The West End

It is strange but in all European capitals rich people preferred to live in the western parts of the cities. That was true for London too. Rich people began to inhabit it three hundred years ago, in the seventeenth century. Now the West End occupies a large area. It is known by its wonderful parks and gardens which are situated beside the beautiful palaces. The most famous of them are St. James Park and Hyde Park. In old times they were the places where the kings went hunting. The Londoners are proud of their parks which they call “the lungs of the city”. Everybody knows that numerous theatres, museums, aristocratic clubs together with the most luxurious shops, restaurants and hotels can be found in the West End. In London they say that money is made in the City and spent it in the West End.

The main streets in this part of London are Oxford-Street, Regent-Street, Piccadilly and New-Bond Street. There are many squares in the West End. Some of them are small and quiet, the other are large and noisy, full of active life. The name Piccadilly is one of the best known in London. A nice fountain with a charming statue is situated in the centre of Piccadilly Circus. The Trafalgar Square is hardly less famous than Piccadilly. Church St. Martin’s-in the-Fields is the oldest building in Trafalgar Square. In the middle of the square one can see a huge column with a bronze figure of Admiral Nelson. He was a hero of the battle of Trafalgar which gave the name to the square. There are four figures of lions at the foot of the column. Trafalgar Square is a place where meeting and demonstrations take place. Many pigeons live there and Londoners like to feed them.

The most famous museums are also situated in the West End. The National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, and the British Museum are among them. The art galleries demonstrate the best works of well-known Masters representing history of English painting. The British Museum is world famous for its richest historical collection including masterpieces of old art from many countries such as Egypt, India, Greece, and others. The British Museum has also a big library and researchers from all the word come to work there.

16. Questions for discussion:

1. Did you know anything new about London from the texts?

2. What parts of London can be called historical districts?

3. Have you read any interesting facts about the Tower?

4. What was most striking for you?

5. What is St. Paul’s Cathedral famous for?

6. Which district is a symbol of Royal England?

7. Why are Englishmen proud of Westminster Abbey?

8. Is there another name for the Houses of Parliament?

9. How old is the British Parliament?

10. What traditions or legends of London do you remember?

11. What region represents aristocratic London?

12. Which places of interest in London do you like most of all? Why?

13. How do you think, which of architectural monuments in London is the oldest? And which one is the most beautiful?

14. What famous people of England are mentioned in the texts? Were any new names for you?

15. Would you like to live in London? Why?

16. What place would you like to live in? Why?

Additional Vocabulary

Archives – архив

arms – оружие

armory – арсенал

to be imprisoned – находится в плену

birthplace – колыбель

Capitola Hall – зал Капитула

Changing of the Guard – смена караула

church – церковь

to conquer – завоевать

creation work – творение

Cromwell, Oliver – Оливер Кромвель,

руководитель революции 17 века

the Crown Treasures – сокровища короны

defensive wall – оборонительная стена

Edward the Confessor – Эдуард Исповедник,

король Англии

elephant – слон

to enter – входить

gate – ворота

Gothic architecture – готическая архитектура

government – правительство

guard – караул

Her Majesty – Её Величество

key – ключ

lion – лев

the Lord-Chancellor – лорд-канцлер,

председатель палаты лордов

lungs – лёгкие

Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland – Мария Стюарт,

королева Шотландии

Middle Ages – средние века

mystery – тайна

the Normans – норманны

polar bear – белый медведь

ravens – вороны

the Romans – римляне

to seat – заседать

the Scandinavians – скандинавы

the Speaker – спикер,

председатель палаты общин

Sir Thomas More – сэр Томас Мор,

английский мыслитель

traces – следы

trade – торговля

Lord-Mayor – лорд-мэр (в Сити)

William the Conqueror – Вильгельм Завоеватель

zoo – зоопарк