British society is overwhelmingly urban, but it has retained distinct links with its rural past-reflected in the popularity of gardening, and in the working-class tradition of growing one's own vegetables on allotments. Sport is important in Britain, and the British originated or developed the modern forms and rules of a number of sports-notably football. rugby, cricket, tennis, polo, horse racing. field hockey, and croquet Angling is the most popular British sport or pastime, attracting more active participants than football.