MALVERN has been named as one of the best spa towns in the UK by The Independent.

Malvern was praised for its qualities as a spa town in the newspaper, appearing alongside Bath, Buxton in Derbyshire, Harrogate in North Yorkshire and Cheltenham.

Fiona McIntosh wrote in the article, published earlier this month: "Tucked away in the Severn Valley, pretty Great Malvern was revered for the purity of its natural spring waters and spawned a hydrotherapy industry in the 19th century.

This attracted the big names of the day, from Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens to Florence Nightingale. Now you can sip the water from the Malvhina fountain in the centre of town."

Visit the Malverns Tourist Information Centre shared news of the town's place in the list on Facebook.

A spokesperson said: "Did you spot Malvern in The Independent's list of The UK’s best spa towns this weekend? We were delighted to be named as one of the best places to visit for restoration and relaxation in 2024."