Utterly British Maps

by Helen McKenzie

128 pages, Hardcover

Published December 16, 2025

Reviews

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and The National Trust for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

Who knew maps could make such an entertaining topic for a book!

Each map in this book as a page of text to go with it, explaining what it shows and some statistics. The text portions are very short and concise, only a couple of paragraphs. Personally, I could have done with a bit more to get my teeth into but overall there is a nice balance between the text and maps.

The amount of research Helen must have done is impressive. I don't know how accurate it is and I'm not about to research every single map to find the truth, but it reads true and is very interesting and gives us things I had never thought about before.

I am a bit of a nerd so love learning facts and this has definitely helped me with that. Some of it is stupid facts that you will never nee in your life, but I still like to know them.

There's a plethora of topics covered in the maps, including weird place names, nicknames, history, lighthouses, shipwrecks, population density,, castles and spooky sites, steam trains, museums, pubs, food and drink, trees. animals, dinosaurs, weather, Christmas, transport, hobbies, sports, places called "Bottom", and controversially, how to pronounce the word scone.

There really is a map in here for everyone and I think it would appeal to all ages.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reasonable browse for the smallest room, but not much more. You may well have seen maps on social media that have some kind of meme-worthy clout (in Britain ones that pin every pub or Greggs and turn the place bright red but for a couple of patches of bogland here and there are perhaps the most telling) – and this aims to do a blend of that and actual social, historical, geographical detail. Notable National Trust properties, the extent of the coast's lighthouse coverage, a subjective spread of oddball place- and road-names – all this kind of stuff is here, along with a small smattering of original research, such as into the pronunciation of scone, and the cream/jam order on them (both of which I do correctly, of course, btw).

You get a touch of talk from the author and mostly a one-page image for each map of the UK (the Isle of Man will hate this, as it doesn't count at all…). There are exceptions to the rule which further advertise the spread of topics here – the close-ups on the notably bonkers motorway interchanges, the zoom out to have the whole shipping forecast area, and the look at all the Eurovision countries and how routinely they give Britain nul points.

One global chart shows us the flight paths to towns, cities and areas where British twinning associations have made connections – and who knew some brave souls linked with Mauritius?! Perhaps not even the Mauritians. So there definitely is some nicely quotable trivia here, but this is perhaps too trivial – the light, flippant touch is fine in the writing, but the book's ideas could have had a touch more depth and national commentary than it does. It's all a bit gift-booky – three and a bit stars, perhaps.

[A.J. Sefton · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who partakes in pub quizzes or collects useless information, this book is a little gem. Full of facts about where the oldest pub is, the most common British birds, where the rainiest part of Britain is and shipping forecast regions - the answers are all here.

But that's not all. I've often wondered what my country's favourite flavour of crisps is, what is the correct way to say 'scone', and what are the chances of having a white Christmas in Burton-upon-Trent. Then there are answers to those breezy questions like what is the oddest sport, what are the weirdest place names, and how many places are called 'bottom'.

Quirky books are not new of course, but what makes this book different is that each of the bits of information is accompanied by a map of Britain to demonstrate the regions and statistics surrounding each topic. The maps are colourful and easy to navigate and each section is clear with a brief text to introduce each quirk or quibble. I particularly like how the terms Great Britain, the British Isles and the United Kingdom are portrayed at the beginning of the book, using a simple map. It is surprising how many people don't understand this but I bet they will after seeing that.

This is a fun book brimming with facts and trivia in equal measure from the National Trust. And if they don't know a thing or two about Britain, who does? A lovely hardbacked book suitable for gifting.

[Helen Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this! At first glance I was expecting it to be a book exploring place names but this is so much more than that. It covers quirky, snappy and quintessentially British topics that are widely reaching and there’s definitely something to capture anyone’s interest from the oldest pubs, to the most complex roundabouts. I was slightly disappointed that the UK’s oldest roundabout didn’t get a mention as it’s in the town I’ve lived in for the last 18 years and we need as much help as we can get for fame. Similarly in the squirrel section (yes, that’s a thing) you missed an opportunity to mention the unusual black squirrels peculiar to my home town and area.
Anyway, that aside it was very thought provoking and interesting, I was both entertained and enlightened. I am very happy to recommend this book.

[Rachel N · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book, with maps detailing a whole range of fascinating facts about the UK. Although they seem to be an odd mix – where types of birds are most often found, funny street names around the country, the places the shipping forecast names actually cover, which places still enjoy morris dancing – it all comes together to give an interesting overview of the country. The ideal book to dip in and out of and, especially since it’s produced to the usual high National Trust standard, this would also make a wonderful gift.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

[Kira K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Going on the title I knew this book would be a great bit of fun and I wasn’t disappointed. There are so many maps in this with them being used to answer all sorts of fun questions like the favourite crisp, quirkiest museums and spookiest spots across the country to more of a national debate like how to pronounce Scone, what a bread bun is called and the order in which to make a cream tea. Towards the end there are also some really informative maps such as the recovery of red kites, the nations microclimates so it’s not only fun but also some areas are educational too.

[Jamad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Utterly British Maps is a quirky, charming little book full of eccentric and funny maps of Britain. From odd place names to seaside piers and giant roundabouts, it’s full of trivia that’s more amusing than practical — and that’s the point.

Witty, light, and very British, it’s perfect to dip into or leave on the coffee table. A fun, offbeat read for anyone who enjoys the country’s peculiar character.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lightweight but fun

[Harry Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

From fossils to light pollution, from oldest pubs to villages with "bottom" in their name. This is an utterly delightful collection of fun, interesting, and informative maps of the UK. Immensely readable either to devour in one sitting or to pick up and flick through every so often. Perfect to keep lying around in the living room for guests to have a glance through. A great conversation starter too with so many topics broached within the confines of this one book.