What did the Romans do for us ? except build Stonehenge

Britons have a bewildering lack of knowledge about their country, a survey suggests.

Stonehenge was built by the Romans, and Hadrian’s Wall is in China – these are two of the misconceptions in the poll of 3,000 people commissioned by UKTV History. Nearly four in ten say that the bulldog is the animal that symbolises this country. That, of course, is the lion, part of the Royal Arms since the Plantagenets.

A quarter say that the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall, are among the Seven Wonders of the World, confusing them with the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. According to one in five, the Pennines are between France and Spain; and for 18 per cent, Stonehenge was built when the Romans were here – rather than dating back to three millennia previously.

Adrian Wills, of UKTV History, said that the survey showed how little people knew about Britain, “from traditions to landmarks”. Viewers are being asked to vote for a favourite historical site.

Not quite . . .

1 Official UK animal is bulldog 39%

2 Leeds Castle is in Leeds 34%

3 White Cliffs of Dover made of sandstone 28%

4 Lost Gardens of Heligan, in Cornwall, are one of Seven Wonders of the World 23%

5 Pennines are between France and Spain 21%

6 Do not know who is on back of £10 note 20%

7 Stonehenge was built during Roman Empire 18%

8 Hadrian’s Wall is not in UK 15%

9 Nelson’s Column is not in Trafalgar Square 12%

10 Lake District has an entrance fee 7%