Activities to Enjoy This Winter at Garden Cottage

If you've booked a short break or week’s stay at Garden Cottage this winter, you’ll be pleased to hear that there is plenty to keep you occupied come rain, shine or snow.  Being located on the edge of the Malvern Hills gives our visitors the opportunity to enjoy the best that Herefordshire and Worcestershire have to offer.  Whether you enjoy history or architecture, exploring beautiful gardens or sampling delicious cuisine, there is something to entertain all.

No matter what the British weather brings here’s a quick rundown of what we think you might enjoy during your winter break:

Fun Filled Family Days Out

If you’re coming to stay in Garden Cottage we've got plenty of local family friendly venues to keep you and your children amused.  During the winter months you might like to avoid the outside venues, especially when there is snow and ice on the ground, so instead why not consider taking the kids to the West Midlands Safari Park for a self-drive safari or the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo where they can get up close and personal with the insects? 

For the adults?  Try the Cider Museum in Hereford where you can learn all about the history of your favourite tipple.

Historical Trips

Herefordshire and Worcestershire have plenty of history on offer with the Iron Age Hill Fort known as British Camp, Croome Court and Goodrich Castle amongst the list of places to visit all year round.

Foody Fun

Going on holiday is the perfect excuse to ditch the diet and enjoy the best of the local cuisine.  Malvern and Ledbury are known for their high quality butchers and there are pubs aplenty across the region serving a whole host of traditional and modern cuisine using locally sourced ingredients – with a couple in walking distance of the cottage.  To complement the food try a glass or two of Worcestershire cider or perry to finish off the perfect day.

When Day Moves into Night

It isn't only the daytime you’ll want to enjoy during your winter break but also those dark evenings.  Why not make the most of this time of year by taking a trip to Malvern Theatres?  Here you can enjoy a diverse selection of music, comedy, plays and film – but remember to book in advance if you want to get the best seats!

And if you just want to stay in and relax?  Do so in front of the woodburning stove – which is probably where you’ll find your canine friend if you bring them along!

If you need more inspiration on places to visit during your stay why not visit our website? 

Walking the Malvern Hills – An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

If you are looking for a new location to explore and wear in your new walking boots, look no further than the picturesque Malvern Hills. Featuring over 3000 acres of open countryside, walkers old and young, experienced and inexperienced have been visiting the Malvern Hills, and Commons for hundreds of years. Whether your aim is to climb to the highest point at Worcestershire Beacon, or enjoy a quiet ramble along the wooded slopes, this beautiful area of nature has something for everyone.  It provides amazing views of the three counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

The Malvern Hills Act 1884 gives open access on foot to all areas of the hills, and commons.  Since Victorian times, many paths have been constructed, taking walkers on a range of different routes through the hills. If you are a member of the Ramblers Society, there are a number of organised walks for members, starting from a range of different points in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, ranging from 3 to 6 hours in length.  You can choose a route to take, based on what you have planned for the day.

The Malvern Hills area has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 1959, signifying the beauty of the area and its national importance. The Area of Outstanding Beauty label is given to areas with distinctive natural and human beauty, whether this be geology, climate, soils, plants, animals, communities, archaeology, buildings or the people who live in it. With its acres of rolling pastures, woodland, commons, forts, castles and priories, the Malvern Hills have greatly varied geology, as well as a diverse variety of wildlife.

When you have finished your day of walking the Malvern Hills and enjoying the countryside of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, Garden Cottage, Perrycroft provides the ideal place for you to put your feet up and lay your head. Located high on the west side of the Malvern Hills, Garden Cottage is a lovingly restored building with a great atmosphere, modern fittings, comfortable furnishings and of course, an excellent view of the hills.

Originally built as the gardener’s cottage for Perrycroft, a popular arts and crafts house designed in 1893 by the renowned architect Charles Voysey, Garden Cottage allows you to step right out into the Malvern Hills, over a small stile in the Perrycroft grounds. Should you wish for a relaxing hour or two, guests of Garden Cottage are free to wander the gardens of Perrycroft.

If you are traveling in a large group of walkers, Garden Cottage features three bedrooms and accommodates up to five people, with the newly renovated lodge at Perrycroft sleeping a further four guests. If you make your trip to the Malvern Hills during the colder months, both the living and dining rooms of Garden Cottage have wood burners to help keep you warm.

If you are planning to walk the Malvern Hills later this year, and are looking for a place to stay that is right amongst the natural beauty of the area, you can contact Garden Cottage, Malvern, by calling 07858 393767 or by emailing info@gardencottagemalvern.co.uk.

Relax in Worcestershire’s beautiful, picturesque gardens

Sometimes there is nothing better than getting away from our everyday routines. A relaxing break can help you to unwind, enjoy the beautiful views that you may not get to see every day.

Whilst there are many picturesque gardens in the UK, some hold that extra special touch by adding a glimpse into the historical side of a building that it may surround, or even just to the garden itself. The character that a garden has can give a sense of relaxation, as you stroll around and take in the beautiful sights around you, which can never really be experienced elsewhere.

The fresh smell of the vast range of flowers amongst you, and the cool air can really make you smile, and enjoy your stay. At Garden Cottages in Malvern, Worcestershire, there are a range of beautiful gardens to choose from, where you can learn a bit about the history too – particularly at Perrycroft House, which is situated ever so near to where Garden Cottage is itself.

Whilst the cottage is homely, and has all of your most needed comforts, the company of the gardens simply cannot be beaten; as it offers such beauty to take in, and explore such idyllic surroundings.  Perrycroft House itself was built by CFA Voysey in 1895, and is a well preserved arts and crafts house, which is accompanied by a fantastic hillside setting.  With its beautiful garden feature, many visitors enjoy the added touch of history, and the sights of the garden regularly, visiting throughout the year.

With 10 acres of formal and informal gardens, meadows, ponds and woodland, there is more than enough to keep surprising you as you walk through Perrycroft gardens. It is walking distance from Garden Cottage, so you won’t need to worry about having to walk too far.

If gardens are something that you love, then you will be pleased to know that near Garden Cottage, there is a wide range to choose from. Not only is there the gardens of Perrycroft House, but there are many others within a short distance. There is Pictor gardens, which features over 400 types of Michaelmas Daisies, and if you want to grow your own, you can seek specialist advice on how to do this.  There is also Little Malvern Court, which is the Priors Hall, and dates back to the monk’s cell of the former Benedictine monastery of 1480. 

Amongst these gardens is the stunning Spetchley Park Gardens, which has an amazing element of history to it.  With 30 acre grounds, a deer park and lake, there is so much to take in – where you will feel relaxed, and will enjoy the surroundings of such beautiful scenery. 

Staying at Garden Cottages can promise you a relaxing stay that you will enjoy and remember.  Visiting the gardens can be something unique and special, and being amongst such historical places will be something out of the ordinary; giving you those memorable, picturesque photos that you wouldn't be able to experience in the same way anywhere else.

Garden Cottages are situated near various gardens within Worcestershire, and can offer more advice on places to visit. 

Exploring the history surrounding Garden Cottage in Malvern

Garden Cottage is situated near the beautiful Malvern Hills, which have been described as a mountain range in miniature.  This holiday cottage in Malvern is an ideal getaway for couples and families alike. All of your home comforts are included to give you a warm welcome, and the breath taking surroundings are sure to make you feel well rested throughout your stay.

You have most likely been long awaiting for that getaway, after long days at work and children being at school.  The cottage has much more to offer than it may seem.  Situated near the Malvern Hills, means there is plenty of lovely countryside scenery, and for those that like long walks or hiking this would be an ideal source of fun and adventure.  It has an 8 mile ridge which contains some of the oldest rocks in Britain. George Mallory, who was the 1924 British Mountain Everest Expedition walked here in his preparation for his ascent of Everest.  It is still unknown whether Mallory reached the summit of Everest, as he unfortunately went missing during his journey with a fellow friend. 

Other fascinating historical facts include, how William I (the Conqueror) decided to designate his land as a Royal Forest.  William I (the Conqueror) wanted to include his land at Hanley, but much of the surrounding area too. This then adjusted the rights of Common for example, the right to graze certain animals and collect firewood.

History of the Malvern Hills
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Charles I is also another historical figure that had some involvement with the Malvern Hills. He raised money and had a survey made of the Malvern Chase in 1628. The name ‘Third Woods’ was given to commemorate Queen Victoria's Jubilee.

History of the Malvern Hills
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It may also be of interest to know that during the 200 years the remaining area of open space and common land became eroded by enclosure and encroachment. Major land owners such as the Hornyolds carried out an enclosure. It inevitably led to some concern over the loss of the common land. Eventually, a number of local people wanted to work together to preserve the nature of the Hills, and in 1876 they formed the Malvern Hills Preservation Association.

If you fancy seeing the history that surrounds our beautiful holiday cottage in Malvern, and would like to learn more about what you can find on your relaxing stay here, then you can visit http://gardencottagemalvern.co.uk/