Quirky or what? England's alternative Olympic events

Visit England

Didn't get tickets for the Olympics? Not quite talented enough to compete this year? Don't panic – because England has plenty of alternative events on offer. Whether you're a spectator or a participant, the joy of these lesser-known competitions is that they bring to the fore some of our country's quirkier heritage and culture.

From toe wrestling to pancake tossing, coal carrying to gravy fighting, hundreds of unconventional championships are taking place in a jam-packed cultural and sporting calendar and they're a wonder to behold.

So grab your wellies, gravy-proof clothing and your pea shooter and get involved in some of the country's alternative sporting events. Here are the top ten, courtesy of Visit England.

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