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The Museum of Hoaxes is dedicated to promoting knowledge about hoaxes. (Click here for opening hours, etc.) On our blog we post about whatever dubious-sounding claims come across our path on a day-by-day basis. In our archives we have hundreds of articles about the most fascinating and notorious deceptions throughout history, from the middle ages to the present.
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Argleton, Lancashire: the town that doesn’t exist
From the BBC:Argleton appears on Google Maps as a small town furnished with amenities, but it does not actually exist, apart from a field and a few trees.
Some people have described the place, nestled between Aughton and Ormskirk, as a "phantom town" that only ever appears on the online search engine.
Google said: "While [most information] is correct there are... errors."
Roy Bayfield from nearby Edge Hill University became so intrigued by the description that he decided to walk there.
He was greeted by a gate, a field and cluster of trees but no houses, businesses, pubs or even a phone box.
"It is strange," Mr Bayfield said, "especially because chiropractors, nurseries and even dating agencies are listed under Argleton.
Some people have described the place, nestled between Aughton and Ormskirk, as a "phantom town" that only ever appears on the online search engine.
Google said: "While [most information] is correct there are... errors."
Roy Bayfield from nearby Edge Hill University became so intrigued by the description that he decided to walk there.
He was greeted by a gate, a field and cluster of trees but no houses, businesses, pubs or even a phone box.
"It is strange," Mr Bayfield said, "especially because chiropractors, nurseries and even dating agencies are listed under Argleton.
Hmm. I wonder if it's a copyright trap (or Mountweazel). It reminds me of Agloe, New York. (Thanks, Bob!)