Street may be named Pancake Way after Viking tale

The name Pancake Way was inspired by a tale from the 9th Century which claims the people of Linby went out to fight invading Vikings after a breakfast of pancakes

The future residents of a new housing estate in Nottinghamshire could live on Pancake Way in honour of a "charming" folk tale involving invading Vikings.

Hundreds of homes are being built at Top Wighay farm, near Hucknall and Linby, by developer Vistry.

Gedling Borough Council has now proposed a series of street names for the new housing estate, including Pancake Way and Denmark Road, which refers to a tale of Vikings warded off by locals after a hearty breakfast.

Other streets will also be named in honour of miners who lost their lives at Linby Colliery.

'Civic pride'

In total, the Top Wighay site - which is also home to Nottinghamshire County Council's new £19m headquarters - is set to feature 763 two, three and four-bedroom homes, maisonettes and apartments, of which 269 will be affordable.

The pancake story dates back to a period following the landing of the Great Heathen Army – or Viking great army – in Anglo-Saxon England in the 9th Century.

According to Gareth Howell, a historical advisor who has hosted talks on the local legend, there are numerous versions of the tale.

"Local men heard the Vikings were on their way, so prepared to resist [them]," he said.

"But they had not had breakfast, so the women of Linby village rustled up an emergency breakfast of pancakes, and went out to fight with the men with their frying pans.

"In some versions of the story, the men ran away into the woods, and it was the women who stood and fought."

Mr Howell welcomed the proposed names.

"These folk stories help give an area its identity and instil a sense of civic pride," he said.

"It keeps alive these charming stories."