The London Place Names No One Can Pronounce (Except Locals)
So, you’ve just arrived in London. You’ve mastered the Tube map, grabbed a Greggs sausage roll, and even remembered to stand on the right side of the escalator. You’re practically a Londoner, right?
Not so fast.
Because just when you think you’ve got this city figured out, someone tells you they live in “Marylebone” or work in “Holborn” — and suddenly your mouth forgets how to make sounds.
Welcome to the London Place Name Trap™. Here are the names no tourist can pronounce (and frankly, many locals struggled with them once too). Ready for a laugh and a lesson?
1. Marylebone
How tourists say it: Mary-le-bone
How locals say it: MAR-le-bn or MAR-li-bn
This West End area looks innocent enough on paper, but the trick is to drop a syllable and blur the rest. Londoners say it fast and slightly nasal — just enough to confuse you.
📍Fun fact: It’s named after St Mary’s church by the Tyburn river (aka “St Mary by the bourne”).
2. Holborn
How tourists say it: Hole-born
How locals say it: HO-b’n or HOE-b’n
Another victim of the disappearing syllable. It's a major legal and commercial area—but if you say the "l" or "r" too clearly, locals will raise an eyebrow.
📍Near: The British Museum and Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
3. Southwark
How tourists say it: South-wark
How locals say it: SUTH-uck
Yes, we know it doesn’t make sense. But in London, “wark” often becomes “uck”, and South becomes “Suth.” It’s an old English twist — just smile and say it with confidence.
📍Home to Borough Market and Shakespeare’s Globe.
4. Greenwich
How tourists say it: Green-witch
How locals say it: GREN-itch
The “w” is silent. Almost aggressively so. This riverside borough is rich in history and the Prime Meridian, but it definitely doesn’t involve a witch.
📍Visit for: The Royal Observatory and stunning Thames views.
5. Belgravia
How tourists say it: Bel-grav-ee-a
How locals say it: Bel-GRAY-vee-a
It’s posh, it’s polished, and the emphasis is on the “GRAY.” Not “gra-vee-a”, which sounds like an underwhelming pasta sauce.
📍Fun fact: Home to some of the most expensive real estate in the UK.
6. Leicester Square
How tourists say it: Lie-ches-ter
How locals say it: Lester
An absolute classic. There’s no “chest” in Leicester. There’s barely any “ice.” It’s just Lester — a lesson in British place name minimalism.
📍London’s answer to Times Square, but with more street performers and Pret A Mangers.
7. Chiswick
How tourists say it: Chis-wick
How locals say it: Chiz-ik
Drop the “w” completely. This leafy west London suburb is filled with upscale homes, pubs, and residents who politely chuckle when someone says it wrong.
📍Great for: Riverside walks and bookish coffee shops.
8. Clapham
How tourists say it: Clap-ham
How locals say it: Clap-‘m
While it’s not a huge offender, locals do tend to swallow the second syllable. If you're trying to sound like a true South Londoner, give it a lazy second half.
📍Vibes: Bottomless brunch central.
9. Ruislip
How tourists say it: Roo-ee-slip
How locals say it: RYE-slip
It looks suspiciously French. It’s not. Think: rye bread + slip. Now you’ve got it. If you over-pronounce it, someone from Zone 6 will absolutely let you know.
📍Best for: Hidden woodlands and surprising lido action.
10. Isle of Dogs
How tourists say it: Isle of...Dogs?
How locals say it: Just say it. You’re fine.
This one isn’t mispronounced, but people assume it’s fake. Yes, it’s a real place. Yes, people live there. No, there aren’t just dogs.
📍Located in Docklands — a weird but lovable pocket of London.
Why Is Pronunciation So Weird in London?
Because the English language loves a curveball. London’s place names are a mix of:
Saxon, Roman, and Norse roots
French influence post-Norman invasion
Anglicisation of old river and borough names
...and just plain British stubbornness
Bonus: Other Mind-Bending Place Names
Beauchamp Place → Beecham
Grosvenor Square → Grove-nuh
Magdalen College (Oxfordshire) → Maudlin (okay, not London, but still useful!)
Final Thoughts
Don’t stress if you mess up a name or two. Even locals have had their embarrassing “Leicester Square” moment. The trick is to listen, copy, and say it with confidence. (Or just mumble and point—works every time.)
And if someone corrects you, smile and say, “Cheers!”
You’re one step closer to sounding like a proper Londoner.
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