From St. Giles' in the centre of Oxford two parallel roads run north, and on the northern perimeter of Oxford, each must cross the busy northern ring road, along which cars speed by, gladly avoiding the old university city.
The eastern branch eventually leads to the heart of the industrial Midlands; the western branch soon brings the motorist to the small town of Woodstock, some eight miles north of Oxford, and then to Stratford-upon-Avon.
For half a mile immediately before Woodstock, on the left-hand side, a grey stone wall marks the eastern boundary of the extensive and beautiful grounds of Blenheim Palace, the mighty mansion built by Queen Anne for her brilliant general, John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough.
High and imposing wrought-iron gates mark the main entrance to the Palace drive, along which the tourists in the summer season line up to walk amidst the dignified splendour of the great rooms, to stand before
the vast Flemish tapestries and to see the room in which the great Sir Winston Churchill was born.
Today Blenheim dominates the old town. Yet it was not always so. The strong grey houses which line the main street have witnessed older times and could tell their older tales, though now the majority are converted into gift, antique and souvenir shops - and inns.

VOCABULARY

to lead - вести
motorist - автомобилист
immediately - немедленно
extensive - обширный
grounds - территория
mansion - особняк
imposing - внушительный
amidst - среди
dignified - достойный
splendour - великолепие
tapestries - гобелены
majority - большинство