Once you get past the obvious question about cheese rolling (why?), it’s easy to see the appeal. Held at Coopers Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, on every second Bank Holiday in May (this year was May 25), this sporting event is as much fun to watch as it is to participate. The first race of the day gets underway when a 4kg Double Gloucester cheese is rolled down the hill… and the many competitors hurl themselves down the 1:2 gradient in pursuit — with hilarious results. The winner gets to keep the cheese, and the bruises eventually fade.

The West Country is one of the most beautiful parts of Britain, and Devon has attractions ranging from the rugged beauty of Dartmoor to the English Riviera of Torbay. But on 2 August, things get a whole lot sillier when Ilfracombe in North Devon hosts its annual Birdman Competition. It’s impossible not to laugh as intrepid fliers of all ages fling themselves from the pier into the (hopefully warm) sea while dressed in an assortment of absurd outfits.

Head for Wales for the World Bog Snorkelling Championships; another Bank Holiday tradition — this year on the last day of August. Held at Waen Rhydd Bog, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, it involves swimming two lengths of a less-than-appealing peaty trench in a snorkel and flippers. (A wetsuit isn’t a bad idea.) The winner is the snorkeller who sets the fastest time and, believe it or not, people travel from all over the world to take part.

Kids all over the world get told off for pulling faces; but not in Egremont in Cumbria where the World Gurning Championships are held every 3rd Saturday in September. Contestants must put their head through a horse collar and contort their features in the most hideously hilarious ways possible. The winner is the person who gets the most enthusiastic response from the gathered crowds. The Egremont Crab Fair — of which the Gurning Championships are a part — dates back to the 13th century!

All British children know about conkers — a tradition as old as the hills. Every autumn, children head out to gather conkers (the nut of the Horse Chestnut tree), which are then prepared and have a string attached. Opponents then face off against each other, taking it in turns to try and break their opponent’s conker with their own. Every second Sunday in October, conker connoisseurs gather on the village green of Ashton, Peterborough, and go head to head (or at least conker to conker) in the World Conker Championships. Divide and conker!

Back to Devon in November, when the town of Ottery St Mary likes to have a slightly unusual Bonfire Night. While the rest of the country enjoy their fireworks, the men of Ottery St Mary hoist flaming barrels coated in tar onto their shoulders and run through the streets. It’s a tradition that dates back to the 17th century and one you’ll never forget being witness to.

Some of these pastimes might seem like tall tales. But they really aren’t. The Biggest Liar in the World competition, on the other hand, might leave you wondering what’s real and what isn’t! Held at the Bridge Inn in Stanton Bridge, Cumbria, on the third Thursday in November, it dates back to 1974 and has produced some of the biggest ever fibs and whoppers. Contestants must spin their yarns to the audience and a panel of judges.

The great thing about the wackier British events is that visitors aren’t expected to take part, but enthusiastic supporters and spectators are always welcome. So, this year, why not fly to the UK and discover a Britain you never expected!

British Airways operates double daily flights from Johannesburg to London and daily between Cape Town and London. All these flights operate via its exclusive new home at Heathrow – Terminal 5. For more about attractions in the UK and all British Airways flights and services, visit ba.com.