school sign Broadstairs

As well as taking in the stunning scenery as you’re on a walk, do you ever stop to notice some of the weird and wonderful signs along the way?

I seem to be noticing them more and more as I do a daily ramble, with Kent packed with many amusing and strange street names.  I’ve also started looking at house names and other signs and plaques along my routes, which hint at a town’s history, or recall famous people who once lived there.

Sandwich road sign

Some of my favourites are in Sandwich, a small town near Dover. For a start, did you know there’s a village in Sandwich called Ham. Imagine having Ham, Sandwich, as your address!

Ham road sign

I particularly like the street names which do exactly what they say on the tin. There’s Breezy Corner, which is best avoided on a windy day and there’s Short Street, which is indeed, not very long. There’s also a No Name Street, where I guess they simply ran out of ideas, where you can also find a lovely deli called No Name Shop.

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No Name Street Sandwich

In neighbouring Deal, there are also some fab street and house names. Many reference the coast and the sea, such as Dolphin Street.

Dolphin Street Deal

Some house names refer to Deal’s smuggling past and others are there just to amuse.

Contraband Cottage Deal

You’ll see some of my favourites if you walk along Middle Street, which as you might have guessed, is in the middle of the High Street and the seafront promenade.

House name Deal Fanny's Dilemma
House name Deal Christmas House
House name Deal Nonsquare House

Many signs tell us about something of historical importance which has taken place. However, this is one of my favourites, which always raises a smile:

Nothing happened here 1782 Deal

Apparently there is a Cockle Swap Alley in Deal. I haven’t been able to find it, but what a fab name!

Further round the coast, at Broadstairs, there are many signs on houses and guest houses referencing the town’s links to Charles Dickens, but I like this one best:

Charles Dickens Broadstairs

While out walking in Broadstairs some friends spotted the school sign at the top of this article, above what I assume is an old school house. I’m glad I wasn’t educated there!

If you’re feeling romantic, you could take a trip to nearby Margate and visit Love Lane. A great place to propose!

Love Lane Margate

Further along the coast, you’ll find that Folkestone likes to proclaim its links with the author HG Wells and other literary greats.

HG Wells sign Folkestone

In Kent, other streets with weird and wacky names include Buttshole Road in Eastry, Fiddling Lane in Stowting near Ashford and Bleak Road, Lydd, which is indeed quite desolate. We also have Small Profits in Yalding, Dead Cat Alley, a footpath in Tovil, Maidstone and Screaming Alley in Ramsgate, which I think I would definitely avoid late at night.

What unusual place names do you have where you are? I’d love to know!

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4 Comments

  1. Glenn Manderson says:

    Jane, I read a lot of Pauls posts (indeed he asked me to submit as well but that is a long story); anyway, we do a lot of walking in the UK (we are from Canada) and I just loved your post today on Looking For A Sign. Hope to be back in the spring of 2022 to do more walking in the Dales and possibly up in Scotland. Cheers, Glenn

    1. Jane Barlow says:

      Hi, glad you enjoyed the article!
      Let’s hope we can all travel again soon. I’d love to visit Canada someday!
      Jane

  2. Jane Barlow says:

    Hi James, it’s in Reading Street, Broadstairs.
    Hope you find it!

  3. James Norris says:

    Hi Jane,
    Thanks for your entertaining article! Would love to know where that weathervane can be found. Have walked almost all of Kent’s coast but not seen any as good as that one. Thanks.
    James

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