St. Wulstan's Local Nature Reserve

Farmland, part of Brickbarns Farm, was requisitioned in 1943 for the construction of a hospital which would receive American servicemen injured in the planned Normandy landings; other land in the Malvern area was also requisitioned for the same purpose. It was known locally as "Brickbarns Hospital". After the American military units left, the hospital was handed over to the Ministry of Health; it was renamed St Wulstan's Hospital, and in April 1950 it was opened as a TB hospital to serve the area. The disease later was under control, and fewer such hospitals were needed; the hospital closed in May 1960. It re-opened in November 1961 as a regional psychiatric rehabilitation hospital, with…

The reserve, area 22 ha, is situated east of the Malvern Hills. It is a mixture of ancient woodland and grassland. Ornamental trees, planted by hospital patients, are among the native species. The brimstone butterfly, one of the butterfly species to be seen, is the emblem of the reserve. There are waymarked trails, and seating is provided at regular points around the site.