Why Join?

  • Add New Books

  • Write a Review

  • Backpack Reading Lists

  • Newsletter Updates

Join Now

GIVEAWAY 3 copies of Unofficial Britain

26th September 2021

Giveaway: 3 copies of Unofficial Britain by Gareth E Rees

3 copies of Unofficial Britain

There is a Britain that exists outside of the official histories and guidebooks – places that lie on the margins, left behind. A Britain in the cracks of the urban facade where unexpected life can flourish. Welcome to UNOFFICIAL BRITAIN.

This is a land of industrial estates, factories and electricity pylons, of motorways and ring roads, of hospitals and housing estates, of roundabouts and flyovers.

Places where modern life speeds past but where people and stories nevertheless collect. Places where human dramas play out: stories of love, violence, fear, boredom and artistic expression. Places of ghost sightings, first kisses, experiments with drugs, refuges for the homeless, hangouts for the outcasts.

Struck by the power of these stories and experiences, Gareth E. Rees set out to explore these spaces and the essential part they have played in the history and geography of our isles. Though mundane and neglected, they can be as powerfully influential in our lives, and imaginations, as any picture postcard tourist destination.

HERE’S WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT IT

HOW TO ENTER

You need to be a member of TripFiction. Simply go to www.tripfiction.com and scroll down to the JOIN NOW tab. And we do check!

Then, tell us in the COMMENTS below, tell us why you would like to win a copy of this book!

Enter by midnight, 9 October 2021 and the winner will be chosen at random. UK only

Join Team TripFiction on Social Media:

Twitter (@TripFiction), Facebook (@TripFiction.Literarywanderlust), YouTube (TripFiction #Literarywanderlust), Instagram (@TripFiction) and Pinterest (@TripFiction)

Subscribe to future blog posts

Leave a Comment to Laura Pritchard Cancel Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. User: Tina Hartas

    Posted on: 14/10/2021 at 5:22 pm

    WINNERS!

    Karlthefox
    Boxfords
    Jo McPherson

    Comment

  2. User: Jeanette Leighton

    Posted on: 09/10/2021 at 1:41 pm

    I would love to win for my dad he would find this very interesting

    Comment

  3. User: Cristina McDowall

    Posted on: 09/10/2021 at 1:01 pm

    It looks intriguing

    Comment

  4. User: Williamj98

    Posted on: 09/10/2021 at 10:56 am

    Been a passenger during our trips this could be interesting to pass time

    Comment

  5. User: janj2301

    Posted on: 09/10/2021 at 9:50 am

    my daughter read it, said it was really good and I trust her opinion, gave her copy to a mate so I’d like one for myself

    Comment

  6. User: Sheena Read

    Posted on: 09/10/2021 at 9:47 am

    I would like to win because the book will reveal places I’ve never even dreamt of perhaps even on my doorstep, so to speak.

    Comment

  7. User: Nigelg

    Posted on: 09/10/2021 at 7:39 am

    Quite simple – it just looks so interesting!

    Comment

  8. User: Sarahdo

    Posted on: 09/10/2021 at 6:19 am

    This would be a great read in our campervan

    Comment

  9. User: andyszym

    Posted on: 08/10/2021 at 11:02 pm

    It sounds fascinating.

    Comment

  10. User: Alison Latham

    Posted on: 08/10/2021 at 10:50 pm

    Looks a great read!

    Comment

  11. User: Sandra Foreman

    Posted on: 08/10/2021 at 8:36 pm

    Sounds really interesting

    Comment

  12. User: Fatstat

    Posted on: 08/10/2021 at 8:29 pm

    This looks like a fascinating read.

    Comment

  13. User: Joyce Willis

    Posted on: 08/10/2021 at 8:23 pm

    Really different subject matter – would love to read it

    Comment

  14. User: Jennie Stallard

    Posted on: 08/10/2021 at 8:05 pm

    i’d love to win a copy because i love exploring new places especially special unknown surprises.

    Comment

  15. User: Miriam Smith

    Posted on: 08/10/2021 at 6:20 pm

    Sounds so full of information that will be interesting to read the about different places is the UK and hopefully my local north east area too!

    Comment

  16. User: Sheila Howes

    Posted on: 08/10/2021 at 4:32 pm

    Sounds a bit different!

    Comment

  17. User: Pauline Ahern

    Posted on: 08/10/2021 at 1:48 pm

    because it will be a good read.

    Comment

  18. User: Georgina Prince

    Posted on: 08/10/2021 at 10:10 am

    I would love to win because this sounds really interesting and unique!

    Comment

  19. User: Sue Barton

    Posted on: 08/10/2021 at 8:57 am

    When I retire (soon), I am going to do a road trip throughout the UK and would love to visit places that are unusual

    Comment

  20. User: Kay Gerken

    Posted on: 07/10/2021 at 10:03 pm

    Now that we are staying in the UK more, it looks like this book would help greatly in finding some places to visit which are ‘different’.

    Comment

  21. User: Alison

    Posted on: 07/10/2021 at 4:58 pm

    This looks like a fab read

    Comment

  22. User: Candyfloss

    Posted on: 07/10/2021 at 3:08 pm

    I absolutely love books like this: About real people and the places you don’t usually see.

    Comment

  23. User: Caroline Shepherd

    Posted on: 07/10/2021 at 8:42 am

    I’ve always had a bit of a thing about concrete and pylons!

    Comment

  24. User: Jenn Gillies

    Posted on: 07/10/2021 at 5:02 am

    I think that the narrative presented in this book is quite unique, and would help explain and enlighten so much about where we are now.

    Comment

  25. User: Deborah Bird

    Posted on: 06/10/2021 at 6:02 pm

    It sounds really interesting! I love to learn about the history of places!

    Comment

  26. User: Erica Hughes

    Posted on: 06/10/2021 at 4:52 pm

    Always like to explore the unusual

    Comment

  27. User: Mandy

    Posted on: 06/10/2021 at 2:38 pm

    This looks so interesting. Think it needs to be one for my autistic nephews Christmas box .. he is pylon obsessed

    Comment

  28. User: andyi

    Posted on: 05/10/2021 at 6:20 pm

    It would be great to learn a little bit about Britain.

    Comment

  29. User: sarah parker

    Posted on: 05/10/2021 at 8:27 am

    Would be great to try out some different places 🙂

    Comment

  30. User: wef1984

    Posted on: 04/10/2021 at 7:29 pm

    It looks really interesting

    Comment

  31. User: Gul Akkaya

    Posted on: 04/10/2021 at 4:28 pm

    Would love to learn more about the Britain as I haven’t lived here all my life and it would be very interesting to know something unusual about many places.

    Comment

  32. User: Jo McPherson

    Posted on: 04/10/2021 at 7:20 am

    It sounds like a great read, really interesting

    Comment

  33. User: Peter Beard

    Posted on: 03/10/2021 at 7:32 pm

    I want to find out what’s really in my neighbourhood. Sounds Fascinating

    Comment

  34. User: Riddler

    Posted on: 03/10/2021 at 11:14 am

    I’m really interested in the margins of urban landscapes, places to have a walk in a real space.

    Comment

  35. User: Pengwen

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 10:45 pm

    A real look at life in all of Britain,warts and all.

    Comment

  36. User: Sarah Noakes

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 8:34 pm

    Unofficial Britain sounds fascinating. Living a place where million pound holiday homes are right next to some of the most deprived areas of Britain makes me interested in these liminal spaces.

    Comment

  37. User: Ellie F Wood

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 7:12 pm

    I’m always looking for the unexpected things, so this would be a helpful guide!

    Comment

  38. User: Laura Pritchard

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 6:59 pm

    It sounds like a really interesting read!

    Comment

  39. User: Tess P

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 6:04 pm

    For all our oddness, I love Britain and the Brits and would enjoy reading the unofficial bits!

    Comment

  40. User: Kim Murray

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 4:43 pm

    Looks fascinating- like to learn something new x

    Comment

  41. User: becksta75

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 3:22 pm

    I love exploring my local area and beyond to find the lesser known hidden gems. I think this book would help me discover some more.

    Comment

  42. User: galadrial

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 11:48 am

    I think it would be a great book to read to find some new places to visit.

    Comment

  43. User: claire woods

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 11:30 am

    It sounds interesting.

    Comment

  44. User: Heather N

    Posted on: 02/10/2021 at 7:41 am

    I’d love to read these interesting stories of ordinary life in ordinary places

    Comment

  45. User: Amy

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 8:50 pm

    sounds an interesting read!! i love reading about local lce to visit

    Comment

  46. User: redfox5

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 7:22 pm

    I was sold when you mentioned electricity pylons! I know it’s an unpopular opinion but I think they look beautiful and I’m always taking photos of them!

    Comment

  47. User: Sheena Batey

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 4:54 pm

    It sounds like fun reading

    Comment

  48. User: Whizadora

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 3:40 pm

    I’m drawn to the title and think it would be a very interesting read!!

    Comment

  49. User: Karl Foxley

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 3:05 pm

    I love exploring the UK and finding new and unique places that are not often promoted or discussed.

    Comment

  50. User: Plumbobmummy

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 1:21 pm

    As it sounds an interesting read

    Comment

  51. User: Leah Tonna

    Posted on: 01/10/2021 at 10:51 am

    Now in my 70s having plenty of time on my hands, I sometimes speculate how my life could have been so different. If I’d stayed a runaway teen, chosen a criminal partner, followed the excitement of the ‘rock’ scene, I wouldn’t be the comfortable West Sussex OAP I am today. I’d love to read about Unofficial Britain.

    Comment

  52. User: Margaret Gallagher

    Posted on: 30/09/2021 at 8:16 am

    A little inspiration
    A beautiful read

    A joy for our family : conversation starter about britain

    Comment

  53. User: sallie

    Posted on: 29/09/2021 at 4:56 pm

    always glad to find new places

    Comment

  54. User: Lesley Morton-Evans

    Posted on: 29/09/2021 at 7:27 am

    Its always good to “think outside of the box” or in this case, look beyond the obvious well known British sites. Due to the pandemic I believe more of us are appreciating our fabulous country. This book sounds fascinating.

    Comment

  55. User: eshaah1

    Posted on: 29/09/2021 at 3:36 am

    It seems to be am interesting combination of urban folklore, history and geography- all topics that interest me

    Comment

  56. User: Lisa

    Posted on: 28/09/2021 at 4:17 pm

    This book looks like an interesting insight into the types of spaces we would usually pass by and never really stop and think about.

    Comment

  57. User: lapsapchung

    Posted on: 28/09/2021 at 8:51 am

    From here on, I can see more and more of our holidays being UK based, and it would be interesting to learn more about the, shall we say, less picturesque parts of our travels which could sometimes be more significant than the grand parks and stately homes we are heading for.

    Comment

  58. User: louise

    Posted on: 27/09/2021 at 12:19 pm

    Ah, the romance of the electricity pylon and the flyover! Nuclear bunkers are also a good place to gi and visit Seriously, this sounds like fun

    Comment

  59. User: Sue Barton

    Posted on: 27/09/2021 at 7:05 am

    I retire soon and am going on a road trip around Britain. I need to see the places that I don’t know exist

    Comment

  60. User: Yvonne (@Fiction_Books)

    Posted on: 26/09/2021 at 9:23 pm

    I love these “unofficial” guides, as they get under the skin of a place and strip them bare, so that you can see their true heritage.

    I have read a couple of similar style books about my hometown of Swindon, home to the railway works, where all my family worked. Some of the old buildings and stories of the residents are so interesting.

    On a lighter note, these “unofficial” guides are always a must when planning a holiday, just so you can plan for those unexpected not quite so nice bits that the tour guides don’t tell you about!

    Comment

  61. User: philatel

    Posted on: 26/09/2021 at 7:45 pm

    I love this sort of book which encourages me to get out and about to explore areas not often talked about.

    Comment

  62. User: Rachel Hall

    Posted on: 26/09/2021 at 6:57 pm

    Love the sound of this quirky book and hoping it could inspire me to explore my local area and reappraise and reflect on nearby locations/sites/features that I might have previously dismissed.

    Comment

  63. User: Janine

    Posted on: 26/09/2021 at 6:30 pm

    This sounds really interesting

    Comment