Place Name

Sickly Common, Dyfed, Wales

Where the Sheep Lick and end up feeling Nauseated!

Introduction:

Ah now, Sickly Common. A name that sounds like it was invented during a village meeting where everyone had flu and far too much time on their hands. Say it out loud and you half expect a sign warnin, “Enter at your own risk, butt.”

Folk have been guessin for years how this place ended up with such a tragic‑sounding name. Was it a bout of dodgy weather? A herd of sheep who overdid it on the wrong plants? A mapmaker with a wicked sense of humour?

Whatever the truth, Sickly Common is one of those names that sticks in your head like a stubborn cold.

Toponymy:

Let us break this one down, tidy.

Sickly – Usually means pale, weak or lookin like you need a lie down. In Pembrokeshire though, it might just mean the grass had a rough winter or the sheep have been lickin somethin they should not.

Common – A shared bit of land, open to locals, livestock and anyone brave enough to wander through.

Put together, Sickly Common is a name that makes folk pause before sayin it, then laugh like they have just walked into a very Welsh joke.

Historical Context:

The origins of Sickly Common are as foggy as a Pembrokeshire morning. Some say it was a clerical error that nobody bothered to fix. Others reckon it was a local nickname that somehow made it onto official maps. There is even a tale about a flock of sheep who ate the wrong mushrooms and spent the day wobblin about like they were on a night out.

Whatever the truth, the name has survived decades of weather, walkers and livestock with questionable judgement. Today it stands as a reminder that Welsh place names do not always behave themselves.

Points of Interest:

If you are wanderin about, have a nose at:

• St David’s Cathedral – Grand, ancient and full of atmosphere.

• Newgale Beach – Waves, wind and sand in your shoes for days.

• Folly Farm – Animals, rides and enough ice cream to fix any mood.

• Tenby – Colourful houses, beaches and holiday vibes.

• The Blue Lagoon – A dramatic spot for a dip if you are brave.

Notable Figures:

Folk tied to the region include:

• Sir John Rhys – Scholar who helped preserve the Welsh language.

• William Williams Pantycelyn – Hymn writer with a gift for melody.

• Gwen John – Painter who captured the quiet beauty of Wales.

• David Lloyd George – Welsh political powerhouse.

• Gwyneth Lewis – National Poet of Wales with a sharp eye for Welsh quirks.

Conclusion:

So next time you find yourself in Sickly Common, take a moment to enjoy the peace, the trees and the sheep who look like they are judgin your life choices. It is a place where the name is daft, the scenery is lovely and the humour is pure Welsh gold.

For more wonderfully odd place names, wander over to www.strangeplacenames.com where the UK and Ireland are full of names that will make you laugh, blink and wonder what the mapmakers were thinkin.

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