Leisure

The British people enjoy a wide range of leisure activities — from gardening and visiting the pub to theatre, cinema, and exploring the countryside. Many of these pastimes reflect centuries of tradition, whilst others reflect Britain's modern, diverse, and outward-looking society.

Gardening is one of the most popular leisure activities in Britain. The UK is home to a strong gardening culture, with millions of people tending their own gardens or allotments. Britain has some of the most celebrated botanical gardens in the world:

• Kew Gardens (the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) in south-west London — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's leading centres for plant science
• Eden Project in Cornwall — a major visitor attraction featuring giant biomes housing plants from around the world

The Chelsea Flower Show — held annually in May in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London — is one of the world's most famous flower shows, attended by members of the Royal Family.

The public house — or pub — is an important social institution in British life. Pubs are places where people meet to socialise, eat, drink, and take part in activities such as pub quizzes, darts, and live music.

There are approximately 40,000 pubs in the UK. Traditional British pub drinks include real ale (cask-conditioned beer) and cider.

Britain has a diverse and vibrant food culture, reflecting its multicultural society:

• Chicken tikka masala is sometimes described as Britain's most popular dish; curry houses are found in virtually every town and city
• Fish and chips — a traditional British takeaway dish of battered fried fish and chips; one of the most iconic British foods
• Full English breakfast — bacon, eggs, sausages, baked beans, toast, and grilled tomatoes

• The West End of London is one of the world's great theatre districts, home to long-running musicals and plays
• The National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), and the Globe Theatre are among the most celebrated theatre companies in the world
• The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) holds its annual awards ceremony recognising the best in film and television

Britain has a strong reading culture. The public library system provides free access to books for everyone. The Booker Prize is one of the world's most prestigious literary awards, given annually to the best novel written in English and published in the UK.

• Walking and hiking — Britain has an extensive network of public footpaths including the Pennine Way and South West Coast Path
• National Parks — there are 15 National Parks in the UK, including the Lake District (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Snowdonia (Eryri) in Wales, the Peak District, the Cairngorms in Scotland, and Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog)

Up next: Places of interest — from the British Museum and the National Gallery to Edinburgh Castle and Stonehenge, discover the UK's most celebrated heritage sites and visitor attractions.