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.