Old Images of Malvern in Worcestershire

Enjoy a glimpse of history through old images of Malvern, Worcestershire, England, UK.

The Malvern Hills are beautiful and a popular tourist destination, but it was the refreshing spa waters that traditionally brought people to the Worcestershire town of Malvern.

Great Malvern was formerly the largest of several villages and hamlets on the steep eastern slopes of the Malvern Hills. Over time, and as the town and population grew, the town of Malvern as it is now known has incorporated the smaller settlements.

The Abbey Gate

In 1731, an etching showed the Abbey Gate, then called the North View of Great Malvern Abby, surrounded by hills, muddy tracks and tumble down walls.

Printed in 1731 by S&N Buck, an etching of the "North View of Great Malvern Abby, in the County of Worcester" — Printed in 1731 by S&N Buck, an etching of the “North View of Great Malvern Abby, in the County of Worcester”. From the Topographical Collection of George III at the British Library, digitised and uploaded to Flikr.

The swirly description underneath states:

“MALVERN-MAGNA, ABBY, was in the Saxons times an Hermitage of Urso d’Abitot. In the 18th K. Will.m 1st it was made a Priory of Benedictines by the Hermit Aldwin who gave it large Endowments: to which K. Hen. 1st added. Richard L.d Clifford was a great Benefactor to it as were also K. Hen. III.d K. Edw. 1.st Gilbert Earl of Glocester, Ofborn & Richard de Pontibus, and in procefs of time from a Cell to ye Abby of Westminster, it became a free Abby. Tho.s Savage Esq. is ye present Proprietor. It was valued at ye Difsolution £308. 1s. 5d. Speed. S. & N. Buck delin et sculp.t 1731.

By 1891, the Gate now sits on a formal road, surrounded by other buildings.

Old photo of the Abbey Gateway in Malvern, Worcestershire, taken around 1891. Image from “Where to buy at Worcester and Malvern. An illustrated local trades’ review, by the Editor of the ‘Agents’ Guide,’ … with illustrations of the West of England” Published by Robinson, Son & Pike in Brighton, England, in 1891, uploaded to Flikr by the British Library.

Old Pictures of Malvern

Old picture of Malvern in Worcestershire, England, published in the 1790s

Old picture of the church at Little Malvern, Worcestershire, England, published in 1815

Old Picture of Malven, Worcestershire, England, published in 1820

The Malvern Hills, Worcestershire, published in 1820

Old picture of Malvern Abbey Church, Worcestershire, England, published in 1825

A book illustration of Warwick House at 1, Wells Road, Malvern, Worcestershire printed in 1891 — A book illustration of Warwick House at 1, Wells Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, printed in “Where to buy at Worcester and Malvern. An illustrated local trades’ review, by the Editor of the ‘Agents’ Guide,’ … with illustrations of the West of England” Published by Robinson, Son & Pike in Brighton, England, in 1891, uploaded to Flikr by the British Library.

Old picture of Malvern College, Worcestershire, published in 1891

Old Christmas Card of Malvern Wells, Worcestershire, England, 1907

Old Photos of Malvern

Old photo of Promenade Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire, circa 1880

Closeup of an old photo of Promenade Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire, circa 1880

Closeup of an old photo of the Promenade Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire, circa 1880

Old photo of North Hill. Great Malvern, Worcestershire, in a book published in 1891

Old photo of British Camp, Malvern, in a book published in 1891

Old photo of Malvern in Worcestershire, pre 1905

Closeup of an old photo of Malvern, Worcestershire, England, pre 1905

Closeup of an old photo of Malvern from Prospect Hill, Worcestershire, pre 1905

Old photo of Malvern Priory Church, Worcestershire, England, pre-1905

Old photo of Malvern Priory Church in Worcestershire, England, pre 1905

Old photo of Ivy Scar Rock, Malvern, Worcestershire, pre 1905

Old photo of West Malvern, Worcestershire, pre 1905

Old photo of Malvern Wells, Worcestershire, England, pre 1905

The Worcestershire Beacon, Malvern, England, pre 1905

Old postcard of Malvern, Worcestershire printed in 1910 — Old postcard of Malvern, Worcestershire, UK, printed by T.Bennett & Sons in 1910. From Mark Crombie’s collection of vintage postcards on Flikr.

Closeup of an old postcard of Malvern, Worcestershire, printed in 1910 — Closeup of an old postcard of Malvern, Worcestershire, printed by T.Bennett & Sons in 1910. From Mark Crombie’s collection of vintage postcards on Flikr.

Magic Convention 1938

1938 saw the town hosting a magic convention, bringing the cameras along to record some of the event, including the escape artists.

Malvern Magicians’ convention (1938) – British Pathé on YouTube

Malvern in 1978

On 10th January 1978, an episode of “Wish you were here?” broadcast to the nation, with presenter Chris Kelly promoting the town’s many attractions.

Of course, what the problem also did without meaning to, was create a detailed visual record of the people, places and businesses of the time.

1970s Malvern | Spa Town | Worcestershire | Wish you were here? | 1978: ThamesTv (Youtube)

1993 Malvern Festival

Recorded in May 1993, we see the town’s residents turn out for the parade. Behind the floats, you can often see the town’s local businesses of the time.

Everyone seen in the video will be a generation older now!

Malvern Festival May 1993 – henryhvideofan on YouTube

Milk Race 1993

Between 1958 and 1993, the Milk Race was a prestigious annual cycling race in the UK.

On 6th June 1993, a home video was made of Malvern’s community turning out for their stage of the final Milk Race, won by Christian Anderson.

Each minute includes hundreds of residents, visitors, cyclists, local homes and businesses, 1990s cars, a red telephone box, WPCs in skirts, and quite a few well known local streets.

The Milk Race at Great Malvern 6th of June 1993 – henryhvideofan on YouTube

Olympic Torch Relay 2012

Remember when the Olympic Torch Relay ran through nearly every town and city in the UK on the way to London 2012?

That’s now more than a decade ago, so many of the children in this video will have reached adulthood.

Early in the morning of Friday 25th May 2012, torchbearer Monica Martin lit the Olympic Torch next to the Elgar statue in Worcester, which passed through St John’s on its way to Malvern.

This is a great home video, capturing early arrivals, build up of the crowds, yellow and green balloons everywhere, highlights of the parade, and of course the Olympic Torch itself, before the crowd disburses.

Olympic Torch Relay Great Malvern 25th of May 2012 – henryhvideofan on YouTube

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