Living in the villages around here, I’ve noticed something curious: lots of people don’t actually have house numbers. Instead, they live at “The Old Barn,” “Rose Cottage,” or “Dunroamin.” Which is all very charming — until you try to find them.
Have you ever had someone say, “Oh, just pop round to The Willows” as if you’ve memorised the secret directory of every house name in the parish? Unless you’re a local postie or have the homing instincts of a pigeon, it’s a bit of a lottery.
It got me thinking: what happens if you have to call the emergency services? “Yes, ambulance please — it’s urgent! We’re at Willowbrook.” Good luck to the poor paramedic trying to work that one out when the whole lane is lined with cottages, none of them numbered, and all of them named after some variation of trees.
This is where what3words comes in. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a clever app that divides the entire planet into 3m x 3m squares and gives each one a unique three-word address. Instead of vague directions like “third on the left after the farm,” you can send someone your exact spot — accurate enough to guide emergency services, delivery drivers, or friends who usually get lost.
When I checked mine, I discovered my house covers a few different squares (apparently, I’m a man of many identities). Out of the options, my favourite was one called:
My wife, being ex-RAF, particularly appreciated that one — though I’ll admit it makes us sound more like an international spy ring than a couple living quietly in Wiltshire.
So next time someone tells you they live at “The Old Granary,” don’t panic — just get their what3words. It might save you a 20-minute detour, or, more importantly, help an ambulance find them in a hurry.
Charming as house names are, sometimes three little words can make all the difference.
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