I do so hate this question! Apologies to the asker! I grovel humbly.
What about Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, Nigerian, South African, Jamaican, Falkland Islander, Gibraltarian, Indian, Bemudan, etc. accents? And if you think about British accents, what about Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish, Scouse, Brummy, and West Country accents? And American - Texan drawls, and the accents of New York, and Bostonian?
Personally, to me it matters not a jot which accent you have, as long as you speak clearly, do NOT mutter, and go as slowly as your listener requires!!!!
If you go to America, having a British accent is a bonus.
If you go to Britain, having an American accent is so-what.
Kimberley Brown: a Scottish accent is also a British accent!
Why are so many people so ignorant about what the term "British" actually means?
Britain = England, Scotland, and Wales.
UK = England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Therefore, a Welsh accent is a British accent. A Scottish accent is a British accent. An English accent is a British accent.
If I (as a Brit) were to say: "I like American accents. Oh, and I like Texas accents, too" that would be ridiculous, because Texas is in America, so a Texas accent is an American accent.
In the same way, Scotland is in Britain, so it makes no sense for you to say (as an American) that you like British accents and that you also like Scottish accents. Scotland is in Great Britain, so a Scottish accent is a British accent.
Many Americans keep saying that they like "British" accents, when what they really appear to mean is that they like English accents.
England and Britain are not synonyms.
Specifically, the accent that most Americans seem to have in mind whenever they say that they like "British" accents is a Southern English (Home Counties/ RP) accent.
If that's what you mean, then say so.
Americans, please don't keep saying "I love British accents" if what you really mean is "I love Southern English (Home Counties/ RP) accents".
As a native speaker, this is a strange question because I don't really have an "option" as such.
I'm from Australia, and I speak like an Australian. :) I'm very happy with that.
