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Incredible though it may seem, the Malvern Hills weren't officially declared an area of outstanding natural beauty until 1959.

Still more remarkable is the fact that quarrying of the hills, which at one time threatened to ruin forever the famous outline of the range, didn't stop until 1977.

Quarrying scars on North Hill

The Malvern Hills Conservators have been the watchdog, responsible for preserving the beauty and character of the area, since they were brought into being by an Act of Parliament in 1884.

The Act recognised the serious threat that quarrying posed to the hills, stating "in recent years the amenities of the hills have been seriously interfered with by quarrying operations, and by the erection of buildings, sheds, machinery, and plant, and those operations are being extended in such a manner as to threaten the value of the Malvern Hills as objects of public interest, as well as to impede the user and enjoyment thereof for purposes of public recreation, and wholly later the state of the hills as they existed in 1884."

The scars of the quarrying are still visible today, most notably on North Hill, which the famous writer, George Bernard Shaw, feared could vanish altogether.

Quarrying scars on North Hill

It took the Conservators many years, and another Act of Parliament in 1924, to finally stop the quarrying of the hills.

Often the only way to do this was to buy the quarrying rights, and the loans taken out to pay for these purchases have only recently been repaid.

The quarries provided a lot of employment locally, and there was a level of opposition to the closures that seems strange now, looking back from these 'greener' times.

One of the things that gives the Malvern Hills area its distinctive character is the large amount of common land surrounding the hills and the town itself.

Malvern Hills

The Commons date back to Norman times and ordinary people had the right to graze livestock and collect firewood from them.

As more and more land became enclosed during the agricultural revolution, the amount of common land around the hills declined.

The sanctions to stop people enclosing common land in the area were not very effective.

Anyone who did it was given the choice of either having their property destroyed, or paying a small rent for the land they'd enclosed.

Naturally most people chose the latter.

The 1884 Act also charged the Conservators with looking after the common land - which is why it is still possible to see cattle grazing openly within a mile of the town centre.

The Conservators now have four main objectives:

1. To preserve the natural aspect of the Malvern Hills and Commons and protect trees, bushes and turf from damage.
2. To keep the Hills and Commons as open spaces for recreation, and enjoyment of the public.
3. To prevent any building, enclosures or encroachments on the Hills or Commons.
4. Not to do any thing or act that will take away or adversely affect the right of any commoner.