As a direct result of the British Empire, significant British cultural influence (such as the English language) can be observed in the language and culture of a geographically wide assortment of countries including Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, the United States and the British overseas territories.

These states are sometimes collectively known as the Anglosphere, and are among Britain's closest allies. As well as the British influence on its empire, the empire also influenced British culture, particularly British cuisine.

Innovations and movements within the wider culture of Europe have also changed the United Kingdom; Humanism, Protestantism, and representative democracy have developed from broader Western culture.

The Industrial Revolution, with its origins in the UK, brought about major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation, and had a profound effect on the socio-economic and cultural conditions of the world.

The social structure of Britain during this period has also played a central cultural role. More recently, popular culture of the UK included notable movements in music such as the British invasion and Britpop, while British literature, British cinema, British television and British poetry is respected across the world.

As a result of the history of the formation of the United Kingdom, the cultures of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are diverse and have varying degrees of overlap and distinctiveness.