• About the AONB

• Start of "About the AONB" navigation
• Designation of Malvern Hills AONB
• Key Features of the Malvern Hills AONB
• National Association of AONBs Overview
• Image Gallery
• End of "About the AONB" navigation

Key Features of the Malvern Hills AONB

Landscape

The Malvern Hills AONB is unique for containing a wide variety of landscapes in a small area. Landscape Character Assessments recognise 10 different landscape character types in the AONB ranging from the high hills and slopes of the main ridge of the hills, to the relatively flat, enclosed and unenclosed commons, which lie to the east and south-east. The north of the AONB is dominated by densely wooded, interlocking areas of ancient, semi-natural woodland. This contrasts sharply with the open, arable sandlands to the south. The landscapes of the west of the AONB roll gently and have a more organic feel. They contain combinations of farmland, woodland and hedgerows in different proportions.

Biodiversity

There are many wildlife habitats and species within the Malvern Hills AONB, several of which are nationally rare. The AONB contains 15 SSSIs and one local Nature Reserve(LNR). Local Biodiversity Action Plans are in place throughout the AONB.

Special habitats within the AONB include:-

- Lowland mixed deciduous woodland

- Acid grassland

- Lowland limestone grassland

- Unimproved neutral grasslands or meadows

- Traditional standard orchards

- Historic parkland

- Veteran trees

- Watercourses

-Hedgerows and hedgerow trees

Special species within the area include:-

- Dormouse

- Bats - Lesser horseshoe, Barbastrelle, Pipistrelle, Bechsteins

- Bullfinch, Skylark, Song Thrush

- Great Crested Newt

- High Brown Fritillary butterfly

The High Brown Fritillary butterfly is one of the nation's most rare animals, on the UKBAP species list. It can still be found in the Malvern Hills, but with the amount of land grazed by sheep and cattle having declined, the species has been reduced here in the past 50 years.
Development Plan policies provide some level of protection for sites of species and habitat importance. The AONB designation ensures active protection for species such as the High Brown Fritillary butterfly.

Cultural Heritage

The cultural heritage of the Malvern Hills AONB can be traced through the rich history of human settlement over many centuries. This is reflected by the eight Scheduled Ancient Monuments (Bronsil Castle, Herefordshire Beacon Iron Age Fort and Medieval Motte and Bailey Castle, Little Malvern Medieval Priory, Midsummer Hill Iron Age Fort, Dovecote at Barton Court, Moated medieval site at Aubrey's Farm, Shire Ditch Barrows, and, the Shire Ditch) and 337 listed buildings.

In more recent history, the Victorians made the area their refuge from the more hectic world in which they lived. The gentle walks and cycle lanes in the area provided a scenic exercise regime and the multitude of springs throughout the Malvern Hills were deemed a Water Cure. The imprint of Victorian civilisation in the region surrounding the Hills can be seen in the quarries and gas lamps that line the roads.

Geology

The SSSIs in the Malvern Hills AONB legally protect the special geology and biodiversity within them. Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS) are also identified within the AONB. In 2003 the whole of the AONB was designated part of the Malvern Hills and Abberley Hills Geopark. This European designation states that the geology of the area is also of international importance.

The distinctive ridge of the Malvern Hills owes its skyline to pre-Cambrian rocks dating back 700 million years, whilst the north-west of the AONB is characterised by steep limestone topography.

In the south-east, sandstone and marls support the fertile arable plain, whilst to the west, limestone and shale give rise to the undulating hills and vales.

A further breakdown is available on the map on the Introduction page in the About the AONB section.

The different soils and rocks support a variety of different vegetation types, wildlife and land uses, giving the Malvern Hills their distinctive array of landscapes and natural habitats.

The geology is also influential for the springs in the region, providing the Malverns' most unique asset - its spring water.

Tranquillity

Tranquility is a key feature of the Malvern Hills AONB. Walks and cycle routes within the Malvern Hills AONB, along with the specialised bus route, allows residents and visitors alike to enjoy the area without the imposing rush of traffic that cars can bring. Special attention is given to the tranquillity of the area, or the presence of low levels of built development, traffic, noise and artificial lighting.

Part of the Vision within the Malvern Hills AONB Management Plan 2004-2009 is: 'to maintain an oasis of tranquillity where the air is pure, the land free from litter, the water clean, the rural views from the main Hills uninterrupted by development, the skies clear of low-flying aircraft and filled only with the sound of skylarks'.