British Life and Culture

The UK of today is ethnically, religiously and linguistically richer than at any point in its history — a society shaped by centuries of migration and change.

Geography and daily life

The UK is located in the north west of Europe. The longest distance on the mainland runs from John O'Groats on the north coast of Scotland to Land's End in the south-west corner of England — about 870 miles (approximately 1,400 kilometres). Most people live in towns and cities, but much of Britain remains countryside, visited for walking, camping and fishing.

Capital cities

Currency

The currency of the UK is the pound sterling (£), divided into 100 pence. Coins are 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2. Notes are £5, £10, £20 and £50. Northern Ireland and Scotland issue their own banknotes, which are valid throughout the UK — though shops and businesses do not have to accept them.

Languages

English has many accents and dialects across the UK. Welsh is spoken in Wales — a completely different language from English — and is taught in schools and universities. In some parts of the Scottish Highlands and Islands, Gaelic is spoken, and some people in Northern Ireland speak Irish Gaelic.

Population and diversity

Population growth has been faster in recent years, driven by migration and longer life expectancy. England accounts for approximately 84% of the total UK population, Scotland just over 8%, Wales around 5%, and Northern Ireland less than 3%. The UK is ethnically diverse, especially in large cities like London, with people of white, Asian, black and mixed descent among many groups. Post-war immigration means nearly 10% of the population has a parent or grandparent born outside the UK.

UK population growth over time

An ageing population

People in the UK are living longer than ever before. This is due to improved living standards and better healthcare. There are now a record number of people aged 85 and over. This has an impact on the cost of pensions and healthcare.

An equal society

It is a legal requirement that men and women are not discriminated against because of their gender or marital status. They have equal rights to work, own property, marry and divorce. Both parents are equally responsible for their children. Women make up about half the workforce, leave school with better qualifications than boys on average, and are more likely than men to study at university.

The UK is historically Christian, but religious freedom is a fundamental right — and today it is home to people of many faiths and none.

The Church of England

The Church of England came into existence in 1534. The monarch is its head; its spiritual leader is the Archbishop of Canterbury. The monarch has the right to select the Archbishop and other senior officials, though in practice the choice is made by the Prime Minister and a Church committee. Several Church of England bishops sit in the House of Lords. In other countries the Church is known as the Anglican Church; in Scotland and the USA it is called the Episcopal Church.

In Scotland, the national Church is the Church of Scotland, which is Presbyterian — unlike the Church of England, it is not a state Church. Wales and Northern Ireland have no established Church.

Religious freedom and diversity

Everyone in the UK has the right to religious freedom. The country is religiously diverse, with significant communities of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jews and people of other faiths, as well as many with no religious belief.

Patron saints and national days

From Pancake Day to Bonfire Night, the UK's festive calendar mixes ancient Christian tradition with folk custom and the celebrations of a diverse modern society.

Christmas and Easter

Christmas Day (25 December) celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is a public holiday. Many people attend church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Families gather for a special meal — typically roast turkey, Christmas pudding and mince pies — exchange gifts, send cards and decorate their homes and a Christmas tree. Children are told Father Christmas (or Santa Claus) brings their presents. Boxing Day (26 December) is also a public holiday.

Easter falls in March or April and marks the death of Jesus on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Good Friday and Easter Monday are both public holidays. Chocolate eggs are given as presents. The 40 days before Easter are called Lent — a period of Christian reflection. Many Christians fast or give something up. Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) is the day before Lent begins. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, marked by church services in which an ash cross is placed on the forehead.

Other religious festivals

Diwali — celebrated over five days in October or November — is the Hindu and Sikh festival of lights, marking the victory of good over evil. Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival in November or December, during which a candle is lit on the menorah each day. Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan and Eid ul Adha to remember the prophet Ibrahim. Vaisakhi (14 April) is a Sikh festival celebrating the founding of the Khalsa.

Other traditions and customs

New Year's Day (1 January) is a public holiday. In Scotland, Hogmanay is celebrated on 31 December and 2 January is also a public holiday there. Valentine's Day (14 February) is for exchanging cards and gifts with loved ones. April Fool's Day (1 April) is a day for playing jokes, traditionally until midday. Mother's Day falls on the Sunday three weeks before Easter; Father's Day is the third Sunday in June. Halloween (31 October) sees young people dress up and play trick or treat.

Bonfire Night on 5 November commemorates the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes was caught trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament. It is marked with fireworks and bonfires. Remembrance Day on 11 November honours those who have died fighting for the UK. A two-minute silence is observed at 11.00 am. People wear poppies, and wreaths are laid at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, attended by the monarch.

Bank holidays are public holidays on which most businesses and schools are closed. They fall at the beginning of May, in late May or early June, and in August. In Northern Ireland, the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in July is an additional bank holiday.

Cricket, football, rugby, golf and tennis — all invented in Britain, all now played around the world.

The major sports

Cricket originated in England and is now played across many countries. The most famous competition is the Ashes, played between England and Australia. Football is the UK's most popular sport; the first professional clubs were formed in the late 19th century, and the FA Cup — the oldest football competition in the world — has been held since 1871–72. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own leagues and national teams. England won the World Cup in 1966. Rugby originated in England in the early 19th century and has two forms — rugby union and rugby league. The Six Nations Championship involves England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy.

Modern golf can be traced to 15th-century Scotland; St Andrews is regarded as the home of golf and hosts The Open Championship, the only 'Major' tournament held outside the United States. Modern tennis evolved in England in the late 19th century — the first tennis club was founded in Leamington Spa in 1872. The Wimbledon Championships, held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, is the oldest tennis tournament in the world (since 1877) and the only Grand Slam played on grass. Andy Murray became the first British man to win Wimbledon since 1936. Horse racing has a long history in the UK with famous events including Royal Ascot (a five-day meeting in Berkshire attended by the Royal Family), the Grand National at Aintree near Liverpool, and the Scottish Grand National at Ayr. There is a National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket, Suffolk.

Water sports and motor racing

Sailing reflects the UK's maritime heritage. Sir Francis Chichester was the first person to sail single-handed around the world in 1966/67; two years later, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became the first to do so without stopping. The most famous sailing event in the UK takes place at Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Rowing is also popular — the annual Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race on the River Thames is a well-known event. Motor-car racing in the UK started in 1902; the UK remains a world leader in motor-sport technology, and a Formula 1 Grand Prix is held in the UK each year. Recent British Formula 1 world champions include Damon Hill, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

The Olympic Games

The UK has hosted the Olympic Games three times — in London in 1908, in London again in 1948, and in London in 2012, which also included the Paralympic Games.

From Handel's Messiah to the Rolling Stones, British music has shaped the sound of the world.

Classical composers

Henry Purcell (1659–1695) was an organist at Westminster Abbey who wrote church music, operas and other pieces, developing a distinct British style that continues to influence composers. George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) was German-born but became a British citizen in 1727. He wrote Water Music for King George I, Music for the Royal Fireworks for George II, and the oratorio Messiah, which is sung regularly at Easter.

Gustav Holst (1874–1934) composed The Planets and adapted Jupiter as the hymn I vow to thee my country. Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934), born in Worcester, is best known for his Pomp and Circumstance Marches — the first, Land of Hope and Glory, is played at the Last Night of the Proms. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958) wrote for orchestras and choirs and was strongly influenced by traditional English folk music. Sir William Walton (1902–1983) wrote marches for the coronations of George VI and Elizabeth II, and is known for Façade (which became a ballet) and Belshazzar's Feast. Benjamin Britten (1913–1976) is best known for his operas Peter Grimes and Billy Budd, his Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (based on a piece by Purcell), and for founding the Aldeburgh festival in Suffolk.

Popular music, venues and awards

The Beatles and The Rolling Stones continue to have worldwide influence. The punk movement emerged in the late 1970s; boy and girl bands dominated the 1990s. Major venues include Wembley Stadium, The O2 in Greenwich and the SECC in Glasgow. Major festivals include Glastonbury, the Isle of Wight Festival and V Festival. The Mercury Music Prize is awarded each September for the best UK or Irish album. The Brit Awards recognise the best British group, best solo artist and other categories. In Wales, the National Eisteddfod is an annual cultural festival featuring music, dance, art and largely Welsh-language competitions for poetry.

The Proms

The Proms is an eight-week summer season of orchestral classical music organised by the BBC since 1927. The Last Night of the Proms is its most celebrated concert.

London's West End and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe represent two poles of British theatre — the established and the experimental.

The West End

Theatres exist in most towns and cities, and London's West End is known as Theatreland. The Mousetrap, written by Dame Agatha Christie, has been running in the West End since 1952 — the longest initial run of any show in history.

Musical theatre

Gilbert and Sullivan wrote popular comic operas in the 19th century, including HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. Andrew Lloyd Webber (working with Tim Rice on some) wrote Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats and The Phantom of the Opera — productions that became global phenomena.

Pantomime and the Edinburgh Festival

Pantomime is a traditional form of Christmas theatre based on fairy stories. It features the Dame — a comic female character played by a man — and often a pantomime horse or cow played by two actors in a single costume. The Edinburgh Festival takes place every summer. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is its largest part and has become the world's biggest arts festival, showcasing theatre and comedy, much of it experimental.

The Olivier Awards

The Laurence Olivier Awards are annual theatre awards presented in London, with categories including best director, best actor and best actress. They are named after Sir Laurence Olivier, renowned for his Shakespeare roles.

British art has moved from medieval religious imagery through landscape painting, portraiture and the Pre-Raphaelites to abstraction, pop art and beyond.

Tradition and development

During the Middle Ages most art had a religious theme. After the Protestant Reformation, wealthy families began collecting other types of paintings and sculptures. Many painters working in Britain in the 16th and 17th centuries were from abroad, including Hans Holbein and Sir Anthony Van Dyck.

Major galleries and the Turner Prize

The UK's leading galleries include the National Gallery, Tate Britain and Tate Modern in London, the National Museum in Cardiff and the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh. The Turner Prize was established in 1984 and is named after the landscape painter Joseph Turner. Each year four works are shortlisted and shown at Tate Britain before the winner is announced. It is one of the most prestigious visual art awards in Europe; past winners include Damien Hirst and Richard Wright.

Notable artists

Thomas Gainsborough (1727–1788) was a portrait painter who often depicted subjects in country or garden settings. David Allan (1744–1796) was a Scottish portrait painter known for The Origin of Painting. Joseph Turner (1775–1851) was an influential landscape painter who raised landscape to a serious art form. John Constable (1776–1837) painted landscapes, most famously of Dedham Vale on the Suffolk–Essex border. The Pre-Raphaelites — including Holman Hunt, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Sir John Millais — painted detailed, brightly coloured pictures on religious and literary themes in the second half of the 19th century.

Sir John Lavery (1856–1941) was a successful Northern Irish portrait painter who painted the Royal Family. Henry Moore (1898–1986) was an English sculptor known for large bronze abstract works. John Petts (1914–1991) was a Welsh artist known for engravings and stained glass. Lucian Freud (1922–2011), German-born British artist, was celebrated for his portraits. David Hockney (1937–) was an important figure in the 1960s pop art movement and continues to be influential.

Every period of British history has left its mark in stone — from the White Tower to the Houses of Parliament, from Capability Brown's gardens to Zaha Hadid's curves.

Medieval to 17th century

The medieval period produced great cathedrals in Durham, Lincoln, Canterbury and Salisbury. The White Tower — the central keep of the Tower of London — is a Norman castle built by William the Conqueror. In the 17th century, Inigo Jones designed the Queen's House at Greenwich and the Banqueting House in Whitehall. Sir Christopher Wren designed the new St Paul's Cathedral after the Great Fire of London in 1666.

18th and 19th centuries

The Scottish architect Robert Adam influenced architecture across the UK, Europe and America, designing both interiors and exteriors — including Dumfries House. His ideas influenced the city of Bath, where the Royal Crescent was built. The 19th century brought a Gothic Revival style, seen in the Houses of Parliament, St Pancras Station, and town halls in Manchester and Sheffield. Sir Edwin Lutyens designed New Delhi and created many war memorials, including the Cenotaph in Whitehall — site of the annual Remembrance Day service attended by the monarch, politicians and ambassadors.

Modern architecture and garden design

Contemporary British architects Sir Norman Foster, Lord (Richard) Rogers and Dame Zaha Hadid continue to work on major projects worldwide. In garden design, Lancelot 'Capability' Brown laid out country house grounds to appear natural. Gertrude Jekyll often worked with Lutyens to create colourful garden designs. The Chelsea Flower Show is held annually and showcases garden design.

From 18th-century furniture to 21st-century fashion, British designers have left a distinctive mark on how the world looks and dresses.

Furniture and interior design

Thomas Chippendale was an influential furniture designer of the 18th century whose name became synonymous with a particular elegant style. Clarice Cliff was a leading Art Deco ceramics designer. Sir Terence Conran was a major 20th-century interior designer who brought modern design to a broad public audience.

Fashion designers

Britain has produced some of the world's most celebrated fashion designers. Mary Quant is credited with popularising the miniskirt in the 1960s. Alexander McQueen was known for dramatic, conceptually bold designs. Vivienne Westwood became a defining figure in British fashion, associated with punk style and later with high-end couture.

From Jane Austen's drawing rooms to Dickens's workhouses, British novelists have mapped the full range of human experience.

Nobel Prize and literary awards

Several British writers have won the Nobel Prize in Literature, including the novelist Sir William Golding, the poet Seamus Heaney and the playwright Harold Pinter. The Man Booker Prize for Fiction is awarded annually for the best novel by an author from the Commonwealth, Ireland or Zimbabwe. It has been awarded since 1968; past winners include Ian McEwan, Hilary Mantel and Julian Barnes.

Notable authors

Jane Austen (1775–1817) wrote novels — including Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility — focused on marriage and family relationships. Charles Dickens (1812–1870) wrote Oliver Twist and Great Expectations; characters such as Scrooge and Mr Micawber have entered everyday speech. Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) wrote Treasure Island, Kidnapped and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) set his best-known novels — Far from the Madding Crowd and Jude the Obscure — in rural society.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930), a Scottish doctor, created Sherlock Holmes — one of the first fictional detectives. Graham Greene (1904–1991) wrote novels influenced by religious belief, including Brighton Rock and Our Man in Havana. Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966) wrote satirical novels including Decline and Fall and Brideshead Revisited. Sir Kingsley Amis (1922–1995) is best known for Lucky Jim. J K Rowling (1965–) wrote the Harry Potter series, one of the most successful in publishing history, and also writes fiction for adults.

From the Anglo-Saxon battlefield to the trenches of the Somme, British poetry has always found its language in the hardest moments of human experience.

From medieval times to the Romantics

The Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf tells of battles against monsters and is still translated into modern English. Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight survive from the Middle Ages. Shakespeare wrote many sonnets of 14 lines and longer poems. John Milton wrote Paradise Lost with Protestant religious inspiration. William Wordsworth was inspired by the natural world. Robert Burns (1759–1796), known in Scotland as 'The Bard', wrote in the Scots language, English with some Scottish words, and standard English. He also revised many traditional folk songs. His best-known work is the song 'Auld Lang Syne', sung in the UK and other countries to celebrate the New Year (Hogmanay in Scotland). Sir Walter Scott wrote poems drawing on Scotland and its border stories, and also wrote novels set in Scotland.

The war poets and beyond

Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon wrote about their direct experiences in the First World War, producing some of the most powerful anti-war poetry in the English language. More recent poets of note include Sir Walter de la Mare, John Masefield, Sir John Betjeman and Ted Hughes. Many of the greatest poets are buried or commemorated in Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey.

Famous verse extracts

Robert Browning (1812–1889) wrote 'Oh to be in England now that April's there' in Home Thoughts from Abroad. Lord Byron (1788–1824) opened She Walks in Beauty: 'She walks in beauty, like the night / Of cloudless climes and starry skies'. William Wordsworth (1770–1850) described daffodils in The Daffodils: 'I wander'd lonely as a cloud / That floats on high o'er vales and hills / When all at once I saw a crowd, / A host of golden daffodils'. William Blake (1757–1827) opened The Tyger: 'Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright / In the forests of the night'. Wilfred Owen (1893–1918) opened Anthem for Doomed Youth: 'What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? / Only the monstrous anger of the guns'.

Harry Potter and James Bond — the two highest-grossing film franchises in the world — were both produced in Britain.

The early years and key directors

Films were first shown publicly in the UK in 1896. Sir Charles (Charlie) Chaplin became famous in silent movies for his tramp character — one of many British actors who made careers in Hollywood. British studios flourished in the 1930s, with eminent directors including Sir Alexander Korda and Sir Alfred Hitchcock, who later moved to Hollywood but remained important until his death in 1980. During the Second World War, British films such as In Which We Serve helped boost morale. Directors Sir David Lean and Ridley Scott found success in the UK and internationally. Ealing Studios claims to be the oldest continuously working film studio in the world.

Comedy, franchises and awards

The 1950s and 1960s were a high point for British comedies — including Passport to Pimlico, The Ladykillers and the Carry On films. Harry Potter and James Bond are the two highest-grossing film franchises, both produced in the UK. Nick Park has won four Academy Awards for animated films, including three for Wallace and Gromit. Recent Oscar-winning British actors include Colin Firth, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Dame Judi Dench, Kate Winslet and Tilda Swinton. The BAFTA (British Academy Film Awards) are the UK equivalent of the Oscars.

Britain has laughed at itself — and at those in power — for centuries. The tradition of satire runs from royal jesters to Private Eye.

A long tradition of satire

Medieval kings kept jesters at court. Shakespeare included comic characters in his plays. In the 18th century, political cartoons attacked politicians and royals with sharp wit. In the 19th century, satirical magazines emerged — Punch was first published in the 1840s. Today, political cartoons in newspapers and the magazine Private Eye continue that tradition.

Music hall to television and beyond

Music hall was a popular form of variety theatre until television replaced it. Performers such as Morecambe and Wise moved from music hall to television stardom. Television sitcoms exploring family life and workplace relationships have remained popular. Satire returned to television with That Was The Week That Was in the 1960s and Spitting Image in the 1980s and 1990s. Monty Python's Flying Circus introduced a new style of absurdist, progressive comedy in 1969. Stand-up comedy — a solo comedian performing to a live audience — has become increasingly popular in recent decades.

The BBC — funded by the television licence fee — is the world's largest broadcaster and the only wholly state-funded media organisation independent of government.

Television

Many television channels are available in the UK — some free, some by subscription. Popular programmes include soap operas such as Coronation Street and EastEnders. Scotland has specific programmes and a Gaelic-language channel; Wales has a Welsh-language channel; Northern Ireland has its own programmes and some in Irish Gaelic.

The TV licence

Everyone who watches live television — or uses a computer or other device to watch TV — must have a TV licence. One licence covers all equipment in a single home; in shared houses with separate tenancy agreements each person needs their own. People aged over 75 can apply for a free TV licence. Blind people can get a 50% discount. Watching television without a licence can result in a fine of up to £1,000.

The BBC, radio and social media

The licence fee funds the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) — the world's largest broadcaster and the only wholly state-funded media organisation independent of government. Other UK channels are funded through advertising and subscriptions. There are many national and regional radio stations; BBC radio is funded by the TV licence while others are funded through advertising. Some stations broadcast in Welsh or Gaelic. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are widely used to stay in touch, organise events and share opinions.

The local pub, the lottery ticket and the family dog are all part of the fabric of everyday life in Britain — and all come with rules worth knowing.

Shopping

Most towns and cities have a central shopping area — the town centre. Undercover shopping centres are also common, in town centres or on the outskirts. Most shops in the UK are open seven days a week, though trading hours on Sundays and public holidays are generally reduced. Many towns have markets on one or more days a week where stallholders sell a variety of goods.

Traditional foods

A wide variety of food is eaten in the UK, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and diverse population. Several dishes are traditionally associated with particular parts of the country: England with roast beef (served with potatoes, vegetables and Yorkshire puddings) and fish and chips; Wales with Welsh cakes (a snack made from flour, dried fruits and spices, served hot or cold); Scotland with haggis (sheep's stomach stuffed with offal, suet, onions and oatmeal); and Northern Ireland with the Ulster fry (a fried meal with bacon, eggs, sausage, black pudding, white pudding, tomatoes, mushrooms, soda bread and potato bread).

Pubs

The pub (public house) is an important part of UK social culture and most communities have a local. Traditional activities include pub quizzes, pool and darts. You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol in a pub. People under 18 may be allowed in some pubs when accompanied by an adult. At age 16, people can drink wine or beer with a meal in a hotel or restaurant — including the eating area of a pub — if accompanied by someone over 18. Pubs usually open from 11.00 am, or 12 noon on Sundays. Night clubs typically open and close later than pubs.

Gambling and the National Lottery

Betting shops and gambling clubs require customers to be 18 or over. The National Lottery holds draws every week; you can enter by buying a ticket or a scratch card. The minimum age for the National Lottery is 18, raised from 16 in April 2021.

Pets

It is illegal to treat a pet cruelly or to neglect it. All dogs in public places must wear a collar showing the owner's name and address. The owner is responsible for keeping the dog under control and for cleaning up after it in public.

From Roger Bannister's four-minute mile to Steve Redgrave's five consecutive Olympic golds, British sport has produced defining moments in world athletic history.

Olympic and Paralympic champions

Sir Roger Bannister (1929–) was the first person to run a mile in under four minutes, achieving this in 1954. Sir Steve Redgrave (1962–) won rowing gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games — one of Britain's greatest Olympians. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson (1969–) won 16 Paralympic medals, including 11 gold, across five Games, won the London Marathon six times and broke 30 world records. Dame Kelly Holmes (1970–) won two gold medals at the 2004 Olympic Games. Sir Chris Hoy (1976–), a Scottish cyclist, won six Olympic gold and one silver medal and 11 world championship titles. David Weir (1979–) won six Paralympic gold medals across two Games and the London Marathon six times. Bradley Wiggins (1980–) became the first Briton to win the Tour de France in 2012 and won seven Olympic medals including gold in 2004, 2008 and 2012. Mo Farah (1983–), born in Somalia, won gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2012 Olympics — the first Briton to win Olympic gold in the 10,000m. Jessica Ennis (1986–) won Olympic heptathlon gold in 2012. Ellie Simmonds (1994–) won Paralympic swimming gold at the 2008 and 2012 Games and was the youngest British team member in 2008.

Other notable figures

Sir Jackie Stewart (1939–), Scottish, won the Formula 1 world championship three times. Bobby Moore (1941–1993) captained England's World Cup-winning football team in 1966. Sir Ian Botham (1955–) captained the England cricket team and holds several English Test cricket records. Jayne Torvill (1957–) and Christopher Dean (1958–) won Olympic gold for ice dancing at the 1984 Games and in four consecutive world championships. Dame Ellen MacArthur (1976–) became the fastest person to sail single-handed around the world in 2004. Andy Murray (1987–), Scottish, in 2012 became the first British man to win a Grand Slam singles title since 1936, winning the US Open, and also won Olympic gold and silver that year.

The UK's landmarks range from a 50-million-year-old geological formation to a millennium Ferris wheel — each one a piece of the national story.

Iconic landmarks

Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the Houses of Parliament in London. The clock is over 150 years old. The tower is officially named the Elizabeth Tower, renamed in 2012 to honour Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. The London Eye stands on the southern bank of the River Thames — a Ferris wheel 443 feet (135 metres) tall, originally built for the millennium celebrations and still used for New Year events. The Tower of London was first built by William the Conqueror after 1066. Tours are given by Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) and the Crown Jewels are kept there.

Edinburgh Castle dominates the Edinburgh skyline with a history dating back to the early Middle Ages; it is looked after by Historic Scotland. The Eden Project in Cornwall houses plants from all over the world in giant greenhouses called biomes and runs environmental and social projects internationally. The Giant's Causeway on the north-east coast of Northern Ireland is a natural land formation of columns made from volcanic lava, formed about 50 million years ago.

National parks and landscapes

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park in west Scotland covers 720 square miles (1,865 sq km); Loch Lomond is the largest expanse of fresh water in mainland Britain. Snowdonia is a national park in North Wales covering 838 square miles (2,170 sq km); Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales. The Lake District is England's largest national park, covering 885 square miles (2,292 sq km); Windermere is its largest stretch of water. In 2007, television viewers voted Wastwater as Britain's favourite view.

The National Trust and national parks

The National Trust is a charity preserving important buildings, coastline and countryside in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Founded in 1895 by three volunteers, it now has more than 61,000 volunteers. The National Trust for Scotland is its Scottish equivalent. There are 15 national parks in England, Wales and Scotland — protected areas of countryside where people live, work and look after the landscape.