Вritish cities

Московский педагогический 
государственный университет

O. Kolykhalova, K. Makhmuryan

BRITISH CITIES

Учебное пособие  для обучающихся в бакалавриате
по направлению подготовки 
«Педагогическое образование»

Москва
2014

Министерство образования и науки Российской Федерации
Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение
высшего профессионального образования
«Московский педагогический государственный университет»

O. Kolykhalova, K. Makhmuryan

BRITISH CITIES

Рекомендовано УМО по образованию 
в области подготовки педагогических кадров 
в качестве учебного пособия для студентов высших учебных заведений, 
обучающихся по направлению 050100.62 «Педагогическое образование»

МПГУ
Москва • 2014

УДК 811.111
ББК 81.432.1я73
 
К619

Рецензенты:
Е. Р. Ватсон, кандидат филологических наук, доцент 
И. Ш. Алешина, кандидат психологических наук, доцент 

 
Колыхалова, Ольга Алексеевна.
К619  
Вritish cities : Учебное пособие для обучающихся в бакалавриате по направлению подготовки «Педагогическое образование» / O. Kolykhalova, K. Makhmuryan. – Москва : МПГУ, 
2014. –  84 с. : ил.
 
 
ISBN 978-5-4263-0148-1
 
 
Учебное пособие «BRITISH CITIES» для обучающихся в бакалавриате 
по направлению подготовки «Педагогическое образование» ставит своей целью развитие у студентов навыков устной речи и предполагает 
усвоение большого объема лексики по теме «Города Британии». 

УДК 811.111 
ББК 81.432.1я73

ISBN 978-5-4263-0148-1 
© МПГУ, 2014
 
© Колыхалова О. А., текст, 2014
 
© Махмурян К. С., текст, 2014

СОДЕРЖАНИЕ

PART 1 
OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Oxford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

All Souls College  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

The World of Alice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

The Dean’s Daughter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Tell us a story  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Alice’s Oxford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Cambridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

The Hidden Head  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

PART 2
SHAKESPEARE COUNTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Stratford-upon-Avon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Coventry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Birmingham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

PART 3
CANTERBURY AND THE SOUTHEAST  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Charles Dickens country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Canterbury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

PART 4
BRIGHTON AND THE DOWNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Raffi sh Brighton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

PART 5
THE ENGLISH GARDEN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

The Art of the Landscape  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

The Great Gardeners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

PART 6
HAMPSHIRE, WILTSHIRE AND DORSET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Salisbury to Stonehenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

PART 7
BATH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

The ancient abbey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Georgian elegance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

PART 8
THE LAKE DISTRICT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

The Southern Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

The Lake Poets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

The Daffodils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

PART 9
YORK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Into the old town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Heart of the old town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

The age of horse and steam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

PART 1 
OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE

OXFORD

Yet, O ye spires of Oxford! domes and towers!
Gardens and groves! your presence overpowers.
William Wordsworth

O. KOLYKHALOVA, K. MAKHMURYAN. BRITISH CITIES

Oxford is both an historic and a beautiful city. Dominated by its 
famous university, it was, in fact, an important and prosperous town 
with some 4,000 inhabitants in Saxon times, long before the university 
was founded here. Situated at a strategic crossing point on the river, 
between the ancient kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex, ancient Oxenforde 
is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle of 912. The town was 
fortifi ed and garrisoned by the Normans, and when Oxford declared for 
the Royalists during the Civil War, King Charles I moved his court here 
from London. Oxford University has its origins in the ancient monastic 
schools, but it was not until the early 13th century that the university 
was granted its fi rst charter. Today it remains one of the great European 
centres of learning with nearly 20,000 students studying in 39 colleges. 
In the centre of the town it is scarcely possible to turn a corner or glance 
down a side street without coming upon some new perspective of Gothic 
towers, ancient cloisters and charming quadrangles. Here almost every 
period of architecture is represented with outstanding examples of the 
works of such masters as Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor. 
Generations of writers have praised Oxford’s delights. Matthew Arnold’s 
“city of dreaming spires” is also Gerard Manley Hopkins’ “towery city and 
branchy between towers” and indeed it is the presence of trees, colourful 
college gardens and busy rivers which helps to make Oxford what it is.
Oxford University has been responsible for educating members 
of the British and foreign royal families as well as prime ministers, archbishops and many influential scientists, artists and writers. Shelley, Oscar Wilde, Auden, Iris Murdoch and Larkin were 
all students here and other notable writers who are associated with 
Oxford are Lewis Carroll, J. R. R. Tolkein and C. S. Lewis who 
all taught at Oxford colleges. The superb architecture and beautiful 
scenery of Oxford has become familiar to many who have never 
visited the city from its use as a setting for films and television 
series such as Brideshead Revisited, Shadowlands and, of course, 
Inspector Morse.
In Saxon times two major trade routes intersected at Oxford: one 
linking London and the West, the other leading from the south coast to 
the Midlands. It was probably near the spot, which today is known as 
Carfax that the two routes crossed. Carfax certainly became the centre 
of the old town and today four main roads meet at this busy junction. 
A prominent landmark, Carfax Tower once served as the belfry of St 

PART 1. OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE

Martin’s Church. It was from here in medieval times that bells were 
rung to summon people in times of riot. The nave was demolished in the 
1890s when the road was widened but from the top of the tower there are 
magnifi cent views of Oxford’s skyline. Known as The High, Oxford’s 
wide, curving High Street presents one of the best-known prospects in 
the city. It is lined with mellow college buildings and contains some 
fascinating old shops. Cooper’s Marmalade was fi rst sold here from 
Frank Cooper’s grocery shop and William Morris, who later founded 
Morris Motors, had a bicycle repair shop in The High. A few doors away 
is the site of Europe’s oldest coffee shop which dates from the 1630s.
Several colleges line The High, one of which, University College, 
is among the three oldest Oxford colleges. It was founded in 1249, but 
did not move into its own buildings until some eighty years later. Only 
a handful of students attended the college during its fi rst 200 years, but 
subsequent bequests and much new building in the 16th and 17th centuries 
enabled it to become a fl ourishing and popular college. The poet Shelley 
spent six months here as an undergraduate before being sent down in 
1811 for writing a pamphlet on The Necessity of Atheism.
Situated in the heart of Oxford, the Church of St Mary the 
Virgin is known as “The University Church”. 

O. KOLYKHALOVA, K. MAKHMURYAN. BRITISH CITIES

There has been a church on this site since Anglo-Saxon times but 
the earliest parts of the present building are the tower, which dates from 
1280, and its elaborate spire which was added about forty years later. The 
splendid nave, in the Perpendicular style with superb arches and large 
windows, was built in the 15th century. St Mary’s has been the setting for 
many historic events. In 1555 it was the location of the trial of the “Oxford 
Martyrs”, when Archbishop Cranmer and Bishops Latimer and Ridley 
were tried for heresy and subsequently condemned to be burnt at the stake. 
Later John and Charles Wesley, and John Keble, all preached here. From 
the top of the spire the rich architectural heritage of the city stretches far 
into the distance, taking in several of the neighbouring colleges. 

ALL SOULS COLLEGE

The College of All Souls of the Faithful Departed of Oxford, was 
founded by King Henry VI and Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury, 
in 1438. It was originally established for forty fellows to take Holy Orders, 
twenty-four to study arts, philosophy and theology, and sixteen to study 
law. Today the College is primarily an academic research institution and 
is the only Oxford college, which does not admit undergraduates. It is 
thought that Christopher Wren was responsible for its design. 

PART 1. OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE

Founded in 1509 and expanded during the next 400 years, Brasenose 
College exhibits a delightful variety of building styles.
Jesus College was founded in 1571, the only Oxford college to be 
founded during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It was intended for the 
education of future clergymen and provided mainly for Welsh scholars. 
It has retained a strong connection with Wales to the present day and 
an important collection of Welsh books and manuscripts, some of them 
dating from medieval time, is housed in the college. T. E. Lawrence, 
Lawrence of Arabia, was an undergraduate here.
Trinity College was founded in 1554 and dedicated to the “Holy and 
Undivided Trinity”. It stands on the site of medieval Durham College, 
some parts of which are incorporated in the present buildings. Tranquil 
Trinity Gardens are among the most beautiful in Oxford.
The Ashmolean Museum in Beaumont Street was opened in 1845 to 
house Elias Ashmole’s great art collection. This originated in items collected 
in the early 17th century by John Tradescant, the royal gardener, on his travels 
in Europe searching for plants. The collection eventually passed to Ashmole 
who donated it to the university. Next to the Ashmolean, and completed in 
the same year, stands the Taylor Institute. It was built for the teaching of 
modern languages and now houses the modern European languages library.
Situated in the centre of Oxford near Magdalen Bridge, the University 
of Oxford Botanic Garden is believed to be the oldest botanical garden 
in Britain. Originally known as the “Physick Garden”, it was laid out on 
derelict ground in 1621 by Henry Danvers, Earl of Danby, for the study of 
medicinal herbs in the faculty of medicine at Magdalen College. In Tudor 
and Stuart times, interest in botany increased and by the end of the 18th 
century medicine and botany had become separate sciences. Appointed 
Professor of Botany in 1834, Charles Daubeny changed the name of the 
garden which from that time onwards concentrated on botany and evolution 
rather than medicine. Today the garden lies in a peaceful setting beside the 
river, largely enclosed by a high stone wall. The main entrance, opposite 
Magdalen College, is a fi ne example of a baroque gateway.
The River Thames at Oxford is known as the Isis, from the Roman name 
Tamesis, and it invariably presents a busy scene with small boats, canoes 
and pleasure steamers plying from Folly Bridge in the centre of the town. 
The present bridge dates from 1827 although a bridge was recorded here as 
early as 871. It is named after a folly built at one end of the bridge in which 
the Elizabethan philosopher and essayist Sir Francis Bacon once lived. Folly 

O. KOLYKHALOVA, K. MAKHMURYAN. BRITISH CITIES

Bridge was the starting point on 4th July 1862 for the Reverend Charles 
Dodgson’s boat outing with the Liddell sisters which resulted in his classic 
children’s story – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Below the bridge is the 
university rowing course where the few remaining picturesque old college 
barges are moored. The modern boat-houses which have superceded them 
stand on the banks of the river. A popular venue especially in summer, The 
Head of the River is a traditional pub, ideally located next to Folly Bridge. 
Much of its seating is outdoors which makes it the perfect spot for watching 
all the activity on the river. There is a long and fl ourishing tradition of rowing 
in Oxford. Its most famous expression is the annual Oxford and Cambridge 
University Boat Race, but throughout the year college crews can be seen 
training and competing on the river. In the spring term, fi rst year students 
take part in Torpids, but the major event in the rowing calendar is Eights 
Week when the colleges compete for the title “Head of the River”.

Exercises
Exercise 1
Give synonyms to the following words:
gather, beautiful, establish, include, situated, present, complete, participate, watch.

Exercise 2
These pairs of words are easily confused. Write sentences to show 
their different meanings.
- founded/funded,
- historic/historical,
- economic/economical,
- study/teach,
- routes/roads.

Exercise 3
Which of the following words can be used with the verbs ATTEND 
and VISIT?
Event, doctor, meeting, school, city, theatre, museum, class, site, 
person.

Exercise 4
Complete the text.
Oxford can mean many things. It may be seen _1_ a seat of 
intellectual activity advancing the frontiers _2_ knowledge, fostering the 

PART 1. OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE

achievements _3_ Roger Bacon, John Wycliffe, Robert Boyle, Edmund 
Halley, and many others. It is also the birthplace _4_ the Oxford English 
Dictionary, the ultimate authority _5_ the language.
Oxford may be seen _6_ a concentration of handsome buildings dating 
back _6_ as early as 1000 AD, _7_ an especially good representation _8_ 
the 15th _9_ the 18th centuries; here are fi ne examples _10_ the work _11_ 
Christopher Wren, Nicholas Hawksmoor and James Gibbs. 

Exercise 5
Answer the following questions.
1. Why is Oxford considered to be a historic place?
2. Whose names are connected with Oxford?
3. Why do people want to come to Oxford?
4. What is Carfax?
5. Why was Carfax important in medieval times?
6. Which colleges are located in the High?
7. Which church in Oxford is known as “the University Church”?
8. When was the College of All Souls founded?
9. Which college in Oxford does not admit undergraduates? Why?
10. Which college was founded during the reign of Elizabeth I? 
Why was it built?
11. What is Trinity College famous for?
12. Why is the museum called “Ashmolean”?
13. Who laid the Oxford Botanic Garden and when?
14. What is the second name of the River Thames in Oxford 
and why?

Exercise 6
Speak about a) High Street, b) the University Church, c) Folly Bridge.

Exercise 7
Explain the name “Oxford”.

Exercise 8. Role play.
Act as a guide in Oxford.

Exercise 9. Role play.
You are a reporter for your local radio station. Interview a young man/
woman who wants to enter Oxford University.