In Victorian times, Britain was famous for producing things; it was known as ‘the workshop of the world’. I’m travelling to York to find out how this industrial past is still important for a newer industry: tourism.
Before planes, trains and cars, this was one of the best ways to travel.
Rivers and canals played a very important role during the Industrial Revolution. Barges like this were the lorries of their day, transporting coal to the factories and finished products around the country. Now they’re used for leisure and many canals have become a focus for cafés, restaurants and art galleries.
Amandeep: Thank you for the lift.
Bargee: Thank you. Bye-bye.
.....
Amandeep: Steam trains replaced the canal boats and became great symbols of Britain’s industrial past. And they’re still attracting tourists from around the world today.
There is a huge collection of them here at the National Railway Museum.
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The museum has its own work shed where engineers restore these incredible machines to their former glory.
Amandeep: Chris, how much work goes into restoring these trains?
Chris: Well, there’s a lot of work involved. We work on them virtually every day, repairing them and maintaining them to make sure they can operate properly and safely.
Amandeep: Why is it important to keep them and show them?
Chris: Basically, it’s important educationally to show the young generation of how railways used to operate in older days, so it’s a link from the past that’s brought to life in present day.
....
Amandeep: Like so much of Britain, these streets are full of history. This is the old part of the City of York. Tourists love to come and experience this historic area.
Woman 1: I think visitors come to Britain because of the shopping and the history.
Man 1: It is actually a very nice country, you know. Lots of historical places in Britain.
Man 2: I think visitors come to Britain for the culture, for the historic sites and because it’s different from anywhere else in the world.
....
Near to York Castle, there’s a museum that's created a street from the past.
Wow, this is like stepping back in time! I’m actually in a Victorian street museum. Visitors come here to travel back around 130 years. Natalie Kingston is a guide here and dresses up for her role.
Amandeep: Why do you think people like to visit this old street?
Natalie: I think people like to visit this street because it recreates the past. It was the first ever recreated street in the world. It was built in 1938.
Amandeep: What reactions do you get to being dressed up?
Natalie: The most common reaction to being dressed up is that people want to take photos of you and they like to have photos taken with you. People ask a lot more questions when you’re dressed up. Not just about the costume, but also about the street and everything in it.
Amandeep: Being here, I really do feel like I’ve been transported back in time.
Comments
Hello Sue Kehagias,
It is correct to use 'the' in this way, and missing it out would not be natural English.
For an example of 'the' used in a similar way, look here.
Best wishes,
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
I want a great advice now....I have already listened to loads of audio files so far you know what...I have started from learn English teens audio files all of them and I have ranked audio files in this section I have started from Elementary pod-casts Tess&Ravi to Big city small world to words on street....I think it is a big stuff....My question is should I continue to the rest of These... or there is something else I should concentrate on???....Thanks
Hello ahmedjoker,
I'm afraid I can't give any concrete advice about what to do next as I don't know enough about your English and your needs. My advice, therefore, is to think about what you need English for, and what you think you need to work on (your needs, your weaknesses and so on) and to concentrate on these. That may lead you to work on grammar, for example, or Business English, but you will need to decide for yourself.
Best wishes,
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
"What reactions do you get to being dressed up". TO BEING. Sorry, shame on me but this is the first time I've read this two words in a case like that. Is "to BE" incorrect? thanks a lot. I found this clip really interesting, clear pronounciation and full of cultural contents !
Hello,
Yes, this is a possible form and 'to be' wouldn't work in that sentence. You get reactions to something and 'being dressed up' is a gerund phrase, which is acting as a noun phrase.
Best wishes,
Adam
The LearnEnglish Team
it is very inconvenient when student has to download every video to study.
Is there Any future plans to make a ipad version of the task (which doesn't read flash)?
Cheers
Paolo
Hello paolopagotto,
Yes, we are currently working on this and hope to resolve it soon, though I can't make any promises on when it will be!
Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
It's a very cool video for learning english!) Thank all of you))
I LOVE ENGLISH! Very nice prononciation in the video.
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