Scenic Spot and Historical Sites

Chapter VIIChapter VII

1. Britain is a small, ancient collection of countries which are plentifully stocked

with the artistic and historical legacy of a particularly interesting past.

2. The landscape varies greatly not only from region to region, but from county to

county.

I. Condition I. Condition

II. Westminster1. Westminster Palace

A. Function: seat of the British House of Parliament and kings lived in it up to Henry VIII.

B. Feature: the largest Gothic edifice in England

C. Location: in the heart of LondonD. Westminster hall has witnessed many

dramatic events, such as, the condemnation of Charles I.

E. It was burnt down in the Great Fire of

1834 and erected in 1840-1867.

F. Its antiquity surprises visitors.

G. The most symbolic part is the clock

Tower, which is famous for the largest and

most authoritative clock, the Big Ben.

2. Westminster Abbey

A. It has the finest stained-glass window.

B. This is where sightseeing in London

begins for most travelers.

C. Principal architectural features are the

transepts with aisles.

D. It is a veritable national shrine because many

greatest literary, scientific figures, statesmen an

d monarchs are buried here.

E. It enshrines many of the traditions and comme

morates many of the achievements of the Britis

h people.

Video about the Abbey

III. The British Museum

1. FeaturesA. It is in London’s Great Russell Street and

consists of the British National Museum of Antiquities and Ethnography and the British National Library.

B. It was founded in 1753.C. The British Museum Library is one of the

largest and richest in the world.D. It is financed by Government funds and

managed by a board of 25 trustees.

E. Karl Marx came to study and completed most of his famous book Das Kapital.

2. Collection of antiquities is organized into three main departments.

A. Greek and Roman, Egyptian, Western Asian, Oriental, British and Medieval antiquities

B. Department of coins and metals

C. Department of ethnography

IV. Hyde Park1. It is in the centre of London and the

world’s most famous city parks.

2. It was part of the manor of Hyde, given by Edward the Confessor to the Abbey of Westminster.

3. It reverted to the crown and was open to the public during the reign of Charles I.

Video about the park

4. In 1851, it was the site of London’s Great Exhibition.5. Marble Arch is famous for its lovely plants and the world-famous Speakers’ Corner.

V. The Tower of London

1. It was erected in the 13th century.

2. It is situated on the east of the city and on the northern side of the River Thames.

3. It is an ancient fortress surrounded by ditch, formerly fed by the Thames but now dry.

4. White Tower was built for William the Conqueror.

5. The Norman St. John’s Chapel, London’s oldest church is situated in the White Tower.

6. Executions took place both within the tower and on the tower hill.

7. It was not only a state prison, but also a royal residence.

8. It is under the governorship of a constable.

Video about the Tower

VI. St. Paul’s Cathedral

1. The original St. Paul’s was built in 1621.

2. It is the biggest and most well-known church in London and is a typical example of the architecture of the Renaissance.

3. It was severely damaged during the Great Fire of 1666, and completed by Sir Christopher.

VII. Whitehall

1. It is the most important street in London and named after the ancient sprawling Whitehall Palace that had successive monarchs.

2. Banqueting Hall is one of the most beautiful building in London, in front of which Charles I had his head cut off.

3. Whitehall is a short wide thoroughfare, where some of the most important offices, such as the Home Office, the Treasury, and War Office are located.

4. It is also famous for political demonstrations.

5. The street is dominated by Trafalgar Square.

VIII. Buckingham palace

1. It was built for the 1st Duke of Buckingham and Normandy and was bought by George III for his wife.

2. It was rebuilt in the Palladian style by John Nash and then the building became known as Buckingham Palace.

3. Victoria made it the royal palace.4. It is the monarch’s present London

home, facing the St. James’ park.5. Since 1993, it has been open to the

public during the summer months only.

IX. Greenwich Royal Observatory

1. The old buildings of the Observatory are on the highest hill in Greenwich Park.

2. Now it has moved to Herstmonceux Castle in Sussex on account of the London pollution.

3. Tourists like to watch the time-ball descent at 1 p.m.

4. Video about the Observatory

X. Madame Tussaud’s1. It is a famous exhibition of about 300

life-size wax figures in London.

2. it was damaged by fire in 1925, and reopened in 1928.

3. The exhibition is a four-storey building.

A. ground floor : “ the floor of terror”

B. first floor: wax figures who have something to do with historical events

C. second floor: famous wax figures, such as

Brazilian footballer Pele, the American box

ing champion, Mahammed Ali, Elizabeth I,

Queen Victoria

D. third floor: modern and contemporary pol

iticians and statesmen: Washington, Lincol

n, Churchill, Mao Tsetung

XI. Stratford-on-Avon

1. Shakespeare was born there in 1564.

2. it is the seat of the British or more

specifically the English soul, while London is

the capital of the English character.

Thank You