IELTS LISTENING
Visit to Branley Castle
Guide: We’ll be arriving at Brandley Castle in about five minutes. But before we get there, I’ll give you a little information about the castle And what our visit will include. So, in fact, there’s being a castle on this site for over 1100 years.
The first building was a fort, constructed in 9 14 a. D for defense against Danish invaders by King Alfred, the great’s daughter who ruled England at the time. In the following century, after the Normans conquered England, the land was given to a nobleman called Richard Devere, and he built a castle there that stayed in the Devere family for over 400 years.
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However, when Queen Elizabeth the first announced that she was going to visit the castle in 1576 it was beginning to look a bit room down on Q11 it was decided that rather than repair the guest rooms that make a new house for a out of wood next to the main hall. She stayed there for four nights, and apparently, it was very luxurious, but unfortunately, it was destroyed a few years later by fire. In the 17th century, the castle belonged to the wealthy Fenice family who enlarged it and made it more comfortable. However, by 1982 the Fenice family could no longer afford to maintain the castle, even though they received government support and they put it on the market. It was eventually taken over by a Q12 company who owned a number of amusement parks. But when we get there, I think you’ll see that they’ve managed to retain the original atmosphere of the castle. When you go inside, you’ll Q13 find that in the staterooms, there are lifelike moving wax models dressed in costumes of different periods in the past, which even carry on conversations together, as well as that In every room there are booklets giving information about what the room was used for on the history of the objects and furniture. It contains the castle parks quite extensive. At one time she were kept there, and in the 19th century, the owners had Q14 a little zoo with animals like rabbits and even a baby elephant. Nowadays, the old zoo buildings, they’re used for public displays of paintings and sculptures. The park also has some beautiful trees, though the oldest of all, which dated back 800 years, was sadly blown down in 1987. Now you’re free to wander around on your old until 4 30 but then, at the end of our visit will all meet together at the bottom of the great staircase. Well, then, go on to the long Gallery, where there’s a wonderful collection of photographs showing the family who owned the castle 100 years ago. Having Q15 tea and cakes in the conservatory on will then take you to the same place where afternoon tea will be served to you. Now, if you can take a look at your plans, you’ll see Brandley Castle has four towers, joined together by a high wall with the river on two sides. Don’t miss seeing the great hall that’s near the river in the main tower. The biggest one which was extended and redesigned in the 18th century. If you want to get a good view of the whole castle, Q16 you can walk around the walls, the starting points quite near the main entrance. Walk straight down the path until you get to the south gate and it’s just there. Don’t go on to the north gate. There’s no way up from there. They will shortly be a show in which Q17 you can see Archer’s displaying their skill with a bow and arrow. The quickest way to get there is to take the first left after the main entrance and follow the past the bridge. Then you’ll see it in front of you at the end. If you like animals. There’s also a Q18 display of hunting birds, falcons and eagles, and so on. If you go from the main entrance in the direction of the South Gate, but term right before you get there, instead of going through it, you’ll see it on your right past the first tower. At three PM, Q19 there’s a short performance of traditional dancing on the outdoor stage that’s right at the other side of the castle, from the entrance and over the bridge. It’s about 10 minutes. Walk or so and Q20 finally the shop. It’s actually inside one of the towers, but the way in is from the outside. Just take the first left after the main entrance, go down the path and take the first right. It’s got some lovely gifts and souvenirs, right? So we’re just arriving.