1 . We’ve collected some of the greatest royal (皇家的) palaces and castles to visit in Britain. Here are our picks.
Windsor Castle, Berkshire
Windsor Castle is the oldest castle in the world. It used to be an official accommodation for Her Majesty the Queen and was the place where the wedding of Prince Hary and Meghan Markle was held. The site of Windsor Castle was chosen and built by William in around 1070 to guard the western ways to London from a possible attack.
Open all year round to the public.
Buckingham Palace, Westminster
The official accommodation of the King and Queen and one of Britain’s most recognized historic sites, Buckingham Palace is often used for national celebrations and events. It was bought in 1761 by George II for his wife Queen Charlotte.
Buckingham Palace is open to the public during the summer months and for a limited number of tours in December, January and at Easter each year.
Kew Palace, Richmond-Upon-Thames
Sitting on the banks of the River Thames in London, Kew Palace might be the smallest of the royal palaces. With the big Kew Gardens around, the palace was built in 1631 for the London silk businessman, Samuel Fortreas.
Kew Palace is open for the summer season.
Hampton Court Palace, Surrey
Set on the edge of the River Thames, Hampton Court Palace in Surrey was a Tudor palace created by Cardinal Wlosey in the early 16th century and was once home to Henry VII over the years. There are beautiful gardens nearby and the palace was opened to the public in 1838 by Queen Victoria.
Open all year round, except 24-26 December.
1. Why was Windsor Castle built?| A．To promote western culture. |
| B．To find new ways to the west. |
| C．To guard London from attacks. |
| D．To protect the roads to London. |
| A．They are very small. |
| B．They are near the River Thames. |
| C．They were built by a businessman. |
| D．They were opened to the public by a Queen. |
| A．Windsor Castle. | B．Buckingham Palace. |
| C．Kew Palace. | D．Hampton Court Palace. |
2 . FUR, FINS & FEATHERS
Wildlife-watching can turn a day outdoors into a wide-eyed family adventure. Here are four of the best UK experiences this spring.
Ponies on Exmoor
Exmoor National Park is a haven for wildlife, with the area’s native ponies a highlight. Some animals wander around the park, and you will likely see them on four-wheel-drive vehicle adventures. For very young children, don’t miss the Exmoor Pony Center, near Dulverton, home to around 20 native ponies.
Puffins on Skomer Island
Skomer might be less than a mile off the Pembrokeshire coast but arriving on this rocky, dramatic island still feels like landing on a distant shore. During breeding season (April to early July), you can expect to spot puffins, but there’s plenty more for families to enjoy, too. However, visitor numbers are capped each day, so book your boat trip well ahead of time.
Eagles and Otters on Mull
The inner Hebridean Island of Mull has superb birdwatching certificates and a rich marine life, too. Keep your eyes on the sky for golden and white-tailed eagles — the former a Highland icon, the latter the UK’s largest bird of prey. The coast, meanwhile, is home to shy but spellbinding otters (水獭). Mull Magic offers themed wildlife tours, including the Otter Detective Walk, the Eagle Walk and Birds, Beaches & Butterflies.
Seals in Norfolk
The county’s coastline is famous for its seals, with three key locations allowing you to admire colonies from a responsible distance. Hunstanton is a good bet in the summer months, and Horsey Beach is an excellent option for seeing baby seals during the winter breeding seasons, but Blakeney Points is the best year-round choice, with both harbor and grey seals seen in large numbers. Various operators run family-friendly bout trips from nearby Morston Quay, with departures throughout the year.
1. Which tour is strongly recommended for little kids?| A．Ponies on Exmoor. | B．Puffins on Skomer Island. | C．Eagles and Otters on Mull. | D．Seals in Norfolk. |
| A．You can see puffins in August. | B．It’s quite far away from the shore. |
| C．You can enjoy themed wildlife tours. | D．It puts limits on the number of visitors. |
| A．Hunstanton. | B．Hebridean Island. | C．Blakeney Points. | D．Horsey Beach. |
