😂 Rudest Place Names UK – A Van life Road Trip (and Where Van lifers Can Park Nearby)
- VanLife.uk
- Aug 21
- 4 min read
A Country Full of Comedy
Britain is famous for its eccentricity. We have cheese-rolling races, bog snorkelling, and nettle-eating competitions. But perhaps the greatest source of unintentional comedy comes from our rude and funny place names
From Shitterton in Dorset to Twatt in Orkney, these villages and hamlets bring instant giggles to anyone passing by. And for van lifers, they’re not just silly signs, they’re perfect pit-stops, photo opportunities, and overnight stops on the road.
In this article, we’ve pulled together the rudest place names UK, explained their origins, and suggested where to park your van nearby. Because nothing makes a road trip quite like a selfie in front of a Crapstone sign.
💩 Shitterton, Dorset
One of the most famous rude names in Britain, Shitterton sits near Bere Regis. Residents were so fed up with their road sign being stolen that they replaced it with a giant stone boulder engraved with the name.
Where to park: Free parking in Bere Regis village, with quiet lay-bys nearby for an overnight stop.
Van life angle: Handy location for exploring Dorset’s Jurassic Coast.
Top tip: Don’t leave without your selfie at the boulder, it’s the holy grail of rude sign shots.
🍑 Cockermouth, Cumbria
Perfectly innocent in origin (it means “mouth of the River Cocker”), but it still raises eyebrows. This pretty market town is a gateway to the Lake District.
Where to park: Several official car parks allow motorhomes overnight.
Van life angle: Excellent base for exploring the Western Lakes.
Top tip: Snap your photo at the town sign, then treat yourself to fish and chips in town.
🙃 Pratt’s Bottom, Kent
A small village near Orpington in Greater London, Pratt’s Bottom is a commuter spot with a comedy name.
Where to park: Pub car parks (ask first) or nearby lay-bys.
Van life angle: Useful overnight stop near the M25.
Top tip: Grab a pint at The Bull’s Head and enjoy telling friends: “I spent the night in Pratt’s Bottom.”
😆 Twatt, Orkney & Shetland
Yes, there are two Twatts — one on Orkney, one on Shetland. Both are tiny settlements with signs that rarely survive long before being pinched by souvenir hunters.
Where to park: Remote island van life — plenty of wild camping spots, but you’ll need to ferry your van over.
Van life angle: Probably the most photographed road sign in Scotland.
Top tip: Be quick — the signs are often stolen.
😂 Crapstone, Devon
On the edge of Dartmoor, Crapstone has been teased mercilessly (even mocked in a Volkswagen advert). The locals take it all in good humour.
Where to park: Great base for Dartmoor, with wild camping allowed in certain parts of the moor.
Van life angle: Perfect if you want a rude name and rugged landscape in one stop.
Top tip: Double your laughs by visiting nearby Snakey Lane.
💦 Wetwang, East Yorkshire
Nobody knows quite why it’s called Wetwang, but it’s been entertaining drivers for decades.
Where to park: Lay-bys near the village make for an easy stop.
Van life angle: Handy base for exploring the Yorkshire Wolds.
Top tip: Take your selfie quickly, locals see a lot of van lifers laughing at the sign.
🤪 Outer & Inner Ting Tong, Devon
Two tiny hamlets with names that sound more like a Carry On film than rural England.
Where to park: Quiet country lanes allow discreet stops.
Van life angle: Great fun detour if you’re already exploring Devon.
Top tip: Double the comedy by photographing both signs in one day.
😳 Titty Ho, Northamptonshire
This unfortunately named street in Raunds is a magnet for sign-stealing pranksters.
Where to park: Nearby lay-bys or the town car park.
Van life angle: Funny detour if you’re driving through the East Midlands.
Top tip: Bonus points if you get both the sign and your van in shot.
💨 Brokenwind, Aberdeenshire
A tiny hamlet with a name that suggests digestive disaster.
Where to park: Rural Aberdeenshire has plenty of quiet lay-bys.
Van life angle: A true hidden gem, perfect if you like bragging rights.
Top tip: You’ll be the butt (pun intended) of jokes if you don’t get a photo here.
🚽 North Piddle, Worcestershire
One of a trio of Piddles (alongside Piddletrenthide and Piddlehinton). The Dorset/Herefordshire area seems particularly fond of loo humour.
Where to park: Rural lay-bys and quiet spots nearby.
Van life angle: Perfect addition to a “toilet humour road trip.”
Top tip: Pair it with nearby Shitterton for a rude-name double bill.
Other Rudest Place Names UK
Sandy Balls, Hampshire
Titty Hill, West Sussex
Ugley, Essex
Babes Well, Durham
Cumwhinton, Carlisle
Why These Names Are Perfect for Van lifers
They’re off the beaten track. Many rude names belong to small villages, perfect for van life detours.
They’re social media gold. A selfie at Shitterton or Cockermouth will get more likes than a mountain view.
They’re stories you’ll never forget. “I camped in Crapstone” is a road trip tale worth telling.
📸 Share Your Rude Sign Selfies
We want to see your best shots! Next time you’re passing through a place with a cheeky name:👉 Stop safely, grab a photo of yourself (and your van) by the sign, and share it with us!
Comedy at Every Signpost
From Dorset to Orkney, Britain’s rudest place names are a reminder that the open road is never boring. They’re funny, slightly embarrassing, and endlessly photogenic. For van lifers, they turn ordinary detours into unforgettable adventures.
So fuel up, grab your camera, and add a few of these gems to your next van life route. Because nothing says freedom like parking up in Shitterton.
