He has fondly documented many of the nation’s endearing quirks on his travels – and never shied away from highlighting our faults.
But there’s one thing really getting under Bill Bryson’s skin – those who talk the country down.
The US-born author said those like himself who had made Britain their home were important reminders of how ‘brilliant’ the country is.
There’s one thing really getting under Bill Bryson’s skin – those who talk the country down
Mr Bryson, 66, spoke as a group of American expats set out on an attempt to walk the so-called ‘Bryson Line’.
The 569-mile hike, outlined in his 2015 book The Road to Little Dribbling, is the longest distance one can walk through Britain in a straight line.
He told The Sunday Telegraph: ‘They’re just trying to demonstrate that there are a lot of people like us who live in Britain voluntarily.
‘People spend a lot of time tearing Britain down and taking it for granted but it’s actually a brilliant place.
The US-born author said those like himself who had made Britain their home were important reminders of how ‘brilliant’ the country is
It’s one of the great benefits of immigrants who remind us there are a lot of good reasons to be pleased with wherever you are.’
Mr Bryson, who became a British citizen in 2015, remains enthusiastic about the glorious UK countryside and thinks we should be enjoying it more.
He said: ‘What I’ve been telling people for 40 years is you have an incredibly beautiful country here, so use it and value it.
‘We live in a very expensive time but you don’t have to pay anyone to enjoy our beautiful landscapes.
The National Parks system here is really wonderful. You have so many miles of public footpaths in Britain.
In a little country it’s an incredible number. On the whole you already are doing a really good job.’
Mr Bryson has previously taken aim at Britons for becoming ‘greedy and selfish’.
The Bryson Line walkers, who are trying to raise £100,000 for charities including the Campaign to Protect Rural England and Great Ormond Street Hospital, are due to finish on July 8.
Their route goes from Cape Wrath to Bognor Regis.