Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Audax => Topic started by: Banjo on 03 October, 2012, 01:33:11 pm

Title: Unusual place names.
Post by: Banjo on 03 October, 2012, 01:33:11 pm: I am toying with the idea of creating a DIY based on places with daft names.

So far I have spotted "Bully hole bottom" and "Tiddleywink." Neither hamlet seems to have any possibillity of controls (not surprising really)so I may have to organize a route that passes through rather than controls at these places. Ideally one or two more oddball names will be added.

(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k5/VEGA165/Bike%20Stuff/ChepstowMonmouthRide014-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: clarion on 03 October, 2012, 01:36:52 pm: I think we've discussed this before, but there are plenty of silly names on any OS sheet. I used to live near a Rough Bottom, Thistle Bottom and Hole Bottom, a few miles from Upper Ramsbottom. My parents live near Bell End...

I wanted to do a ride from Clitheroe via Penistone to Scunthorpe. Maybe including Shatton.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Philip Whiteman on 03 October, 2012, 01:46:30 pm: There was 'Tinsel and Lanes', which ran at Christmas and just so happened to travel down the appropriately 'Tinsel Lane'.

... incidentally it is not in this year's calendar.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: tiermat on 03 October, 2012, 01:49:58 pm: When I worked in Tamworth I stayed at a B&B near King Dick's Bottom.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Jaded on 03 October, 2012, 01:56:49 pm: Woefuldane Bottom.

I took a ride to it some years ago.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Deano on 03 October, 2012, 02:17:41 pm: Chris Crossland's Season of Mists used to (and may still) have an info control at Slack Bottom.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: clarion on 03 October, 2012, 02:23:22 pm: That, and the other Bottoms I mentioned, are all pretty close together.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Somnolent on 03 October, 2012, 03:34:58 pm: The village of Lower Upham always makes me smile.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: clarion on 03 October, 2012, 03:53:12 pm: I live near Upper Pillory Down (but not Down a pillory up).
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Bairdy on 03 October, 2012, 05:05:13 pm: Blisland and Helland in Cornwall always makes me laugh.
Just over 3 miles apart. I wonder if they meet halfway for a scrap now and again.

http://goo.gl/maps/3LWMk
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Hummers on 03 October, 2012, 05:11:00 pm: Wilsford cum lake

:-X

H
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: pioto on 03 October, 2012, 06:32:07 pm: http://brewpublic.com/beer-news/expletive-beer/

Rottenegg is only 20k from my home. The other place is in Austria. Too difficult to integrate into a UK event, but maybe worth visiting anyway.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: recumbentim on 03 October, 2012, 06:46:43 pm: Fochabers makes ken Bruce laugh on radio 2
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: BlackSheep on 03 October, 2012, 08:40:47 pm: This place (just outside Ardens Grafton, Warwickshire) is little Britain. http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=52.186721,-1.825962&spn=0.000053,0.038581&t=p&z=15&layer=c&cbll=52.186723,-1.834163&panoid=f8Ja4dfWXcEFMefUVTJ8-g&cbp=13,275.48,,0,9.2

And for those that are "Out There", you could always spend some time in "Happy Land" http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=51.641885,-1.923895&spn=0.000053,0.038581&t=p&z=15&layer=c&cbll=51.64188,-1.932088&panoid=ikqq31lW1hoxT7DRQt_u2Q&cbp=12,21.02,,1,11.18
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Charlie Boy on 03 October, 2012, 08:53:25 pm: There is of course the famous German 1200 from near Munich up to Dusseldorf and back. It goes from Wank to Wankum and back to Wank. It's can only be done as a DIY, no helping hands I'm afraid. Perhaps a group attempt one year?
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Bairdy on 03 October, 2012, 09:01:36 pm: Quote from: Hummers on 03 October, 2012, 05:11:00 pm
Wilsford cum lake

:-X

H

I had to Google that!
Along with that profile picture it was too much to believe!
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Revolution9 on 03 October, 2012, 09:18:28 pm: Cockburnspath?
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Revellinho on 03 October, 2012, 09:30:21 pm: Peak riders could always take ride on the Snake to Penis-tone... fnar fnar
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Wowbagger on 03 October, 2012, 09:33:06 pm: In Essex, there's Burnt Dick Hill, which is in Constable Country, and Fingringhoe, jst south of Colchester (I'm going there tomorrow). We've discussed the Scunthorpe-Penistone-Clitheroe route before, but no-one has yet done it so far as I know. I think perhaps I might try to do it next year, if I have a few days to spare. A pal lives in Brigg, and Mrs. Wow's sister lives not a million miles from Pendle Hill, so I've got accommodation guaranteed.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: JayP on 03 October, 2012, 09:43:04 pm: Inter-planetary riders are often found up Uranus ??? :sick: :facepalm:
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: jogler on 03 October, 2012, 09:47:13 pm: Does Cuntgrope Lane qualify?
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Reg.T on 09 December, 2013, 04:03:22 pm: On the A370 near Weston Super Mare is a sign to Box Bush, where there is a Box Bush Farm.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: marcusjb on 09 December, 2013, 04:31:55 pm: I often ride up a Fine Bush Lane near Harefield.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Philip Whiteman on 09 December, 2013, 06:40:21 pm: (https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/28057_3990730015985_136560643_n.jpg?lvh=1)

and the misses pointing at her favourite destination
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/400065_3989820073237_130149090_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: hellymedic on 09 December, 2013, 07:22:38 pm: Quote from: marcusjb on 09 December, 2013, 04:31:55 pm
I often ride up a Fine Bush Lane near Harefield.

Thence to New Year's Green and Christmas Common?
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: MAC on 09 December, 2013, 07:48:57 pm: Cockermouth *schoolboy snigger*. Good controls as well.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: MAC on 09 December, 2013, 07:58:17 pm: ...then of course there is: Scratchy Bottom, Devon. Sandy Balls, Hampshire. Thong, Kent. The Knob, Oxfordshire. Brokenwind, Aberdeenshire. Shitterton, Dorset. Hours of fun.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Paul Palmer on 09 December, 2013, 09:48:54 pm: Near Rye, East Sussex. "Dumb Womans Lane" And in Kent "Pratts Bottom"
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: little miss mac on 09 December, 2013, 09:53:49 pm: I used to live in the cutesy sounding Squitchey Lane, Summertown. Where only picket fences and kittens happen.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Canardly on 09 December, 2013, 09:57:32 pm: Wibbly wobbly lane Hitchin
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: mustgettaller on 09 December, 2013, 10:43:16 pm: Driving across France on the way back from skiing, the town of Pussy was signposted. Luckly 12 year old son was asleep... ;D
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Kim on 10 December, 2013, 12:25:13 am: Quote from: marcusjb on 09 December, 2013, 04:31:55 pm
I often ride up a Fine Bush Lane near Harefield.

I once missed the turning for Fine Bush Lane while failing to keep up with Charlotte...
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Doo on 10 December, 2013, 01:22:21 am: Am sure I passed signs for Buttcombe on Stroud 5 valleys perm. (Buttcombe beer was being served in local pub too).
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Somnolent on 10 December, 2013, 09:08:26 am: Quote from: mustgettaller on 09 December, 2013, 10:43:16 pm
Driving across France on the way back from skiing, the town of Pussy was signposted. Luckly 12 year old son was asleep... ;D

And down in the South West there is the town of Condom
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condom,_Gers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condom,_Gers)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Reg.T on 10 December, 2013, 10:28:13 am: Quote from: Doo on 10 December, 2013, 01:22:21 am
Am sure I passed signs for Buttcombe on Stroud 5 valleys perm. (Buttcombe beer was being served in local pub too).
Close, but it is Butcombe. Nice village. Good brewery.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Viking on 10 December, 2013, 11:29:16 am: In darkest Aberdeenshire in the Cairngorms National Park

(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6102/6260837364_472b0b91ac_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Jethro on 10 December, 2013, 02:33:07 pm: Surprided that no-ones yet mentioned "Bell End" on the A491 between Bromsgrove and Stourbridge.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: T42 on 10 December, 2013, 03:56:16 pm: Struth and Bust, about 50k from here.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: jsabine on 10 December, 2013, 04:51:15 pm: Ugley in Essex and Nasty in Herts, close enough to each other that we quite often do a Nasty Ugley ride.

(Apparently though, the Ugley Women's Institute has succumbed to pressure and is now more flatteringly known as the Women's Institute of Ugley.)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: jamesld8 on 10 December, 2013, 05:19:35 pm: Pant Farm at Willey near Presteigne ....
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Kim on 10 December, 2013, 05:25:28 pm: Quote from: Jethro on 10 December, 2013, 02:33:07 pm
Surprided that no-ones yet mentioned "Bell End" on the A491 between Bromsgrove and Stourbridge.

Weeford - Bell End - Piddle Lake is a ride that needs doing, if it wasn't for all the Birmingham in the way.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Basil on 10 December, 2013, 06:21:10 pm: I often drive through Plwmp on the A487 on the way to the beach.
I do hope there is a Plwmp Women's Institute.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: hellymedic on 10 December, 2013, 07:39:08 pm: Quote from: jsabine on 10 December, 2013, 04:51:15 pm
Ugley in Essex and Nasty in Herts, close enough to each other that we quite often do a Nasty Ugley ride.

(Apparently though, the Ugley Women's Institute has succumbed to pressure and is now more flatteringly known as the Women's Institute of Ugley.)

The Shaftesbury huts at 'Henham' are really in Ugley Green aren't they?
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Feanor on 10 December, 2013, 07:53:52 pm: Quote from: Viking on 10 December, 2013, 11:29:16 am
In darkest Aberdeenshire in the Cairngorms National Park

(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6102/6260837364_472b0b91ac_z.jpg)

Yes, the council have a problem with that sign: it keeps getting stolen!
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 10 December, 2013, 07:58:16 pm: Quote from: hellymedic on 09 December, 2013, 07:22:38 pm
Quote from: marcusjb on 09 December, 2013, 04:31:55 pm
I often ride up a Fine Bush Lane near Harefield.

Thence to New Year's Green and Christmas Common?

I used to live at Breakspear Stables Cottage, Breakspear Road North, Harefield. Unusual in the amount of Letraset I got through. I see Marcus JB has used the footpath to get up the hill leading into Harefield.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Grandad on 13 December, 2013, 09:28:08 pm: Quote
(Apparently though, the Ugley Women's Institute has succumbed to pressure and is now more flatteringly known as the Women's Institute of Ugley.)

Similar problem for the ladies in Loose near Maidstone
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 December, 2013, 11:10:24 pm: Quote from: Grandad on 13 December, 2013, 09:28:08 pm
Quote
(Apparently though, the Ugley Women's Institute has succumbed to pressure and is now more flatteringly known as the Women's Institute of Ugley.)

Similar problem for the ladies in Loose near Maidstone

Not to speak of the Working Men's Club in Idle, Yorkshire...
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Spike on 14 December, 2013, 05:45:32 pm: On my LEJOG this year I found Darkey lane in Devon. Fiddlers Green... and the best was near Carlisle...The Willey Farm ! Which was a pedigree beef farm !
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Moose57 on 14 December, 2013, 06:23:36 pm: Lewd Lane in Smarden, ooooo I say.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Phil W on 14 December, 2013, 09:04:47 pm: Ugley and Nasty
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: tonyh on 14 December, 2013, 09:40:25 pm: In Bruton there's Lusty Lane. (It's near Sexey's School.)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: GraemeMcC on 16 December, 2013, 12:48:55 pm: I'm surprised Clarion didn't mention another local spot - Upper Ramsbottom - just where you want to be?

Best innovative name for me was at the bottom of a steep dip on the A488 between Clun and Knighton where one will find New Invention. I guess that had to be brakes!
So good, I've done the Offa's Dyke 600 twice...

Another route delight for me (from the Teifi Traveller 400) was to discover that Llanddewi Brefi exists for real. Perhaps I was the only "Grae"(me) in the village?
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Spike on 16 December, 2013, 11:21:11 pm: I lived near Lusty Lane in Bruton when I was a kid....small world eh...
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: The French Tandem on 20 December, 2013, 12:25:44 pm: Quote from: PpPete on 10 December, 2013, 09:08:26 am
And down in the South West there is the town of Condom
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condom,_Gers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condom,_Gers)

The exact name of this town is "Condom-sur-Baïse". For those who don't speak french, it can be translated into "Condom on f**k"
Strangely enough, the locals are not aware of the pun, since the word "condom" is not used in France.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Peter on 20 December, 2013, 01:58:41 pm: There's a village or suburb to the west of Whitchurch called Chemistry.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Lars on 20 December, 2013, 02:01:59 pm: Close to the start of the Witham audaxes this year one turned R onto Gay Bowers Road.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 21 December, 2013, 09:33:05 am: There's a Titty Hill between Midhurst and Milland marked on the Landranger Ordnance Survey Maps but no road signs unfortunately, they point to Queens Corner.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Rainmaker on 22 December, 2013, 08:21:48 am: One which always raised a smile on the Burton-Bala-Bash was "the knockin shop" in Knockin.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Deano on 23 December, 2013, 09:57:32 pm: I am astonished that no one's mentioned Wetwang.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: madcow on 23 December, 2013, 10:04:07 pm: or Booze
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=UTF-8&q=booze+swaledale&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x487c3d83f6b2e9fd:0x186ca452188de1f8,Booze,+North+Yorkshire&gl=uk&ei=zrK4UrOaKLHT7Aa81YHwDg&ved=0CHYQtgMwCg (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=UTF-8&q=booze+swaledale&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x487c3d83f6b2e9fd:0x186ca452188de1f8,Booze,+North+Yorkshire&gl=uk&ei=zrK4UrOaKLHT7Aa81YHwDg&ved=0CHYQtgMwCg)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Deano on 23 December, 2013, 10:16:24 pm: Or Boosbeckistan (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=70361.msg1457894#msg1457894), near Saltburn.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Marmitegeoff on 24 December, 2013, 07:50:15 am: In South Cerney is a lane called 'BOW WOW' the road sign is always being nicked.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Ningishzidda on 24 December, 2013, 07:52:45 am: Route the ride through somewhere the riders will feel at home.
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j433/Lighthorse2/BellEnd_zpsf6037f62.png) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/Lighthorse2/media/BellEnd_zpsf6037f62.png.html)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: hillbilly on 24 December, 2013, 09:37:47 am: "Pease Pottage".

Familiar to randonneurs in the South East, as it has a 24 hrs M-way service and features on some el Supremo rides. It isn't rude, it isn't a pun, or even a double-entendre. It's just unusual. It's entymology is rather suited to audax, as it apparently refers to "Pease Pudding" which was handed out to convicts breaking up the long journey from London to Horsham/East Grinstead.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Rocinante Mk III on 24 December, 2013, 06:19:41 pm: If you need to get your head down for a quick 40 winks on a grass verge then 'Land of Nod' south of Market Weighton should be on the list.
Howdy by the way.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Karla on 24 December, 2013, 07:02:08 pm: I've just learned that Grape Lane in York is one of several streets round the country that used to be called some variation of "Gropecunt Lane", due to the trade practised by certain ladies on those streets.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Reg.T on 14 April, 2014, 01:05:08 pm: Rode an Audax on Saturday through (what might be) the centre of the file-sharing universe: Uploders.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 April, 2014, 02:40:25 pm: Quote from: Marmitegeoff on 24 December, 2013, 07:50:15 am
In South Cerney is a lane called 'BOW WOW' the road sign is always being nicked.
Rode along there on Saturday! It wasn't exactly on my route but I couldn't resist it.

Not terribly far away the other side of Cirencester is Ready Token, which isn't exactly funny but I do like. A lot further off, in Poland in fact, is a place called Złote Sutki, which translates as "Golden Nipples".
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Bugloss on 14 April, 2014, 04:57:40 pm: There's always Misery in France that's good for a laugh.

(http://strangesounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Misery-France.jpg)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: sojournermike on 14 April, 2014, 05:54:52 pm: I rode thruogh Bedlam yesterday morning, but always liked Upper and Lower Piddle

This is like being back at school...
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Bugloss on 14 April, 2014, 06:27:27 pm: Brown Willy, Bodmin. :sick:

(http://www.cornwalls.co.uk/photos/data/media/4/brown_willy_bodmin_moor.jpg)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Colin. on 15 April, 2014, 04:39:52 am: Drag arse hill on the B1078 in Suffolk ;D
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 15 April, 2014, 10:25:23 pm: Quote from: Bugloss on 14 April, 2014, 06:27:27 pm
Brown Willy, Bodmin. :sick:

(http://www.cornwalls.co.uk/photos/data/media/4/brown_willy_bodmin_moor.jpg)

It has its own meteorological phenomenon, predictably known as the Brown Willy Effect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_willy_effect
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 15 April, 2014, 10:26:09 pm: Quote from: Reg.T on 14 April, 2014, 01:05:08 pm
Rode an Audax on Saturday through (what might be) the centre of the file-sharing universe: Uploders.

Its just down from Loders.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Dibdib on 15 April, 2014, 10:52:02 pm: Quote from: Marmitegeoff on 24 December, 2013, 07:50:15 am
In South Cerney is a lane called 'BOW WOW' the road sign is always being nicked.

Not a million miles away from Happy Land (http://goo.gl/maps/zHAB5) in Ashton Keynes either.

Although my favourite around here is still just t'other side of Chippenham, out towards Castle Coombe, the village of Tiddleywink (http://goo.gl/maps/DNfBs):

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/23853117/YACF/Tidleywink.PNG)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: steenie on 16 April, 2014, 01:21:13 pm: We went through Twatt in Orkney last summer.

(https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/61256_10151877202124384_661279168_n.jpg)

The souvenir shops in Kirkwall were doing a roaring trade in mugs, t-shirts, fridge magnets etc.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: haffers on 16 April, 2014, 10:23:01 pm: A ride from my sisters holiday home in Selsey back to my home takes me from Manhood in to Maidenhead.

Well it didnt have to as I do not live in Maidenhead but it made for a good ride (snigger-snigger) ;D
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 17 April, 2014, 10:35:46 am: Quote from: haffers on 16 April, 2014, 10:23:01 pm
A ride from my sisters holiday home in Selsey back to my home takes me from Manhood in to Maidenhead.

Well it didnt have to as I do not live in Maidenhead but it made for a good ride (snigger-snigger) ;D

You could take in Titty Hill and Stud Green en route.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Kim on 15 January, 2018, 05:34:46 pm: Quote from: clarion on 03 October, 2012, 01:36:52 pm
My parents live near Bell End...

Bagged it. And the other one. Only the road has a sign, thobut.

(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/cycling/2018_01_15_15_05_04.sized.jpg)

https://www.strava.com/activities/1358645296
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: SoreTween on 15 January, 2018, 08:19:42 pm: :thumbsup:

Clatter (Powys) - Rattle (Derbyshire) - Shatterford (Worcestershire) comes out just wrong at 450kms
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 15 January, 2018, 08:28:52 pm: Blimey this is an old thread. Oh well. I'll check in dancing dicks just outside Witham. Gutted someone else had wet Wang but my favourite out near Brentwood wiggly bush lane. We also have a lockram lane near me which is vandalised/edited fairly obviously fairly often.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Jaded on 15 January, 2018, 10:57:35 pm: Quote from: Kim on 15 January, 2018, 05:34:46 pm
Quote from: clarion on 03 October, 2012, 01:36:52 pm
My parents live near Bell End...

Bagged it. And the other one. Only the road has a sign, thobut.

(http://www.ductilebiscuit.net/gallery_albums/cycling/2018_01_15_15_05_04.sized.jpg)

https://www.strava.com/activities/1358645296

It's hopefully (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-42610625) been rescued from a name change.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Moleman76 on 16 January, 2018, 12:24:23 am: Up on Steens Mountain in the southeast part of the USAnian state of Oregon, one finds an area named on maps as "Naughty Girl Meadows" . Apparently sheepherders were 'entertained' there. Some sheepherders carved their memory of pastimes onto the birch trees there, as well.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 January, 2018, 11:11:52 am: Back in the autumn I combined the rock and roll lifestyle with audaxing by doing a ride to Druggers End (http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=379500&Y=238500&A=Y&Z=120) and Drinkers End. (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=383200&Y=230580&A=Y&Z=120&ax=382195&ay=230495) Unfortunately both are more prominently marked on the map than on the ground.

Then I rode Chris Froome's Pinarello into a swimming pool and threw a TV out of a bus shelter window.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 January, 2018, 11:13:23 am: There's also this place:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4376/35737269313_807edc45d9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WrYR6K)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: markcjagar on 16 January, 2018, 07:38:50 pm: Sutton cum Lound near Retford
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Kim on 16 January, 2018, 07:40:30 pm: Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 January, 2018, 11:13:23 am
There's also this place:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4376/35737269313_807edc45d9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WrYR6K)

I think that's more "saw this and thought of you" than "unusual".
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: drossall on 16 January, 2018, 09:23:32 pm: Nobody has mentioned Dull, Boring and Bland (http://www.itv.com/news/2017-07-28/dull-boring-and-bland-worlds-most-tediously-named-towns-team-up-to-pull-in-the-tourists/) yet.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Basil on 16 January, 2018, 10:45:02 pm: I have always been intrigued by the village named Y in the Somme. I think they should be twinned with Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.

(Yes, I know that name was invented by the Victorian travel industry and it's not really called that.)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: drossall on 16 January, 2018, 11:19:21 pm: So Y is pres de Ypres?
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Jaded on 16 January, 2018, 11:36:00 pm: Wooly-ish (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Woefuldane+Bottom,+Minchinhampton,+Stroud+GL6+9AS/@51.7023645,-2.1783166,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x48710cfecfdb43bd:0xe1095f37110a0899)

Oh, sorry, we've had this bottom before.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: BeMoreMike on 18 January, 2018, 07:35:47 pm: I live near Willey...it's quite small and unremarkable.

Going to Fingringhoe in Essex is always a lovely experience though.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Stretch on 19 January, 2018, 08:36:11 pm: (https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4743/38885576585_0541d8cfd3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/22fbKaB)Smut! (https://flic.kr/p/22fbKaB) by Al (https://www.flickr.com/photos/highy/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: paulworthington53 on 20 January, 2018, 01:08:31 pm: https://www.citymetric.com/fabric/16-things-we-learned-list-every-single-road-name-great-britain-3611
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: john jackson on 26 January, 2018, 10:37:44 pm: In Cheshire we have
Peover Superior. Peover Inferior, Over Peover, Lower Peover
Locals pronounce the name as Pver
There is a pub in Peover which has changed its name due to changing times
It was "The Gay Dog" until 1988
The name changed to the "The Dog Inn" the pub has a very nice car park
In 2013 the pub changed it name to "The Dog"

http://www.thedogpeover.co.uk/about/ (http://www.thedogpeover.co.uk/about/)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Vince on 26 January, 2018, 10:44:34 pm: I'm surprised that Nempnett Thrubwell hasn't made it to this list so far.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: paulworthington53 on 26 January, 2018, 11:02:48 pm: Forgot to mention - in Liverpool we have Menlove Avenue. And then there's the - somewhat less than vanilla - Rimmer Avenue...
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 27 January, 2018, 08:04:54 pm: Just had a control In Loosdrecht on the Bunnik 200
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Socks on 28 January, 2018, 12:19:23 pm: No Place in County Durham - although I haven't managed to route an audax event through there yet. And Pity Me also in County Durham - might be good for a 400k event.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: cotteredcrank on 28 January, 2018, 02:51:48 pm: Riders in West Sussex can enjoy Cocking!
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: mr ben on 31 January, 2018, 03:00:49 pm: The Blackpool-Glasgow-Blackpool last year went passed Wide open Dykes just north of Carlisle.

I've just noticed that the thread title is unusual place names, not vulgar, smutty, crude, immature, etc...but perhaps that's just what many of us find interesting around here. ::-)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Somnolent on 01 February, 2018, 10:59:39 pm: Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 January, 2018, 11:13:23 am
There's also this place:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4376/35737269313_807edc45d9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WrYR6K)
I once manned a control there.

Going out the other way from Somnolent Towers is Upham (Which always makes me think of Cpl Jones' "They don't like it...")
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: nikki on 02 February, 2018, 07:01:17 pm: Quote from: mr ben on 31 January, 2018, 03:00:49 pm
I've just noticed that the thread title is unusual place names

oh, right, so you mean more like when there aren't a lot of places with the same name?

(click to show/hide)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4629/40012876752_a8e744c516_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: BrianI on 02 February, 2018, 08:29:14 pm: Puddledub?

Must be a very wet place, if the puddles have dubs¹ in them!

You know you are in Fife, when you have place names such as Auchter~~spanner~~tool and Auchtermuchty! :thumbsup:

¹http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dub
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: tonyh on 03 February, 2018, 06:34:04 am: Lovely word, lovely link. Thanks Brian!
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: pdm on 03 February, 2018, 09:37:44 am: Of course, there is also No Man's Land just south of Horningtop on the way to Looe in Cornwall...
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: megajoulesexpenditure on 03 February, 2018, 11:11:16 am: One of our favourites on our events is Ecclefechan,to which many people reply Wear the fox hat? ;D
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Pingu on 03 February, 2018, 12:05:56 pm: Quote from: BrianI on 02 February, 2018, 08:29:14 pm
Puddledub?

Must be a very wet place, if the puddles have dubs¹ in them!

You know you are in Fife, when you have place names such as Auchter~~spanner~~tool and Auchtermuchty! :thumbsup:

¹http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dub

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb0kiiB3O-o
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 03 February, 2018, 12:42:01 pm: Mmmm Puddledub Pork. Mmmm bacunz..... :P
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: hellymedic on 03 February, 2018, 01:28:43 pm: Is Auchtermuchty Scots for Toller Porcorum?
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 04 February, 2018, 11:34:57 am: I always liked the route sheet instruction on the Elenith.

In Pontrhydfendigaid R SP Pont-y-rhyd-y-groes.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: T42 on 04 February, 2018, 11:55:25 am: On a BCMF in the Massif Central we went through Valcivières - Valley of the Stretchers.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: nadir on 17 February, 2018, 06:32:38 pm: Last summer, on a tour of Scotland, I cycled through Dull, a village just outside Aberfeldy. I also noted that it was twinned with the town of Boring, Oregon, in the USA.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Wowbagger on 04 September, 2023, 06:01:01 pm: Do we have a Lyn on the forum?

And you get to Lynsore Bottom along Pett Bottom Lane. I've shocked, surprised and disappointed that this forum has been in existence for more than 15 years yet this is the first time I have heard of these little gems.

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=616500&Y=149500&A=Y&Z=120

(Tim Hall or someone will be along in a moment to tell me that I haven't been paying attention for a Very Long Time).
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: paulworthington53 on 04 September, 2023, 06:58:34 pm: https://strava.app.link/mHYqSTcePCb

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: LiamFitz on 12 October, 2023, 02:50:25 pm: I have a running gag going with a friend that if we ever write novels, the main characters will be named after places on English roadsigns. I'm thinking of an Agatha Christie whodunnit or an American Civil War saga featuring Hampstead Norries, Carlton Brinkley, Shirley Hattersley, Cleobury Mortimer, Stanley Pontlarge, Drayton Beauchamp and Eaton Hastings. Maybe it could be set in the family home of the Slaughters of Oxfordshire?

Perhaps Nancy Mulhouse could put in a guest appearance from France.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Kim on 12 October, 2023, 02:54:02 pm: Bentley Pauncefoot should be in there somewhere.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 October, 2023, 03:13:43 pm: And you could send the Bad Aussee off to Germany.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Jaded on 12 October, 2023, 03:24:31 pm: There are plenty more, Leonard Stanley, Ashton Keynes, Clifford Chambers, Nevill Holt.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: robgul on 12 October, 2023, 06:49:02 pm: Quote from: LiamFitz on 12 October, 2023, 02:50:25 pm
I have a running gag going with a friend that if we ever write novels, the main characters will be named after places on English roadsigns. I'm thinking of an Agatha Christie whodunnit or an American Civil War saga featuring Hampstead Norries, Carlton Brinkley, Shirley Hattersley, Cleobury Mortimer, Stanley Pontlarge, Drayton Beauchamp and Eaton Hastings. Maybe it could be set in the family home of the Slaughters of Oxfordshire?

Perhaps Nancy Mulhouse could put in a guest appearance from France.

Years ago I used to drive from home in N Essex to Cheltenham every Monday morning to work for the week - it always amused me to see the road sign on the A40 just into Gloucestereshire "The Barringtons and the Rissingtons" ;D

. . . and when we moved to Gloucestershire we looked at a house at Stanley Pontlarge.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Nuncio on 12 October, 2023, 07:59:44 pm: Quote from: LiamFitz on 12 October, 2023, 02:50:25 pm
I have a running gag going with a friend that if we ever write novels, the main characters will be named after places on English roadsigns. I'm thinking of an Agatha Christie whodunnit or an American Civil War saga featuring Hampstead Norries, Carlton Brinkley, Shirley Hattersley, Cleobury Mortimer, Stanley Pontlarge, Drayton Beauchamp and Eaton Hastings. Maybe it could be set in the family home of the Slaughters of Oxfordshire?

Perhaps Nancy Mulhouse could put in a guest appearance from France.
Here's a short story on the same theme.

A man on holiday in the Lincolnshire Wolds decided to take a bus. He'd never been on one before so nervously asked the woman in front of him in the queue what to do. The woman told him just to follow her lead.
The bus turned up and they got on.
Woman [to driver]: 'Mavis Enderby, single'
She is given a ticket.
Man, confidently: 'Earnest Spencer, widowed, 2 children'
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Tull924 on 12 October, 2023, 09:15:14 pm: This is local to me and always makes me chuckle

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.055487,-2.5568528,3a,19.2y,11.07h,80.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgCUMXqG_3LlwrOhRz1k0dg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

I suppose I should get a photo for my sign project - https://www.instagram.com/brandonsukplacenames/
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 12 October, 2023, 09:25:04 pm: This was reminding me of various "Watery Lanes" that have turned out to be appropriate names, at least for canoes rather than Audaxers. Although sadly, on one very wet edition of the Dean, where we got to "R at SP no meaningful road markings", which was ironic because all three roads were under six inches of muddy water, it turned out that none of them was a "Watery Lane".
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Salvatore on 12 October, 2023, 09:53:50 pm: Quote from: Nuncio on 12 October, 2023, 07:59:44 pm
Quote from: LiamFitz on 12 October, 2023, 02:50:25 pm
I have a running gag going with a friend that if we ever write novels, the main characters will be named after places on English roadsigns. I'm thinking of an Agatha Christie whodunnit or an American Civil War saga featuring Hampstead Norries, Carlton Brinkley, Shirley Hattersley, Cleobury Mortimer, Stanley Pontlarge, Drayton Beauchamp and Eaton Hastings. Maybe it could be set in the family home of the Slaughters of Oxfordshire?

Perhaps Nancy Mulhouse could put in a guest appearance from France.
Here's a short story on the same theme.

A man on holiday in the Lincolnshire Wolds decided to take a bus. He'd never been on one before so nervously asked the woman in front of him in the queue what to do. The woman told him just to follow her lead.
The bus turned up and they got on.
Woman [to driver]: 'Mavis Enderby, single'
She is given a ticket.
Man, confidently: 'Earnest Spencer, widowed, 2 children'

Told to me by Pete Gifford one dark night somewhere in the Fens on the Great Eastern 1000 circa 1990.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: robgul on 13 October, 2023, 07:26:55 am: Quote from: Tull924 on 12 October, 2023, 09:15:14 pm
This is local to me and always makes me chuckle

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.055487,-2.5568528,3a,19.2y,11.07h,80.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgCUMXqG_3LlwrOhRz1k0dg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

I suppose I should get a photo for my sign project - https://www.instagram.com/brandonsukplacenames/

If you get to Upton-on-Severn then Minge Lane is waiting to be photographed
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 13 October, 2023, 09:38:41 am: One game I play is to reverse place names - a little bit like Emitremmus Desrever is Summertime Reversed. One of the best is Odiham - which becomes Mahido - the best martial art never invented.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: drossall on 25 December, 2023, 10:25:42 pm: Quote from: hellymedic on 09 December, 2013, 07:22:38 pm
Thence to New Year's Green and Christmas Common?
There was a discussion somewhere in which I suggested linking Christmas Common to Cold Christmas, near Ware. I've just discovered that there's also a Christmas Pie (https://normandyhistorians.co.uk/aandp3.html), west of Guildford at Flexford. Looks as though it's going to have to be a London Orbital event.

Season's greetings, everyone!
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Lightning Phil on 25 December, 2023, 10:32:06 pm: There’s also Christmas Wood near Kimpton but no sign to pose by like the others! Or Christmas Field road in Sible Hedingham, Essex https://maps.app.goo.gl/quoVyTNtBXf3fbSR9?g_st=ic
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: drossall on 25 December, 2023, 10:41:35 pm: I have to say I've never come across that one, and it's local. I've certainly ridden that way a fair few times. Thanks!
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: djmc on 25 December, 2023, 11:44:33 pm: Not for Christmas but near Chelmsford there are Good Easter and High Easter.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: hellymedic on 25 December, 2023, 11:58:15 pm: Essex also has Matching Green and Matching Tye, for the sartorially elegant.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 26 December, 2023, 08:37:31 am: In these discussions the Leicestershire villages of Newtown Unthank and Barton in the Beans are usually mentioned.
Both reputedly named with Great Plague connections (Unthank because they thought wrongly they'd got away with it, and Barton who subsisted on a stash of beans. Hmmmm).
In living memory Barton-in-the-Beans (hyphens being optional) had a splendid home-spun cyclists' cafe.

There's also Ab Kettleby.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: ElyDave on 26 December, 2023, 09:01:12 am: Not specifically a place name, one of my favourites is in the town of Eye in Suffolk, a sign pointing to the Eye Cemetery, with visions of rows of matchboxe sized little coffins and gravemarkers
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: John Stonebridge on 26 December, 2023, 09:43:53 am: There's an Unthank on the outskirts of Brechin too https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unthank,_Angus
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Rod Marton on 26 December, 2023, 09:46:16 am: Quote from: hellymedic on 25 December, 2023, 11:58:15 pm
Essex also has Matching Green and Matching Tye, for the sartorially elegant.
Back in my Essex days there was an Audaxer with the address The Green, Matching Tye. Almost unbeatable.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: canny colin on 26 December, 2023, 11:10:31 am: Make me rich in Geordieshire and Hookergate , south of the border ( the river Tyne ) . All ways raise a smile .
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 December, 2023, 12:07:43 pm: Quote from: Tull924 on 12 October, 2023, 09:15:14 pm
I suppose I should get a photo for my sign project - https://www.instagram.com/brandonsukplacenames/
:D :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: psyclist on 26 December, 2023, 06:05:38 pm: Quote from: hellymedic on 25 December, 2023, 11:58:15 pm
Essex also has Matching Green and Matching Tye, for the sartorially elegant.

Tye Green is nearby too
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Tomsk on 26 December, 2023, 06:38:49 pm: Great Totham in Essex - nothing unusual in that, but a mile up the road there's another village of that name. They're known locally as Totham North and Totham South, and there's also a Little Totham, Totham Plains and Totham Hill.

Btw, I seem to recall that the Fox pub in Matching Tye was for a short while a restaurant called 'Thai Silk', excellent!
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Deano on 26 December, 2023, 08:14:10 pm: Quote from: LiamFitz on 12 October, 2023, 02:50:25 pm
I have a running gag going with a friend that if we ever write novels, the main characters will be named after places on English roadsigns. I'm thinking of an Agatha Christie whodunnit or an American Civil War saga featuring Hampstead Norries, Carlton Brinkley, Shirley Hattersley, Cleobury Mortimer, Stanley Pontlarge, Drayton Beauchamp and Eaton Hastings. Maybe it could be set in the family home of the Slaughters of Oxfordshire?

Perhaps Nancy Mulhouse could put in a guest appearance from France.

They're my favourites too, particularly Patrick Brompton near Bedale (not a forgotten heart-throb from the Hollywood golden era, I reckon they named it after the church of St Patrick to differentiate it from the other two Bromptons nearby) and Victoria Garfield up in the coalfields of northern County Durham. Which was just Garfield colliery, but the owners thought they'd curry favour with the queen and added her name.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: hellymedic on 26 December, 2023, 10:05:17 pm: Quote from: John Stonebridge on 26 December, 2023, 09:43:53 am
There's an Unthank on the outskirts of Brechin too https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unthank,_Angus

There’s one in Norwich...
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: jsabine on 27 December, 2023, 10:12:37 am: Quote from: hellymedic on 26 December, 2023, 10:05:17 pm
Quote from: John Stonebridge on 26 December, 2023, 09:43:53 am
There's an Unthank on the outskirts of Brechin too https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unthank,_Angus

There’s one in Norwich...

And there are several touring the country's music venues at present
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: GdS on 27 December, 2023, 06:07:28 pm: Boston-New York-Denver-California

without leaving East Anglia

or Quebec if you want to then go down to West Sussex
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 December, 2023, 06:11:03 pm: Egypt near Farnham Royal, Cyprus in London
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 27 December, 2023, 06:14:55 pm: Botany Bay is near Burton upon Trent, also near Enfield and Tintern.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEYseM_R6Hk
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: L CC on 27 December, 2023, 09:38:36 pm: Quote from: GdS on 27 December, 2023, 06:07:28 pm
Boston-New York-Denver-California

without leaving East Anglia

or Quebec if you want to then go down to West Sussex
Québec, Toronto, Washington, New York all within 30 miles of home
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Flite on 27 December, 2023, 10:01:42 pm: And Philadelphia?
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: drossall on 27 December, 2023, 10:20:07 pm: Mentioned already in similar threads, but my club's Boxing Day 10 started in Ireland, on the former Hitchin-Bedford railway line.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: hellymedic on 27 December, 2023, 11:25:33 pm: Wales is on the outskirts of Sheffield...
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Jaded on 28 December, 2023, 12:01:02 am: Quote from: jsabine on 27 December, 2023, 10:12:37 am
Quote from: hellymedic on 26 December, 2023, 10:05:17 pm
Quote from: John Stonebridge on 26 December, 2023, 09:43:53 am
There's an Unthank on the outskirts of Brechin too https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unthank,_Angus

There’s one in Norwich...

And there are several touring the country's music venues at present

Indeed, which reminds me, I need to get a photo on thr gigs thread ;D
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Tom B on 28 December, 2023, 12:48:33 am: Quote
I have a running gag going with a friend that if we ever write novels, the main characters will be named after places on English roadsigns

English village… or U.S. novelist? (https://www.sporcle.com/games/anarresti/english-village-or-us-novelist-1)
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: drossall on 28 December, 2023, 11:42:26 am: Quote from: GdS on 27 December, 2023, 06:07:28 pm
Boston-New York-Denver-California

without leaving East Anglia
Not to mention New England, south-east of Haverhill.
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: GdS on 28 December, 2023, 12:33:22 pm: Slightly OT but

http://www.projectmapping.co.uk/Reviews/Resources/london-se1.gif

The anagram for Southern is very apt
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: Ian H on 28 December, 2023, 04:07:53 pm: Dead Woman's Ditch on top of the Quantocks. Nately Scures (a well-known Dickens character) nr Basingstoke. The various Piddles around west Dorset (some bowdlerised to Puddle, but the river is still a Piddle).

And this: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.7585755,-3.4419866,20z?hl=en&entry=ttu
Title: Re: Unusual place names.
Post by: hellymedic on 29 December, 2023, 11:22:36 pm: Not to speak of Shitterton/Sitterton, nearby…

‘Valley of the pigs’ gives rise to excellent place names...