Trail for Natural Malvern

Around 1085, a community of Benedictine monks began to build a Priory on land gifted by King Edward the Confessor and so Great Malvern Priory was founded.

Today the Priory is an important place, holding lots of clues to medieval life in a monastery. Visitors can see examples of Britain’s best medieval glass, and an extraordinary collection of medieval tiles and misericords (or ‘mercy seats’) from 14th and 15th centuries.

12,000 standing crosses were built across the country in the Medieval period to act as boundary markers, procession points, and sites for preaching or other community activities. Only 2,000 remain.

Malvern’s Standing Cross is a good example in its original location. The medieval base and column were heavily restored during the Victorian era, when a new cross head was also fitted, replacing a sun dial which had topped the monument since the 18th century.

Malvern Museum is housed within the Priory Gatehouse. Built in 1480 the Gatehouse has been extended many times, but the original porters ‘squint’ (a slit for viewing visitors before opening the door) and the large oak gateposts survive.

Look out for the fossils in the window sills!