Hanley Swan is home to the first museum in Britain to be dedicated to the history of fencing - the sport, that is, not the agricultural variety. It has been established by Malcolm Fare, a former British champion at junior and then veteran level, and currently world bronze medallist in the 60+ épée category.

The National Fencing Museum offers visitors the opportunity to look back over 450 years of the sport's history to a time when the art of fencing was an essential part of a gentleman's education, and beyond to the days when a knowledge of the science of defence could mean the difference between life and death. It includes a library of books dating back to the 16th century, paintings and prints, weapons, masks, clothing, trophies, posters, programmes, medals, stamps, postcards and other ephemera.

An item of local interest is an early 20th century painting of one of the first lady fencers in the country, Phyllis Sturgis, who lived in Malvern for the last 30 years of her life. The black silk outfit that she wore for the painting is displayed on a nearby mannequin.

The Hornyold family archive in Worcester County Record Office includes a diary that records the fencing lessons received by an 18th century member of the family while living in London. Several pairs of foils dating from this period are on show in the museum. One such pair, made by Thomas Gill of Birmingham, came from a castle, where they had been in the family since 1780.

One of the museum's latest acquisitions is a hand drawn and coloured fencing master's diploma awarded to a French infantryman in Dartmoor Prison in 1811, signed by 26 regimental fencing masters and fellow prisoners of war.

The museum is open by appointment.

Contact Malcolm Fare on 01684 311197 or email: malcolm.fare@crossword.demon.co.uk