Malvern has a funny mixture of places to shop when you are bored of walking, or getting rained on. Great Malvern has the best shops I think.

I love shiny things and found this little gallery in Malvern's town centre, Great Malvern. It's full of fab jewellery and some unusual bits and pieces like tin aeroplanes and model chickens made from plastic bags!

I also found a fab knitting shop - and I don't even like knitting - called the knitting parlour. Sod's law one is at the top of the hill and one at the bottom so you need to be fit to visit both! Iapetus is at the top on Bellevue Terrace and knitting shop is at the bottom near a set of traffic lights surrounded by banks.

I noticed someone else had mentioned the theatre in the old loo - it's really something, has to be seen to be believed!

Also top cafe in town is by that theatre. It's called leaf and serves all local yummy stuff. Good for people watching too!

www.iapetus.co.uk
www.theknittingparlour.co.uk

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If you're fit and you have a whole day, and a friend (or a taxi) who can deliver you to the south end of the hills, the Malverns are one of the best single day walks you can have.

The hills lie in a single north-south bumpy ridge, like walking along a dragon's back. To the left, you can see to the Welsh border, and the Brecon Beacons; on the east, the low lying valley of the Severn. I've seen it flooded, the whole plain below reflecting silver in the light; or dusted with snow. You can see as far as the edge of the Cotswolds, and there's only the rounded, low Bredon Hill with its patchwork of hedges and fields between you and Oxfordshire.

Hollybush car park on the A438 (south end): Clock Tower car park, Great Malvern

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A cafe half way up the hills if you are walking from the town. It is in a beautiful Victorian building with a spring still flowing into a fountain inside. A great place to stop for generously portioned food - on the hippy side, but very tasty.
You can eat inside, or on the terraces outside.

www.hillsarts.co.uk/stannswell/
or telephone: 01684 560285

Variable opening hours, but sometimes open on Christmas day.

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It is a very small theatre - the smallest in the world apparently - located in an old public loo. It is beautifully decorated and run by enthusiastic volunteers.

Performances are on demand and last for five minutes. Apparently the runs of shows tend to last a long time as the theatre's founder has to make all the puppets etc from scratch.

I really recommend this as it is such an unusual way to spend five minutes and lets you get your breath back after trekking up the hills.

www.wctheatre.co.uk/

It's in Malvern town on Edith Walk (uphill on the street between Waitrose and Somerfield).

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