A Whistlestop Trivia Tour of the UK Quiz

Answer: Bank of England

The Bank of England has had its headquarters in Threadneedle Street in the City of London since 1734. The nickname 'The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street' is believed to refer to Sarah Whitehead, whose ghost is reputed to haunt the garden of the Bank. The legend goes that her brother had worked for the Bank and had been executed in 1811 for committing the crime of forgery, which had caused her great distress.

When Sarah died she was buried in the graveyard which later became part of the Bank's garden.

Her ghost is claimed to have been seen on many occasions.

Answer: Melton Mowbray

The traditional Melton Mowbray pork pie takes its name from the Borough of Melton in Leicestershire. The pies are made to an original recipe of chopped uncured pork enclosed in a pastry crust. Much copied, following vigorous campaigning the true Melton Mowbray pork pie was awarded Protected Geographical Indication status in 2008, meaning that only pies made of uncured pork in the area around Melton are allowed to bear the name.

As well as its famous pies, Melton Mowbray is also home to Stilton cheese, another renowned food which has Protected Geographical Indication status.

Answer: Cinque Ports

The original five 'Cinque Ports' are on the south-east coast of England along the narrowest part of the English Channel. Because of their strategic position they were set up to provide ships for the defence of the King and were the subject of a Royal Charter in 1155; in return there were tax concessions and other benefits including administering their own justice.

In the 13th century, in addition to the original Cinque Ports the towns of Rye and Winchelsea were declared 'Antient Towns' and several other towns along the coast were also associated with them as 'limbs'. Due to extensive coastal erosion over the years, the only one of the original five ports still functioning as such is Dover.

The Cinque Ports are headed by the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, nowadays a mainly ceremonial role.

Answer: US Open

Andy Murray won his first Major title at the US Open by beating Serbian rival Novak Djokovic in a tense and thrilling five-set match. It was a hugely successful year for him, which had seen him reach the Wimbledon Final for the first time, playing against eventual winner Roger Federer. He later reversed his fortunes by beating Federer to win the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics in the Men's Singles on home ground, representing Team GB. It was a double Olympic triumph as he also won the silver medal for the Mixed Doubles, partnering British Women's No 2 Laura Robson.

Answer: Nottinghamshire

The Nottingham lace industry came to prominence during the Industrial Revolution and at one time was the hub of the world's lacemaking business. The historic centre of the industry, the Lace Market, is now a protected heritage site and tourist attraction, with its narrow streets and fine architecture.

The area is like going back in time, with old-age splendour combined with modern restaurants, shops and even a theatre. Sadly, Nottingham's Lace Centre museum closed in 2009, but the Lace Market is still home to the interesting Galleries of Justice Museum, a museum of crime and punishment, which is housed in the old courthouse, complete with dungeons.

Answer: anatomical specimens

The Hunterian Museum is located at the premises of the Royal College of Surgeons in Lincoln's Inn Fields. The renowned Scottish surgeon John Hunter FRS (1728 - 1793) was a generous benefactor and left his considerable collection to the College.

There is also a Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery in Scotland, which was bequeathed to Glasgow University by Scottish physician William Hunter FRS, brother of John Hunter.

Answer: a locally-made cheese

Barkham Blue is a blue-veined cheese made from cows' milk, which is produced by a family-owned business in Barkham. The cheese is suitable for vegetarians as the cheese-making process uses vegetable rennet, and has won many awards for its superior flavour. A whole Barkham Blue cheese looks very distinctive too; it is made in the shape of an ammonite!

Answer: St David

Saint David lived during the 6th century. He was a noted bishop and teacher, and founded several monasteries. His figure is often depicted with a dove on his shoulder. St David's Cathedral in St David's, Pembrokeshire, is famous for its choir, which has a major festival each year and attracts performers from all over the world. St David's is Britain's smallest city. The Cathedral is next to the ruins of the Bishop's Palace, now an open-air theatre.

Answer: Greenway

Dame Agatha Christie DBE (1890 - 1976) of course brought the wonderful characters of Hercule Poirot, Miss Jane Marple and many others to our bookshelves, as well as romance novels under the pseudonym of Mary Westmacott. She bought the extensive Georgian property Greenway with her second husband, Sir Max Mallowan, in 1938 and used it every summer for the rest of her life. After her death the house became the property of her daughter, Rosalind Hicks, and her husband Anthony Hicks, who bequeathed it to the National Trust in 2000.

The three incorrect choices all relate to titles of books written by Agatha Christie; 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles', 'The Secret of Chimneys' and 'The Sittaford Mystery'.

Answer: Isle of Wight

Cowes is a coastal town on the Isle of Wight, in the English Channel off the coast of Hampshire. It lies across a strait known as the Solent. The town is noted for its prestigious sailing regatta, 'Cowes Week', which is held annually each August and attracts entrants from all over the world.

Queen Victoria had her summer home, Osborne House, at East Cowes, and died there in 1901, after which the house and grounds were bequeathed to the nation. Following its use first as a Naval College and later as a convalescent home for officers during World War I, it is now a major tourist attraction, managed by English Heritage.