Extra reading: Life and culture

‘When people think about Britain, they probably think of England – the Royal Family, the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. But there’s also Scotland and Wales! Scottish and Welsh people are very proud of their country and nationality. When people ask me where I come from, I always say I’m Scottish. A lot of people would like Scotland to be an independent country. In 2014 there was a referendum, but 55% of the population voted ‘No’ to independence.’
Alex Kerr, Edinburgh

‘We definitely drink a lot of tea in our family, and we love fish and chips. But we like Indian and Asian food, and I don’t eat many cakes and biscuits. When we’re on holiday in Cornwall, we sometimes have a ‘cream tea’ – scones, jam and cream. Delicious! And it’s true that you can find some fantastic cakes here. If you visit Wales, you must try ‘Bara brith’ – a traditional type of Welsh bread, made with fruit and tea.’
Uzma Jones, Cardiff

‘People think that a lot of British people are hooligans – we have a bad reputation at football matches. It’s true that some young people behave badly, but most of us are friendly and quite polite – just like young people in other countries. Here in Liverpool, there are plenty of opportunities for young people, for example: free music sessions, film-making, arts and crafts, technology, as well as different outdoor activities.’
Samuel Jakes, Liverpool

‘I think people sometimes imagine that lots of us live in beautiful houses in the country. Well, my aunt lives on a farm, but these days houses in the country can be very expensive. Most people live in towns, but it’s true that houses are more common than flats. And houses in Britain nearly always have a garden. British people love gardening. I live in a flat in the middle of the city, but I’ve got some flowerpots on my windowsill.’
Lauren Phillips, Manchester

People from abroad sometimes think Britain is cold and it rains all the time. This isn’t true! We often have great summers here. The best weather is in the south and, in the summer, the beaches near my home are always busy. Brighton is a popular holiday resort, and lots of Londoners come here at the weekend.’
Callum Ribson, Brighton