Worm Hill – Washington, England - Atlas Obscura
Found lying on the North bank of the River Wear, casting a relentless gaze over the village peoples of Fatfield, Tyne, and Wear, is Worm Hill. Dividing opinion for centuries, this geological phenomenon bewitches the imagination of anyone who marvels at its grandeur. Its unusual and unnatural shape has led to numerous claims of its origin. Ordinance survey records show the area found its name as far back as 1737, but it was in 1785 when its most famous association began, the legend of the Lambton Worm. The story centers around a young John Lambton, the 1st earl of Durham and the heir to the Lambton Estate. One Sunday morning, John chooses to skip church and spend his time fishing in the River Wear. He is confronted by a traveler who warns him that no good ever comes from skipping church. John chooses to ignore the warning and instead continues fishing until he catches a small eel-like creature, which supposedly was closer to resembling a snake or salaman...