Malvern was no more than a village of 3,000 inhabitants in 1831 when Princess Victoria visited the area. By the time Queen Victoria died, the population was nearer 16,000. Growth on this scale can be explained by the arrival of the two Water Cure doctors in 1842. Their reputation spread quickly and very soon Malvern became a health resort in the same league as Cheltenham, Tunbridge Wells and Leamington Spa.
We start our day at 10.00 a.m. at Christ Church, Avenue Road (Grade II,1875, T. D. Barry and Sons Ltd, Liverpool) (WR14 3AY), where you may buy refreshments upon arrival. The church is a 5-minute walk from Great Malvern Railway Station. The station canopies are supported by elaborate, cast-iron pillars, and capitals decorated with high relief mouldings depicting different arrangements of flowers and foliage. Network Rail has recently spent £8 million on restoration of the platform canopies and ornate ironwork.
At 10.30 a.m. we convene to explore the station and many of the surrounding fine Victorian buildings, guided by Peter Clement of Malvern Civic Society; we will then go on a tour of the town, taking in many of the other fine Victorian houses on the way, led by our Chairman, Stephen Hartland. We will stop for a buffet lunch at The Mount Pleasant Hotel.
After lunch, around 1.15 p.m., we will walk to Malvern College, which was founded in 1865 and is regarded as one of England’s premier independent schools. Our Honorary Treasurer, James Fletcher, who works at the College, will guide us around the College campus including the main College (1865), Chapel (1899), Pavilion (1894), Music School (1862), St Edmund’s Hall (1905) and others. We will finish with refreshments in the Memorial Library (1924), leaving the College by 4.15 p.m.
We are limited to 30 people, so that initial bookings will be restricted to members only. Any tickets that are still available after 1st March will become available for non-members.
To view photos of the day, click here