- Sir John Tenniel's famous illustration of the Cheshire Cat in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is based on the British Shorthair.
- Smokey the cat in E.B. White's children's novel Stuart Little was a British Blue.
- A silver tabby British Shorthair is the mascot of Whiskas brand cat food.
- Winston Churchill (Church) from Pet Sematary is a British Blue.
- Arlene, Garfield the cat's girlfriend, is portrayed as a British Blue in Garfield: The Movie.
- Mick, from Kamen Rider W, is a British Shorthair who can turn into the Smilodon Dopant.
- Ruby in the film adaptation of the memoir Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen is a British Blue.
- Puss in Boots from the Shrek franchise is described as and closely resembles a British Shorthair, although he speaks with a strong Spanish accent.
- Tsim Tung Brother Cream, a famous Hong Kong cat, was a cream and white British Shorthair.