Summary (by AI): I found the history and sheer quirkiness of "The Pig's Head in the Pottage Pot Gant" to be the truly redeeming and fascinating feature of the unassuming town of Braintree.
Blog: Braintree is a fairly unassuming town in the heart of Essex, but it possesses one truly redeeming feature: a series of ancient street names that have survived the centuries. These narrow passageways are known as "Gants", a term that apparently derives from the Flemish word gang, meaning corridor or walkway.
As you wander through these historic corridors, you’ll encounter some remarkably strange names, such as Little Hell and Great Hell. However, the specific site I traveled here to see was a place called "The Pig’s Head in the Pottage Pot Gant."
The history of the name is just as fascinating as the name itself. Property deeds dating back to 1753 refer to an inn located along this corridor known as "The Dog’s Head in the Porridge Pot." Over time, the name morphed into the "Pig’s Head" variation we see today.
If you appreciate local quirks, it is definitely worth a visit. It has to be one of the most unusual street names in the entire UK.
The Map: