Cocky Anchor's secret courtyard: best heatwave beer gardens

A high-pressure system arrived in Worcester yesterday, bringing warmer and above average temperatures and drier weather in time for the weekend after a damp, washout start to the year.

Forecasts show the mercury could climb to 23C today with similar temperatures on Sunday before the rain sweeps in - the Met Office has declared a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms.

Cheers: Phil Green at the helm of the Cocky Anchor in Broad Street, showing how quirky design features including these windows make the most of the sun and the available space (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Meanwhile, The Cocky Anchor in Broad Street in Worcester city centre has an 'orangery' with a retractable roof to convert it into a courtyard in summer - and staff have put the quirky design feature to good use as the weather warms up.

Manager Matt Dainty said: "We can open the roof to convert it into a courtyard. It's the only beer garden that's indoors in Worcester. The front windows also fully open up. It gives it that European vibe to the place like Amsterdam.

BUSY: Sam Teckman, owner of the Oil Basin in Copenhagen Street in Worcester, says the outdoor seating is a big draw for the pub in summer as the city prepares to bake in the coming mini heatwave (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

"We are hoping for a busy weekend. A lot of people don't know about the courtyard yet. Others may have seen it - but not in its full glory. People have been surprised by it. It's a unique feature."

The courtyard is certainly a surprise in a pub which has a very vertical footprint. The windows at the front slide open completely to make the most of the outdoors where space is at a premium.

Phil Green, sitting by the open windows on Broad Street and enjoying a cooling breeze, said: "A feature like this is a big bonus."

Sam Teckman, owner of the Oil Basin Brewhouse in Copenhagen Street, said the outdoor seating area accommodated around 40 people and was a big draw for the pub.

He said: "In the summer we get the sun in the street between 4pm and 8pm. It's a bit of a suntrap. Outside in summer is always full. It's a bit of an al fresco experience."

RECOMMENDED READING: Cocky Anchor pub in Broad Street is welcome port in a storm

RECOMMENDED READING: Wheatsheaf Inn riverside pub Henwick Road is city's jewel

RECOMMENDED READING: Bridge Tibberton is the perfect canal pub for a beer

The Wheatsheaf Inn in Henwick Road, St John's, Worcester, commands a spectacular view of the River Severn.

VIEWS: Kieran Corcoran, a manager at the Wheatsheaf Inn in Henwick Road in St John's in Worcester, says the outdoor riverside terrace is a great feature on a sunny day (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Manager Kieran Corcoran said: "The Wheatsheaf is a good place to soak up the glorious sunshine on our outdoor terrace looking out onto the River Seven, with views of Worcester Cathedral, and the skyline of Worcester.

"You'll find yourself surrounded by stunning, fully bloomed trees and lush greenery everywhere you look whilst sipping on a refreshing drink from our large selection of ciders, lagers, wines, rum and gin.”

Other pubs with beer gardens or other outdoor spaces include the Alma Tavern in Droitwich Road, the Lamb and Flag in The Tything, the Dragon in The Tything, the Cardinal's Hat in Friar Street and the King's Head in Sidbury which has a canalside beer garden.

Those who love outdoor pubs with intimate links to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal can visit pubs like the Anchor in Diglis or the Bridge at Tibberton.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "The high is likely to maintain its influence into the weekend before starting to weaken during the following week."