You’ve snuck away from weeknight dinners, snatched supermarket sandwiches and soggy cereal breakfasts for a weekend of food bliss in The Malverns; lucky you! Just 48 hours is barely long enough to squeeze in the local delights, hands on experiences and top-notch world cuisine The Malverns offers, but we’ve given it a good go. Read on to see our suggestions for a weekend full of food adventure…
Breakfast
First things first, breakfast. Foodies will know that key to good lodgings is a good morning meal. If you’re staying at a hotel or B&B we can recommend The Cotford Hotel in Great Malvern who were featured in the 2020 Michelin guide, Burleigh House B&B for a regular’s favourite homemade fry up and The Court House B&B for top notch local ingredients cooked with care.
For those wishing to stay in self-catered accommodation Poolbrook Cafe in Malvern, Clive’s Fruit Farm in Upton upon Severn, Tabs Tearoom Tenbury Wells all serve up a traditional hearty full English.
If you preferer a later, leisurely brunch try Mac & Jacks in Great Malvern. They have a wide brunch menu including brioche French toast with cinnamon sugar, fruit compote and all the trimmings. Terrace on the Hill is famed for fantastic food with classic brunch options including a sumptuous eggs benedict. Unwined in Tenbury Wells, usually known for its evening tapas and wine offer, also serves brunch with a Mediterranean twist with dishes like Shakshuka. Faun on Great Malvern’s Belle vue Terrace champion’s local produce and offers a comprehensive brunch selection from house cured bacon sandwiches on sourdough bread, to their famous cruffins.
Cookery Classes and Foodie Experiences
The Malverns and the Teme Valley house local growers, producers, cookery schools and foragers so there are plenty of opportunities to get under the skin of the food culture of this area from earth to eating. Take a tour of one of England’s oldest vineyards at Astley Vineyard and taste their boutique sparkling wine. Hear the history, walk through the valley where the grapes are grown, and get an insight into the wine making process.
If you want to hone your cookery skills and become more au fait with tofu, try Our Lizzy’s vegan cookery school. Lizzy is knowledgeable, friendly and courses are taught in small groups to ensure you get the most out of your day. Lizzy caters to all with classes for absolute beginners, gluten free, kids and special Christmas days.
Combine your foodie passions with getting back to nature on a foraging experience. Food and Foraging offers foraging experiences including the option to forage for pizza toppings to cook and eat alfresco – the perfect Sunday activity. You can also take a guided foraging tour of the deer park on the Eastnor Castle estate, ending with a tasty, foraged lunch – now taking bookings for spring 2023.
Evening Meal
The evening offering is strong in The Malverns with both local and worldwide cuisines represented. For an authentic Nepalese experience, The Everest Eatery in Malvern Link is a local favourite. Try their Nepalese dishes if you like new flavours (and plenty of spice!) and make sure you order their freshly made Naan.
The aforementioned Terrace on the Hill holds highly regarded tasting menu evenings, so check the dates on their website and make sure your trip coincides. The latest menu includes 6 courses including honey and pollen roast duck with wild mushroom choux farce, duck hash & pomegranate.
Dine riverside at The Boat House in Upton upon Severn. This stylish tapas style restaurant offers a great selection of meat, fish and veggie dishes as well as great views over the Severn. Try their Kings Tapas offer for the Chef chosen specials and most popular dishes. With generous portions, a wide choice of options and all dishes cooked fresh The Boathouse is one of the top tapas choices in the area.
Foodie Shops, Bread & Pastries
Before heading home, make sure to fill your suitcase with all the morsels The Malverns can offer. In recent years local bakeries have gone from strength to strength. Don’t leave Malvern without a brown paper bag containing a loaf of traditional Polish sourdough from The Malvern Bakehouse (you can even watch the loaves being made from their glass sided shop on Church Street), and they are always cooking new treats like baklava and flavoured focaccias. They occasionally run sourdough masterclasses so you can learn the secrets for yourself, keep an eye on their Facebook page for dates. Look out for the Great Malvern Farmers Market to sample Peter Cooks Bread, baked just on the other side of the hills, their croissants are particularly good.
The market town of Tenbury Wells is spoilt for local delicacies with its own chocolate factory at Mr Thom’s chocolate shop. Their famous hot chocolate bombs are handmade on site and make a wonderful gift or indulgent souvenir. Also in Tenbury Wells visit The Fish Wife, for fresh fish, The Barn Farm Shop, for local fruits and veggies, and The Smiling Goat Delicatessen for meats, cheeses, spices and local bread.
There’s so much to pack in, and you certainly won’t leave hungry. Don’t worry if you can’t fit everything into one weekend, you can always come again to tick off any treats you missed out on!
