STG’s Marvellous Map of Great British Place Names Review

Reviewed by Lindsay Harris

Fulking Hill! If you’re at your Witts End trying to find the perfect gift for Father’s Day, STG’s Marvellous Map of Great British Place Names could well be the answer.

Showcasing over 2,000 of Britain’s most ridiculous, rude and funny place names, it features gems such as Slap Bottom, Hen Poo and the rather endearing Shufflesheeps in a two-sided extravaganza of the weird and wonderful.

The map is available as a fold-out map or a wall map (rolled or framed). I received the fold-out version, which is perfect for any Explorer Dads. Pop it in the car and use it to find quirky names along your day-to-day journeys, or go all-in and follow the ‘rude trip’ on the reverse of the map, which takes you on a country-wide journey of Britain’s 50 funniest place names. Each of the 50 places are accompanied by a short description of the location, and it even includes note sections so you can add route details or your own favourite finds.

For those who are less adventurous, the map’s also a great conversation piece. It’s wonderful for dipping into and giggling over, plus your dad can even pretend it’s educational because it contains a handy glossary which explains the origins of place names. Did you know the multiple Pants in Wales simply mean ‘hollow’ or ‘valley’? Or that Twatt in Norse meant forest clearing or parcel of land?

The map itself is high quality. Printed in full colour, it folds out to 100cm x 89cm and the professional mapping paper is a good thickness, which is easy to refold (a blessing for those of us who struggle to find the right creases). The written descriptions are funny and engaging, making the map a delight to pore over, and there are links to additional online resources.

The map encourages users to get out and explore the wonderful outdoors, so I was delighted to hear that Marvellous Maps are doing their bit to reduce their environmental impact. They support two British environmental charities, Surfers Against Sewage and the John Muir Trust, plus they’re part of the 1% for the Planet movement, which means they’ve committed to giving at least 1% of their revenue to tackle environmental issues.

With staycations rocketing this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, ‘the funniest map of Britain’ is a great way to discover the hidden gems on your doorstep. Who needs to go on a sunny holiday abroad, when you could regale your friends and family with tales of your trip to The Devil’s A***?

Great for map lovers, explorers or those who just enjoy a giggle, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Marvellous Maps as an amusing gift for those who enjoy the lighter side of life (or who just enjoy laughing at rude-sounding place names).

If your dad is into music, film, literature, folklore or is a bit of a foodie, Marvellous Maps also offers a wide range of other specialist maps – all designed to help you discover Britain’s best bits.

Rating: 5/5

RRP: £14.99

This product can be purchased from marvellousmaps.com here.