Britain has a great heritage. It
has some of the finest historic buildings in the world.
Palaces, castles and museums bursting
with tradition and history... there’s just so much to see and do.
Around 30 million people visit Britain every year from overseas.
Three of the top five museums and galleries in the world can be found here.
There are 14 Roman walled cities, 8 heritage cities and hundreds of
castles.
In London, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge are just some of the
places to visit, but how to fit it all in? I’ll show you.
Now, one way to see the sights
is to hop on and hop off an open top
London bus. Now, most buses go from A to B, but this one is special. This is a
Big Bus tour bus and is a great way to see the city.
The Houses of Parliament, one of the largest parliament buildings in the
world.
This is Regent Street, which was built in the 1800s. The street itself
separated Mayfair, which was an upper class area, with Soho, over there, which
was a working class area.
Benedict Protheroe is a tour guide.
Richard: So in your
opinion then, what is it about London that overseas visitors just absolutely
love?
Benedict: Well, in
London, we have over 2,000 years of fascinating history. It's a centre for art,
for culture, for music, for fashion, there's restaurants, nightlife, museums,
the river. Everything you could
possibly want to see or do, you've got it here in London.
The River Thames cuts through the heart of the city. At over 200 miles
long, it’s the longest river entirely
in England. The iconic London Eye
sits next to the Thames. 135 metres high, the Eye was built to celebrate the millennium and has over three
and a half million visitors a year.
The city of London’s financial district
dominates the skyline. The buildings include 30 St Mary Axe, otherwise known as
the London Gherkin. Historic houses look really grand, but what would it have
been like to have lived hundreds of years ago?
I’ve come to Warwick Castle to find out. Let’s step back in time... It's
still me!
This castle dates back almost eleven hundred years to William the
Conqueror.
Very nice! Edward the Fourth was imprisoned here in the 1400s and Royalist soldiers attacked
Warwick during the English civil war. Some royal visitors have been more
welcome.
Elizabeth the First and Queen Victoria both spent time here, so I’m in good
company.
What a beautiful view... Who turned the lights out? Adam is the Attractions
and Shows team leader.
Richard: Adam, what
have you come dressed as?
Adam: Oh, well,
today, Richard, I've come dressed in my finest 1620s gear, about what a
gentleman would wear about 400 years ago.
Richard: And I love
my outfit. What have you got me dressed as?
Adam: Well, I've
got you dressed as a man at arms of the 15th Century, so you're not as wealthy
as me, but you still look quite mean and gnarly.
Richard: Cool, good
man. Now, tell me about Warwick Castle.
Adam: Well, here
at Warwick castle, we have over one thousand years of incredible jaw-dropping history. The oldest part
of the castle goes back well over a thousand years, but what you see here
today, Rich, mostly dates back to about 600 years ago and it pretty much
remains untouched from
then onwards till today.
Richard: So, what
would it have been like to live here in medieval
times?
Adam: Well, it
would probably have been quite a smelly and dark place. The moats that you see down here would have
actually not been filled with water, but with sewage draining from the castle.
Richard: Now, I was
rather hoping someone would tell me how to use this sword. Do you mind?
Adam: Sadly,
I'll be honest with you, it's not really my thing. But I know two gentlemen who
will be able to help you out. They’re just round the corner.
Richard: Over
there?
Adam: Yep. Just
round there. Good luck!
Richard: Great!
Thank you. What a helpful chap!
Richard: Guys,
guys, guys, guys! Hang on guys, break it up, break it up! I've just been told
that you're the guys to see about learning to use the sword. Can you show me a
move?
Swordsman: Yes, of
course. Well, first of all we need to get you in your on guard stance.
Richard: OK.
Swordsman: Put your
left foot forwards and your right foot back turned out to the side and your
sword up in front of you like this. Now what you're going to do is the
attacking sword is going to come in, you're going to push it down and away and
step in and cut.
Richard: No
problem.
Swordsman: Think you
can do that?
Richard: Step aside
my man. Here we go.
Swordsman: On guard!
Richard: That's
quite easy. Very nice. Thanks very much! Is he going to be alright?
Swordsman: Oh, he'll
be fine, don't worry.
Richard: Are you sure?
heritage - dziedzictwo, spuścizna
burst - pękać, wybuchać, rozrywać się
overseas - zamorski; zagraniczny (np. student, firma)
sights - widok (np. na miasto)
hop off - spadaj, zjeżdżaj
entirely - całkowicie, zupełnie
iconic - ikoniczny (np. pamięć); konwencjonalny (w rzeźbiarstwie)
district - dzielnica, część miasta
gnarly - slang - niesmaczny, sprośny, ofensywny
jaw-dropping - oszałamiający, imponujący
untouched - nienaruszony, niezmieniony
onward - dalszy
medieval - średniowieczny
moat - fosa
sewage - ścieki, nieczystości
sword - miecz
źródło: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great/heritage-great-part-1
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