Презентация по теме: Sights of Great Britain

Sights of Great Britain

William Wordsworth (1770-1850) was a major Romantic poet, based in the Lake District, England. His greatest work was “The Prelude” – dedicated to Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The Prelude is a spiritual autobiography based on Wordsworth’s travels through Europe and his observations of life. His poetry also takes inspiration from the beauty of nature, especially his native Lake District.

England! The Time Is Come When Thou Should’st Wean

by William Wordsworth

ENGLAND! the time is come when thou should'st wean Thy heart from its emasculating food; The truth should now be better understood; Old things have been unsettled; we have seen Fair seed-time, better harvest might have been But for thy trespasses; and, at this day, If for Greece, Egypt, India, Africa, Aught good were destined, thou would'st step between. England! all nations in this charge agree: But worse, more ignorant in love and hate, Far--far more abject, is thine Enemy: Therefore the wise pray for thee, though the freight Of thy offences be a heavy weight: Oh grief that Earth's best hopes rest all with Thee!

Brief History of the United Kingdom

The history of the United Kingdom as a unified sovereign state began with the political union of the kingdoms of England, which included Wales, and Scotland on 1 st of May 1707 in accordance with the Treaty of Union, as ratified by the Acts of Union in 1707. The Union created the new state of Great Britain, which shared a single constitutional monarch 

and a single Parliament of Great Britain at Westminster.

  Prior to this, the kingdoms of England and Scotland had been separate sovereign states, 

although in personal union following the Union of the Crowns of 1603, each with political, administrative and cultural institutions, including representative governance, law systems, and distinguished contributions to the arts and sciences, upon which the institutions of the United Kingdom were later to be built.

On the new kingdom, the historian Simon Schama said, "What began as a hostile merger would end in a full partnership in the most powerful going concern in the world... it was one of the most astonishing transformations in

  European history.“

A further Act of Union in 1800 added the Kingdom of Ireland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. 

The early years of the unified kingdom of Great Britain were marked by Jacobite risings, which ended with defeat for the Stuart cause at Culloden in 1746.

Later, in 1763, victory in the Seven Years War led to the dominance of the British Empire,

  which was to be the foremost global power for over a century and grew to become the the largest empire in history.

  By 1921, the British Empire held sway over a population of about 458 million people, 

approximately one-quarter of the world's population. and as a result, the culture of the United Kingdom, and its industrial, political and linguistic legacy, is widespread.

In 1801, Great Britain and Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom and Ireland. In 1922, following the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Ireland effectively seceded from the United Kingdom 

to become the Irish Free State-later, Ireland or Irish Free State — later,  Éire  , a new dominion of the British Empire; a day later, Northern Ireland seceded from the Free State and was confirmed by King George V as part of the United Kingdom. As a result, in 1927 the United Kingdom changed its formal title to  the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland," 

usually shortened to the "United Kingdom", the "UK" or "Britain",  but the Style of the British sovereign, as the result of the dissolution of the previous Union, entirely abandoned term “United Kingdom”. It became and remained until 1953.

"By the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and

  the British Dominions beyond the Seas King/Queen, Defender of the Faith".

Following the Second World War, in which the UK was an allied power, most of the territories of the British Empire became 

independent. Many went on to join the Commonwealth of Nations,

a free associations of independent states. Some have retained the British monarch as their head of state to be come independent Commonwealth realms.

In its capacity as a great power, and as a leading member of the United Nations, European Union and NATO the United Kingdom remains a strong economic, cultural, military and political influence in the 21 st century. 

Tourism of the United Kingdom

UK is one of the most visiting countries in the world. Every year to the UK come about 30 million foreign tourists from different countries. Among the foreign tourists visiting United Kingdom most part are citizens of U.S., France and Germany. Residents of the UK are travel lovers too.

The centuries-old history of the United Kingdom, its achievements in economy, culture and art, has made this country one of the most influential countries in the world. English language is one of the most popular in the world. During his heyday British Empire occupied territory about one-fourth of the planet's surface. UK is one of the most interesting and influential countries in the world now. Here come a lot of tourists, politicians, businessmen and students from around the world.

Great Britain is one of the largest states in the Europe. The state is located in the British Isles, washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. South-eastern coast is located at distance about 35 km from the northern coast of France. Great Britain is separated from the mainland by the English Channel. The population of Britain is nearly 60 million people. The area of the country is approximately 244,000 square kilometers. The state consists of four parts (countries): England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The capital of the United Kingdom, London, is one of the largest cities in the Europe.

UK is one of the most attractive tourist countries in Europe. About 30 million foreign tourists come to Britain every year. In 2011, Britain received income from foreign tourists more than 17.7 billion pounds. Approximately 40% of tourists come to the UK for the holydays (11.9 million in 2011). Business trips accounts for about 20% of the total. Approximately 8.8 million people arrived in 2011 to friends or relatives.

Such visits also have a longer stay.

Travel and tourism in Great Britain is booming - both for residents of the UK and for visitors from North America. Great Britain is the island that encompasses England, Wales, and Scotland. Visitors will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the English, Welsh, and Scottish countryside as well as the friendly and welcoming people and a host of activities. The cities - London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and more

Sights of Great Britain

Great Britain is one of the strongest kingdoms in the world in the northwest part of the  European continent  bordering  France  to the north and  Iceland  to the southeast. Great Britain is an island group of developed countries namely:  Wales ,  Scotland ,  Ireland , Channel Islands and  England . Great Britain also known as the United Kingdom is under the monarchical rule. Great Britain has several attraction sites ranging from the amazing landscape features to the historical sites with large rolling hills, mountain ranges and beautiful lakes in the England Island. You can never miss viewing the unique, interesting, architectural designs of some famous buildings on the island like the seventeenth century Langley Chapel which has its furniture that was used in the century to date.

Take a look at one of the wonders of the world, the Stone hedge. Pass through the Saffron Walden Museum that is famous for its archaeological materials, artifacts, and cultural textiles. The southwest England beach points are a rock of activities from surfing, diving, sunbathing, and adventuring into the beautiful marine animals and birds. Take nature walks across the land, horse riding, and group camping with fine fireplaces and check out the ancient stone walls. Legoland Windsor is a park you can enjoy with family and friends.

Ireland allows tourists to stay in one of the ancient castles of the land. Visit the Blackness Castle of the fifteenth century which was once a royal residence has its prison section and maintenance of ammunition. The Channel Islands offers a wide variety of adventures. There you find small settlements of people living a less modernized life but still, the islands have an airport. These villages have been in existence for centuries. The Channel Islands people speak Norman language and embrace the Old English, modern English, French, and Norman cultures.

The natural beaches of the islands are also a fantastic place for all coastal fun activities you can think of. Visit England’s Chester Zoo where you will meet with thousands of animals of more than two hundred species existing on this planet. The Saint James Park is another beautiful garden to visit, with colorful flower beds and a surrounding lake and two islands in the lake.

Accommodation is available in all Great Britain countries. There are several restaurants, exotic hotels, and holiday houses to relax and continue the adventuring of the Great Britain region. The hospitality services are of a high rating as Great Britain applies even its advanced facilities to better the tourism services and facilities to ensure tourists have their best stay in Great Britain.

London

London is a fascinating city laden with history, filled with museums and art galleries, beautiful green parks, fantastic shopping and dining, a vibrant theater scene, and, of course, royalty. London is truly a  city that has it all .

The English capital is a city that is steeped in history, from its museums and palaces to historic buildings such as Westminster Abbey, the final resting place for many of the country’s greatest individuals, from writers to statesmen to royalty. London is home to some of the most famous museums in the world: the British Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Tate Gallery, all of which offer free admission. The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is a not-to-be-missed experience, as is watching the minutes tick away at Big Ben, probably the world’s most famous clock.

Some of the best performances in the world can be found in London, with its lively theater scene. Concerts abound, beginning with an evensong service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, a church that is just as famous for the wedding of Lady Diana Spencer to Prince Charles as it is for being a great example of Christopher Wren’s architecture. Travelers with an interest in other royal wives may want to visit the Tower of London where Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, was beheaded. Another London must is riding a double-decker bus across Tower Bridge over the Thames River.

Shoppers will enjoy Oxford Street and Knightsbridge, home to Harrods’s, one of the world’s most famous department stores. When it’s time for a break, have a pint at a traditional English pub while deciding what ethnic cuisine to eat that night.

Scottish Highlands

The Scottish Highlands is the rugged northern and northwestern portion of Scotland. This is the Scotland conjured up by visions of tartan, kilts, lochs and Braveheart. The area is very sparsely populated, with many mountain ranges dominating the region, and includes the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis.

The Highlands are home to many stunning castles including Dunrobin Castle and Eilean Donan Castle, a real picture postcard castle, situated on its own small island in Loch Duich. Only reachable by crossing a stone bridge it was remodeled several times into an ‘ideal’ castle and is well worth a visit, with some interesting rooms and exhibits. Scotland’s most famous lake, Loch Ness can also be found in the Highlands. About a mile wide at most places it is the purported home of the Loch Ness monster, a possibly mythical creature, which dwells in the Loch and is occasionally spotted by locals and passers-by.

One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones in south west England. It is also home to some of the most important Neolithic and Bronze Age finds and structures in the UK, and contains some 200 scheduled monuments.

Stonehenge was built in three stages. The first stage, built in approximately 3100 B.C, was the original Henge. It consisted of a circular ditch, an earthen bank and Aubrey holes. Aubrey holes are circular pits in the chalk layer of the earth that are about one meter wide. Experts believe that the pits were used in religious ceremonies or for burials. The site was abandoned not long after the completion of this first stage, and it was not used for more than 1000 years.

Archaeologists view the second building stage of Stonehenge as the most dramatic. Construction began in approximately 2150 B.C. Builders transported 82 bluestones, some weighing 4 tons, to the site. It is believed that transporting these stones involved the use of rollers on the land as well as rafts in the rivers when necessary. This route covered 370 km (240 miles). When set up, these stones formed an incomplete double circle at the center of the site.

STONEHENGE

The third building stage started approximately 2000 B.C. It involved bringing Sarsen stones, which were very large stones, from about 40 km (25 miles) north of Stonehenge to the site. The largest of these stones weighed nearly 50 tons, and they were most likely moved by using sledges and ropes. Archaeologists estimate that it took 600 men to pull one stone, with 500 pulling the sledge and 100 putting rollers under the sledge.

The builders placed the stones in an outer circle supported by lintels. On the inside of the circle, there were five trilithons. A trilithon consists of two tall, upright stones supporting a horizontal stone across the top. These five groupings were arranged in a horseshoe shape that is still visible today.

With no records to explain the reason why it was created, Stonehenge is a mystery. Some feel it was a healing place while others believe it was a burial site. Some believe that it was a solar calendar while others feel that it was a sacred ritual area.

Edinburg

Visitors to Edinburgh need to be prepared to experience history, from the cobblestone streets to Edinburgh Castle that is symbolic of Scotland’s capital. Edinburgh is steeped in history, beginning with the Old and New Towns, which have more than 4,500 historic buildings and sites between them.

Edinburgh Castle, which sits high atop a hill overlooking the city, represents Old Town and its rich history. Old Town is home to Edinburgh’s most famous street, the Royal Mile that connects Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Walking the Royal Mile is where many people begin their visit to Edinburgh. After this trek, travelers may want to visit Grassmarket, a medieval market place where public executions once took place. The White Hart Inn, once frequented by Robert Burns, remains in business today.

New Town isn’t really new, since it dates back to the 18th century and is best known for its neoclassical architecture. New Town is where the city’s upper classes lived. Located here is the Scottish National Portrait Gallery containing faces of everyone from Mary, Queen of Scots to Sean Connery.

More than 200,000 people converge on the city every August for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an event that showcases the best military bands in the world. The city also boasts a number of other cultural events, including the Edinburgh International Festival, its signature summer festival; the Leith Festival, a traditional arts festival, and the Festival Fringe, the largest arts festival in the world.

York

York is a walled city with a rich heritage located where the River Foss meets the River Ouse. An impressive number of attractions are packed into the space of this ancient city. York is just a two-hour train ride away from London.

Plenty of exciting sights compete for visitors’ attention as they stroll along the city’s cobblestone streets. One of the city’s landmarks is York Minster. This commanding stone cathedral is filled with remarkable works of art. Children are unlikely to be bored thanks to “explorer baskets” and other activities geared toward young people at the cathedral.

One of the more unique offerings in York is the JORVIK Viking Centre. This recreation of a Viking city captures the sights, sounds, and even the smells that existed a thousand years ago. The medieval Clifford’s Tower, which was built by William the Conqueror and rebuilt by Henry III in the 13th century, is a great vantage point for panoramic views around the city.

Yorkshire Museum is home to impressive collections of archaeology and geology. An authentic recreation of a Victorian street is one of the highlights of the Castle Museum. The Railway Museum is a free attraction that explores 300 years of rail history, including interactive displays that capture the attention of visitors young and old alike.

Tower of London

Prison, palace, treasure vault, observatory, and menagerie: the Tower of London has done it all and it's one of the  top attractions in London . Widely considered the most important building in England, there's enough to see and do at this World Heritage Site to keep visitors busy for hours.

The centerpiece of this Thames-side fortress is the White Tower. Built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, it's home to amazing exhibits, such as Line of Kings, the world's oldest visitor attraction, established in 1652 with a remarkable display of royal armor.

Other highlights include the impressive Crown Jewels exhibition, classic Yeoman Warder Tours, the Royal Mint, and exhibits and displays regarding prisoners and executions. All told, the Tower of London covers some 18 acres, so there's a great deal of exploring to do.

If you're traveling with children, be sure to check for special events for kids, including "Knights School" and other immersive programs that provide a fun insight into the castle's history.

The Roman Baths and Georgian City of Bath

If you only have time to visit one smaller city in England, you couldn't do much better than Bath. This remarkably beautiful city in Somerset boasts more  fantastic tourist attractions  than you could hope to visit in a day.

While most famous for the magnificent 2,000-year-old  Roman Baths  built around the city's rejuvenating hot springs, it's equally well known for its honey-colored  Georgian Townhouses , such as those located on Royal Crescent.

Some 500 of the city's buildings are considered of historical or architectural importance, a fact that has resulted in the entire city being granted World Heritage status. Bath makes an ideal location from which to explore some of England's most stunning countryside, including the Avon Valley, the Mendip Hills, and countless other fantastic Somerset landmarks.

The British Museum

With collections of antiquities that are among the world's finest, the British Museum holds more than 13 million artifacts from Assyria, Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, the Roman Empire, China, and Europe. The most famous ancient artifacts are the  Elgin Marbles  from the Parthenon in Athens, as well as the famous  Rosetta Stone .

But there are many other outstanding pieces on show here that help make this one of the best places to visit in London. The Ancient Egyptian collection is the largest outside of Cairo, and the hoard of Roman silver dating from the fourth century known as the Mildenhall Treasure, unearthed in Suffolk in 1942, is nothing short of spectacular.

If you've got time, be sure to look into joining a guided tour (private after-hour tours are fun), or participate in a workshop or lecture. Dining and shopping is also available on-site.

Canterbury Cathedral

Located in the heart of the historic city that bears its name, Canterbury Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is home to the Archbishop of Canterbury and is the cradle of English Christianity. It all started when St. Augustine converted the pagan Anglo Saxons here in 597 when he became the first bishop. Excellent guided tours of the cathedral are available, and for a truly memorable experience, consider booking an overnight stay in the grounds at  Canterbury Cathedral Lodge .

But there's much more to this beautiful medieval city than just its cathedral. Canterbury is also a popular cultural and entertainment destination with great shopping, galleries, and cafés, as well as attractions such as those focused on Chaucer's medieval England and the city's Roman past.

Some of the other  best places to visit in Canterbury  include the Old City, the ruins of St. Augustine's Abbey, and medieval Beaney House.

The National Gallery

Displaying one of the most comprehensive collections of paintings in the world, the National Gallery is London's second-most visited museum. The collections, which present an almost complete cross-section of  European painting from 1260 until 1920 , are especially strong in the  Dutch Masters  and the  Italian Schools  of the 15th and 16th centuries. In the Italian galleries, look for works by Fra Angelico, Giotto, Bellini, Botticelli, Correggio, Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese, and especially for Leonardo da Vinci's  Madonna and Child with St. Anne and John the Baptist , Raphael's  The Crucifixion , and  The Entombment  by Michelangelo.

In the German and Dutch galleries are works by Dürer, van Dyck, Frans Hals, Vermeer, and Rembrandt. Among artists from the 18th century through 1920, standout works are by Hogarth, Reynolds, Sargent, Gainsborough, Constable, and Turner. French works include those by Ingres, Delacroix, Daumier, Monet (including  The Water-Lily Pond ), Manet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne.

With no-cost admission, a visit to the National Gallery is one of the top things to do in London for free. Guided tours and lunchtime lectures are also available for free and are highly recommended.

Royal Museums Greenwich

Downstream from Tower Bridge, Greenwich is the London base of the Royal Navy and holds England's largest expanses of preserved historic architecture and parks. And although lovers of things maritime will certainly gravitate to Greenwich, there's a lot more there than just ships and boats here.

The highlight for most visitors is the  Cutty Sark , the last surviving of the 19th-century clippers from the lucrative tea trade between Britain and China. Built in 1869, the Cutty Sark was one of the finest and fastest ships of its day, and you can board it to explore the clipper, from its figure head to the sailors' quarters below decks. For a special treat, book an afternoon tea overlooking the ship.

At the  Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre , exhibits showcase more than 500 years of maritime history. In  Queen's House , the  National Maritime Museum  is the largest of its kind in the world, featuring the Royal Navy from Tudor times to the Napoleonic Wars.

Greenwich Park , dating from the 15th century and the oldest of London's eight Royal Parks, is filled with beautiful gardens and walking paths, and here you'll find the  Old Royal Observatory  and the  Prime Meridian Line , marked by a steel rod in the floor of the Meridian Building. This is the zero meridian of longitude, dividing the world into eastern and western halves; you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. If you're hungry, add a great English breakfast from  Heap's Sausage Cafe  to your list of things to do in Greenwich.

Interesting facts about Great Britain

• As one of the biggest urban and over-populated area in the world, the British capital is a “melting pot” of nations, cultures and therefore interesting facts. The city is the home to more than 8 million citizens who do communicate using different languages. It is estimated that there are more than 300 different languages spoken in London.

• Topping at 1,107 feet or 350 meters, the London’s Shard building was completed in 2012 making it the tallest object in the continent of Europe.

• The Windsor Castle is where the British royal family still resides. The object is the oldest royal residence.

• The UK is linked with the European continental land through the Channel Tunnel.  At a distance of 21 miles, this road is the second longest underground tunnel. It connects the city of Dover (England) and Calais (France).

• The Union Flag or Union Jack is the UK’s flag. Its design represents a blending of English, Scottish flag and the flag of St Patrick which represents Ireland. Sorry, Wales!

• UK has only 15 National Parks but they cover 8% of the British land.

• There are no mountains in England higher than 1000 meters.

• Ben Nevis is the highest point of the UK’s mountains (1,345 meters above the sea level)
• London counts over 170 museums.
• There was another wheel before the London Eye was built.  The Great Wheel (as it was known) was constructed in 1895 for the Empire of India Exhibition. Unfortunately, the building was shattered in 1907.

• The smallest statue in London depicts two mice fighting for a piece of cheese. The story in the background of this tiny sculpture is in fact tragic. During the time when The Monument was getting built, two builders got involved in a fight after accusing each other for eating a sandwich. Both of them died in the fight while later on turned that a mouse had eaten the sandwich.
• Fordwich is the smallest town in UK. It has around 400 residents.
• British Library is the second largest library in the world. It has over 150 million items.
• In the past, London had different names, like Londinium or Ludenburg

• Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK.
• There are over 30 places around the world named Birmingham. Furthermore, there are places on the Moon that hold this name.
• Uk is a large country, but no matter where you’re staying at the moment you’ll never be further than 115 km from the sea . Knap of Howar is the oldest building in UK. The object was constructed around 3,700 AC

• Knap of Howar is the oldest building in UK. The object was constructed around 3,700 AC