Strange Place Names
UK & Ireland

Place Name
County
Upper Bush
Country
England
Decimal Degrees
w3w
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Google Map Link
Key Words
Upper Bush, Kent, England
Whar t Upper Bushes keep an eye on t Upper Biggin!
Description: Populated nook on Upper Bush Road near Rochester, full o hedges, cottages, an a name that mek folk grin afore they’ve even said it out loud.
Introduction:
Alright then me duck, welcome te Upper Bush, a name that sounds like someone in Kent tried te name a village while halfway through trimmin a hedge, halfway through a cheeky laugh, an halfway through wonderin if there were ever a Lower Bush lurkin somewhere in t undergrowth.
Folk hear it an gan “Upper Bush? Yer serious,” an locals just smile like “aye, we’ve heard every joke under t sun.”
Maybe it came frae tall shrubs. Maybe it came frae a proud gardener. Maybe someone simply liked daft names an wrote it down afore anyone could object.
Whatever happened, Upper Bush is pure Kentish whimsy wrapped in greenery, chatter, an names that mek ye chuckle wiout even tryin.

Toponymy:
Let’s take this name apart:
Upper – higher, hill‑side, or t Kentish wink ye get when folk fancy makin their patch sound grand
Bush – shrub, thicket, or t leafy tangle that softens t cheeky twist o t first half
Together, Upper Bush 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 Upper Bush drift back te medieval lore. Some reckon it came frae a cluster o tall hedges markin t settlement. Others say it were a cartographer’s joke that stuck. Another tale sez villagers muttered “up Upper Bush,” an t name clung on like brambles on boots.
Whatever t truth behind its name, Upper Bush endures as a place where logic politely steps aside te let Kentish humour shine.
Points of Interest:
Places worth a decko:
Rochester Castle – stone, stories, an county pride
Rochester Cathedral – arches, calm, an quiet grandeur
Guildhall Museum – tales, artefacts, an local charm
Rochester High Street – shops, scran, an lively wanderin
Medway River – water, walks, an peaceful corners
Notable Figures:
Folk tied te Kent:
Charles Dickens – storyteller wi county inspiration
Sir John Hawkins – mariner wi historic ties
Thomas Cranmer – figure o reformation lore
William Harvey – mind o medical discovery
David Gilmour – musician wi regional roots
Conclusion:
So next time ye find yerself at Upper Bush, tek a moment te enjoy t daftness o t name, t charm o t hedges, an t way Kent refuses te follow common sense.
Fer more places that’ll mek ye chuckle, scratch yer head, an grin like a daftie, tek a butchers at www.strangeplacenames.com an keep laughin me ducks..
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51.3765, -0.4357
DMS
51°22'44.0"N 0°26'15.4"E
Geographical Feature & Flora & Rude
Kent
