| Tiddleywink | |
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Tiddleywink
Tiddleywink shown within Wiltshire |
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| Unitary authority | Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Ceremonial county | Wiltshire |
| Region | South West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CHIPPENHAM |
| Postcode district | SN15 |
| Dialling code | 01249 |
| Police | Wiltshire |
| Fire | Wiltshire |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament | North Wiltshire, Chippenham |
| List of places: UK • England • Wiltshire | |
Tiddleywink is a hamlet consisting of eight cottages on the B4039 road, near the village of Yatton Keynell, about three miles (five kilometres) to the west of Chippenham, Wiltshire, England. The name is said to derive from rhyming slang for "a quick drink" - the village getting its name from one of its cottages historically being known to serve beer to passing cattle drovers.[1]
Because of its small size (it consists of eight houses),[1] Tiddleywink has been for many years omitted from the official book of place names, the Collins British Atlas and Gazetteer, and from most maps. Furthermore, the road signs were lost years ago in an accident, resulting in the hamlet becoming virtually invisible to the outside world. It has been shown, however, that it was recognised as a settlement in the 1881 census, when it had a total of 28 residents.[1]
Early in 2003, after much campaigning, residents finally won their settlement two new road signs, and widespread recognition, as their story made the national news.[2]