10 things Britain does better than the rest of the world

They literally outdo ours with their national parks.

There are numerous factors that make us want to be proud of being British. Here are just 10 (plus a few worthy mentions). Please feel free to share your own suggestions or dispute our selection in the comments below.

1. Temperateness

– NHS treatment in intensive care, problems with drugs, thugs, tax, issues with identity and gender, Prince Andrew, goodness knows what else – from afar, things don't look quite as they're portrayed. There's a more enduring picture held by those who don't closely follow the UK's daily developments – and an aspect of that reality, our "temperateness", is what I'd describe as quintessentially British. It's a characteristic that sets us apart.

We remain an embodiment of reason, favourably blessed with mild weather (hovering under hurricane-free skies), a pleasant geography (our highest point reaching a modest 1,345m, barely a blister on the Alps) and a politics scene where even passionate debates remain peaceful (the shift from Sunak to Starmer, carried out without any hostility).

What characterises us is a level-headed nature, making us polite, friendly, and often self-deprecating, especially compared to other countries. This attitude of ours allows us to be understanding, generous, and even playful, finding humour in almost everything. This laid-back disposition provides a stable foundation, enabling us to be at the forefront in various fields like rock 'n' roll, fashion, and football. On the surface, we might be seen as lavish, but beneath the surface, we remain steady and composed.

Anthony Peregrine

2. Ordnance Survey maps

Things of truly breathtaking beauty exist.

Yes, they may have originated with being used by members of the armed forces, but now they are now highly sought after by those wishing to explore anywhere in the country. They highlight windmills and industrial sites, distinguish between bracken and scrubland, indicate ancient earthworks, and pinpoint every church. And they show you the routes available – footpaths, bridleways, and byways crisscrossing their squares. They're not just maps, but rather gateways to infinite possibilities.

Sarah Baxter

3. Pubs

, are they?

That's because the traditional British pub is as impossible to export as black pudding or a person like Alan Carr, and it simply can’t be replicated in a lab situation.

“New York's most aristocratic English-inspired pub” – which consistently offends the essence of an English pub experience by hosting infant celebrations and children’s gatherings freely.)

A proper pub requires all those elements, naturally including a cribbage board; but just as a well-poured pint of stout needs time to settle, so too should the pub's atmosphere, allowing around 200 years or so to mature properly. Upon entering, creak open the door to discover the cosiest and most welcoming establishment on earth, where the conversation, laughter, and crackling log fire are as lively as the pork scratchings. You're home; I'll have a foaming tankard of nut-brown ale, please.

Ed Grenby

4. Music

Yes, fairly enough, New York has launched a few quite impressive bands. And Los Angeles once had a distinctive flair for stylishly coiffed men who collectively contributed to the depletion of the ozone layer through their prodigious use of hairspray, not to mention their deliberately awkward facial expressions as they "ripped" into those endless, wailing guitar solos.

At some point in the last 70 years, some of the UK's most vibrant musical cities have unveiled hidden gems. Manchester and London are particularly renowned for their artistic flair, while Bristol reigned as the hub of trip-hop in the Nineties - and who knows, maybe this will be repeated. Oxford traded its academic robes for something entirely different with Radiohead, and Liverpool laid claim to the Merseybeat scene in the Sixties with the likes of the Beatles.

Let's put it differently. If the streets of suburban Bromley – that's right, Bromley – can mould the upbringing of an artist as groundbreaking, visionary and unrelenting as David Bowie, then, the conversation is over.

Chris Leadbeater

5. Eccentricity

"Japan boasts unusual pleasures such as a café centred around toilets, while Iceland is home to a museum featuring ancient phalluses, but which other nation does its citizens enjoy leisure activities like rolling about in peas, snorkelling through wetlands or playfully dancing while avoiding being hit by a beer-drenched flail (do you know the sport of dwile flonking?).

Put it down to our island nation's quirky nature, or all those drizzly days spent cooped up with an Airfix model to keep us company, but the British do individuality with unbridled enthusiasm.

Our country is full of unique and quirky attractions, and it's a pleasure to visit them all. From lesser-known museums like the Pencil Museum in Keswick, the Leeds Castle Dog Collar Museum in Kent, and the old Phone Boxes display in Cardigan, to wacky festivals like Whirligigging Wormcharming in Blackawton, the Fireball Whirling spectacle in Aberdeenshire, and the famous Gloucestershire Cheese-Rolling event; this land is a celebration of all the strange and fascinating things humans enjoy. Now, do pardon me, but whose pranking shall I attribute the mischief of my knee bells being moved?

Sally Howard

6. Non-league football

Is there anything quite as delightful as warming your hands over a cup of scalding Bovril, wrapped in a knitted scarf around your neck, shouting "wey" as a goalkeeper launches a muddy football out of the stadium and into a nearby garden? I rather think not.

What sets non-league apart is that it's often reasonably priced, accommodating to families (many have raffles) and home and away supporters mix together in a convivial atmosphere, accompanied by the sound of drums and humorous chants. Many non-league clubs maintain a community feel, reminiscent of a village pub, but some are pioneering a new era – Forest Green Rovers has become the world's first vegan football club, and Lewes FC pays its female players the same as its male counterparts.

The quality of the game itself isn't really the point, but the possibility of Havant & Waterlooville ending up at the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup is an exciting prospect. Along with the danger of a misplaced pass sending your tea flying with your Bovril.

Greg Dickinson

7. Museums

Beyond the matter of restitution, the underlying principle that the most remarkable artworks and creative achievements should be accessible to everyone underlies what defines our national appreciation of visual culture.

This is rooted in our heritage. Twenty years ago, we celebrated a significant 250th birthday for the British Museum, and this year, we're honouring the bicentenary of the National Gallery. We shouldn't overlook the Edinburgh National Gallery either – it will be marking 175 years since its formation in 2025, while the V&A will join it at the same milestone two years later.

These esteemed institutions have a talented supporting cast of stars. In London itself, the city boasts first-rate museums at both the Tate Modern and Tate Britain, the National Portrait Gallery, the natural history and science museums, the Wallace Collection and Kenwood House (all of which can be visited without charge). And while the Courtauld Gallery and Dulwich Picture Gallery (which dates back to 1817 and is the oldest public art gallery in England) do charge an entry fee, they boast outstanding collections more than justifying the cost of admission.

Nick Trend

8. Sense of humour

Satirical rave reviews on TripAdvisor serve as a characteristically witty commentary on civic stagnation. “It's quintessentially reflective of local charm,” one resident noted, referencing a garden gnome-studded roundabout as another illustration.

A former victor showed me a video of him being knocked out during a past event, admitting he wasn't a fan of double Gloucester. "We thought he was deceased," a companion joked. Meanwhile, an accident occurred during my own competition, with one of the runners sustaining an ankle injury. "This is the British spirit," a bystander quipped as the unfortunate individual was being carried off on a stretcher. Cherish us for what we are.

In Wales, locals enjoy snorting with friends in bogs for entertainment, whereas Edinburgh prides itself on bringing comedy for a month every August. The annual Fringe festival waits with bated breath for its most amusing joke. "I was going to circumnavigate the globe with the smallest ship possible, but ultimately backed down" took the top spot this year.

Gavin Haines

9. Parish churches

It's raining in this small, rural village. The local shop is a Spar. The village pub hasn't been open for business in five years. A bus only passes through once a day, but just four days a week. What to do in a place like this? Typically, the most appealing option is to walk through the lychgate – a doorway symbolising the access to the sacred – and proceed up the pathway through the graveyard to the church door. Upon discovering that the church is open, a sense of relief rapidly gives way to a deeper emotional reaction. With many places having lost their pubs, post offices, shops and services, the importance and worth of parish churches have significantly increased as a result.

Confirmation and Sunday School.

Many people, in places like church pews, seating areas, and places of contemplation, often find themselves, much like Philip Larkin in "Church Going", feeling uneasy and lost, struggling for the right words to express their reverence.

In today's chaotic and phone-obsessed society, it's a gift to humanity to provide a peaceful, tranquil, and exclusive sanctuary where people can spend 30 minutes without the distractions of the outside world.

Our ancient parish churches surpass other historic sites and maintain a serene quietness, often unattainable in large city cathedrals. Without them, small British villages would be eerily empty and unforgiving, rendering them unworthy of the visitor's consideration and attention.

Chris Moss

10. Plugs

I've got a small Tupperware box under my desk, containing a sorry collection of souvenirs from all my travels. Travel adaptors are usually the last thing I throw in my luggage before setting off abroad – and, unlike sunglasses or a swimsuit, they don't give me any hint of the fun that's to come. I've got an amusing range of the things – the two-pronged European Type Es that hang limply out of sockets: the American Type Bs, which, if viewed from a certain angle, look a bit like a disappointed face.

All of which has left me yearning for the British Type G, commonly regarded by electricians I've spoken to as one of the best in the world in terms of reliability and safety features. Although, to be fair, you can't say it's strictly unique to the UK. A few years ago, while charging my toothbrush in Kuala Lumpur, I spotted an old socket above the skirting board and felt immediately earthed.

Oli Smith

Honourable mentions

To all those residents, publicans, and customers enjoying a pint at watering holes across the country – or on virtual drinks over Zoom during the Covid-19 lockdown.

None of our other sports, excluding snooker and darts, can be rivalled in terms of greatness. We've also mastered the tradition of afternoon tea and cooking breakfasts to perfection. In addition, our majestic castles, charming villages, dry stone walls, hedges, garden centres, roundabouts, and delicious cheeses are truly worth mentioning.

Recommended

British pubs are a wondrous aspect of the nation's cultural heritage, serving as gathering places for people to socialise, enjoy good ale, and indulge in delicious pub grub. While there are thousands of magnificent pubs scattered throughout the UK, some truly stand out for their unique characteristics, exceptional beer lists, and warm hospitality. Here are 10 noteworthy British pubs that are worth going out of your way for:
1. **The Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem**, Nottingham
"I've yet to see a printer that . . . actually printed half as well." - a testament to the pub's excellent ale selection, where you can sample a fine pint of Theakston's XB.
This venerable pub has been serving ale since 1189, making it possibly the oldest pub in the country. You'll feel like a true medieval pilgrim sipping a Tankard of ale on wooden benches.
2. **The Spaniards Inn**, Hampstead, London
"Merry Christmas, father you won't see me on that haul".
As one of the city's oldest pubs, with claims dating back to 1585, you can imagine where Charles Dickens drew inspiration for his most famous novel, Oliver Twist.
3. **The George Inn**, London
"A Faithful Sussex Inn".
At the busy Trafalgar Square end of Borough Market you will get refreshments at the Gray's Inn, but do not confuse this with "that place".
4. **The Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese**, London
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