Great Malvern: Things to Do In The Dog-Friendly Town

Great Malvern is a small town in Worcestershire and right next to the Malvern Hills National Landscape. There are various things to do in town and nearby, particularly for those who enjoy the outdoors. It is a beautiful town with interesting buildings, parks and the Malverns as a backdrop. Great Malvern has many dog-friendly features.

Great Malvern is ideal for a day trip, staycation or a longer holiday in the area. The principal tourist attractions in the town are its abbey, the theatres and the Malvern Hills.

My latest visit was with Henry; thus, I only visited what was open and dog-friendly. However, I have spent more time in the area, including a few weeks at a yoga retreat a while back. I have always enjoyed visiting the area, and anyone who enjoys hiking and quaint towns will probably enjoy it too.

Things to do in Great Malvern with a Dog

Hiking in The Malvern Hills

One of the most popular activities for visitors to do in the Malverns is hiking. The Malvern Hills National Landscape offers great hiking, with opportunities to climb hills and enjoy the views. North Hill is a steep walk, but the top rewards you with splendid views of the area.

Worcestershire Beacon is slightly higher than North Hill at 425 metres in height. However, there are many peaks for visitors to climb.

Great Malvern Priory

Great Malvern Priory dominates the town’s skyline and is a pretty sight. The building used to be a Benedictine monastery until 1540. However, it is an Anglican parish church. In 1949, they designated a Grade I listed building.

The priory has the largest display of 15th-century stained glass in England, which is beautiful. The building also contains carved misericords from the 15th and 16th centuries and the largest collection of medieval floor and wall tiles.

Visiting the Priory is free; however, they accept on-site donations. They also allow dogs, which was a pleasant surprise, as few religious sites are pet-friendly.

The church is beautiful, and the organ particularly impressed me. Nicholson of Malvern made the organ in 1879, and it is a certified historic organ. They also have an on-site bookshop selling a range of religious and historical books. You can find out what’s on and learn more about the abbey’s history on their website.

Tourist Information Centre

If you wish to find out more about the area or pick up some leaflets, then head to the tourist information centre near the priory. The tourist information centre can also help you arrange a variety of activities in the area.

Malvern Museum

Malvern Museum calls a gatehouse near the priory home. The venue is rather attractive, and there are some cafes nearby. The gatehouse was part of the priory. However, the museum was established in 1979. The museum covers the area’s history. It has exhibits on the healing water, medieval hill forts, the priory and much more inside.

Belle Vue Island

Belle Vue Island in the principal shopping area is an oasis of tranquillity surrounded by roads. The island is a garden with colourful flowers and looks wonderful. It is also home to the Malvina Spring, the Edward Elgar Statue and the Enigma Fountain.

The Malvina Spring is an ornate fountain that has a constant flow of “healing” spring water. People, including me, were filling up water bottles.

Priory Park

Priory Park has some trees and landscaped gardens. There is also a pond with bridges and plenty of wildfowl to see. Priory Park has benches and very nice lawns.

Theatres

Malvern Theatres includes a few theatres, including the smaller Coach House Theatre. They have a selection of performances scheduled for visitors. It is best to book via their box office.

Sadly, the Theatre of Small Convenience appears to have closed. This was a tiny theatre that I visited 20-plus years ago to watch a puppet show. While open, it was the world’s smallest commercial theatre, hosting up to 12 people.

Christ Church

Another historic church to see is the Grade II-listed Christ Church. It is a Victorian-era church built in 1875. They host regular services and other events.

Rose Bank Gardens

Rose Bank Gardens has colourful flowerbeds and sculptures. It is also home to a CS Lewis memorial, and the steps to St Ann’s Well start here too. The gardens offer splendid views, including the iconic priory.

Elmslie House

Elmslie House venue and gallery is a Grade II listed building that serves various purposes. They host craft fairs, music and other events.

Malvern Cellar

If you like to try locally produced booze, then pop into the Malvern Cellar. They stock a variety of wines, beers and spirits, all made in Worcestershire or neighbouring counties. Here, you can taste and purchase a wonderful selection of drinks. You can find them between two of the town’s dog-friendly pubs, the Lion and the Unicorn.

Other Things To See or Do

• Attend an Event at The Three Counties Showground
• Visit Independent Shops
• Visit The Malvern Hills Gallery
• Peruse The Town’s Bookshops

Dog-Friendly Pubs & Restaurants For Refreshments

The Morgan

The Morgan is near the train station, so it’s ideal for a drink while you wait for a train. They serve food and an array of beers. The Morgan is part of the Wye Valley Breweries pubs and serves some of their in-house beers. They were dog-friendly and offered water and fuss when I visited.

The Unicorn

The Unicorn is a dog-friendly pub near Happy Valley and the path into the hills. They have inside or outside seating. I thought this was an excellent pub, especially after a long walk in the hills.

Abbey Road Coffee

In the town centre is Abbey Road Coffee, which is suitable for coffee or lunch. They have a stylish interior and some outside seating too. As a bonus, they welcome canine guests. Their menu has a variety of homemade items, including cakes and sandwiches.

The Red Lion

The Red Lion Inn has a pleasant beer garden. Beer on offer includes cask ales and draught lagers. Their menu includes many steak options.

Other pubs, restaurants and cafes in Great Malvern include:

• The Red Lion, a Thai restaurant and bar.
• Gallery 36
• The Malvern Hills Brewery Tap Room

Hotels & Places to Stay in The Malverns

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You’ll find plenty of places to stay in the Malverns, from campsites to more luxurious hotels. You’ll also find holiday home rentals throughout Worcestershire. Hotels in the Malverns include:

The Abbey

If you like luxury hotels, then The Abbey is a popular choice. They are centrally located and provide a four-star service. They are in a Victorian-era building with various room options. The Abbey Hotel welcomes pets. They also have a wonderful reputation for their hotel breakfast. Find out more…

You can find dog-friendly accommodation in the town and across Worcestershire. You can find these by using the ‘pets allowed’ filter on Booking.com.

Get Here By Train

For a day trip from Birmingham, the journey takes an hour on a direct train. It is also pretty simple to reach from other parts of the country by rail, including London via Worcester. All UK trains are dog-friendly and free for pets.

Is Great Malvern Worth Visiting With a Dog?

The Malverns are an excellent place to visit, with several historic buildings. The town has information boards around to highlight significant spots in the area’s heritage. This area is also great for hiking. Steep walks offer splendid views. It is also a very dog-friendly place to visit, with fantastic options for walkies.