Quirky Place Names to Avoid When Travelling
Towns With Strange and Offputting Names in USA, Europe and England
It may be difficult to tell a book by its cover but is the same true for place names? Some of the weirdest place names do have an interesting story to tell.
Six Thousand Years' History at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Alberta, Canada
A place used by the Aboriginal people for almost 6,000 years, the name of this UNESCO World Heritage site refers to the ancient practice of killing buffalo by chasing them over the edge. The carcasses were carved up in the camp below.
Puke, Albania - Don’t Let the Name Put Anyone Off
This town in the north of the country boasts beautiful scenery, fresh air, friendly people and an Alpine hotel surrounded by pine trees.
Worms, Germany - Not a Place for the Squeamish!
This Rhineland town vies with Cologne and Trier for the title of Oldest City in Germany. It is famous for producing the semi-sweet Liebfraumilch wine and its Dom, or cathedral, where a festival recreating the pre-Christian period takes place annually.
Boring, Oregan, USA - Dubbed by Residents the ‘Most Exciting Place to Live’
This inhabited community was named after early resident W H Boring. In 1903, it became known as Boring Junction and the name adopted by builders of the railway.
Nothing, Arizona, USA - Now Abandoned
The settlement’s four residents ran a gas stop and garage selling local rocks, minerals and comic artefacts. The town sign read ‘..Thru-the-years-these dedicated people had faith in Nothing, hoped for Nothing, worked at Nothing, for Nothing. Today, it lies abandoned - aptly named as it turned out!
Socks Glacier, Antarctica - Freezing socks off
This small glacier, discovered by the British Antarctic Expedition in 1907-9, was named after the last pony to survive the journey who fell into a crevasse near the glacier in 1908.
Arsenic Tubs, Arizona, USA - Hot Springs in the Rocks
Apache warriors travelling to and from Mexico stopped to soothe their weary bodies in these mineral hot springs situated on the San Carlos reservation. The name comes from the mineral content of the water and the fact that there are natural ‘tubs’ in the rocks.
Pratts Bottom, Kent, England - the Butt of Jokes
This village is named after the Pratt family who lived in the North Downs valley (presumably the bottom) from the 14th century. Situated on the toll road from London to Hastings until the 1830s, it was the haunt of smugglers and highwaymen.
Wetwang, East Yorkshire, England - Famous for Black Swans
This village hit the headlines in 2001 when an Iron Age burial chamber and chariot were excavated. The name is also to be found in Middle-earth in J R Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings. In Old Norse vangr, meaning field, could mean Wet Field, with Dry Field located in nearby Driffield.
Bishops Itchington, Warwickshire, England - Near the River Itchen
One of the estates granted to the Coventry priory in 1403, it was held by the Bishops of Coventry and Lichfield, hence its name. St Michael’s church was rebuilt after the Fisher of Warwick demolished it in the 16th century.
Little Snoring, Norfolk, England - Nothing Sleepy About This Town
The village grew in size when a bomber airfield, commemorated on its sign by an aeroplane rudder, was established nearby during the Second World War. Visit church of St Andrew, which spans six centuries from Saxon to Tudor, with its mishmash of styles and round tower.
Three Legged Cross, Dorset, England - Criminals Beware
Not the place to live and fall foul of the law. This village was named after the gallows, which were often nicknamed the three legged mare.
Looking for more quirky adventure. Check out Unusual Places to Stay on a Farm in the UK and Great Family Days Out in South West England.
Mountainous Puke, Albania
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Head-smashed-in Buffalo Jump, Canada
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