Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Steve H on November 01, 2018, 11:41:30 PM

Title: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Steve H on November 01, 2018, 11:41:30 PM
Fifehead Magdalen
Ryme Intrinseca
Wootton Bassett
Lydiard Tregoze
Chilton Foliat
Clifton Maybank
Collingbourne Ducis
Hardington Mandeville
Melbury Bubb
Melbury Osmond
Melbury Sampford
Sampford Courtenay
Sampford Arundel
Sampford Peverell
Sampford Brett
Horsted Keynes
Huish Episcopi
Huish Champflower
Wyke Champflower
Dowlish Wake
Hatch Beauchamp
Staple Fitzpaine
Langford Budville
Kittisford Barton
Holcomb Rogus
Budleigh Salterton
Yatton Keynell
Upton Cheyney
Farrington Gurney
Barrow Gurney
Norton Hawkfield
Norton Malreward
Ston Easton
Chewton Mendip
Hinton Admiral
Hinton Blewett
Temple Cloud
Bishop Sutton
Midsomer Norton
Shepton Mallet
Buckland Dinham
Hinton Charterhouse
Limpley Stoke
Farleigh Hungerford
Monkton Farleigh
Monkton Combe
Upton Scudamore
Dilton Marsh
Draycot Cerne
Christian Malford
Kington Langley
Langley Burrell
Tytherton Lucas
Frampton Cotterell
Compton Bassett
Clyffe Pypard
Berwick Bassett
Winterbourne Bassett
Winterbourne Monkton
Winterbourne Gunner
Winterbourne Dauntsey
Winterbourne Muston
Winterbourne Zelston
Lytchett Matravers
Corfe Mullen
Toller Whelme
Allerton Mauleverer
Coatham Mundeville
Nempnett Thrubwell
Steeple Bumstead
Redmarley D'Abitot
Crowmarsh Gifford
Stocking Pelham
Zeal Monachorum
Pity Me
Westward Ho!
New Invention

Any other favourites to add to the list?
Title: Re: The wonderful world od English place-names.
Post by: Aruntraveller on November 01, 2018, 11:48:58 PM
Always been fond of:

Wood Enderby
Mavis Enderby and
Bag Enderby

All Lincolnshire place names
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Steve H on November 01, 2018, 11:57:35 PM
I remember reading of a signpost which said "To Mavis Enderby and Old Bolingbroke". Underneath, some wag had written "a son."
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Robbie on November 01, 2018, 11:59:38 PM
I don't find most of those odd at all, Wootton Bassett &Upton Cheyney for example. Seem like normal sort of place names.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Maeght on November 02, 2018, 02:10:38 AM
I don't find most of those odd at all, Wootton Bassett & Upton Cheyney for example. Seem like normal sort of place names.

Don't think anyone has said they are odd, but rather that they are somewhat wonderful.

Glad Nempnett Thrubwell was on the list - a favourite of mine.

Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Free Willy on November 02, 2018, 07:26:31 AM
Matching Tye is in Essex.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Free Willy on November 02, 2018, 07:50:21 AM
I've always found Chalfont St Giles a pain in the arse.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Rhiannon on November 02, 2018, 07:51:02 AM
Lychett Matravers has to be a villain from a Ngaio Marsh novel.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Harrowby Hall on November 02, 2018, 08:08:18 AM
Two examples from my home town area:

Woolsthorpe by Belvoir
Woolsthorpe by Colsterworth

The second was the birthplace of one of the most renowned human beings ever to walk on this planet.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Rhiannon on November 02, 2018, 08:15:48 AM
Places in my home county include Margaret Roding, Helions Bumpstead, Great Henny and Salcott Cum Virley.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Maeght on November 02, 2018, 08:18:16 AM
Places in my home county include Margaret Roding, Helions Bumpstead, Great Henny and Salcott Cum Virley.

Helions Bumpstead is a good one :)
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: ad_orientem on November 02, 2018, 08:48:43 AM
In Enfield where I lived for some time was a place called World's End, and little further down the road Botany Bay, so called because it was supposedly one of the last places prisoners stayed before they were shipped off the Australia (I don't know if that's true though).
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Roses on November 02, 2018, 09:33:25 AM
In the late 70s and early 80s we lived in Kent, in what was then a village, but now a town, called Paddock Wood.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Steve H on November 02, 2018, 10:04:05 AM
Torpenhow, in Cumbria, means "Hill hill hill".
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Free Willy on November 02, 2018, 10:38:00 AM
Torpenhow, in Cumbria, means "Hill hill hill".
Perhaps it was an accident black spot in past times. People mightave kept bumping into it.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Robbie on November 02, 2018, 11:09:22 AM
Great Snoring
Little Snoring
Crackpot

Lychett Matravers has to be a villain from a Ngaio Marsh novel.

What a coincidence that you should say that! First time I ever read a Ngaio Marsh novel, 'Death in ecstasy', I was on a short holiday with parents in a place called Langton Matravers in Dorset (which was then a gorgeous place). I can still picture myself in my room by the window with the book in my hands. It was in the bookcase for guests to read.

She doesn't have any connection with Dorset afaik but you saying what you did is uncanny.

Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: bluehillside Retd. on November 02, 2018, 11:30:39 AM
Much Hadham is quote close to me - whenever I go through it for some reason I think of Carry On films.

There's also Cold Christmas a bit further afield.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Rhiannon on November 02, 2018, 11:34:55 AM
Great Snoring
Little Snoring
Crackpot

What a coincidence that you should say that! First time I ever read a Ngaio Marsh novel, 'Death in ecstasy', I was on a short holiday with parents in a place called Langton Matravers in Dorset (which was then a gorgeous place). I can still picture myself in my room by the window with the book in my hands. It was in the bookcase for guests to read.

She doesn't have any connection with Dorset afaik but you saying what you did is uncanny.

Oh that is odd.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: bluehillside Retd. on November 02, 2018, 11:47:22 AM
As a cyclist I tend to notice the odd ones. All the following are fairly near me: Chigmal Smealy, Good Easter, Abbess Roding, Furneaux Pelham, Wendens Ambo, Shudy Camps, Bardfield Saling, Beauchamp Roding. And of course who could forget the timeless Shellow Bowells?
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Rhiannon on November 02, 2018, 11:48:50 AM
Last time I drove into Castle Camps there was a dummy wearing evening dress tied to the village sign.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Rhiannon on November 02, 2018, 11:51:59 AM
There are eight Rodings - Abbess, Margaret, Beauchamp, Leaden, White, Aythorpe, High and Berners. People in the know say it as 'Rooding' as the original name was 'Roothing'.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Rhiannon on November 02, 2018, 11:57:15 AM
As a cyclist I tend to notice the odd ones. All the following are fairly near me: Chigmal Smealy, Good Easter, Abbess Roding, Furneaux Pelham, Wendens Ambo, Shudy Camps, Bardfield Saling, Beauchamp Roding. And of course who could forget the timeless Shellow Bowells?

Speaking of Shellow Bellows, but going slightly off topic, it forms part of Willingale parish (I think), which I love because it has two parish churches almost side by side, one called Willingale Spain and one called Willingale Doe.

http://www.willingale.org/wp/willingale-village/the-two-churches-of-willingale-village/
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Samuel on November 02, 2018, 12:56:21 PM
A lot of those places are in Dorset, including Lytchett Matravers.

But allow me to lower the tone with a few more choice place names from my home county of Dorsetshire...

Scratchy Bottom
Shitterton
Wancombe Hill (which is conveniently right next to Dickley Hill)
Wancombe Bottom
Smacam Down
Pound Bottom
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Enki on November 02, 2018, 02:15:16 PM
Crackpot

Great Heck

Little Heck

All in Yorkshire

Twatt both in Orkney and Shetland

And slightly off topic, Grape Lane is a famous Lane in Whitby, which was once known as Grope Lane. However, even earlier, it was called Gropecunt Lane. It was quite a dark area I believe. ::)
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Robbie on November 02, 2018, 02:43:37 PM
I knew Crackpot, been there. It's in Swaledale and is lovely.

Following on from Lytchett and Langton Matravers in Dorset, I remembered :
Dancing Ledge.

I remember being scared climbing down to beach. Beach was lovely & I was OK going back up!

Makes me feel nostalgic, want to go back. Prob'ly not the same as it was when I was at school.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Robbie on November 02, 2018, 02:47:16 PM
In Enfield where I lived for some time was a place called World's End, and little further down the road Botany Bay, so called because it was supposedly one of the last places prisoners stayed before they were shipped off the Australia (I don't know if that's true though).

There was a 'World's End' in Chelsea too.
Land's End?

LR, I know Paddock Wood quite well. That area is less than 30 miles from Bromley, been there often. You can get a nice pub lunch.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: bluehillside Retd. on November 02, 2018, 03:03:08 PM
Not sure how wonderful it is, but it wasn't so long ago that just off Cheapside in London was (ahem) a Gropec*** Lane. It was where the ladies of ill-repute would ply their trade. 
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Free Willy on November 02, 2018, 03:09:29 PM
As a cyclist I tend to notice the odd ones. All the following are fairly near me: Chigmal Smealy, Good Easter, Abbess Roding, Furneaux Pelham, Wendens Ambo, Shudy Camps, Bardfield Saling, Beauchamp Roding. And of course who could forget the timeless Shellow Bowells?
What was that last one?
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Rhiannon on November 02, 2018, 03:20:42 PM
Ad-o will be familiar with the part of London known as 'the Boleyn' (as in, 'I'm just going round the Boleyn'); where Green St meets Barking Rd is the Boleyn tavern, and just off Green St used to be the Boleyn Ground. It gets its name from the story (probably false) that Anne Boleyn lived in Green St House. Green St and other local roads probably have a pre-Roman layout that could go back to the Iron Age.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: ad_orientem on November 02, 2018, 08:09:31 PM
Ad-o will be familiar with the part of London known as 'the Boleyn' (as in, 'I'm just going round the Boleyn'); where Green St meets Barking Rd is the Boleyn tavern, and just off Green St used to be the Boleyn Ground. It gets its name from the story (probably false) that Anne Boleyn lived in Green St House. Green St and other local roads probably have a pre-Roman layout that could go back to the Iron Age.

Indeed. Had many a prematch pint there.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Steve H on November 02, 2018, 10:59:39 PM
As a cyclist I tend to notice the odd ones. All the following are fairly near me: Chigmal Smealy, Good Easter, Abbess Roding, Furneaux Pelham, Wendens Ambo, Shudy Camps, Bardfield Saling, Beauchamp Roding. And of course who could forget the timeless Shellow Bowells?
You can't be all that far from me, then, those being in East Herts and West Essex - I've cycled through Furneaux Pelham. Wasn't there a notorious murder there some years ago, or am I thinking of somewhere else? An elderly retired gentleman got bumped off in his home, by someone he answered the door to, if memory serves. I'm in Hemel Hempstead, in West Hertfordshire.
Yes, it was in Furneaux Pelham - an elderly retired army officer. I cycled past his house, which I recognised from the photos in the news reports. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/nov/05/convicted-murderer-jailed-army-officer
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: bluehillside Retd. on November 03, 2018, 11:13:16 AM
Seve H,

Quote
You can't be all that far from me, then, those being in East Herts and West Essex - I've cycled through Furneaux Pelham. Wasn't there a notorious murder there some years ago, or am I thinking of somewhere else? An elderly retired gentleman got bumped off in his home, by someone he answered the door to, if memory serves. I'm in Hemel Hempstead, in West Hertfordshire.
Yes, it was in Furneaux Pelham - an elderly retired army officer. I cycled past his house, which I recognised from the photos in the news reports. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/nov/05/convicted-murderer-jailed-army-officer

Yup, I'm in god's own country - North West Essex.

Yes, that was Furneaux Pelham - awful story. Also Dame Shirley Williams lives there - I see her fairly often as it happens.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Dicky Underpants on November 05, 2018, 04:52:50 PM
A lot of those places are in Dorset, including Lytchett Matravers.

But allow me to lower the tone with a few more choice place names from my home county of Dorsetshire...

Scratchy Bottom
Shitterton
Wancombe Hill (which is conveniently right next to Dickley Hill)
Wancombe Bottom
Smacam Down
Pound Bottom


To raise the tone, there is Paradise Bottom at Abbott's Lea nr. Bristol - approached by what was once the great country seat of the Miles family.
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: bluehillside Retd. on November 05, 2018, 08:23:02 PM
I know it's off topic, but we once were sent some details for a lovely old house (Tudor I think) in the very pretty village of Thaxted in Essex (where Gustav Holst lived while composing the Planets Suite since you ask).

Anyway, I was reading the details and saw a section titled "Ground Rent". "Oh-oh" I thought, that's the last thing we want. But you know what the ground rent was? I'll quote exactly: "One red rose every midsummer's eve".

How lovely is that, and what I wonder was the story?
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Free Willy on November 05, 2018, 10:23:17 PM
I know it's off topic, but we once were sent some details for a lovely old house (Tudor I think) in the very pretty village of Thaxted in Essex (where Gustav Holst lived while composing the Planet Suite since you ask).

Anyway, I was reading the details and saw a section titled "Ground Rent". "Oh-oh" I thought, that's the last thing we want. But you know what the ground rent was? I'll quote exactly: "One red rose every midsummer's eve".

How lovely is that, and what I wonder was the story?
Perhaps the Milk Tray advert was filmed there?
Title: Re: The wonderful world of English place-names.
Post by: Walter on November 06, 2018, 02:14:34 AM
Scunthorpe !

whoever put it in there had a great sense of humour  ;)