Buzz
The British Isles are renowned for their opulent and historically significant landmarks, many of which enjoy global fame. Iconic examples include Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. However, lesser-known are the peculiarly named towns and villages scattered across the region.
By 'peculiarly named,' we refer to places with humorous, offensive, or outright strange names that are nonetheless inhabited or frequented by people. Interestingly, many of these locations boast fascinating and storied pasts, making them worthy of exploration. Dive in to uncover ten of the most oddly named spots in the British Isles . . . each with a remarkable tale.
10. Brown Willy
Brown Willy, a prominent hill located in Cornwall, England's southernmost county, derives its name from the Cornish phrase Bronn Ewhella, meaning 'highest hill.' This is fitting, as it rises 420 meters (1,378 ft) above sea level, making it Cornwall's tallest peak. The hill is also famous for the 'Brown Willy effect,' a local weather phenomenon where heavy rainfall on the hill moves downwind, causing intense showers and flash floods in surrounding areas. This phenomenon can lead to significant damage due to sudden and severe rainfall.
In 2012, some locals proposed renaming the hill to avoid its humorous connotations, but the name remains unchanged. Notably, Brown Willy is considered sacred by UFO enthusiasts, who gather there annually, believing the hill is infused with 'holy energy.' While this belief adds intrigue, one can only hope it remains a myth and doesn’t result in any explosive outcomes.
9. Cockermouth
Cockermouth stands out as one of the most picturesque locations on this list. Nestled on the edge of the Lake District in Cumbria, it is recognized as one of the UK's 51 'Gem' towns. Its name reflects its geographical position at the confluence of the River Cocker. However, its riverside location has also made it prone to severe flooding. In 2009, devastating floods overwhelmed the town, prompting the British Army to intervene and rescue residents via airlifts.
Cockermouth's origins date back to the Romans, who established a fort near the present-day town center, though it was eventually destroyed. Nearby, Cockermouth Castle was later reconstructed. The town is also celebrated as the birthplace of the renowned Lake Poet William Wordsworth, with several landmarks honoring his legacy. Among these is Wordsworth House, his childhood home, which has been meticulously restored and now serves as a museum.
8. Bell End
Located in Worcestershire, Bell End is a village close to the towns of Kidderminster and Stourbridge. It is home to Bell Hall, a striking Gothic revival mansion situated on land with Norman-era roots, complete with a Norman chapel. Legend has it that Guy Fawkes sought refuge here while evading capture after the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Additionally, Lady Godiva, famed for her legendary naked ride through Coventry to protest taxes, is said to have lived on the estate. If true, this property holds a fascinating connection to some of Britain's most notorious historical figures.
So, why does Bell End make this list? For those unfamiliar, the village shares its name with a British slang term for the glans penis, earning it a spot among the most bizarre and eyebrow-raising place names. Despite efforts by residents to change the name, it remains Bell End to this day.
7. Sandy Balls
Nestled in the heart of the New Forest near Fordingbridge, Sandy Balls is a vast expanse of parkland and woodland with a rich history as a beloved holiday destination. Located in Hampshire, close to England's southern coast, the area's name dates back to medieval times, when its distinctive sandy, dome-shaped hills earned it the name 'Sandyballas.' Following World War I, it was transformed into a school camp for a youth organization but has since evolved into a renowned holiday resort.
The New Forest is often regarded as one of the most haunted regions in Britain, with numerous ghostly sightings. The most famous is Rufus the Red, who was mysteriously struck by an arrow during a hunt. Locals claim his spirit still roams the forest, and the blood of his alleged killer, Sir Walter Tirel, is said to turn Ocknell Pond red annually. Other spectral figures include the Stratford Lyon, a giant, antlered red lion carrying a rider, said to have emerged from the ground when a man tugged on a pair of antlers. Another is the Witchy White, a sorceress who casts love spells and is believed to wander the forest to this day.
6. Shitlington Crags
Shitlington Crags, located in Northumberland, is a well-known destination for visitors. In England, a crag typically refers to a cluster of cliffs popular for climbing. This site is part of a broader walking area in Hexham, Northumberland. The name originates from a deserted medieval village called Shitlington, first documented in 1279 but believed to have disappeared by the 17th century.
Shitlington Crags is close to the village of Wark in Northumberland, famous for the Goatstones. These stones are believed to be religious relics from the Anglo-Saxons, with their name deriving from the Anglo-Saxon term gyet stanes, meaning 'wayside stones.' Wark is also home to a Milky Way Class Dark Sky Discovery Site, recognized for its remote location, offering stunning views of the stars and Moon in the night sky.
5. Great Cockup
Great Cockup, a humorously named fell, is situated in the breathtaking Lake District within Cumbria. A fell refers to a high, rugged terrain, often comprising clusters of mountains or large hills, ideal for hiking. It is accompanied by its equally amusing counterpart, Little Cockup. For the uninitiated, 'cockup' is British slang for a significant and often embarrassing mistake.
Great Cockup is part of the Northern Fells, a group of mountains in the region. Among these is Souther Fell, renowned for a ghostly event in 1745. Witnesses reported seeing a spectral army, complete with horses and carriages, marching along the ridge on Midsummer’s Day. The observers were described as 'sober and respected,' lending credibility to the account. However, a search the next day revealed no traces of footprints or carriage marks where the apparition had been seen.
4. Tongue Of Gangsta
Yes, you read that correctly. Located in the Orkney Islands, Tongue of Gangsta is a place on the Orkney mainland, situated directly south of Kirkwall, the capital. Kirkwall derives its name from the Norse term Kirkjuvagr (Church Bay), suggesting that Tongue of Gangsta may also have Norse origins.
The origins of the name Tongue of Gangsta remain largely obscure. Historically, Kirkwall served as a hub or meeting point for Scandinavian travelers, often described as more Scandinavian than Scottish. It became part of Scotland in 1468 when King James III acquired the area. During World War II, Scapa Flow, nearby, was a key base for the Royal Navy. In 1939, the HMS Royal Oak was torpedoed by a German U-Boat in Scapa Flow and is now a protected war grave.
3. Twatt
Twatt, arguably the most bluntly named village on this list, is located in the Orkney Islands. Interestingly, there are two villages in the UK named Twatt, both situated in northern Scotland, with the second one found in the Shetland Islands.
The Orkney Twatt is on the Mainland island and was home to a Royal Navy airfield during World War II. Although the airfield was decommissioned in 1949, its abandoned control tower still stands and is open to visitors.
The Shetland village of Twatt is less well-known but is still inhabited and recognized across the islands. Both Twatts derive their names from the Norse term thveit, meaning 'small parcel of land.' Unsurprisingly, both villages frequently appear on lists of the UK's most amusingly named places.
2. Wetwang
Wetwang, a village in Yorkshire, is believed to have a Viking name meaning 'meeting place,' as it lies at the intersection of two major roads. However, the name is often misinterpreted due to its modern connotations.
Wetwang has ancient origins, even appearing in the Domesday Book of 1086. Its history predates this record, and in 2001, a remarkable discovery was made beneath the village: a chariot belonging to British forces who resisted Julius Caesar, along with the remains of a female warrior. To commemorate this find, a local street was renamed 'Chariot Way.'
Wetwang is also famous for its black swans, with a local pub named the Black Swan in tribute to these birds. The village frequently appears on lists of oddly or humorously named places. During a 2015 Women’s Institute centennial fair, the village's name was censored on merchandise for being considered too risqué!
1. Titty-Ho
Titty-Ho, an area within the market town of Raunds in Northamptonshire, is often cited as one of the most amusingly named places in Britain. Residents have shared that revealing their address often elicits uncontrollable laughter from others.
Despite its humorous name, Raunds boasts a rich history. Excavations in the 1980s uncovered Roman villa remains in the nearby Nene Valley, alongside medieval structures like a church and manor house found in the previous decade. Prehistoric artifacts have also been discovered by English Heritage. While these findings are fascinating, the origin of the name Titty-Ho remains a mystery, leaving archaeologists and locals to speculate.
