Last updated on August 23rd, 2023 at 11:33 am
What is Britain’s longest river, highest mountain, smallest city, oldest pub, longest road, best-selling album, longest-reigning monarch? If you don’t already have this essential knowledge at your finger-tips, look no further. Why? – because the answer to these, and other life-changing questions, will be found on Britain’s superlatives – a brand-new page created especially for you on A Bit About Britain.
If you believe something vital has been missed, please drop me a line via the contact page – not via the comment forum, please. Include as much information as you can, including a source or two; it’s not enough, for example, simply saying something like “Britain’s largest kipper was a metre long and caught in the Irish Sea in 1958”.
Britain’s superlatives is the latest light-hearted nonsense designed to gladden the hearts of casual browsers, lovers of pub-quizzes, trivia and those who seriously want to know stuff about Britain. There are now more than 40 pages on the website, including information on British monarchs, prime ministers, Britain’s regions, population, annual events – and even the explanation of what the terms ‘Britain’ and ‘the United Kingdom’ actually mean (as well as when to say ‘Britain’ rather than ‘England’). More than 400 blog articles feature mainstream attractions, less obvious places of interest, events in Britain’s history and the origins of some of our customs and traditions. Have a browse through the menu.
Click Places to Visit to discover more than 800 (as of August 2020) places of interest, with basic information (what, where, why etc) for each, including links to relevant websites for more detailed and variable visitor information, such as opening times and entry fees. If your favourite attraction is not listed, and you have a good quality, digital, photograph of it in landscape orientation that you would be prepared to be published on A Bit About Britain, please get in touch via the contact page.
I had no idea Glasgow was bigger than Manchester! Also interesting to see the cities that are unrecorded as to when they became cities. And I am surprised that Led Zeppelin have outsold Queen. Fun compilation!
Ta very much! Actually, I was surprised that Pink Floyd weren’t at No 2.
A most enjoyable read, Mike. Thank you for compiling this useful list.
Thanks, Clare – all part of the Master Plan…
Oh to be out on the road again to explore all these ‘Superlative’ places…
Maybe soon 🙂
That would be good, CP – though I’m a little nervous!
What fun. Our daughter and son-in-law now live in Margate and when they first moved there I seem to recall some debate as to whether the Thames ended where it becomes tidal at Teddington or at Margate which might claim to be in the Thames Estuary!
That sounds far too detailed for me – I think it’s officially in the Thames estuary somewhere!
Hi Mike – great idea … and wonderful you can keep us guessing what will come next. I’ll join the pub crawl though … but need a few ‘sleep’ nights on the way round! I don’t think I can come up with anything … but who knows – sometime later something might occur. All the best – Hilary
That’s at least 4 for the pub-tour, then. More stylish than a pub-crawl, surely? 🙂
Well I won’t crawl at the beginning … but I’ll be dragging my asparagus train with me! I’ll stick with my coffee now …
Look what just came up in a Society’s magazine I get: I’m giving you the Wiki page … no mention of beer in the article I read …but pub to pub it obviously was … when made by Hilaire Belloc – another of those coincidences …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Men:_A_Farrago
Excellent! And just in time for Sussex Day, 16 June, too! Thanks, Hilary.
Hi Mike … I found reference to The Four Men:A Farrago by Hilaire Belloc in a Sussex article I’ve just read … sounds a good place to start your pub crawl?! It’s in Wiki …but I haven’t posted it here … thought you’d enjoy re this post …
cheers Hilary
How irritating … I thought it hadn’t taken because I’d put the link in … ah well – two for one or four … or?! I never knew today was Sussex Day either …
I hope you have a link to your own blog, as the most pleasingly informative site on Britain. 😉
Very kind, Lisa! The more links to ABAB, the better! 🙂
Sound a like an interesting page to browse through.
Browse away..!
I love this post! Would I be able to do something similar on France, I wonder? You really must stop inspiring me… Would take loads of research! I grew up in a village close to St Albans, so I know and have drunk in Ye Olde Fighting Cocks. It is definitely the oldest pub in Britain!!
I’m ashamed to say I have not drunk in Ye Olde Fighting Cocks – yet. 🙂
I would have thought that Britain’s oldest family-owned chippy would be a valuable addition. Mind you I’d have no idea how to go about find it. Not a very helpful suggestion I know. I think I may have seen a photo of that kipper by the way. It might be hanging on the wall in Little Moaning’s British Legion Club House. The date on the photo was a bit faded so I’m not sure it was from 1958 but it seems likely. I’m sure being slapped by that kipper would have been powerful indeed.
Even more powerful 60 years on.
That is a fun thing! And you will have folks sending you things to add! Hope you are well and stay that well!
Thanks, Kay! You too…
An excellent post. I’ve sent you another pub on your contacts page https://derrickjknight.com/2018/08/03/fleur-de-lys/
Thanks very much, Derrick. I’ve replied to your email – much appreciated.
I had a quick look. You were brave to tackle the thorny question of the oldest pub.
Isn’t it odd, in these days of certainty, how little is uncertain?! 🙂 I think the best thing would be to organise a tour of all the ‘oldest’ pubs!
Fabulous idea. I’m in.
Certainly worth thinking about!
I’m in, just give me some advance notice so I can arrange my flight and accommodations… 🙂
Maybe next year!
🙂
I hope you find the oldest pubs and restaurants in the country. Men were very keen to drink in warm, sociable spaces way back into national history, but most of those businesses did not survive.
Let me know what you think of the list, Hells.
always great information about interesting subjects, lovely to travel to from home, mostly nothank You
Thank you, Ida!
Sounds cool
Something for the pub quiz, anyway!
I’ll keep this for the weekend…a super idea.
It won’t take that long…
What a fun new page this will be!
Something light in these heavy times!
Good idea.
Thanks, Fraggle – just a bit of fun.