Hyde park

London is a city in which green spaces abound. Hyde Park is one of the most popular and most frequented points in London. In one corner is located the old residence of the Duke of Welling­ton, Apsley House, now Wellington Museum. Along one side of Hyde Park runs Park Lane, by which one can arrive at Marble Arch, not far from where is Speaker’s Corner, universally renow­ned as the place where numerous speakers propound the most extraordinary ideas in front of the most heterogeneous public. Hyde Park is the largest park in London: including the adjoining Kensington Gardens, the length and breadth of the Park extend over an area of 636 acres. Hyde Park has a large and most attrac­tive lake called the Serpentine, whose area of 41 acres is used to swim in and to quietly row on in summer.

Another attraction of Hyde Park is the horse-riding lane known as Rotten Row, which is a mile and a half long. The large green expanse of Kensington Gardens with its many trees and flowers, its gracious Round Pond and the lovely statue of Peter Pan work of Trampton, also constitutes a most attractive spectacle. Other well known and important parks are Regent’s Park, Green Park,

St. James’s Park and Kennington Park, all of which provide for the Londoners tranquil, relaxing spots in which to stroll or play. There are many swans in London parks and gardens and according to the tradition they are considered to be the property of the Royal family.

abound — изобиловать

Apsley House — Эпсли-Хаус (дом-музей герцога Веллингтона)

Park Lane — Парк Лейн (улица в лондонском Уэст-Энде, известна фе­шенебельными гостиницами и особ­няками)

universally renowned — всемирно известный

propound — предлагать на обсужде­ние

heterogeneous — разнородный

Rotten Row — Роттен-Роу (аллея для верховой езды в Гайд-Парке)

Peter Pan — Питер Пэн (герой одно­именной пьесы Дж. Барри о мальчи­ке, который не становился взрос­лым)

SECTION RECAP

1. What part of London is called the West End? How саn you characterize it?

2. Why was the square in the centre of London named Trafalgar? When was the historical naval victory won?

3. Where is Piccadilly Circus situated? What is it famous for?

4. What is the prime purpose of the Royal Academy of Arts? What are the two principal public attractions of the Royal Academу?

5 What is Buckingham Palace? Whose palace is it? What important buildings are there near it?

6. What can you say about the ceremony of Changing of the Guard?

7. What is Hyde Park famous for? Where is it situated?

TALKING POINTS

• The British fleet under the command of Admiral Nelson won the victory in the battle which lasted only several hours. And thus Admiral Nelson became a national hero. What do you think about the battle itself and the way how British people commemorate the historical victory won by Admiral Lord Nelson?

• You know that most shops in London are situated in the centre of the West End. Can we say that the West End is the goods of London? Prove your opinion.

Text 15 THE EAST END

London is a city of great contrast. Its western part is the richest. The poorest part of London is the East End.