Place Name

Feltham Close, Hampshire, England

Where t’ close is cosy and t’ history is a bit fuzzy!

Introduction:

Alrigh’ then duck, welcome te Feltham Close, a name that sounds like it should be t’ title o’ a gentle Sunday‑night sitcom. Ye can picture it now - folk leanin ower fences, passin gossip like it’s currency, an pretendin they enjoy t’ annual barbecue even though Aunt Mabel’s potato salad has been terrorisin t’ cul‑de‑sac since 1998.

Was it named after an old farm? A goat wi attitude? A council clerk who mashed two names together like a dodgy smoothie? Or did someone simply run out o’ inspiration after namin every other road in Romsey? Whatever happened, Feltham Close is one o’ those places where ye say t’ name, pause, then grin like ye’ve just heard summat daft.

Toponymy:

Lets interrogate this name to tears, just like the Rozzers do:

Feltham – Old English roots, likely meanin a farmstead near fells or open land. Rustic charm, sheep gossip, an countryside vibes baked right in

Close – classic cul‑de‑sac, cosy nook, dead‑end lane where ye can park wiout fear o’ bein flattened by a cyclist

Put together, Feltham Close gives ye a name that sounds friendly, homely, an slightly confused - perfect fer Hampshire.

Historical Context:

Earliest mentions o’ Feltham drift back te t’ Domesday Book, when folk named places after farms, fields, an whatever animal had annoyed ’em that day. Over centuries, t’ name twisted, turned, an eventually landed in Romsey as Feltham Close, a place where history’s fuzzy, stories are plentiful, an goats may or may not have been involved.

Some reckon it were named after a stubborn goat called Feltham who refused te leave t’ lane. Others say it were a council decision made five minutes afore lunch. Whatever t’ truth, Feltham Close stuck, an now it’s a place where logic politely steps aside te let whimsy take over.

Points of Interest:

Places near Feltham Close worth a decko:

• Romsey Abbey – Norman beauty, perfect fer quiet thoughts an wonderin why ye didn’t bring a picnic

• River Test – crystal waters, fishin, strolls, an ducks that judge yer footwear

• Sir Harold Hillier Gardens – 180,000 plants, paths te get lost on, an flowers that look fancier than ye

• Romsey Town Centre – shops, cafes, scones, an folk who’ll chat wi ye whether ye want ’em te or not

• The White Horse Inn – hearty scran, proper ale, an locals ready te tell ye tales o’ Feltham’s legendary goats

Notable Figures:

Folk tied te Feltham Close or Hampshire:

• John of Gaunt – medieval bigwig, rumoured te have fancied t’ area

• Jane Austen – Hampshire lass, would’ve loved t’ name’s gentle daftness

• Charles Dickens – visited Hampshire, could’ve easily set a chapter here

• David Beckham – spent time in t’ county, goats allegedly unimpressed by his football skills

• Richard Adams – author o’ Watership Down, spirit o’ adventure fits t’ area nicely

Conclusion:

So next time ye find yerself at Feltham Close, tek a moment te enjoy t’ cosy charm, t’ fuzzy history, an t’ way Hampshire refuses te follow common sense.

Whether ye’re wanderin t’ close, enjoyin a pint, or ponderin life’s mysteries, this place’ll give ye summat te smile aboot.

Fer more strange place names that’ll mek ye wonder what t’ heck’s gannin on, wander ower te www.strangeplacenames.com.

FACEBOOK - strangeplacenames

INSTAGRAM - strangeplacenames_2024