All around the world, the UK is known for its rather strange place names. Most people would know the likes of Cockermouth from other areas, but the street names across Britain can confuse even locals. However, there is a dark side to the street names that people come to know in their local communities up and down the country. There are many creepy and gruesome sounding street names in Britain, with dark stories lurking behind them.
Ranging from notorious murder spots to the sites of haunted houses, many British street names have a sinister meaning, most of which we have no idea about. Here, we look at some of the most macabre street names in the UK.
Headless Cross Drive, Redditch, Worcestershire
One theory is that this comes from the plague, another that it's named after the ghost of a headless horseman. It certainly gave the band Black Sabbath a name for their 1989 album.
Ghost House Lane, Nottingham
Named after an old house that once stood there which was said to be haunted. The building was linked to the unsolved murder of a pedlar in the early 1800s.
Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, Lancashire
Named after a local home called Skull House which for years had a skull on display, said to date from the Civil War.
Cutthroat Lane, Yaxham, Norfolk
Originally named after the murder of a young woman, it was also the spot where James Clifton swung on a gibbet in 1785 after killing a local man.
Deadman's Hole Lane, Rotherham
This road is reckoned to get its moniker from the site of a mass grave from Roman times. When the nearby River Don flooded it would wash up bodies here.
Bleeding Heart Yard, Holborn, London
Legend has it that this is named after the murder of Lady Elizabeth Hatton, whose body was said to have been found 'torn limb from limb, but with her heart still pumping blood' onto the courtyard's cobbles.
The Neckinger, London
Named after one of the city's lost water courses, the River Neckinger, which was itself named after the 'devil's neckloth', a slang term for the hangman's noose.
Hanging Hill Lane, Brentwood, Essex
This is just one of many roads named after an old place of execution like Gallows Hill in Warwick.
Dick Turpin Way, Feltham, west London
This street was named after the notorious 18th Century highwayman who was said to have lurked on nearby Hounslow Heath to hold up travellers.
Betty Haunt Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight
Named after the tragic story of an 18th Century barmaid from the pub. She fell in love with a customs officer but was strangled after betraying smugglers. Her ghost is still said to walk it.
Devil's Dyke Road, Brighton
This one refers to a local V-shaped valley supposedly dug by the Devil himself.
Vampire Road, Louth, Lincolnshire
Despite conjuring up images of blood-suckers, this was actually named after a type of RAF fighter jet.
Kidnappers Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
No one's sure exactly how this small, winding lane got its creepy name - but it's probably not a place to linger for too long after dark!
