Place Name

Johnson's Hillock, Lancashire, England

Where there's a Hillock there's normally a Pillock!

Introduction:

Now then, Johnson’s Hillock. A name that rolls out yer gob like a mouthful of marbles and leaves you wonderin if there were once a Mr Johnson struttin about with a hillock sized ego. Say it in the pub and you will get a few snorts, a few smirks and at least one lad mutterin, aye that sounds about right for round here.

Folk reckon it might be named after some old chap called Johnson who claimed the hillock as his own, or maybe he were just the first poor sod to trip over it. Others say it were a cartographer havin a daft moment. Or maybe the locals just fancied a laugh when the sign went up. Would not be the first time Lancashire christened a place with a wink and a nudge.

Either way, Johnson’s Hillock is one of them names that makes visitors pause, purse their lips and whisper it again just to be sure they have not misheard.

Toponymy:

Let’s break down this Lancashire name:

Johnson  - Could be a nod to a local family, a landowner or even the postman who once puffed his way up the hillock deliverin letters. The name feels personal, like Mr Johnson might pop out from behind a hedge offerin you a brew.

Hillock  - A lovely little word for a small hill. It is the landscape sayin, I am not a mountain but I am still here and I am doin my best. A gentle, friendly sort of rise that invites a wander rather than a workout.

Together, they make a name that is pure Lancashire. Cheeky, memorable and just daft enough to stick.

Historical Context:

The earliest mention of Johnson’s Hillock is lost somewhere in the Lancashire mist. Some say it were named after a landowner with a fondness for hillocks. Others reckon it were a dialect term that clung on like burrs to a woolly jumper. And there is always the chance a mapmaker had been at the ale before settin pen to parchment.

Whatever the truth, the name has stuck tighter than a wet leaf to a car bonnet, and folk still argue about it after two pints and a packet of crisps.

Points of Interest:

Places worth a nosey:

• Whittle le Woods Village Green  - A cracking spot for a picnic and a gossip about the weather.

• Yarrow Valley Country Park  - A sprawling patch of nature where you can lose yourself or at least lose your bearings.

• Chorley Museum  - Full of local tales, curiosities and the odd pie related revelation.

• Wheelton Village  - A charming place with tea rooms that could tempt a saint.

• The Black Horse Inn  - A proper pub where theories about the hillock flow as freely as the ale.

Notable Figures:

Folk linked to the area:

• Sir John Talbot  - A military leader with stories as tall as any hillock.

• William Cockerham  - Local legend and teller of tales, especially after a pint.

• James Hargreaves  - Inventor of the spinning jenny and Lancashire through and through.

• J R R Tolkien  - Spent time in the region and would have loved a hillock or two.

• George Formby  - Lancashire’s own entertainer with humour as bright as his ukulele.

Conclusion:

So next time you wander up Johnson’s Hillock, take a moment to laugh, breathe in the fresh air and appreciate how geography sometimes ignores common sense.

Just remember if you want to visit more quirky gems in the UK & Ireland, you can take a long-jump over to www.strangeplacenames.com And remember, never play with baby tigers!

FACEBOOK - strangeplacenames

INSTAGRAM - strangeplacenames_2024