Abbey Hotel Gardens

Tucked behind what was once a grand Victorian hotel in Malvern, these gardens offer a proper slice of formal landscaping that feels wonderfully removed from the town's busy streets. The terraced layout makes the most of the sloping ground, with established trees providing decent shade on hot days and well-maintained flower beds that actually look cared for rather than neglected.

Families will find it peaceful enough for a gentle wander, though there's not much to specifically entertain children beyond the space to run about. Garden enthusiasts get the better deal here - the mature plantings and thoughtful design show what happens when someone knows their stuff about horticulture.

The views across to the Malvern Hills are lovely, particularly from the upper levels where you can sit on one of the benches and take it all in. It's not a destination garden by any stretch, but if you're staying at one of the nearby sites like Malvern Hills Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or Oakmere Parks, it makes for a pleasant hour's diversion when you fancy a break from hiking the hills proper.

Best visited in late spring or early summer when everything's properly in bloom. The paths are well-kept enough for pushchairs, and there's usually somewhere to park nearby without too much fuss.