A Modern, Thriving Society

The UK is a diverse society. The most recent censuses show that around 60% of people identify as Christian, while a substantial portion describe themselves as having no religion. Other major faiths include Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, and Buddhism. The UK also has long-established Christian denominations including Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Quaker, and the established Church of England (Anglican).

Britain has been shaped by waves of migration over many centuries. People from across the Commonwealth, Europe, and the wider world have made their home in Britain, contributing to its food, language, culture, and economy.

The UK has laws against discrimination based on religion. Everyone has the right to practise their faith (or no faith) freely.

Christmas Day on 25 December is the main Christian festival in Britain and a public holiday. Many people, religious or not, celebrate by exchanging presents and sharing a Christmas meal, traditionally roast turkey. Boxing Day on 26 December is also a public holiday.

Easter, in March or April, marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays. Other major Christian celebrations include Lent and Advent. Many people give chocolate eggs at Easter.

Other festivals widely celebrated include Diwali (Hindu and Sikh festival of lights, October or November), Hanukkah (Jewish festival, November or December), Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan for Muslims), Eid ul-Adha, and Vaisakhi (Sikh new year).

Other important British days include Bonfire Night on 5 November (commemorating the failure of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot), Remembrance Day on 11 November, and Mother's Day, Father's Day, and April Fool's Day. New Year's Eve in Scotland is called Hogmanay.

Sport is a major part of British life. Football (soccer) is the most popular spectator sport. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each field their own national football teams. Cricket is closely associated with England and was developed there. Rugby (both Rugby Union and Rugby League), tennis (the Wimbledon Championships are world-famous), golf (the modern game originated in Scotland), horse racing, and motor racing are also popular.

The UK has a rich literary tradition. William Shakespeare (1564 to 1616) is widely regarded as the greatest writer in English. Famous British authors include Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, the Brontë sisters, Thomas Hardy, J.R.R. Tolkien, and J.K. Rowling. Famous poets include Geoffrey Chaucer, John Milton, William Wordsworth, and Robert Burns (the Scottish national poet, celebrated on Burns Night, 25 January).

British music has produced internationally famous performers and composers from The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Queen, to Adele and Ed Sheeran. Classical composers include Henry Purcell, George Frideric Handel (who became a British subject), Edward Elgar, and Benjamin Britten. The annual BBC Proms are a famous classical music festival in London.

British film, theatre, and television are world-renowned. London's West End is famous for its theatres. The National Gallery, the British Museum, the Tate galleries, and many more are home to world-class collections, and most national museums in the UK are free to enter.

Traditional British foods include the Sunday roast (often roast beef with Yorkshire pudding), fish and chips, the full English breakfast, shepherd's pie, and the classic afternoon tea with scones, jam, and cream. Britain is also famous for tea drinking, with people of all ages drinking many cups of tea each day.

Each nation has its own specialities. Scotland is associated with haggis, shortbread, and Scotch whisky. Wales is known for Welsh cakes, bara brith, and Welsh lamb. Northern Ireland and Ireland share the Ulster fry. Britain's diversity means that curry, especially the chicken tikka masala (often described as Britain's national dish in jest), pizza, kebabs, and Chinese food are also extremely popular.

Public houses, or pubs, are a long-standing feature of British social life. To buy alcohol or drink it in a pub you must usually be 18 or over. Driving while over the legal alcohol limit is a serious criminal offence.