London's secret garden

London has many well-known landmarks, but it also has its hidden gems. In this video, you can learn about a garden paradise in the heart of the UK capital.

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises. You can also read the transcript.

Preparation

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Transcript

Located in central London is a public park that remains hidden to even the locals.

The medieval-style church of St Dunstan-in-the-East was built in around 1100, and has had a long, 900-year-old history.

In 1666, it was rebuilt after being damaged in the Great Fire of London. Then, during World War Two, a direct hit during the London Blitz destroyed a majority of the structure, leaving behind only the north and south walls and steeple. Instead of rebuilding once again, the city of London decided to turn the remains of St Dunstan-in-the-East into the public garden which is accessible today – if you know where to look.

Tucked away from the main road, the garden is situated between the Tower of London and London Bridge. The green, ivy-covered walls, trees and flowers offer an enchanting escape from the city and serve as a reminder of London's history.

Task 1

Video zone: London's secret garden – 1

Task 2

Video zone: London's secret garden – 2

Discussion

Are there any interesting places where you live that most people don't know about?

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Language level

B2 Upper intermediate

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Topics

environment and nature

I live in Abruzzo, a region in the centre of Italy. There's a wonderful place not far from the town of Chieti. It is an ancient church, San Liberatore a Maiella, surrounded by woods and incontaminated nature. If you follow the path on the left of the church, you can reach a brook flowing among the trees and the stones. It seems to be in a fairy tale. There, you can also find some monks'tombstones carved in the rocks. You can breath an enchanting and quiet atmosphere which reminds of old times and historical events.

no, I don't know this kind of place, in fact, I leave in India and I visit many places but it is very commonplace for everyone to know that in my city.

The city where I live has had a considerable urban development after the Second World War, particularly in the Sixties, but this process has destroyed the majority of buildings erected in the Art Nouveau Style between the end of the Nineteenth Century and the beginning of the Twentieth Century . Few houses have endured and most people don't know about.

I live in Medellín Colombia and we have a lot of interesting non common places like old houses built hundred years ago as a castles in a neighborhood call Prado.

Ankara which, I live on, is the capital of Turkey. It has turned into the capital city after World War 1. It was previously a middle-sized city. It has many tucked away place. And also it is located many historical area im city. But it is well known only some of them. For example, Hacı Bektaş Complex is a little-known among domestic and foreign tourists. But except of this I don't know very well. Maybe there are any other places or gardens which mean gems :).

Yes, my country Bulgaria in fully with known and unknown places, we have many natural waterfalls, beaches and other view, which can stop your breathing :)

Places of interest such as major tourist attraction centres still remain unfamiliar to most citizens and even to the local inhabitants. Accessing them today is much easier than before; thanks to an improved transport and communication system. However, endless security issues and negative alterations of the ecosystem are key reasons why many thereof care less about their existence.

Yes, there is.

I live in Lausanne along the edge of the Lake of Geneva. Le lake is about 400 meters high and the land behind it is sloping. It goes up to about 900 meters at the Chalet-à-Gobet. There are a lot of rivers which flow on this slope et some of them have digged little valleys that can be deep enough. A good way of looking at places that few people visit is to explore those valleys. Usually, they are not proper to live in, so that there are no dwellings there in and, since there are no dwellings, you won't meet many people, only the ones who know and who like walking ... If you have the opportunity to come to Lausanne and if you feel like exploring, go to Ouchy and look for the river called la Vuachère. There is a good path that enables you to go up to Epalinges four hundred meters higher Have a good day!.

I guess Central park of Baku is the most known place where one can walk, run and play games. It has got a lot of attractions for kids and elderly. Along the park we have got some restaurants and hotels. It is situated rights in the heart of city. It is easy to reach this place both by public transport and car. Recently, it was modernised and opened to public in 2019.