Place Name

Vomit Point, Dyfed, Wales

Where the Vomit Fly's and Sailors Lie!

Introduction:

Ah now, Vomit Point. Say it out loud and you can almost hear an old Pembrokeshire lad chucklin, “aye butt, that’s where the sea sorts the men from the boys.” It is one of those names that sounds like a warning, a joke and a dare all rolled into one. Folk hear it and instantly imagine sailors turnin green, walkers clutchin their stomachs and the sea givin everyone a right good shakin.

Truth is, this headland has been makin folk queasy since long before the coast path was marked. The wind howls, the swell rises and the cliffs stand there smirkin like they know exactly what they’re doin.

Toponymy:

Let’s break down this name:

Vomit – Likely tied to the seasick sailors who rounded St Anne’s Head only to lose their lunch to the Irish Sea. A word that hits the ear like a bucket hittin the deck.

Point – A jut of land stickin out into the water, bold as brass and takin the full force of the swell.

Together, they form a name that makes visitors pause before sayin it aloud, then laugh when they realise it is probably the most honest place name in Wales.

Historical Context:

The name Vomit Point has been whispered by sailors, lighthouse keepers and coast‑path walkers for generations. Some say it was coined by fishermen who had seen too many green‑faced deckhands staggerin to the rail. Others reckon it was a local joke that stuck harder than barnacles on a buoy.

And if you ask the old boys in the pub, they will swear blind it was named after a captain who lost his guts and his dignity in one mighty heave.

Whatever the truth, the name has survived storms, shipwrecks, tourists and countless stomachs that did not.

Points of Interest:

If you are wanderin about, have a nose at:

• St Anne’s Head Lighthouse – Standin proud and takin the full brunt of the weather.

• Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – Cliffs, coves and views that hit you right in the chest.

• Haverfordwest Castle – Stone, stories and a cracking picnic spot.

• Tenby – Colourful houses, sandy beaches and gulls with no manners.

• The Old Point House – A pint, a plate and enough local tales to last you the night.

Notable Figures:

Folk tied to the region include:

• T. E. Lawrence – Welsh‑born adventurer with a taste for danger.

• Mary Macarthur – Fighter for workers’ rights with Pembrokeshire grit.

• Sir John Rhys – Scholar of Welsh language and lore.

• Gwen John – Painter with a quiet, powerful eye.

• David Lloyd George – Welsh political firebrand.

Conclusion:

So next time you find yourself starin out over Vomit Point, take a moment to feel the wind smack your face, the sea roar beneath you and the cliffs stand firm like they have seen it all before. It is a place where nature does not apologise, the waves do not behave and the name alone is worth the journey.

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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