Buzz
The United Kingdom is home to a number of truly unusual places. With its long and complex linguistic history, the country retains a collection of some of the oddest and funniest place names you’re likely to encounter. Some of these names are absolutely priceless, featuring terms like Bitches, Sluts, Muffs, and Breaking Wind. If you missed our first list on this topic, you can find it here:
10. Bitchfield
Bitchfield is a village in Lincolnshire, located on England's east coast. It lies within the South Kestevan district and is considered a 'shrunken' medieval village, suggesting it was once much larger than it currently is. Recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book under the name 'Billesfelt,' the village is divided into two areas: Bitchfield and Lower Bitchfield. These two sections are connected by Dark Lane, and the village is home to a parish church with Norman-style architecture. While largely unremarkable except for its quirky name, Bitchfield is part of a county filled with amusingly named places like Tongue End, Pode Hole, Cuckoo Bridge, and Whaplode. Yes, these are all real locations.
9. Townland of Stranagalwilly
The townland of Stranagalwilly is located in Northern Ireland, within the parish of County Tyrone. Known as a townland rather than a town, this term refers to a land area rather than an urban settlement. Rooted in Gaelic tradition, townlands typically cover around 325 acres. Other Gaelic land measurements include acre, Gneeve, Ballyboe, or Ballybetagh. These terms often appear as prefixes to place names in Ireland and Northern Ireland, such as Ballyshannon or Ballybogey. In 1961, Stranagalwilly was the site of a significant discovery of four cist cemeteries dating back to the Bronze Age, which contained both unburnt burials and cremated remains. The fourth cemetery was uncovered by a local farmer during potato harvesting, with some remains believed to belong to a leather worker.
8. Crapstone
Crapstone is a village in the ceremonial county of Devon, located in the south of England. Situated on the edge of Dartmoor, a place steeped in urban legends and myths, Crapstone is surrounded by eerie tales. Among the most famous are the Dartmoor Hounds, spectral black hounds that are said to haunt the moors and inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles. The name Crapstone supposedly comes from a local family who played a role in the town's development, including the creation of the local church and a golf course. In 2007, the village appeared in a British advertisement featuring Vinnie Jones, though residents of Crapstone were upset, claiming the ad used footage from another village and exploited the unusual name for comedic effect. Despite its crude name, Crapstone is known for its picturesque beauty.
7. Brokenwind
One of the most infamous 'funny' or 'rude' place names in the UK is Brokenwind, a hamlet located in Newmachar, Aberdeenshire. Originally recorded as 'Broken Wynd' in the nineteenth century, the name is derived from the layout of the area, with a 'wynd' being a winding path between two larger roads, which in this case, must have been 'broken.' Nearby Newmachar was the site of one of the British resistance patrols formed in secret during World War II by Winston Churchill. The village served as the base for a guerrilla unit, ready to launch a counteroffensive in the event of a Nazi invasion. The fact that the UK might have had to resort to such extreme measures against Nazi Germany is a chilling thought.
6. Hole of Horcrum
The Hole of Horcrum is located in the Levisham Beck valley within the North York Moors. This 'hole' is around 400 feet deep and has a horseshoe-like shape, surrounded by towering trees that frame the breathtaking valley. Described as 'spectacular' and a 'must-do walk on the North York Moors,' it is undoubtedly the most visually stunning place on this list. The unusual name comes from an urban legend involving an Anglo-Saxon chief named Wade. According to the tale, Wade, who was transformed into a giant, had a dispute with his wife. In a fit of anger, he tossed a chunk of turf at her, which is said to have created the Hole of Horcrum. While the origin of 'Horcrum' is unclear, the hole itself was formed through a process known as spring-sapping. This occurs when water accumulates at the base of a hillside, causing erosion that eventually carves out a small valley, deepening and widening over time.
5. Muff
Although the village of Muff is not technically part of the United Kingdom, it is located on the Irish border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, within County Donegal. The village attracts many residents from Northern Ireland, especially in light of the current Brexit situation. We’ve included Muff on this list due to its proximity to Northern Ireland and its strong ties to the region. The name Muff comes from Gaelic, meaning 'plain,' though the word 'muff' may also be recognized in certain British social circles as slang for female genitalia. Every August, Muff hosts the Muff Festival, which features a parade and street parties. The village even elects its own Mayor of Muff annually. Perhaps most amusingly, Muff is home to a recreational diving club called the Muff Diving Club. It’s hard to make up a place more amusing than this.
4. Wide Open
The village of Wide Open is located in the northern part of Tyne and Wear, in the North of England, with Newcastle Upon Tyne being the closest city. Typical of a northern pit village with a history rooted in coal mining, the Wideopen Colliery was established here in 1825. The colliery closed in the 20th century, and the town has seen a decline since. One of the village's most notable features is the Grade-II listed Sacred Heart RC Church, located just to the south, which is renowned for its stunning stained-glass windows. The village has gained some attention in tabloids for its unusual name, although it is often mistakenly spelled 'Wide Open' (we’ve done so intentionally here), when the correct local spelling is 'Wideopen.' This misnomer has led to postal delivery problems in the area.
3. Fanny Hands
Fanny Hands Lane is a street in Lincolnshire, near Market Rasen. The lane has garnered attention in the press due to reports that homes on it are valued around £80,000 less than those on surrounding streets. The term 'fanny' in the U.K. refers to female genitalia (though in the U.S., it’s slang for someone's bottom), and 'Hands' may be interpreted as a name or reference. Regardless, it’s a rather unusual name for a street to carry. Market Rasen, where the lane is located, is mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book and derives from an Old English word meaning 'plank,' likely referring to a bridge made of planks over a river.
2. Sluts Hole
One of the smallest but most shockingly named locations on our list is Sluts Hole Lane, near Attleborough in Norfolk, England. The lane connects Silver Street and Bunwell Road, with Besthorpe being the nearest village. The name is believed to be a mis-transcription from the 19th century, when census takers mistakenly recorded it as 'Slutch Hole Lane.' Locals in Besthorpe have attempted to restore the original name but have faced resistance, likely due to the attention the current name brings. The term 'Slutch' was thought to describe the area's muddy, wet nature, derived from the Dutch word for 'sluice,' used for draining fens. The closest city to Sluts Hole Lane is Norwich, about 10 miles to the northeast. This eccentric name has placed the lane on many lists of unusual place names in the UK, and it’s easy to see why. (P.S.: A web search for this place name is not recommended.)
1. Penistone
Penistone is likely the largest town on this list, located in South Yorkshire. A quintessential Yorkshire town, it is surrounded by expansive moors and rural countryside, adding to its charming beauty. Penistone is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as 'Penstone.' The name is thought to come from the Old Welsh word 'penn,' meaning 'height or hill,' as the town sits atop a high ridge. The town is said to have been devastated during the Norman Conquest, particularly during the Harrying of the North, but it has remained a key location in the area through the ages. Today, Penistone thrives with a vibrant community, offering a market, sports and recreational activities, and an annual agricultural show, all of which make it a lively and active place despite its often humorous name appearing on lists like this one.
