146 Warndon Wood

By Lisa Ventura

Documented in the Doomsday Book of 1086, and then known as ‘Warmedun’, Warndon Wood is in the ancient county parish of Warndon. It lies directly beside the Salt Way, leading to Droitwich, famous for its brine. In early times Warndon Wood was held by Urso of Abetot the then Sheriff of Worcester.

The wood is immediately accessible from Junction 6 of the M5 and is a famous local beauty spot for walkers, family outings and dog walkers. Although no immediate parking is available, parking close to the verges nearby on the Warndon Villages enables a short walk up to the Wood. Local residents regularly use the variety of footpaths in the Villages that ultimately lead through the woodland itself. They offer a pleasant rural stroll, albeit with the hum of motorway traffic in the background.

The wood is one of the finest bluebell woods in Worcestershire and during April to May is ablaze with bluebells, the wonderful truly English flower that carpets our woodland floors in Spring. There are few finer smells than the sweet scent of the bluebell and Warndon Woods offer one of the finest arrays during the flowering period.

A short way marked walk leads directly through the woodland and pleasant at any time of year. A particular favourite of mine, besides bluebell time, are crisp Autumn days with a slight chill in the air. With the leaves gently falling it is always fun to walk among the fallen leaves, kicking them along as children love to do. The rustle, the smell, and the thick leafy carpet reminds us that winter is almost upon us. Trees hang bare but offer a promise that Spring will once again return and the woodland floor will be ablaze with colour once more. 

145 Malvern Water

By Lisa Ventura

We love to drink this famous water but did you know the facts?

First assessed in the 1750’s by Dr John Wall, a Worcester Physician, Malvern Water was analysed as being exceptionally pure in content. His famous quote was: “The Malvern water is famed for containing nothing at all”

Together with a Mr Danridge, they were jointly appointed as receivers for a subscription fund to make the waters more beneficial and commodious. This inevitably was the first step in Malvern as tourist attraction. In the 17th century Malvern Water was sent all over the country and the Holy Well, was now classified as part of Malvern Wells, became a place of pilgrimage for the ill and disabled, believing the water to be a cure.

In 1842 a young Dr James Wilson enthusiastically proclaimed the waters suitable for cures of all kinds and made enough money in three years to pay for a hydro pathetic establishment, Preisnitz House, which still exists, and now known as Park View.

The success in the water cure attracted thousands of well to do visitors to Malvern to take the waters placing themselves in the care of Dr Wilson, and other Dr’s who embarked on the enterprise.

The water cure itself was expensive costing between four and five pounds a week per person, therefore this was only for the wealthy in society. However, by the early 1860’s with the opening of the railway line, Malvern was competing with old established Spa Towns such as Bath.

The 19th century saw a bitter legal dispute of ownership of the spring water and by the early 20th century J H Cuffs bottled the water and sold it all over the country.