You will hear a guide giving visitors information about Branley Castle before they arrive.
First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 15.
Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15.
We'll reach Branley Castle in about five minutes.
Before we arrive, I'd like to tell you a little about its history and explain what you'll be able to see during the visit.
There has been a castle on the site for more than 11 centuries.
The earliest structure was a defensive fort built in 914 AD to protect the area from Danish raiders.
It was commissioned by King Alfred the Great's daughter, who governed England at that time.
In the next century, after the Norman Conquest, the estate was granted to a nobleman named Richard de Wehr.
He put up a castle which remained in his family's hands for more than 400 years.
By the time Queen Elizabeth I planned to stay there in 1576, the place was becoming rather neglected.
Instead of refurbishing the existing guest chambers, the owners decided to build a separate timber residence for her beside the Great Hall.
She spent four nights there in considerable comfort, although the building was lost in a fire only a few years later.
During the 17th century, the wealthy Venice family owned the castle.
They expanded it and introduced a number of improvements.
By 1982, however, even with financial assistance from the state, the family could no longer meet the cost of looking after it, so they offered it for sale.
The buyer was a business that already operated several amusement parks.
Even so, when you enter the castle, I think you'll find that its historic character has been carefully preserved.
In the state apartments, you'll see remarkably realistic wax figures wearing clothes from different periods.
They don't simply stand still.
The figures move and appear to talk to one another.
Each room also contains a booklet explaining its former purpose and describing the furniture and objects on display.
The grounds cover a large area.
Sheep once grazed there, and during the 19th century the owners kept a small zoo, with creatures ranging from rabbits to a young elephant.
Those former animal buildings now house exhibitions of paintings and sculpture.
The park still has many fine trees, though its oldest one, which had survived for 800 years, was brought down by a storm in 1987.
You're welcome to explore independently until half past four.
At that time, we'll gather at the foot of the Great Staircase.
From there, we'll visit the Long Gallery, where photographs show the family who lived here a century ago enjoying tea and cakes in the Conservatory.
We'll then go to that same Conservatory where refreshments will be served to our group.
Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 16 to 20.
Now listen and answer questions 16 to 20.
Now look at the plan you've been given.
Branley Castle has four towers linked by a high wall, and the river runs along two sides of the site.
Make sure you see the Great Hall.
It's beside the river in the largest tower, which was enlarged and remodeled in the 18th century.
To get a broad view of the castle, you can follow the path along the walls.
The place to begin is close to the main entrance.
Continue straight ahead until you reach the south gate, and you'll find the access point beside it.
Don't carry on to the north gate, because you can't get onto the walls there.
An archery demonstration will begin soon.
From the main entrance, take the first turn on your left, follow the path beyond the bridge, and the display area will be directly ahead at the far end.
There's also a demonstration featuring birds of prey, including falcons and eagles.
Walk from the entrance towards the south gate, but turn right just before the gate, rather than passing through it.
Continue beyond the first tower, and you'll see the display on your right.
At three o'clock, there will be a brief performance of traditional dance on the outdoor stage.
It's on the opposite side of the castle from the entrance, across the bridge, and the walk should take around ten minutes.
Finally, the shop is located inside one of the towers, although you enter it from outside the castle.
Take the first left after the main entrance, continue along the path, and then take the first right.
There are some attractive gifts and souvenirs there.
Right, we're just about to arrive.
That is the end of part two.
You now have one minute to check your answers to part two.
