A-Z of Somerset names
When visitors come to our town of Tumbarumba (in NSW Australia), we try not to laugh at their pronunciations of our sometimes odd sounding places. By the way, it’s pronounced exactly as it is written: Tumba-Rumba. Now the boot is definitely on the other foot! While visiting family in Cheddar, in Somerset, we had fun compiling this list.
Here’s my A-Z of Somerset names:
Axbridge
Banwell, Bath, Bristol
Cheddar, Chewton Mendip
Draycott
Easton
Farrington Gurney, Frome
Glastonbury
Haybridge, Highbridge
Inglesbatch, Icelton, Illford, Illminster
Jacob’s Ladder
Keynsham, Kewstoke
Lower Weare
Midsomer Norton, Montacute
Nailsea, Nempnett Thrubwell, Nyland
Oare, Oath
Priddy, Peasedown St. John
Queen Camel, Queen Charlton
Rodney Stoke
Shipham, Street, Shepton Mallet
The Horringtons, Taunton, Thurloxton
Uphill, Ubley, Upper Weare
Vellore, Vobster, Vole
Wookey Hole, Wells, Wedmore, Westbury-Sub-Mendip
X – marks the spot – we could not find any names starting with X!!
Yatton, Yaxley
Zummerzet – ‘Somerset’ in the local lingo
Apparently The Wurzels produced a song called All Over the Mendips – which is something similar to our Australian ‘I’ve been everywhere man, I’ve been everywhere’ – they both celebrate unusual names and are lots of fun!
Why?
There has been a plethora of enjoyable A-Z posts lately from my blogging buddies. I take my hat off to those who did the A-Z challenge in April which meant posting every day except Sundays, on a theme of their choice, following the alphabet each day. I’ve also seen a few bloggers writing A-L and M-Z posts, sharing snippets about themselves according to the letter of the alphabet.
Although this sounded like fun, I thought a post on the A-Z of town/village names around Cheddar in Somerset would be far more interesting than a post about me, so I decided to make a list of all the fabulous names in nearby areas.
Please note this is only a selection of names, there are many more place names that are just as interesting, which I haven’t listed!
I must say we had a fun time finding names for each letter of the alphabet and thanks go to Craig (son-in-law) for his local knowledge. Somerset has a language all of its own, West Country, and I love hearing the strong and unusual accents.
A favourite
I think of all these, my favourite is Nempnett Thrubwell – it’s one that is new to me and I just love the sound of it rolling off the tongue, or not, as the case may be! It was exciting when we were out driving and saw it on a sign post. We yelled, stopped, backed up and I managed to get a shot!
What about you, any names take your fancy or do you have any to add to this list?
I’m currently travelling for a few months with The Mathematician and we’re loving the differences in climate, culture and scenery. You can follow our travels on my page: Our Odyssey if you’d care to join us. You’re most welcome to tag along 🙂
Deb xx
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Wookey Hole is one of the best place names ever!
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I know! I was thinking at first that there are a lot of ill queens in that area but then along came Wookey Hole and blew everything else out of my mind.
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Haha. It’s a great name.
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Wookey Hole was one of the first places we visited when we lived here and they have a great cave system and a real spooky feel. Love it.
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I need to go back, don’t I?
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Yes you do!!
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Haha, you’ve made me laugh!! I love some of these especially Wookey Hole. 😂
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And it’s a quaint little place. I have great memories from a short stay in a very old flour mill converted to a B&B.
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Annoyingly, I stayed in a B&B near Wells once and I never visited the Wookey!
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What!! You were right next door! Next time 😊
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I know. We did NOT do our research.
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It’s certainly a quaint place, there are some amazing little villages around here!! Thanks for your input Chris 😊
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I agree, it’s so good 😊
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Nempnett Thrubwell is a great name, never heard of the place but may have to look for it when we housesit down in Zummerzet in the Autumn.
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I’m glad it hit a chord with you too Jonno, such an amazing name but I wonder if it lives up to its name?
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I’ll let you know if I manage to get there. Might be an amazing place, or not.
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Oh there really is a Midsomer, Deb! I’m a fan of Midsomer Murders and yes Nempnett Thrubwell sounds just like an English village doesn’t it? Loved your post but you have to put up with one more about me in ‘Me from MtoZ’ then I think everyone will now everything about me including what I had for breakfast last Thursday LOL:) Glad you are enjoying your holiday and sending love from Australia xx
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I do enjoy the alphabet posts Sue! I’ll keep an eye out for your M-Zappa’s. Thanks for your lovely comment, it was a fun post to write.
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Yes I’m not sure what I’ll write as the second half of the alphabet has some tricky ones!!!
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I’m sure you’ll think of something Sue!! I look forward to reading it 😊
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Great names! Many of the names of our local areas are Spanish and tourists often struggle pronouncing them. It’s funny… until I realize that I’ve probably butchered quite a few difficult names of places I’ve visited too!
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Yes we tend to forget how many names we say incorrectly don’t we? It’s great fun trying to say some of these and getting it wrong. I love finding new ones to add to the list.
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Love that you included Wookey Hole. And love your creative find for the Z.
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Thanks Chris, it was fun to do!! How could I exclude Wookey Hole?? It’s a star 🌟
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Barrow Gurney and Lulsgate Bottom are two both quite close to where I was brought up!
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These are great names too, I’m a huge fan. Thanks for sharing these with us 😊
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Really enjoyed reading this 😊 there are some great names in this fab country of ours
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Indeed there are some great names Sam! So glad you enjoyed it 😊
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The Poms certainly know how to name their towns don’t they Deb? Ubley sounds like somewhere the Teletubbies would live! Nice to see you jumping on the AtoZ wagon – better late than never 🙂
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Yes Leanne, better late than never and in a very reduced format to your mammoth efforts!! I laughed at your comment about Ubley 😂
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