it from a more recent experience would be great - have visited around 4/5 times, loved the fact it's hilly, I'm very outdoorsy!

Malvern is great. I visit its theatre often. It's got its problems like anywhere else, but it has a good library, leisure centre, lots of artsy stuff going on. We looked to move there but need reliable and quick access to the M5, and from Malvern you have to cross the river at some point which can be a nightmare if there are traffic issues. Hopefully a local will pop up to tell you the places to avoid.

I used to want to retire here but heard about the shadow of the hills and was put off. Ditto the river bottleneck.

Bit far north but Hebden Bridge might suit? Arty, chi chi, rural well connected

Don’t know Malvern too well but …Warwick which ticks a lot of these boxes, well connected (great rail link to London) lots to do and plenty of ‘rural’ life (we’re in a nearby village, it’s fab).

Malvern is lovely. I like all of Malvern bar Malvern Link- this part feels a bit tired.

you are close to the M5 and have Gloucester to the south, Worcester to the north and Birmingham is only an hour away. I don’t live in Malvern but I live in the rough vicinity. We live in a village so I can’t tell you what the community is like but I enjoy visiting Malvern and the people are nice.

Thanks so much! I've offered on a house just north of Malvern. :)

Do you literally mean shadow as in you miss the sun at certain times? I'm just curious as I haven't heard this expression before.

What I remeber about Malvern is phenomenal flooding when it rained hard & washed off the hills but I can't remember which bit that was in.

Congratulations OP, I hope it all goes smoothly for you.

@AirborneSnail Yes, physically in the shadow of the hills, which are quite high and immediately to the west of the town.

I've always found the hills rather brooding.

Hi, My husband and I are considering moving to the Malvern area. We really like it. I would be interested to hear about West Malvern as an area. We are middle aged and our son has just graduated and works in London so the direct line to London is attractive as are the hills having grown up in a town in Africa surrounded by hills. We are particularly interested in West Malvern and being on the west side of the hills. Thanks so much for any advice.

The West Side of Malvern is very nice from what I know of it. I have friends in Colwall and I've always thought it's a good place to live. We've been to a couple of village events there and it's a very friendly community with good facilities.

Hi, I’ve lived in Malvern all my life so happy to advise! Grew up in Malvern Wells and I’ve lived in Great Malvern and Malvern Link. My husbands family live in West Malvern. It’s a Victorian spa town made famous by the water cure in 1800s. It has 2 train stations so rail connections to London/Birmingham are a big plus. Worcester is a 20 minute drive and Cheltenham 45 minutes. There are approx 12 primary schools and 2 state high schools. There are also 3 private schools. Lots of cafes, a swimming pool, plenty of churches, 30 pubs(!), some lovely restaurants (Malvern is great for curry) and the Theatres. For the lady who asked about running there are 2 large running clubs(I’m a member of one of them). The star attraction is obviously the hills; The Worcestershire Beacon, Herefordshire Beacon, North Hill, Midsummer Hill. Beautiful and quiet(apart from BHs and weekends) quite often you can be completely alone up there which is wonderful. If you like sunrises you’d want to look at living in Malvern Wells and sunsets West Malvern. My children are 12 and 14 and love it here.

Thanks @RachR79 and all the other responses. Our conclusions were that we would have preferred the west of the hills ideally Colwall which had everything we wanted. Viewed a house on the main road through Colwall which was perfectly situated and lovely in every way apart from the traffic noise. We also concluded that prices were on the higher side in Colwall. We have finally made an offer on a house which fits our needs in Lower Broadheath, still in the Malverns with the views to the hills but not in the central Malverns which are only 15 mins drive. I am looking forward to getting involved in everything Malvern has to offer and thank you all for your guidance, advice, opinions etc. They have all been so valuable in helping us to consider all aspects. I hope to get involved in one of the Malvern Hills walking groups and look forward to visiting the theatre and your many lovely independent coffee shops.

I live in a village just outside of Malvern, lived here for over 20 years after moving from a large northern city
its a great and somewhat underrated place to live
Thriving arts scene both in Malvern and Worcester. Great leisure facility, great food places. Lots of free things to do such as running. Biking. Hiking.
I never tire of the surroundings- I can walk from my door into an AONB.
I find it really friendly as well. Easy to get to Birmingham, Cheltenham etc especially now the new river bridge is complete- Malvern to M5 in 10 ish mins in rush hour.

Thanks so much for your reply! I can update I did move to Malvern (3 miles from town) only a couple of weeks ago, so I've only had chance to start unpacking and haven't started to explore yet but very much looking forward to.

Which running club do you belong to? I need to pluck up courage to join one, must be friendly and not mind a slow plodder joining!

And do let me know the best curry place in town!

Everest for Curry !! Anupam also popular

Brilliant thank you!!

Hi @southernhemisheregirl - congratulations on your impending house move. Lower Broadheath is a lovely place and I’m sure you’ll be very happy and well positioned to travel over to Malvern and close to Worcester too. Agreed - Colwall is lovely but rather pricey. Hi @AppleCorey - fabulous you decided to buy here. Agree with @WineNoMore20 The Everest eatery and anupam are probably the best curry houses. If you want a cheap and cheerful night Flute is also good with BYO booze . You’ll find great pub grub at The Nags, The Swan and Hanley Swan. For Thai food try the all you can eat Sunday lunch buffet at Thai Rama IIII in Colwall. I’m a member of Malvern Joggers who are incredibly welcoming and cater for all paces. They have a FB page if you’re on there? We currently meet at our winter venue Wednesday eve 7pm which is the Rugby club on Spring lane and we’ll be moving to the summer trails on the 15th. You’re welcome to come and run with us without joining up. Unfortunately I’ve got a dodgy ankle so might need to take a few weeks off but do message me if you fancy coming along!

@AppleCorey and @southernhemisheregirl how are you getting on in Malvern? Know this thread is a few months old but dh & I are thinking of moving to the area so would love your opinions! Have you found it welcoming?

@DaveWatts . After some 6/12 of searching and a house in Lower Broadheath falling through, we finally found a house we loved in the village we wanted to be in Colwall. We move in a few weeks time but every time we have been down to visit we have found Colwall and Great Malvern to be very friendly and welcoming. There seems to be so much going on to suit all interests and ages. We are semi retired but young at heart and looking forward to trying new things like paddle boarding, wild swimming and especially walking the hills. I can update in a few months after we’ve lived there a while. We just found it hard to find a house. Prices don’t seem to have fallen here but possibly flatlined. I wish you the best. Be persistent and don’t compromise on what you want.

Very glad to share that we've been here a few months now and it's been absolutely wonderful.

It's been extremely welcoming; Malvern is a very friendly place, it's easy to get around, with lots to do, we couldn't be happier!

Hi thinking of buying a house also in Malvern, can anyone tell me if the Eastward Road area in Malvern links is a good place to retire please. Not at familiar with Malvern. Thank you Pam.

Can anyone please advise if Eastward road area of Malvern links is nice place to be, we are about to embark on our last move looking for somewhere quiet, with facilities around eg buses trains shops. Not being familiar with the area at all, hoping someone can advise. Thank you so much NannyPam.