Little Malvern Court & Gardens

About the museum

Little Malvern Court is built around a 14th-century Prior's Hall that was once part of a Benedictine priory founded in the 12th century. After the priory was dissolved in the 1530s, the property passed into private hands, and it has been the home of the Berington family by descent ever since. The priory church, whose tower dominates the view, stands next to the house.

In the 1960s Tom and Olguita Berington carried out a major restoration of the house. The rooms contain family portraits, European paintings and furniture, and visitors can see the medieval roof with its curved wind braces. A collection of 18th- and 19th-century needlework and religious vestments is also on show.

The gardens cover about ten acres on the slope of the Malvern Hills and look out over the Severn Valley. They include a topiary yew hedge planted in the early 20th century, cedars grown from seed brought back from the Holy Land, and a very old lime tree. A chain of lakes, originally the monks' fish ponds, follows a layout shown on a plan of 1720 and was restored in the 1980s together with much of the garden.

Highlights

• Medieval Prior's Hall with its original roof
• Family portraits, European paintings and furniture
• Collection of needlework and religious vestments
• Ten acres of hillside gardens with views over the Severn Valley
• Chain of lakes that were once monastic fish ponds

Operated by

Berington family

Admission & discounts

Prices are for the 2026 season. Garden-only visits cost £9 for adults and £3 for children and are paid on arrival at the tea room. House visits include the gardens and must be booked online in advance. Historic Houses members receive a discount by entering a code when booking online and must show their membership card on the day.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Visitors with disabilities are welcome, but parts of the gardens are on a slope with uneven surfaces. Access to the Prior's Hall is up a flight of steep stairs. For visitors with limited mobility, only the rose garden and the courtyard are suitable. The toilet is on site up an external staircase. Visitors with special access needs should telephone in advance. Assistance dogs are allowed.

Kids & families

A reduced ticket price applies to children aged 16 and under.

Getting there & parking

Satellite navigation may lead to the house drive; visitors should not park there but use the signposted car park opposite.

Amenities & dining

• Café

A tea room serves light refreshments whenever the house or garden is open and closes at 16:30.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit