Worcester Etymology - Where Does the Name Worcester Come From?
The name Worcester comes from the Old English ceaster language and means “Roman fort or walled city” or “war castle”. It’s also believed to have been the name of an ancient British tribe while some believe the city was named after the Battle of Worcester that took place in 1651.
Worcester Location
Worcester is located in the county of Worcheshire in central England’s West Midlands region and overlooking the River Severn. It’s considered to be close to multiple key cities in the UK with Birmingham 48 km south-west and 163 km north-west of London.
Worcester Climate
Weather and Temperature
The weather in Worcester is generally temperate for being situated 24m above sea level but can become extreme with occasional flooding. Summers are usually warm with July being the hottest month with an average temperature of 19 °C. As for the winters, they are considered quite mild. However, it can get very cold in January with temperatures dropping to 6 °C. Rainfall is no stranger to the city and is consistent year-round with December having the highest average of rain. March is known to witness very windy weather with an average of 14km/h.
What to Pack and Worcester Local Timing
With the average temperatures of Worcester year-round, you probably need to pack all kinds of layers of clothing. In the summer you’ll probably just need a few light, airy pieces of clothing with a light sweatshirt at night for when it gets chilly. As for winter, you’ll need to bundle up with pullovers, turtle necks, sweaters, and a heavy coat. Don’t forget to pack your trusty rain kit including a rain jacket and rain boots with an umbrella to withstand the constant rainy weather. Worcester is in the GMT time zone and in April it changes to the British Summer Time which is one hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), also known as Daylight Saving Time. You should keep this information in mind when booking your travels and student accommodation in Worcester.
Is Worcester Rural or Urban?
Worcester is considered to be an Urban city since it holds the county seat of Worcestershire, with the exception of the small residential suburb of St. John's which is located on the east bank of the River Severn.
What are Some Must-Visit Places in Worcester?
Situated on a bank overlooking the River Severn, Worcester Cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the UK and is the seat of the Bishop of Worcester. It witnessed extensive reconstruction work from the 11th to the 16th century which means it’s adorned with several medieval English architectural styles. From Norman Romanesque to the charming Perpendicular Gothic tower, visiting the cathedral is like taking a trip down history. Inside, you can admire the various depictions from the bible as well as mythology and folklore. Don’t miss out on the 39 misericords in the choir carved with the Labours of the Months, dating back to 1379.
This 16th-century building holds an intriguing history in its walls that is worth getting to know. Located on Friar Street, the museum started out as a compound of weaver’s cottages. In the 1700s, it hosted the well-known Cross Key tavern until the founder of the popular chocolate brand, Richard Cadbury, turned it into a Victorian coffee house. Then came the second World War and the building transformed into an Air Raid Precautions warden’s office. Each period the building went through is depicted inside with displays and significant characters in costume. You can enjoy a cup of coffee in the victorian-style cafe.
Gheluvelt park takes its name from the 1914 Battle of Gheluvelt when the Worcestershire Regiment’s 2nd Battalion was deployed. If you’re looking for a place to unwind in the fresh air, it would be the perfect place with its enchanting duck pond and willow trees. It’s a memorial park built to honour those who died in Worcester during the First World War. The park also has a bandstand where some concerts take place along with a tennis court and cafe.
Both art and history buffs will enjoy visiting this Elizabethan revival building dating back to 1896. Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum has an interesting mixture of 19th and 20th-century art especially by Worcester-born landscape painters Henry Harris Lines and Benjamin Williams Leader. The galleries showcase everything from the interior of a Victorian pharmacy, a totem pole from North America, to dinosaur footprints. There is also a magnificent Roman mosaic as well as military regalia for the Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavalry and the Worcestershire Regiment.
Worcester Traditional Food
Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire goes back to 1835 when two chemists from Worcester, Lea and Perrins, developed it. The sauce is a fermented condiment made from a base of vinegar with the addition of anchovies, molasses, tamarind, onion, garlic, and other seasonings. Its taste is a carefully balanced mixture of tangy, savoury, sweet, and salty. It can be used for a variety of recipes; you can add it with grilled or steamed vegetables, on shellfish and sandwiches, or as a seasoning for salads.
Malvern
Made from raw sheep's milk, Malvern is a traditional English cheese that originated in the Severn Valley. It ages from 2-4 months to get its sweet, herbaceous taste with hints of thyme. It consists of 50% fat and has a semi-hard and dry texture but is still creamy and dense.
Transportation in Worcester
Getting around is Worcester is easier than ever with 38 bus routes serving 49 bus stops. The city is also bike-friendly with cyclable paths all over the city and even ride into the suburbs to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Famous Neighbourhoods For Student Accommodation in Worcester
Other Student Accommodation In UK
Besides having facilities for student housing in Worcester, Casita offers student accommodation in these UK cities:
London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Manchester, Aberystwyth, Aberdeen, Bangor, Belfast, Bradford, Bath, Brighton, Bedford, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cambridge, Carlisle, Colchester, Canterbury, Cheltenham, Coventry, Cardiff, Chester, Derby, Dundee, Durham, Egham, Exeter, Falmouth, Guildford, Hatfield, Huddersfield, Hull, Ipswich, Kingston, Lancaster, Lincoln, Loughborough, Leeds, Luton, Leicester, Medway, Newcastle, Norwich, Newcastle under Lyme, Nottingham, Newport, Oxford, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Reading, Salford, Stirling, Sunderland, Sheffield, Stockton on tees, Swansea, Southampton, Stoke, Winchester, Wrexham, Wolverhampton, York.