Walking Britain Malvern Hills Walk
Herefordshire Beacon from British Camp car park
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer 190 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer 190 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 150 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 150 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
Walk Route Description
Click thumbnails for larger images.
The Malvern Hills form an impressive line of summits, the highest point of which is the Worcestershire Beacon at the northern end of the range. Generally speaking the hills get lower as you go south. This short walk concentrates on the Herefordshire Beacon, which rises to 338 metres above sea level. Paths are well maintained and easy to follow.
The walk starts from the car park (Grid ref. SO762403) on the south side of the A449 Malvern to Ledbury road at British Camp. Space is limited, so on fine days parking may be problematic. On the opposite side of the main road is a café serving refreshments and ice-cream in season. Near the entrance to the car park is an information board outlining the history of British Camp. This Iron Age Hill Fort dates from 200 BC and occupies much of the Herefordshire Beacon, which this walk climbs and explores.
Leave the car park by taking the tarmac path uphill onto the Herefordshire Beacon opting for the higher path by forking right. This climb soon offers some excellent views along the main ridge of the Malvern Hills as well as offering an interesting insight into the substantial earthworks and defensive ditches of British Camp. The summit (338 m.) is soon reached and offers a grandstand view of the surrounding area, something which the builders of fort had clearly understood.
To continue the walk, descend south from the summit crossing Millennium Hill onto Broad Down. Below to your right is British Camp Reservoir. Stay on the main ridge and continue south to reach Hangman's Hill, which makes an ideal place to take a break with extensive views in all directions. This is as far south as the walk goes. To return to the start, retrace your steps to reach Broad Down. Rather than re-ascend the Herefordshire Beacon fork right from the ridge path and take the well made path that crosses the flanks of this hill. This leads easily back to the car park.
Other walks nearby
Walk 2380 The Malverns from the Gullet - moderate - 12.0 miles/19.5 km
Walk 1211 The Worcestershire Beacon - easy/mod - 4.5 miles/7.3 km
Walk 2326 Herefordshire Beacon from Hollybush - easy/mod - 6.5 miles/10.6 km
Walk 1556 The Malverns - end to end - hard - 10.0 miles/16.3 km
Walk 1658 The Malverns circular - very hard - 18.0 miles/29.3 km
Walk 1870 Daffodil Walk from Dymock - easy/mod - 9.0 miles/14.6 km
Walk 1516 Pershore Circular - easy/mod - 8.3 miles/13.4 km
Walk 2817 The Marcle Ridge from Much Marcle - easy/mod - 7.0 miles/11.4 km
Walk 3502 Two Rivers Walk to Powick and Worcester - easy - 6.5 miles/10.6 km
Walk 2676 River Severn & Apperley from Tewkesbury - easy/mod - 7.5 miles/12.2 km
Recommended Books & eBooks
The Severn Way
Guidebook to walking the Severn Way, a 210 mile (338km) walk through the Welsh borders. Beginning near the source of the River Severn in Powys, mid-Wales, and finishing in Bristol, the history-rich route is described over 22 stages (ranging from 3 to 14 miles), passing through the counties of Powys, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
More information
The End to End Trail
