Strange Place Names
UK & Ireland

Place Name
County
Plague Hole
Country
England
Decimal Degrees
w3w
Image View

Google Map Link
Key Words
Plague Hole, Cheshire, England
Where Plague Hole is deep an its victims sleep!
Description: Now tarmac at Crown Farm Quarry off t A556 near Oakmere an Northwich, once a dip in t land wi a name that mek folk grin afore they’ve even said it out loud.
Introduction:
Alright then me duck, welcome te Plague Hole, a name that sounds like someone in Cheshire tried te name a pit while halfway through a pint, halfway through a cough, an halfway through a joke that went too far. Folk hear it an gan “Plague Hole? Proper grim that,” an locals just smile like “aye, we’ve heard every joke under t sun.”
Maybe it came from plague burials. Maybe it came from a farmer mutterin “that hole’s cursed.” Maybe someone simply liked daft names an wrote it down afore anyone could object.
Whatever happened, Plague Hole is pure Cheshire whimsy wrapped in history, quarry dust, an names that mek ye chuckle wiout even tryin.
Toponymy:
Let’s take this name apart:
Plague – sickness, fear, an t sort o word that makes folk glance ower their shoulder even now
Hole – pit, dip, or t sort o place ye avoid unless ye’ve lost a boot or a sense o direction
Together, Plague Hole gives ye a name that makes visitors pause afore sayin it aloud, then grin like they’ve wandered into a countryside tale wi perfect timin.
Historical Context:
Earliest mentions o Plague Hole drift back te tales o medieval outbreaks. Some reckon it were a burial pit fer plague victims. Others say it were a nickname shouted across t fields te warn folk away. Another tale sez a mapmaker scribbled it down after hearin a villager mutter “don’t gan near that plague hole,” an t name stuck like clay on boots.
Whatever t truth behind its name, Plague Hole endures as a place where logic politely steps aside te let Cheshire humour shine.
Points of Interest:
Places worth a decko:
Marbury Country Park – greenery, lakes, an quiet corners
Anderton Boat Lift – engineering marvel wi river views
Northwich Salt Museum – brine, history, an local tales
Delamere Forest – trees, trails, an woodland wanderin
The Olde Barbridge Inn – ale, scran, an Plague Hole banter
Notable Figures:
Folk tied te Cheshire:
Sir Thomas Malory – writer wi county roots
William Shakespeare – bard wi Cheshire connections
John Brunner – sci‑fi mind shaped by local calm
George Formby – entertainer wi cheeky charm
Alan Turing – thinker who changed t world
Conclusion:
So next time ye find yerself at Plague Hole, tek a moment te enjoy t daftness o t name, t charm o t land, an t way Cheshire refuses te follow common sense.
Fer more places that mek ye wonder what’s occurin, press t pedal te t metal ower te www.strangeplacenames.com te keep t laughter goin.
FACEBOOK - strangeplacenames
INSTAGRAM - strangeplacenames_2024
53.2256, -2.6350
DMS
53°13'32"N 2°38'6"W
Geographical Feature & Rude
Cheshire
