MALVERN is preparing to throw open its doors this September as part of Heritage Open Days, England’s biggest celebration of history and culture. The annual festival, now in its 31st year, gives people free access to historic places and hidden gems that are normally closed or charge admission.
This year’s theme, Architecture: Routes, Networks and Connectionsshines a light on the ways people, ideas, and places have been linked across time.
From transport hubs and trade routes to the social connections fostered through shared spaces, the festival explores how the world around us has been shaped by the paths we’ve taken and the networks we’ve built.
Malvern’s programme is its most ambitious yet, with highlights including:
- Great Malvern Station Tour (September 20) – uncover the Victorian railway hub designed by Edmund Wallace Elmslie.
- Malvern Museum (September 13) – free entry to the Priory Gatehouse.
- Great Malvern Town Walks (September 10, 13, 15 and 20) – guided tours exploring the town’s history.
- Malvern Spa Association events (September 15 and 16) – celebrating the town’s world-famous spring water.
- Great Malvern Priory (September 13 and 20) – guided tours of the medieval church.
- Little Malvern Priory (September 17 and 20) – explore its 12th-century roots.
- Malvern Masonic Hall (September 13) – a rare chance to visit this ornate Victorian building.
- Dyson Perrins at Home (September 14–18) – discover the Victorian mansion once home to the Worcestershire Sauce family.
Churches across the area — including St Edburga’s at Leigh, St Gregory’s at Castlemorton and St Mary’s at Ripple — are also welcoming visitors, alongside events in Tenbury Wells and Upton-upon-Severn.
And talks and lectures are added to the mix, including Elaine Tomlinson’s Malvern Rocks (September 12), Katherine Little’s Tales in Oak at Great Malvern Priory (September 27) and Dermot Turing on forgotten women codebreakers (October 16).
With more than 5,800 events happening nationally, Malvern is proud to play its part in connecting people with their past. Whether it’s exploring a familiar landmark with fresh eyes or stepping into a building for the first time, Heritage Open Days offers a chance to discover the stories that connect us.
Full details of local events can be found via the Heritage Open Days website.
