Survey reveals greatest features of Britain

LONDON - Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Beatles are three of the things people identify as Britain's greatest features, a survey released on Monday has revealed.

Queuing in the rain, outdoor barbecues and the weather also made the list.

The research also revealed that Britain prides itself on an eclectic mix of habits. Nearly half (47 percent) felt that talking about the weather was a real indication of being British, followed by an affection for queuing (33 percent), the country's sense of humor (29 percent) and barbecuing in the rain (13 percent).

While a quarter of respondents believed manners were still a virtue, 19 percent felt Britons have become a bunch of moaners.

The English language was cited as the thing British people were most proud of giving to the world (23 percent), followed by Shakespeare, penicillin, the royal family, football and the full English breakfast.

Simon Norton from holiday company Cottages.com, which commissioned the research, said: "Although we often poke fun at ourselves, it's clear that as a nation we are distinctly proud of our traditions and the characteristics which define us as a country.

"In addition to the monarchy, our history and culture were highlighted as the things which really 'sell' us as a place to visit."

Voted the top 10 best British sights were Stonehenge, the Lake District, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Edinburgh Castle, the White Cliffs of Dover, the Tower of London, London Eye, Windsor Castle and the country's highest mountain, Ben Nevis in Scotland.