Worcestershire attracts tourists not just from across the UK but from around the world.
But like most places, the county has its fair share of place names that visitors always struggle to pronounce.
We’ve rounded up the place names we hear mispronounced most often - let us know what else we should add to the list.
Worcestershire
The name of the county itself seems difficult for a lot of people to get right - in particular, we’re looking at you, America.
Despite there also being a Worcester in the United States - and despite the popularity of Worcestershire Sauce - a quick look online will show you just how many people don’t have a clue how to say it.
There are multiple videos explaining how to pronounce Worcestershire, including this one by YouTuber Antonio Parlati.
Bevere
If you’re new to the area then you’d be forgiven for thinking Bevere is pronounced Beveer.
Worcester News reader Karan Empson said: “I always said Beveer until about two years ago. My nan lived around the corner and I never knew!”
Heather Gaylard added: “I did when I first moved to Worcester years ago and then a friend laughed at me.”
For the record, it’s pronounced ‘Bevery’.
Kempsey
Another that instantly marks out newcomers to the area - how are you supposed to know the ‘p’ in Kempsey is silent and it’s actually said ‘Kemsey’?
Abby Fennell was among the readers to point out: “People always say the ‘p’ but it’s actually silent.”
Leigh/Leigh Sinton
As Staurt Blake points out: “Both should be pronounced to rhyme with lie, not lee.”
Malvern
I thought Malvern was a fairly straightforward one to pronounce but it seems many residents have heard people getting it wrong.
The most common mistake seems to be people pronouncing it with a flat ‘a’, as in malice.
Evesham
I wouldn’t necessarily class this as pronouncing it wrong, but a number of readers on our Facebook page have picked up on the way some people say Evesham.
John Smith said: “Locals put the emphasis on the second ‘e’.” Phil Rice simply said: “EveRsham!”
What are the local place names you have heard people getting wrong?
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