9 of the strangest place names to find in the North East

They are real names of places that exist in the North East and they are certainly not alone when it comes to finding some of the strangest names in the region.

There are more than 1,000 rude and peculiar place names in the area according to David Simpson, owner of Tangled Worm, a Durham-based publisher of poster prints.

In 2019, David designed a map showcasing all the places with odd names.

We have put together a selection of some of the strangest place names around the North East for you to discover.

It's thought 'No Place' has a historical decision behind its naming (Image: Google Maps)

Strangest place names in the North East

Pity Me, County Durham

Ranging from a variation of an old Norman name, a story about St Cuthbert's coffin being dropped on the way to Durham Cathedral or a reference to a song sung by monks during the Viking invasion is where Pity Me came from, reports Chronicle Live.

No Place, County Durham

No Place is a small village near the town of Stanley in County Durham, England, east of Stanley and west of Beamish.

Quebec, County Durham

Once a coal mining village, it is situated six miles west of the city of Durham, and close to the villages of Esh, Cornsay Colliery, Esh Winning and Langley Park.

Once Brewed/Twice Brewed, Northumberland

Once Brewed is a village that lies on the Military Road B6318. A motorist arriving over the B6138 from the east will see the place name shield ‘Once Brewed’, while those coming from the west will read ‘Twice Brewed’.

The 'Once Brewed' street sign, people will see arriving from the east (Image: Google Maps)

Stanky Burn, Northumberland

Stanky Burn is a river in Berwick-upon-Tweed. It has been reviewed as a ‘great tourist attraction’ on Google Reviews.

Foggy Furze, Hartlepool

Former primary school teacher Frances Wilson wrote a book titled ‘The history of Foggy Furze’ after wanting to find out the lesser-known facts about the neighbourhood.

Frances told Hartlepool Mail: “Fog or foggage is the Norse word for thick, coarse grass.

"Furrows was an Anglo-Saxon word and the area was often called Fog Furrows and eventually this became Foggy Furze.”

Old Man Bottom, Northumberland

A historic river known as Old Man Bottom, a local name – with no apostrophe S – that you won’t find on any map, reports The Guardian.

Mines were often known as Old Man, so it’s thought the name may have some connection with lead extraction.

New York, North Tyneside

New York is a suburban village in the metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear. Approximately four miles from Whitley Bay, and five miles from the town of Tynemouth.

Slitt Foot, County Durham

Slitt Foot is a locality in Stanhope. Slit Foot is situated nearby to the localities Mount Pleasant and Gold Hill.