Dudley Brook, 1984

The building that houses Malvern Museum was originally the gatehouse guarding the entrance to the medieval priory, and dates back to c 1470. The huge hinged wooden gateposts can still be seen under the archway.

The history of Malvern unfolded in five rooms:

• The Malvern Hills Room tells the story of the rocks of the Malvern Hills, formed between 600 and 1,000 million years ago. Also mentioned are the Iron Age hill forts, and the work of the Malvern Hills Conservators.

• The Medieval Room reflects the history of the Royal Forest, or Chase, along with illustrations of different aspects of the beautiful Priory Church. In addition, evidence of Prehistoric and Roman activity is shown.

• The Water Cure Room traces the history of Malvern spring water and its uses. The water cure doctors and their hydropathic establishments, and the bottling of water since 1622 are depicted here.

• The Victorian Room looks at Victorian enterprise, local government, leisure, costume, trades, the railway and education, and has an exhibition on the life and work of Sir Edward Elgar.

• The Twentieth Century Room shows the effects of two World Wars on Malvern, the origins and development of Santler and Morgan cars, of DERA, and of the Malvern Festival, which was much influenced by Shaw.

Opening Hours

The Museum is open from Easter to the end of October - 10.30 am till 5.30 pm daily, apart from Wednesdays during term time except for school and party bookings.

Admission (including guide): Adults £1.00, children 20p; under-7s free. School parties and group visits by arrangement.

Telephone 01684 567811 during opening hours

The Museum Shop is open to the public for the sale of postcards, greeting cards, booklets, maps, guides and other local items.

The Abbey Gateway

Malvern Museum is housed in one of the two buildings surviving from the Benedictine Monastery (the other being Malvern Priory church). The gateway, or gatehouse as it should be called, since there was accommodation within, guarded the entrance. The huge wooden and hinged gateposts can still be seen in the archway; also notice the small oblong opening, now glazed, called the Porter's Squint. From here the janitor would keep watch on callers to the Monastery. The building dates back to c.1400, but has been much restored and altered over the centuries.

The Abbey Gateway was a gift to the Museum from the De Vere Hotel Group in 1980. The upkeep and restoration of this very important and historic building requires many fund-raising projects.

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