The Top 10: British Towns Known Worldwide for Just One Thing

From Stratford-upon-Avon via Strontian to Coldstream

Restored 16th century house believed to be Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon (David Iliff)

Andrew Denny proposed this list, and as James Irwin said it could easily have been a top 20 or 40. Andrew started it with Rugby and Stratford-upon-Avon, but I ruled Rugby out because it is known for two things: the ancestor of American football and the school.

1. Stratford-upon-Avon. Pity all those tourists who turn up at Stratford, east London, looking for Shakespeare’s house (above).

2. Cheddar. Nominated by James Irwin and nearly ruled out of order because it is also known, but not really “worldwide”, for its gorge.

3. Kendal. Minted by Alan Robertson and Chris Barraclough.

4. Sandhurst. Thanks to Paul T Horgan.

5. Bakewell. Tartly observed by Gordon Hector and David Oakley.

6. Wembley. And no, the Arena doesn’t count.

7. Strontian, Lochaber. “Known only as the place they invented Strontium, atomic number 38, which was an impurity in the local lead mine,” said Guy Cudmore.

8. Stilton. Although the cheese is actually made in Melton Mowbray (also famous, but possibly not worldwide, for its pies) 50 miles away. Legend has it that it was sold in a coaching inn in Stilton, which is on Ermine Street and the Great North Road, according to Guy Cudmore again.

9. Eccles. I’m not sure how well known the cakes are in, for example, Wyoming, but Hannah Fearn nominated it and she’s the boss.

10. Coldstream, Berwickshire. Another fine contribution from Alan Robertson.

Honourable mentions for Gretna Green, Coventry (Robert Boston); Hay on Wye (Alasdair Brooks); Jarrow (Danny Webster); Axminster, Wilton, once the county town of Wiltshire, Worstead, north of Norwich, where worsted cloth was invented (Guy Cudmore), Henley, Ascot (John Duffield), Hastings, Worcester (James) and Elstree (Graham Fildes).

A lot of nominations were received for Sandwich and Cardigan, but they were named after the person who was named after the town. The Corby trouser press was named after John Corby, who may or may not have taken his name from the town. Other disallowed nominations included Gatwick, which was a manor house not a town, Heathrow, which was a row of cottages, and Runnymede, a meadow.

Finally, thanks to Guy Cudmore again for this: “There is a suburb of Dublin called Donnybrook, which in medieval times had an annual cattle fair, which by Victorian times had degenerated into an annual excuse for drunkenness and brawling, so much so that the city fathers bought back the royal charter and closed it down for bringing the town into disrepute, but even today a Donnybrook is a brawl, drunken or otherwise. In team sports noted for breakdowns into disorder, such as Australian Rules Football and ice hockey, the television commentators often call it a Donnybrook.”

Next week: Narcissistic, self-congratulatory, humblebraggy, sick-making ballads (just in time for Christmas)

Coming soon: People who lost two elections in one year (inspired by Zac Goldsmith)

Listellany: A Miscellany of Very British Top Tens, From Politics to Pop, is available as an e-book or an ideal Christmas present small hardback. Your suggestions, and ideas for future Top 10s, in the comments please, or to me on Twitter, or by email to top10@independent.co.uk