Names sell a lifestyle long before a brochure does. Here are the five that made me smile the most.
The Top 5 Quirkiest House Names I’ve Written About
Satis House…Wuthering Heights…Downton Abbey…
From Manderley in Rebecca to Green Gables in L. M. Montgomery’s classic, the best-loved homes in literature are remembered as much for their names as for the adventures and escapades that unfolded within and around them. A name lingers in the imagination, setting the tone before a front door ever opens. It can be whimsical, mysterious, grand or playful, but above all else, it stokes the imagination and bestows bricks and mortar with personality.
Over the years I’ve written about thousands of homes and while most follow the familiar traditions – House, Cottage, Farm, Barn – every so often, one leaps out with a name that really piques my creative interest. Here are my top five favourites: the quirky, the eccentric and the unforgettable.
- Madrumah “MADHOUSE”
Conjuring the chaos and majesty of family life, a name not to be forgotten!
What I loved about the home: how deeply it connected with its setting. There was real eco-conscious design at play here: Sussex sandstone in the landscaping, a cedar roof, oak running like a motif throughout. The owners even bought an oak tree, kiln-dried it and used it in the refurbishment. At night you could hear the owls calling across the garden — pure magic.
- Nuzzle Patch
Whimsical, warm, with a real Hundred Acre Wood Winnie-the-Pooh magic – and surprisingly apt for a cosy barn conversion in Harringworth.
What I loved: the mix of old and new. Exposed beams and deep-set windows kissing up alongside an airy, open-plan extension with roof lantern and bifolds. The cottage garden was a delight: secluded, south-facing, with a view towards the Harringworth Viaduct.
- Rockgarth
Strong, slightly Gothic – a name that feels carved from the hillside itself.
What I loved: One of my recent projects, when I actually visited this home I fell absolutely head-over-heels with it: the way it rose above Ambleside like a private amphitheatre, with cinematic views over rooftops and ridgelines, the town below looking like a model village. Far above the madding crowd, an RAF jet whizzed by at nose level while I was there, yet even this brief intrusion added to the uniqueness of the setting.
Slate terraces hand-laid by a local stonemason, jewel-toned interiors and a hot tub under the stars made it as glamorous as it was grounded. Best of all was the utter serenity – so tucked away, you’d never believe dozens of bars and eateries were only minutes’ walk away, including one of the Lake District’s most delectable Michelin star restaurants.
- The Whispering Corner
Mysterious and evocative, as though the house itself might have secrets to share…
What I loved: the intimacy of the setting matched the name. A 1930s double-fronted cottage in the heart of Greenmount, where rustic beams, stone sills and views of Holcombe Hill combined with modern comforts. The garden, with its cherry blossom and Mediterranean-style patio, was every bit as enchanting as the name promised.
- Wishing Steps House
A name steeped in history and legend, tied to Chester’s ancient walls and the folklore of the Wishing Steps.
What I loved: Enid Blyton vibes at Wishing Steps House…its setting is like something from a storybook, hugging the Roman walls, overlooking the River Dee, all wrapped up in wisteria and roses. The name carried with it centuries of myth and magic (check out the legend of Chester’s Wishing Steps).
Honourable Mentions (for another time 😉)
Some names didn’t quite make the Top 5, but they’re too good not to note. From the surreal (Curious Orange & Cosy Peacock) to the chic (Charcoal House), the playful (The Roost), and the delightfully eccentric (Periwinkle). What’s in a name, eh? More than you’d imagine!
Some homes I remember for their architecture, others for their stories, but these ones I remember them by name.
