Brilliant Britain is an entertaining journey through the quirks, oddities and idiosyncrasies that define our nation and preserve us from the mundane and predictable, such as:

• the royal pomp and pageantry of the State Opening of Parliament and the less well-known swan-upping;

• unusual sports and pastimes, from bog snorkelling to worm charming;

• annual countrywide events including the May Day festivities and the beating of the bounds;

• dialects and slang, provincial foods and a recipe for the perfect chip butty.

This book lifts the lid on a rich heritage of eccentricity and diversity, exploring all that makes Britain brilliant.