The origin of the name Malvern, to describe the range of hills that straddles parts of the borders of Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and a small part of Gloucestershire, is thought to be the Ancient British "moel-bryn" meaning "bare-hill". At the time of their naming this range of hills would have seemed to rise out of densely wooded surrounding countryside and Iron Age people would have seen it as a suitable spot for the defensive earthworks of a hill fort, part of which can be seen in the photograph. The Malvern Hills Conservators who maintain this area find that grazing sheep help to keep down the scrub that would otherwise make the bare hills less so.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Sony DSC-RX100
