Humphry Clinker, is an ostler, a stableman at an inn, who is taken on by Matthew Bramble, and his family while they are travelling through England. Various adventures befall them, especially after their meeting with Lieutenant Lismahago, a Scotsman, who joins their party. After various romantic interludes, Humphry suffers false imprisonment but is rescued and returned to his sweetheart, the maid Winifred Jenkins. It is then discovered that Humphry is Mr. Bramble's illegitimate son from a relationship with a barmaid during his wilder university days.

It is written in the form of a series of letters the five members of Squire Bramble’s household send as they journey around Britain. Much of the humour comes from the differing descriptions given by the five characters of the same events

June Whitfield and Co. read the Humprey Clinker audio book with great conviction, and produce a truly remarkable performance worthy of a BBC radio play.