Book worms
In celebration of World Book Day, we have revealed the most popular literary-themed names that feature in house and street names in the UK.
Across the UK, there are more than 7,000 streets and over 25,000 house names containing literary-themed names, with Potter, Dickens, Copperfield and Montague all fashionable literary choices.
Nationally, Copperfield is the most common novel-based street name, featuring in 23 postcodes across the UK. Potter Street is the most common book character occurring in street names, featuring in 78 postcodes, and both Montague Road and Montague Street are the most popular street names inspired by Shakespeare.
Our research also unveiled literature as being one of the most common inspirations for the nation’s house names. Dickens Yard, Copperfield House and Montague Court are among the most popular literature-related houses that our people deliver to.
London is host to the most literature-themed house names, including Beatrix Apartments, Matilda House and Clockwork Mews. Other notable house names inspired by the world of books include The Hobbit House in Newport, Orwell House in Aberdeen, Little Snape in Tunbridge Wells, The Hamlet in Belfast and Pickwick Terrace in Slough.
Our Address Management Unit analysed more than 30 million addresses to identify the most common literature-inspired house and street names.
We are marking World Book Day with a special postmark, featuring the Share a Million Stories campaign message.
You’ll also be able to read comprehensive coverage of what books mean to Royal Mail in March’s Courier. Make sure you look out for World Book Day-inspired postman Ben Davis’ new novel in August too!
Steve Rooney, head of our Address Management Unit, said: ‘Houses and streets across the UK are filled with references to literature. It is promising to see that the written word continues to have an influence on house and street names across the nation.
‘In honour of World Book Day, we are encouraging people to get reading and to read to the children in their care, as this has a significant impact on their future.’
