Vistas
Between 1999 and 2000, the Heart of England Tourist Board carried out a survey of visitors to the Malvern hills on behalf of the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership (AONB). Those questioned indicated that the thing they liked most about the hills was "the scenery and views".
an island of high ground surrounded by lower lying land, most noticeably to the east. As a result, the ills are clearly visible and easily recognisable from a considerable distance away constitute an iconic feature in the local and regional landscape —AONB.The AONB commissioned study to "identify and assess a selection of key views to and from the Malvern Hills" it was carried out in 2009 by Cooper Partnership Ltd, a firm of Chartered Landscape Architects. This information was gathered not only so that the best vistas could be made known to a wider public, but also as an intelligence gathering so that proposed changes to the landscape both in and outside the Malvern Hills area of outstanding beauty (such as the building of wind turbines) could be assessed against the impact those developments would have on the Malvern Hills area of outstanding beauty. The Cooper Partnership identified 50 key views from vantage points on the Malvern hills, and from the surrounding area. These were:
| Location | OS Coordinates | Importance | Sensitivity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Hill | SO769464 | Exceptional | High | "Panoramic (360°) viewpoint with far reaching views in all directions". |
| Worcestershire Beacon | SO768452 | Exceptional | High | "Panoramic (360°) viewpoint with far reaching views in all directions". |
| Herefordshire Beacon (British Camp) | SO760400 | Exceptional | High | "Panoramic (360°) viewpoint with far reaching views in all directions". |
| Chase End Hill | SO761355 | Exceptional | High | "Panoramic (360°) viewpoint with far reaching views in all directions". |
| B4232 at Upper Wyche (looking east) | SO770438 | Special | High | "Contained by the landform of the hills themselves this is an elevated outlook which has views of Great Malvern with Worcsester City in the distance". |
| B4232 at Upper Wyche (looking west) | SO769437 | Special | High | "Elevated view from western side of the Wyche cutting through the MH central spine, looking across the midwestern part of the wider MH AONB and beyond". |
| A438 (north-west of Eastnor) | SO727383 | Special | Medium | "Oblique view of MH central spine across south-western areas of the AONB". |
| A449 (north-west of Eastnor) | SO726388 | Special | Medium | "prominent in the left of the view, with glimpses of the Herefordshire Beacon across south western areas of the AONB". |
| Jubilee Drive (B4232) by Perrycroft | SO766417 | Special | High | "Framed distant views of the western side of the MHAONB". |
| B4219 at Storridge | SO755481 | Special | Medium | "Framed, narrow view from road. Low land in the fore/mid-ground and woodland vegetation hiding the intervening landform enhances the perceived height of the rising hills. Angle of view shows the boldness of the northern group of peaks with their heavy base and rounded tops". |
| Public footpath on Oyster Hill | SO723418 | Exceptional | High | Representing view from gardens of Hope End Estate, including view from in front of the house. "Open, panoramic viewpoint (360°) with views in some directions filtered by vegetation. View 34 shows 180° looking west and north-west towards the MH central spine and wider AONB areas to the north". |
| B4209 by Three Counties Showground | SO788424 | Special | Medium | "Wide local view of eastern elevation of MH central spine from approach road. Roadside and field boundary trees interrupt the view". |
| A4104 (west of Welland) | SO779403 | Exceptional | High | "Wide local view of eastern elevation of MH central spine from approach road". |
| Public footpath near Eastnor Castle | SO752378 | Exceptional | High | by obelisk within the parkland. "Panoramic (360°) viewpoint. Views are generally enclosed by vegetation and the MH central spine, but far reaching views are available to the south and south-west and through a narrow corridor to the north". |
| Location | OS Coordinates | Distance (km) | Importance | Sensitivity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A449 through Malvern Link | SO783475 | 1.2 | Representative | Medium | "Typical view from the A449 through urban areas of Great Malvern. Views towards the hills are framed by buildings on both sides of the road". |
| Public footpath at Birtsmorten | SO801357 | 2.0 | Special | Medium | "Rural view across flat landscape of agricultural fields and scattered trees." |
| A4103 near Leigh Sinton | SO788514 | 2.5 | Special | Medium | "The first wide, open view of the Malvern Hills from the A4103 when travelling southbound from the southwest fringe of Worcester. The Malvern Hills rise up from flat agricultural fields in the foreground and are prominent on the skyline of an essentially rural view". |
| A417 near Donnington | SO728341 | 3.5 | Special | Medium | "View over roadside vegetation from road following the southern border of the MH AONB. Rural view across gently undulating landscape of well enclosed fields and areas of woodland cover at the south-east part of the AONB. Landform frames and directs eye to the north where the dark silhouette of Worcestershire Beacon is seen on the distant skyline". |
| A417 near Redmarley D'Abitot | SO761321 | 3.5 | Special | Medium | "End-on view of MH peaks at southern end of the central spine in the mid-distance beyond undulating farmland landscape in the fore/midground". |
| A4103 near Stony Cross | SO723474 | 4.0 | Special | Medium | "Open view from road, towards northwestern part of MH AONB and central hill spine. Unfolding view across undulating and well wooded rural farmland landscape with some urban elements in the fore/midground such as the A4103 and houses at Stoney Cross". |
| B4211 near Rhydd | SO834450 | 4.5 | Special | Medium | View from road where roadside vegetation/buildings open up more than typical. Malvern Hills are dominant on the skyline in the centre of view, with urban areas of Great Malvern seen spreading at their foot". |
| B4208 near Pendock | SO789315 | 5.0 | Special | Medium | "Essentially rural view from road, over roadside vegetation. View across large open fields towards the MH". |
| A4104 at M5 over-bridge (near Holly Green) | SO886420 | 8.5 | Special | Medium | "View from road, framed by roadside vegetation which opens up as you reach elevated points of the road. Malvern Hills are prominent on the skyline travelling west along the A4104. The M5 motorway corridor and agricultural fields can be seen in the foreground". |
| Public bridleway at Broadheath | SO803555 | 9.0 | Special | Medium | "Open view across rural farmland landscape towards northern parts of the AONB". |
| B4220 near Standford Bishop | SO690518 | 9.0 | Special | Medium | "View from road, above tops of roadside vegetation. Northern end of Malvern Hills is prominent in the view, seen beyond foreground fields and gently undulating landscape". |
| B4214 at Stanley Hill | S0675440 | 10.0 | Representative | Low | "View from road through gaps in roadside vegetation. Malvern Hills spine is prominent on skyline, although undulating hills and vegetation clutter the fore/midground. Essentially rural view across farmland and woodland". |
| Ketch viewpoint at southern edge of Worcester (A38 and A4440 junction) | SO863516 | 10.0 | Special | High | "Panoramic (180°) view from dedicated viewing point to overlook historic battlefield (green fields in the foreground). Essentially rural view across flat River Severn floodplain seen in fore/mid-ground, urbanised by the busy A4440 road corridor, pylons and overhead power-lines and views of urban areas of Great Malvern at the foot of Worcestershire Beacon and North Hill in the distance". |
| M5 over-bridge at Green Street Road | SO867491 | 10.1 | Representative | Medium | "Elevated view from M5 overbridge. Highway structures and traffic on M5 in foreground. Flat, low lying landform of the River Avon and Severn vales to both sides of the motorway". |
| Bringsty Common (Common land) | SO697548 | 10.4 | Special | Medium | "Open, wide panoramic (180°) view towards the north-western parts of the MH AONB and northern group of hills along the central spine line. In the fore/mid-ground views of a rural, well wooded, intricately undulating landscape of the River Teme and its tributary valleys, and the eastern edge of the Bromyard Plateau with scattered farmsteads and houses". |
| Collins' Green viewpoint (B4197) | SO740573 | 11.0 | Special | Medium | "from side of road across rural countryside. Far reaching views across flat, open landscape of the Severn and Avon Vales to the left and centre of view. Grey silhouette of Bredon Hill at the edge of the Cotswolds seen on the distant skyline at the centre of view. MH and more hilly landscape to its west and north seen in the right of view". |
| Over Old Road near Woolridge | SO803244 | 11.0 | Special | Medium | "View from road, over roadside vegetation. Flat Severn Floodplain in the fore/mid-ground, May Hill, areas within the Forest of Dean and southern fringes of the MH AONB and MH central spine on the distant skyline. Essentially rural view of settled farmed landscape. Medium sized fields well enclosed by hedgerows and some small areas of woodland. Urban areas of Newent, scattered small groups of housing and houses at Hartpury seen in the midground". |
| Croome Court (National Trust) | SO886450 | 11.7 | Exceptional | High | "Open view across landscaped parkland, with designed views towards the MH. Croome Court and lake seen to the left of view, and Panorama Tower seen on high ground on the other side of the M5 motorway (from foreground parkland) to the centre of view". |
| Track near Durlow Common PROW | SO624381 | 12.4 | Special | Medium | "Wide panoramic (180°) view through gap in field boundary hedgerow. Essentially rural view across a gently undulating agricultural landscape of arable/pasture fields, polytunnels associated with fruit farms and woodland cover associated with hill slopes. On the distant skyline, the dark silhouette of the Cotswold Scarp is seen to the right, and tops of Titterstone Clee Hill and Clent Hills glimpsed to the left of the MH central hill spine and wider AONB on the intermediate skyline at the centre of view. Urban areas of Ledbury seen at the foot of the hills in the midground in right of view. Bromyard Plateau to the left of view". |
| Hill View Road, Upper Strensham near M5 junction 8 | SO901397 | 13.3 | Representative | Low | "Wide panoramic (180°) view towards Malvern Hills, over roadside hedge. Malvern Hills dominant on the skyline, rising up from contrasting flat Severn Flood Plain in the foreground. An essentially rural view from edge of small settlement of Upper Strensham. M5 motorway corridor seen to the right of view". |
| A438 over-bridge north-west of Tewkesbury Road | SO889337 | 13.7 | Representative | Medium | "Elevated view from bridge crossing over River Severn, across rural agricultural landscape. Views towards MH part framed by intervening landform". |
| Footpath and road on Much Marcle Ridge (from Herefordshire Trail LDF) | SO889337 | 13.7 | Exceptional | High | "Elevated view from bridge crossing over River Severn, across rural agricultural landscape. Views towards MH part framed by intervening landform." |
| Ronkswood Hill Meadows, (Worcester Public Open Space, Local Nature Reserve) | SO872555 | 13.8 | Special | Medium | "Panoramic view from highest point within park. Urban areas of Worcester seen spreading on the low lying River Severn vale in the midground, including view of Worcester Cathedral. MH central spine line and linear group of hills to the north form a grey silhouette on the skyline, as a backdrop to the city". |
| May Hill (National Trust owned Common Land) | SO695223 | 15.0 | Representative | Medium | "Oblique view from gap in field boundary hedgerow at field gate. Far reaching views across rural countryside. Sloping land and gentle undulations reveal and hide the midground landscape". |
| Public footpath Bredon Hill by the Banbury Stone Tower | SO955400 | 15.5 | Exceptional | High | "Panoramic (360°) view, affording full views of the eastern side of the Malvern Hills AONB to the west, in the context of other larger hill groups/mountain ranges in the distance and smaller hills rising from the flat Severn Plain in the middle ground. A rural view, although there is much visual evidence of urbanisation along the M5 corridor and at Great Malvern". |
| A438 at Bartestree (western edge of Hereford) | SO565414 | 18.4 | Representative | Low | "Glimpsed view from road through gaps in housing and roadside vegetation. Semi-urban view from edge of Hereford". |
| Hegdon Hill (near Leominster) | SO587536 | 19.2 | Representative | Low | "Framed view through and above field boundary hedgerows. Long length of Malvern Hills seen rising above gently undulating rural farm land in the foreground, and dominant on the skyline; hills are seen in the context of their wider landscape setting". |
| Cleeve Hill (Common Land) | SO985266 | 25.0 | Special | High | "180 degree panoramic view from elevated viewpoint on north-west facing slope of Cleeve Hill. Distant hills make up an almost continuous skyline, of which the Malvern Hills are a part of. Urban areas of Gloucester and Cheltenham seen in the foreground spreading on the lower lying land of the Severn and Avon Vales. Industrial warehouses and large scale developments stand out in the view". |
| Public footpath on Haresfield Beacon (National Trust owned Common Land) | SO821088 | 26.0 | Special | High | "Panoramic (180°) viewpoint. Views filtered by wooded vegetation, and seasonal change likely in view. Malvern Hills seen on skyline to the left, rising above the flat Severn Plain. Large urban areas of Gloucester in the midground, in the centre of view and more rural and wooded areas within the Forest of Dean spread to the left of view". |
| B4202 near Clows Top | SO821088 | 26.0 | Representative | Low | "Framed view from road. Malvern Hills seen rising above intermediate hills in the distance. Undulating, rural countryside unfolds in fore/midground". |
| Track near Westhope Hill | SO478522 | 28.0 | Representative | Low | "Glimpsed view from road through gaps in housing and roadside vegetation. Semi-urban view from edge of Hereford". |
| 38 Cockyard (from lane) | SO411340 | 33.6 | Representative | Low | "Glimpsed view from road through gaps in housing and roadside vegetation. Semi-urban view from edge of Hereford. ... Characteristic western elevation silhouette of the tops of peaks along MH central spine from North Hill to Herefordshire Beacon is seen on part of the skyline, in the context of intervening hills and ridges of the mid/foreground". |
| B4066 Taits Hill near Stinchcombe Hill | SO734999 | 34.0 | Special | Low | "Roadside view. Malvern Hills seen in the distance in the context of other hills. The ridge line of the Wye Valley within the Forest of Dean and May Hill are more dominant in the view. The Severn Estuary can be seen lying across the lower land of the Severn plain. Urban areas of Gloucester are glimpsed at the right of view. Essentially a view of rural areas at the outskirts of urban areas". |
| Public footpath on Balis's Hill (near Honeybourne) | SP123452 | 35.0 | Representative | Medium | "Open view of Malvern Hills seen in context of other hills on skyline. Essentially rural setting of agricultural fields in foreground". |
| Common land south of Titterstone Clee Hill | SO599770 | 35.0 | Special | Medium | "Far reaching panoramic (360°) views of hill ranges to the south, west and north. Central spine of the Malvern Hills seen intruding into the skyline at the centre of view, in the context of other ridgelines in the foreground, and May Hill and the Black Mountains in the distance. The nearby radar station and quarry give a slight industrial feel, but it is an essentially rural view across an intricate landscape of farmland and scattered settlements. Views to the north-west (not shown) are more mountainous and dramatic. ... The whole length of the Malvern Hills spine can be seen as a grey silhouette against the sky. The hills represent a small part of the view, but are recognisable by their unique outline.". |
| Clent Hills Country Park near Hagley (public open space) | SO927799 | 36.0 | Special | High | "180 degree panoramic view towards the south-west from elevated viewpoint on SW facing slope of Clent Hills, affording long distance views. Malvern Hills seen to the left of view in the context of other hill ranges seen to the centre and right of view. Generally hilly foreground with scattered settlements on lower lying land. Urban areas of Kidderminster and Stourbridge seen in centre mid-ground ... Far-fetching views of hill ranges, including that of Malvern Hills is impressive, across a generally rural setting". |
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