If Britain was...
Britain has given much of note to the world: it may even be why you're planning a visit. If it's been hip, controversial or noteworthy it'll have the stamp of this island nation on it. Here are a few fine British exports.
If Britain was a model, it would be Kate Moss
Kate always causes a stir, whether she's flirting with rock stars or making flying visits to the window of Top Shop in London's Oxford Circus to launch her latest line. Often courting controversy, Kate stays in the spotlight because everything looks good on her. She's a classic English rose with a naughty side, which makes her just right for today's Britain. And if Kate's not to your taste, elfin catwalk Princess Lily Cole is coming up fast behind.
If Britain was music, it would be punk
Colourful, rebellious and determined to make things happen, punk's legacy endures in British music and fashion to this day. While the Sex Pistols get together for one last payday, the live music scene thrives nationwide. And whether it's vintage Vivienne Westwood or cutting-edge young designers like Christopher Kane with backstreet boutiques, Britain's never been a better place to shop.
If Britain was a sport it would be coasteering
Britain has given the world many sports, but none use the natural beauty of Britain quite like coasteering. Here's how it works: pick a stretch of British coastline, preferably one with craggy cliffs, foaming swells and sea caves. Next, don a wetsuit and, with the help of an expert guide, climb, swim, jump and abseil your way along. Often you'll have seals for company. The coast of Pembrokeshire in Wales is the home of coasteering, but you can also try it in Cornwall and on the west coast of Scotland.
If Britain was a clothing label it would be Fred Perry
Well-dressed Britain has been wearing Fred Perry for generations. Beloved of mods, Britpop icons and even the occasional tennis player, the classic Fred Perry polo shirt is a must in every fashion-forward Brit's wardrobe. You'll find Fred Perry boutiques in upmarket city-centre locations and second-hand classics in vintage and retro stores.
If Britain was a car it would be Mini Cooper
Aston Martin and Bentley enthusiasts may disagree, but the Mini Cooper remains the ultimate British car. Whether taking part in daring bank raids in the Italian Job with Michael Caine or whizzing along country roads on sunny afternoons, the Mini Cooper has a unique place in the heart of petrolheads worldwide. The modern Mini divides fans of the traditional model, but its 21st-century makeover has ensured a new audience gets the unique buzz of piloting this small but perfectly formed icon.
If Britain was a drink it would be real ale
It's a classic British moment: sitting in a beer garden of a country pub on a warm summer's day, relaxing after a long walk with a long pint of real ale. Aim for the locally brewed choices on sale at many pubs: beers vary in flavour and strength with the seasons and available ingredients. There are hundreds of small brewers up and down the country, and the best way to sample a few is to get along to one of many Beer Festivals that take place year-round. And if beer's not your thing, British apples makes great locally pressed cider and the country has a growing reputation for winemaking.
If Britain was a shop it would be Selfridges
Rightly legendary, Selfridges has been an Oxford Street icon for almost a century. The department store is home to Britain's coolest brands and designers, as well as being one of the capital's best bargain-bagging stores come the January sales. An artistically striking Selfridges, a must-see for the architecture alone, can be found in the centre of Birmingham, with another branch at the shopping mecca of Manchester's Trafford Centre.
If Britain was a food it would be gastropub dinner
If real ale has been reborn, British food has undergone nothing short of a revolution. Classic staples like sausage and mash and roast dinners have been given a boutique makeover, and you're never far from a characterful gastropub serving local specialities. And if you'd rather self cater, weekend Farmers Markets, selling the best of regional fresh produce are great places to pack for a picnic. Britain today is even home to 'food towns', such as Ludlow in Shropshire and Castle Douglas in Galloway, where you'll find Slow Food - the appreciation of local and seasonal flavours - always on the menu.
If Britain was a festival it would be one you haven't heard of yet
Sure, you could join the scrum to get into Glastonbury, but it's a tough ask. Demand is such the festival could have sold out three times over in 2007. Stepping in to feed festival fever are dozens of smaller festivals, offering the chance to see up-and-coming bands in relaxed rural settings. Two of the best known are Truck in Oxfordshire and Secret Garden Party in Cambridgeshire, but new parties are starting all the time. All you need is a tent, an eye for new sounds and a pair of Wellington boots in case it rains. We can guarantee you a good time if not a dry one.
If Britain was an actor it would be Simon Pegg
Best known for single-handedly saving the world from Zombies in the classic horror send-up Shaun of the Dead, Simon Pegg is currently filming the role of Scotty in the 11th Star Trek film. But Britain is a backdrop to his finest on-screen moments. As well as the pubs and backstreets of London seen in Spaced and Run, Fat boy, Run, the movie Hot Fuzz was shot entirely on location in the sleepy Cathedral city of Wells in Somerset.