British culture reflects the United Kingdom’s rich history, including its people, and the unique traditions and customs of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Ask most international tourists what British culture means to them, and they will talk about the Royal family, James Bond, Wimbledon tennis, thatched cottages, Shakespeare, rolling green fields and a cup of tea.
But the UK is a multi-nation, multi-ethnic land, that’s full of vibrant communities and world leading companies, as well as globally recognised actors, musicians, and artists. As one of the most diverse countries in the world, there is far more to our culture than these outdated global perceptions.
Curry
Brits are often teased about their supposed awful taste in food, with fish and chips and roast beef held up as examples of our gastronomic crimes. But in Britain, curry is king, and the famous Chicken Tikka Masala was even invented here in Glasgow.
Thanks to immigrants from Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, now calling Britain home, you can find a curry house in nearly every town. Manchester boasts the famous Curry Mile, Birmingham has the Balti Triangle, while London has Brick Lane.
Sport
There are so many popular sports in Britain, including football, rugby, cricket, tennis, boxing, golf, athletics and many more. Such a wide variety of events, highlights Britain’s love of all things sporting.
Whether it’s watching or playing, Brit’s can’t get enough of the action, and there’s no better way to sample the culture of any country, than to attend a live sporting event.
Take yourself down to a football game on a Saturday afternoon or a cricket game on an English summer’s day, to truly experience British culture.
Gambling
Gambling has always been popular in Britain, thanks to its long history of horse racing and love of sports in general. So, it’s no surprise that online gambling has taken off over the last few years, thanks in part to government legislation allowing gamers to gamble online.
Punters can now head online to place bets or play casino games. There are a variety of casino providers available online offering UK citizens a wide range of casino games including slots, roulette and poker.
Bingo is one of the most popular gambling games in the UK. Bingo first appeared in the UK in the 18th century and has remained a popular past time ever since. This classic game continues to bring communities families and friends together up and down the country, both online and in bingo halls.
Whether you’re on holiday, relaxing at home, or on a night out, there’s nothing more British than a game of bingo.
Weather
Nothing unites the people of the UK more than the weather. Depending on the time of year, it’s either too hot, too cold, too wet, or too dry.
We Brit’s like to talk about it a lot, but where else can you get four seasons in one day? Besides, thanks to our miserable and usually wet weather, it means we truly appreciate a warm summers day – as long as it isn’t too hot.
Seaside
The UK is surrounded by water so it’s perhaps no surprise that the seaside makes it onto this list, despite the vagaries of the great British summer. From picturesque coves, to the pebbles of Brighton and the majestic sands of the Gower peninsula, Britain boasts some of the best beaches in the world.
Synonymous with fish and chips, ice creams, and a bucket and spade, a visit to the seaside is a classic British day out – come rain or shine.
Pub
The British love to go to the pub. It’s the perfect place to socialise, eat, drink or watch sport, and for many towns and villages, pubs are at the centre of the community.
While many countries have bars and restaurants, nowhere else in the world has anything quite like the traditional British boozer, even though their origins date back to the Roman’s.
There’s no better way to sample a British pub then sat round a real fire at Christmas time when it’s cold outside.
History
Prehistoric Britain had early humans walking its lands over 800,000 years ago. Since then, Roman’s, Vikings, Celts, Saxons, Vandals and more, have contributed to its rich history.
Shakespeare, William the Conqueror, Winston Churchill, Alfred the Great, Robert Bruce and Francis Drake, are just some of the many famous figures who have played their part in shaping Britain and the culture it has today.
That history is also reflected in the architecture, monuments and buildings of the UK, including Stone Henge, the Tower of London, Castle Ward, York Minster, Conwy Castle, and Jedburgh Abbey.
Music
British music has travelled the world, touching audiences and influencing musicians the world over. The UK has one of the world’s largest and most diverse music industries, with English, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh folk music all playing their part in the vibrant music scene.
The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Amy Winehouse, Coldplay, Queen, Oasis, Ed Sheeran, Adele, Muse, Mark Ronson, Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding, Dua Lipa, The Spice Girls, Elton John, Stormzy, Anne-Marie, Adele, and Tom Grennan.
Some of the most famous British classical music composers include William Byrd, Henry Purcell, Hubert Parry, Edward Elgar, Frederick Delius, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Benjamin Britten.
Language
English is the first and main language in Britain, spoken by the entire population, but there are also other native languages used in the UK. These include:
- Welsh in Wales
- Gaelic and Scots in Scotland
- Irish and Ulster Scots in Northern Ireland
There is even a Cornish language in Cornwall, England, plus multiple different dialects and accents throughout the different regions of the UK.
