The UK has many places with bizarre names. The towns of Nasty and Booby Dingle are not just for laughs. They’re great funny place names UK to explore. Britain is home to many towns and villages with names that evoke curiosity, laughter and even blushing.
Many funny place names in Britain date back to Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse settlements. While they may not be pronounced the same way today, their origins can be traced to Celtic, Roman, and ancient Viking settlements. The original meaning of a name can change over time to become more vulgar. Whether you’re planning a road trip or just looking for an amusing conversation starter, these Funny Place Names UK are worth exploring.
1. Bell End, Birmingham
The locals of Birmingham have not been as amused by this street. The local council, after a campaign in 2018 to change the name of the street, has said it does not plan to do so. The town also has the Cock Inn Pub, which was visited by the Inbetweeners Boys on their Rude Place Names Tour in support of Comic Relief.
2. Great Bottom Flash, Basingstoke
Basingstoke Canal is one of the weird and funny place names UK to explore. It is located only 50 miles from London. It’s home to Great Bottom Flash. The ‘flash,’ or wider section of a canal is what we call a ‘flash. They are used as mini-reservoirs for canals, and they can also be nature reserves.
Great Bottom Flash, with its abundance of dragonflies and water birds, as well as a family known for their aggressiveness, is a haven for nature lovers. There are also plenty of bream in the area, making it a great fishing spot. Take a stroll along the canals and enjoy the scenery.
3. The Blind Fiddler, Cornwall
The Blind Fiddler stands between Penzance, Cornwall and St Buryan. Why it has mention in funny place names UK. The Blind Fiddler is a warning for all those who practice Pagan rituals. According to legend, the stone was once a musician that neglected his Christian duties by playing music during the Sabbath. This angered God. As punishment, the musician was turned into stone.
The stone is self-explanatory but you should also visit the area around it, and especially the beautiful harbour village of Mousehole.
4. The Bastard, Argyll-Bute
The Bastard mountain peak is located in the Knapdale-Kintyre region of the county Argyll-Bute. This is one of the weird and funny places UK. This stunning area of Scotland is known for its natural beauty and single malt whisky. It’s not one of the most difficult walks in Scotland at 188 meters (0.1 mile), but it is a popular destination because of the natural beauty of the area. You can also tell your friends that you have climbed The Bastard.
5. Nob End, Lancashire
Nob End, in the middle of the 19 th century was used as a dump for alkali waste. Here, using the Leblanc Process, sodium carbonate is manufactured. This results in a blue sludge called ‘galligu.’ It was mainly calcium sulphide, and it smelled like rotten egg!
Nob End, now a Site for Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), is home to stunning wildflowers and rare orchids that thrive in the soil rich in alkali. This is the perfect spot for a scenic walk that offers plenty of photo opportunities.
6. Ugley, Essex
Ugley, who is right behind Nasty in our alternative Seven Dwarfs lineup, comes close. Ugley funny UK place name, is home to the Women’s Institute and a riotous farmers‘ market, among other things. It has a lively social scene, and it’s a great place to stop for tea.
7. Nasty Hertfordshire
Nasty, a picturesque village in Hertfordshire, is located 50 miles from London. The village is filled with rolling hills and picturesque cottages, not the ‘nasty’ you might think. Like many funny place names UK derived from the mundane Anglo Saxon aet thaem eastern haegeI meaning ‘at eastan hedged enclosure.
8. Spankers Hill Wood, Richmond Park
This former game reserve, located in Richmond Park, is the home of herds roaming deer. The hill and woods are great for walking, and Richmond and its surrounding areas offer a wonderful place to eat, drink, and explore.
9. Tickle Cock Bridge ,West Yorkshire
Tickle Cock Bridge, the subject of a funny 2008 headline in Castleford, West Yorkshire, was made famous when the controversial decision was taken to renovate the bridge and rename it Tickle Cock. A group of locals over 50 refused to accept the name change. Wakefield Council reversed its decision thanks to the valiant efforts of a local group of over 50’s. A plaque with the original name has been erected.
10. The Bitches of Pembrokeshi
Following closely behind The Bastard, The Bitches Of Pembrokeshire are a pair of sultry ladies. Both are one of the funny place names UK. The stunning Pembrokeshire Coast, home to castles, beautiful beaches, and puffins, is a popular holiday destination. The famous Bitches are also well worth a trip. They are a group of rocks located between Ramsey Island, and the Pembrokeshire Coast. The Bitches is a popular destination for tourists and extreme sport enthusiasts. It’s also home to many famous shipwrecks.
11. Bushy Gap in Northumberland
Bushy Gap, located near the town of Rothbury in central Northumberland, is a great place to stay if you are looking to explore funny place names UK.
Northumberland is the most densely populated county in England with only 62 residents per square km. The county is lacking in population, but it makes up in breathtaking scenery.
12. Twatt, Orkney, and Shetland
Twatt is a good name for a location. Tourists often take pictures of both Twatts’ signposts. Orkney, Shetland. The Shetland location were ranked fourth in Rude Britain on a list with the most vulgar and funny place names UK.
13. Muff, County Donegal in Ireland
Visit the landscapes in County Donegal, and don’t miss out on the Muff Festival. It’s no surprise that the village of Muff, in County Donegal in Ireland, is home to a diverse range of marine wildlife, including basking seals and sharks.
14. Isle of Ewe
The Isle of Ewe, off the beautiful northwest coast of Scotland, is also a powerful statement. It is the first ‘Isle of’, which includes Man, Dogs and Muck. This funny place names UK has to be one of Britain’s most happy-sounding place. The scenery is also a bonus, as Wester Ross NSA has some of Britain’s best views.
15. Fanny Barks
Fanny Barks is located near Darlington, County Durham in the UK. It is include in unique and humorous funny place names UK which likely comes from names of local notables or former landowners.
16. Upperthong
Upperthong is a quaint village nestled in the green hills of Yorkshire not far from Holmfirth. Under this possibly giggle-inducing name lies a peaceful village known for its annual Welly Wanging Championship.
17. Sheepy Magna and Sheepy Parva funny place names UK
These two funny place names UK villages found in Leicestershire. They are strongly linked to a long history of sheep farming. Magna and Parva are Latin words that mean large and small, respectively, whereas the Sheepy portion comes from the Anglian words “scep”, which means Sheep and “eg”, meaning island. Eg did not always mean an island in the middle a lake, ocean or sea. It could also be a dry land area in a marshy region.
18. Penistone
Penistone is nestled close to Sheffield and might be the most suggestive named town in Yorkshire. Penistone, pronounced “penny-stun”, raises an entirely different type of flag… one that some may find a little too revealing.
19. Lower Swell
The word “swelle”, which is an older English term, was used to describe a mound. It literally means a swelling in the ground. Lower Swell could be derived from its position in relation to local mountains, which is at the bottom or lower part of the high ground.
Another theory suggests that the word comes from “well”, which means spring or well in Anglo-Saxon. Swell could be a contraction for Old Lady’s Well.
20. Lickey End
Lickey End has a unique and amusing name which often attracts attention. Name likely has historical origins, perhaps connected to nearby Lickey Hills which are known as a natural beauty and recreational area.
21. Great Cockup
Great Cockup is located in the beautiful Lake District, northwest England. This fell, which is a fancy word for a hill or mountain here in the Lake District, stands at 526 meters. Its origin is unclear, but it is most likely rooted in Old English and means “blind valley frequented with wild birds”.
22. Fingeringhoe
Fingringhoe village is located on a bend in the river. It could be the heel of the land to which the name refers. The finger is the continuation of this bodily reference. This is probably a finger-shaped piece of land, as this part of Essex has a number of rivers and streams that wind their way to the Thames Estuary.
23. Slag Lane
Slag Lane in Lowton is likely a remnant of the coal mining history that once existed there. One theory says it was named for the family of a local poet John Byram, who covered the dirt track with coal slag. The name “The Slag Lane” was given to the road by this practical improvement.
24. Wetwang one of the funniest UK place name
The unusual name of this village makes it a popular one in the East Riding of Yorkshire. There are two possible theories for its name.
1. It is thought to have been derived from the Old Norse vaett vangr which means a trial field. The name may have simply stuck, and only slightly changed since the Viking invasion.
2. Wetwang is simply the Wet field that was opposite the Dry Field nearby that became Driffield.
25. Pratts Bottom
Pratts Bottom, also known as Lower London or Bromley, is a village located in Greater London. The name of the village is derived by the Pratts, who settled in the area during the 14th century. “Bottom” refers in this context to a valley. The village was on the toll road that connected London to Hastings in the early 19th century. Smugglers and Highwaymen used to frequent the area.
How to Visit Funny Place Names UK and What to Do There
Visiting funny place names in the UK can be a delightful adventure. Start by planning your route; many of these quirky spots are nestled within scenic countryside or charming towns, making for an enjoyable road trip.
Once you arrive, immerse yourself in local culture. Snap selfies with signs that boast their amusing names and share them on social media for a good laugh.
Check for seasonal events or festivals happening during your visit. These occasions often bring communities together in celebration and provide insight into regional traditions and quirks worth experiencing firsthand.
Final Thoughts on Funny UK place names
Exploring the UK offers more than just historical landmarks and picturesque landscapes. It’s also a treasure trove of humor, especially when it comes to its quirky place names. From the cheeky “Shitterton” in Dorset to the charmingly named “Cockermouth” in Cumbria, these funny UK place names add a delightful twist to your travel itinerary.
Visiting these unique spots not only provides an opportunity for some fantastic photo ops but also opens doors to intriguing stories and local culture. Whether you’re seeking lighthearted adventure or simply want to impress friends with your knowledge of eccentric locations, these places are sure to deliver.
