It’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, rich in history and heritage, the Malvern Hills and surrounding areas offer a great choice for groups
For a peaceful escape filled with nature, wildlife and picture-perfect scenery, look no further than the Malvern Hills.
With stunning panoramic views of the Malvern Hills, we arrived at Bank House Hotel and Spa, Bransford, on a fam trip organised by Steve Reed Tourism.
Driving down the scenic roads with the rolling hills and picturesque views, the hotel is in a prime location with quick and easy access to surrounding areas and sites.
Must have Morgan
A short drive from the hotel is the Morgan Motor Company Visitor Centre, and no visit to the area would be complete without stopping by.
Morgan have been making their signature sports cars in Malvern for over 100 years. As we visited on a Sunday we unable to take a factory tour, however we were able to delve into the history of the exciting vehicle with a visit to the museum.
Visitors learn about the family history of Morgan, watch a film which explains the details of the vehicle, and get up close to the cars of the past and present on display in the museum.
On the guided tour of the factory, groups will visit the official working factory and see Morgan’s craftsmen at work as they hand make the sports cars. It’s a great way to witness traditional craftsmanship combined with 21st century technology.
Pre-booking is required. For groups of 10 visitors or more contact Angela Hymas on 01684 584580 or at angela.hymas@morgan-motor.co.uk
Wine and pudding
At the hotel, our group enjoyed a delicious locally sourced three-course meal, and the hotel is very accommodating to large groups. In conjunction with our meal was wine tasting session provided by Lovells Vineyard – a great addition to any itinerary.
Each wine was specifically chosen in accordance with the courses served, and we told about each wine throughout the meal. We enjoyed a white with starter, a rosé with main, and a sparkling rosé with dessert. The light fruity wines will compliment any meal.
Lying just in Welland, between the beautiful hills and the historic town of Upton-upon-Severn, the vineyard is open for tours.
Visitors are welcomed from May to October, and will be shown around the vineyard and find out more about what Lovells do.
After visiting the vineyard, you can sample some of the wines on offer, with the opportunity to buy a bottle or two of your favourite. For more information call 01684 311110 or email info@lovellsvineyard.co.uk
The desserts for our meal were provided by local family-owned store, The Pudding Shop.
The shop is located in Upton-upon-Severn, where visitors can buy from a selection of both sweet and savoury puddings, and can take them away of enjoy with drink in the café.
This year, almost 30 different Christmas puddings are available, and the store offers the chance for groups to get involved with the creations by offering workshops. Visit www.thepuddingshop.co.uk or call 01684 593867 for more information.
Upton-upon-Severn
The second day saw our group travel to the charming riverside town of Upton-upon-Servern.
The town boasts a rich local history with plenty of sights to see including: The Pepperpot, Upton bridge, the River Severn, and 17th-century buildings.
From riverboat excursions, walking tours of the town and an abundance of local gastro pubs, cafes, restaurants and bars, Upton makes for the perfect destination for groups of all sizes.
On a walking tour of the town, our group was able to really explore the local history, learning all about Oliver Cromwell’s connections to the area, its history with flooding and a visit to the museum. The tour covers the whole central area of the town, and is an easy walk.
While also in Upton, our group embarked on Severn Leisure Cruises’ MV Conway Castle – travelling through the unspoiled countryside, it was a great opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy its wildlife, or we could watch The Pudding Shop’s Christmas pudding demonstration and sampling. This was a unique experience which was thoroughly enjoyed by the whole group.
With seats inside and out, it’s a perfect addition to any itinerary regardless of the weather. Those who chose to sit outside were also accompanied with a mug of tea or coffee to take off the slight chilled breeze.
Severn Leisure Cruises offer a range of themed cruises including:
- Afternoon Tea
- Sunday Lunch
- Fish & Chips
- Evening Cruise.
Following our trip on the Severn, we enjoyed lunch at the Boathouse Tapas Restaurant and Wine Bar. Multiple rounds of tasty Spanish dishes graced the table one after the other.
Rather than a standard lunch, the tapas-style dining made it an experience on its own. The Boathouse is very welcoming to groups and can tailor the menu to fit all tastes – it’s a perfect dining experience for groups to share.
The sights of Upton
Beautifully located in a 17th-century house is the Tudor House Museum, filled with three floors of Upton’s past and present through eclectic mix of displays. The museum tells a lovely story of how collecting items can help preserve the history of a town.
In front of the museum is Upton’s iconic Pepperpot – the town’s old church tower- it’s now the Tourist Information and Heritage Centre where visitors can find out about the church and its part in the Civil War and great plague.
Local history, the river, food and drink and the historic High Street with more than eighty quaint independent shops, it’s an ideal destination for coaches.
