Best Learn English With Films Podcasts (2025)

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Dog Days: Questions and Answers Episode! 1:41:56

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1h ago1:41:56

1:41:56

The dust has now had some time to settle, and with Dog Days finished we thought it was high time to have a chat about the project. Using questions supplied by listeners from across social media and the Three Ravens Patreon, this episode sees us talking completely off the cuff about our inspirations, the practical challenges of releasing the series,…

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Coming soon: More tales of the megarich 1:42

1h ago1:42

1:42

Film stars, tech bros, shipping magnates and online retail giants... BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng introduce the latest batch of billionaires whose stories they will uncover in their new season, starting 6 October. Good Bad Billionaire is the podcast that explores the lives of the super-rich and famous, tracking their we…

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E55 The End of Language Learning - Advanced English Listening Practice 19:51

1d ago19:51

19:51

When AI can podcast, teach and even translate in real time, what’s left for us humans? In this episode of English and Beyond: Advanced English Podcast, Oliver and César discuss the promises and threats of Artificial Intelligence. From Apple’s new live-translation AirPods to AI-generated podcasts on YouTube, they ask hard and sometimes depressing qu…

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Three Ravens Bestiary #18: Djinns and Genies 1:15:05

2h ago1:15:05

1:15:05

After a bit of a blip, we're now back with an episode all about the mythology of Djinns and Genies from prehistory through to today! Part of our Three Ravens Bestiary Bonus Series, we begin with our Western conception of 'the genie' - a pantomime creature, memorably played by Robin Williams in the 90's Disney movie, filtered through a century of fa…

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Film and the History of Slavery 46:39

1h ago46:39

46:39

By Learning for Justice (Host: Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries)

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A game of “Would You Rather?” with my daughter 👧 [953] 1:20:55

20m ago1:20:55

1:20:55

My 7-year-old daughter joins me again as co-host in this fun episode. We play "Would you rather?", a conversation game in which we ask each other ridiculous questions about various hypothetical situations. Enjoy listening to another cute and funny chat with my daughter, which covers topics such as food, world peace, wealth, fame, success and Inspec…

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Romney Marsh Ghost Tour 1:53:24

22m ago1:53:24

1:53:24

Proof of life, everyone: Eleanor is home from the hospital, and here, talking on this episode! As you may have gathered, the last week has been a bit of a whirlwind, but now Eleanor has been discharged we are working hard on making her fully fit and well. To fill the gap, we duly present another Patreon Exclusive episode from the back catalogue - o…

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E54 Do We Love Our Pets Too Much? - Advanced English Listening Practice 19:33

8d ago19:33

19:33

Why are humans so devoted to pets? We spend billions on them, treat them like family, and grieve their loss as deeply as we would a relative. But they’re not human. They don’t share our language or our culture, and their lives are heartbreakingly short. So why do we choose to invite animals into our homes - knowing from the beginning that the story…

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Crash Bang Wallop: The Sound of Words 27:18

3d ago27:18

27:18

Michael Rosen is joined by linguist Dr Catherine Laing to discuss onomatopoeia and other words that sound like their meanings. Not just words for sounds like 'crash' and 'bang', or words for animal noises like 'woof' and 'quack', but also other words which perhaps hold something of their meaning within their form. Is there something rough about the…

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How to Persuade a Courtroom 27:36

5d ago27:36

27:36

Michael Rosen talks to criminal defence barrister Joanna Hardy-Susskind about the legal language of Crown Court cases in England and Wales. From the grandeur of the courtroom and stock phrases like "with respect to my learned friend" to the more colloquial directness of talking to a defendant. How do barristers build persuasive arguments when talki…

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The Trip to Norway 🇳🇴 Learn Vocabulary in Context [952] 1:27:46

12d ago1:27:46

1:27:46

A description of my recent family holiday to Norway 🇳🇴 including rambling about how I can't stand beach holidays 🏖️, chasing my son around different international airports 🏃, visiting Oslo ⛴️, Bergen 🏠, fjords 🚤 and mountains 🏔️. Edward Munch's The Scream 😱, staying in a cabin with no hot water, shower or washing machine, swimming in a freezing lak…

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The Ghosts of Glasshayes House 2:12:12

1d ago2:12:12

2:12:12

Hullo everybody - Martin here! Just a quick message to say, this is obviously not the episode we were hoping to release today. This was meant to be Series 7 Episode 1, the opening salvo of our journey through the 13 historic counties of Wales! Unfortunately, Eleanor has had to be hospitalised, so we're a bit on the back foot. They're not quite sure…

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George Lucas and Peter Jackson: Film stories 1:04:29

12d ago1:04:29

1:04:29

George Lucas created Star Wars and Peter Jackson directed the Lord of the Rings films, two of the movie world’s most epic adventures. Ahead of a new season of Good Bad Billionaire, presented by Zing Tsjeng and BBC business editor Simon Jack, here’s another chance to hear how these two film directors went from zero to a billion, in episodes original…

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A Brief History of Wales 1:28:07

13d ago1:28:07

1:28:07

In an act of gross hubris, we proudly present our first episode of Three Ravens Series 7: A Brief History of Wales! Based on a silly amount of research, this episode tracks through the story of how the country of Wales became 'Wales' - from the nation's very first settlers who wandered west through England through to the Stone Age tradition of crom…

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E53 Why Do Compliments Feel So Awkward? - Advanced English Listening 19:55

12d ago19:55

19:55

Why do compliments so often make us cringe? In this advanced English podcast episode, we explore the psychology of praise and the language of compliments: why a simple “you look nice today” can trigger self-doubt, suspicion, or even discomfort. You’ll discover how cultural differences shape the way compliments are given and received in English, why…

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Magic and Medicines #18: Enochian and Angelic Magic 1:15:16

5d ago1:15:16

1:15:16

Our first new Magic and Medicines Bonus Episode in ages is out today, and all about Enochian and Angelic Magic! If you happened to listen to our series "Dog Days" then you will have encountered several allusions to this topic, but, so that we can all start on a level pegging, we begin this episode at the beginning of this particular magical traditi…

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Diverse Experience of the Enslaved 35:35

15d ago35:35

35:35

The experiences of enslaved people varied greatly based on a variety of factors, including time, location, crop, labor performed, size of slaveholding and gender. Yet, most students leave school thinking enslaved people lived like the biased representation in Gone With the Wind. Deirdre Cooper Owens, Ph.D., discusses how the lived experience of sla…

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Questions of English & Listener Comments 🙋Bits & Bobs 4 [951] 1:21:41

8d ago1:21:41

1:21:41

Dealing with some questions from listeners about pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary, namely how to know when 'd is had or would (in writing and pronunciation), the curious origins of the word podcast and a vocabulary lesson about the word cast including various collocations and phrases which include this morpheme (that means a part of a word, no…

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September Update: Reap What You Sow! 59:33

18d ago59:33

59:33

Ahead of the launch of Three Ravens Series 7, today's episode is a bit of an update from us about Three Ravens goings-on, containing sections of last month's Patreon Exclusive episodes! First comes the initial 25 minutes or so of Eleanor's new Spenser & Associates story 'The Shadow of the Hell Bitch' which is followed by the opening section of our …

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Dog Days: Chapter 30 - The Fates Bound Fast In Iron Chains 41:03

17d ago41:03

41:03

The sweltering, heady Dog Days of summer are over and the rain comes down for days. With new scars and his eyes open to a world of magic, Kit is safe and well. Until Tom Watson asks him for just the tiniest favour... Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon. Released on Mond…

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Dog Days: Chapter 29 - The Sweet Fruition of an Earthly Crown 43:20

10d ago43:20

43:20

In the penultimate chapter of Dog Days, Kit stumbles through London as the rain falls, letting his feet lead the way. Where they take him is of some surprise. And what he is to do there is something for which he is not prepared. Though he has always wished for riches. Forever after, he shall be careful what he wishes for... Three Ravens is an Engli…

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Dog Days: Chapter 28 - The Tempest of the Gods 38:57

11d ago38:57

38:57

As Dog Days enters its final days, Chapter 28 reveals to us a crystal world of mysteries: that of The Kasal. Who is he? Why is he? What does he want? Moreover, what does Kit want? For the villain before him presents an offer very few would ever refuse... Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vau…

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Keeping My Family's Language Alive 27:35

17d ago27:35

27:35

Michael Rosen talks to Samantha Ellis, author of Chopping Onions on My Heart, about her efforts to keep alive the language of her parents: Judeo-Iraqi Arabic. Samantha grew up in London hearing her parents speak the language they spoke in their homeland of Iraq. Now she's keen to try and speak it herself, and to share the poetic expressions of Jude…

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Dog Days: Chapter 27 - Fill All The Air With Fiery Meteors 25:52

12d ago25:52

25:52

Chapter 27 of Dog Days sees Tamburlaine Part 2 end in triumph. The two magi, Hues and Herriot, scour the playhouse for any sign of the Kasal. But even their sorcery meets its match when Kit comes face to face with the Kasal himself. Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon. …

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Dog Days: Chapter 26 - The Sky Shall Wax As Red As Blood 43:01

20d ago43:01

43:01

In Chapter 26 of Dog Days, Tamburlaine Part 2 has opened at last! Outside the Theatre, Kit is too nervous to watch. But even then he isn't left alone, because some old foes crawl from the shadows with scores to settle... Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon. Released on …

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The dead billionaires: What do you think? 10:49

24d ago10:49

10:49

What did you think of John D Rockefeller, Henry Ford, Howard Hughes, Sam Walton and Hetty Green? These five titans of American industry include an oil tycoon, a motor magnate, an eccentric aviator, the founder of Walmart, and an unsung pioneer of value investment known as the ‘Witch of Wall Street’. They helped shape business in the United States, …

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Dog Days: Chapter 25 - Brighter than the Lamps of Heaven 31:48

14d ago31:48

31:48

Only five more chapters of Dog Days to go, and in this one Doll and Kit race back to the Theatre to see the debut performance of Kit's play. Backstage they encounter many old friends. Mr Lyly. Ned and Joan Alleyne. Thomas Kyd. But outside of the playhouse, beyond the bubble of fantasy, are darker things, such as Poley, Skeres, and Tom Walsingham, t…

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The Flatmate from Japan Returns🚶‍♂️Travelling Tales & More [950] 1:45:07

26d ago1:45:07

1:45:07

Peter, my old flatmate from Japan, is back on the podcast after his previous appearance 11 years ago! We chat about travelling experiences, teaching English in Malaysia and Japan, dealing with jet lag and culture shock, doing stand-up comedy abroad, and some of the funny, strange, and even weird experiences we’ve had while travelling. A relaxed, wi…

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Dog Days: Chapter 24 - With My Hand Turn Fortune’s Wheel About 35:48

15d ago35:48

35:48

Today's episode of Dog Days, Chapter 24, sees Kit finally attending to the thing he ought to be focused on: Tamburlaine The Great Part 2 - his play, which will be performed to the public in but a few short hours. Then again, there is the other matter. That of the diamond, The Rainbow, which he is honour-bound to recover. Luckily, Kit's sister Doll …

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Dog Days: Chapter 23 - From Mine Ashes Let a Conqueror Rise 37:40

16d ago37:40

37:40

In Dog Days Chapter 23, Kit proceeds to his new rooms, for tonight his play, Tamburlaine The Great Part 2, will enjoy its first performance. The journey is not straightforward, his journey to the Theatre waylaid. But once he has arrived, this is just the person waiting for him he really needs to speak to... Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folkl…

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Dog Days: Chapter 22 - The Black and Fatal Ravens 43:01

17d ago43:01

43:01

In Chapter 22, Kit, Doctor Dee and Edmund Spenser rush back to Mortlake. They find the Rainbow stolen, and Katherine and the ravens in the middle of a furious battle. And the mystery is ever closer to being solved... Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon. Released on Mond…

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LIVE @ Black Shuck Festival 2025! 1:48:54

17d ago1:48:54

1:48:54

Let's wag our shaggy tails and howl at the Barley moon everyone, as today we have something very special - not just one but two Three Ravens Live Shows, as recorded at Black Shuck Festival in Bungay at the start of August! As we explain in the episode, first comes our Forgotten Melodies Live show, performed on Saturday 2nd August in St Mary's Churc…

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Dog Days: Chapter 21 - Black is the Beauty of the Brightest Day 44:41

18d ago44:41

44:41

Our third week of Dog Days concludes with Chapter 21, in which Kit finds himself beside the corpse of the Queen of the Roses. Deep in their temple, most have run, formed a mob to chase down the suspected murderer. The rest stay with Kit, and, more importantly, the icy remains of Bel Imperia. Yet, Kit has a meeting across London, at the Bethlehem Ho…

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Speech difficulties 27:50

24d ago27:50

27:50

Michael Rosen asks what happens to people's sense of identity and social being when speaking becomes hard. Jonathan Cole has interviewed people with conditions such as cerebral palsy, vocal cord palsy, spasmodic dysphonia and post-stroke aphasia. They describe in their own words what the experience of not being able to express themselves is like, t…

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Dog Days: Chapter 20 - Murderous Fate Throws All His Triumphs Down 28:19

19d ago28:19

28:19

On today's chapter of Dog Days - the twentieth (only 10 more to go!) - Kit is taken, by boat, back to the underground Temple of Aphrodite. Morning is coming, and he hopes his sister, Bel Imperia's prisoner, is still alive. Yet, the court is in a state of jubilation. They believe they have killed 'The Kasal' - the wizard responsible for so many deat…

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Dog Days: Chapter 19 - Jove’s Dreadful Thunderbolts 45:04

20d ago45:04

45:04

Time for some mid-week madness in this episode of Dog Days: hot on the heels of a well-dressed man who has created a fire in a records room at Gray's Inn, Kit Marlowe knows he is outmatched and in trouble. Yet, the Lammastide Revels continue in all the streets about. As the crowds get thinner, is Kit being led somewhere quiet? Has the hunter become…

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Dog Days: Chapter 18 - A Golden Bubble Full of Dreams 37:41

21d ago37:41

37:41

Chapter 18 of Dog Days sees Kit attending the Gray's Inn Revels, where Oxford's Men are to perform The Spanish Tragedy. Kit is on a mission to find out more about Barnaby's involvement, until he meets an old flame. But sometimes old flames burn brightest of all... Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers …

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Let’s Take a C1 Grammar Test 📋 and critique it [949] 2:06:15

22d ago2:06:15

2:06:15

In this episode I take a typical multiple choice grammar test that you can find online, explain the answer to each question and give mini grammar lessons along the way. I also discuss what makes a good test of your English, and what good and bad level tests do. Learn more about grammar, and about how to check your language level. 📄 Get the episode …

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Dog Days: Chapter 17 - Folded in the Floods 33:21

22d ago33:21

33:21

In Chapter 17 of Dog Days, Kit returns to Barnaby's room to find Thomas Walsingham waiting for him. Unusually, Walsingham is surprisingly helpful. Although he does have certain ideas about cleanliness... Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon. Released on Mondays, each wee…

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Dog Days: Chapter 16 - The Loathsome Circle 32:43

23d ago32:43

32:43

In Chapter 16 of Dog Days, Kit finally tracks down the Earl of Oxford. But although Kit is starting to arrange the pieces of the mystery on the chess board, there are still lots of missing pieces. And a new and powerful player has just entered the game... Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Va…

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Dog Days: Chapter 15 - The Measures of Delight 34:27

25d ago34:27

34:27

Chapter 15 of Dog Days takes Kit and Doll on a mysterious journey through London's secret tunnels to a lost Roman temple, deep below Southwark. There, they are initiated into the mysteries of the court of Bel-Imperia, Queen of the Roses. And Her Majesty has some serious questions for Kit... Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hoste…

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Resistance Means More Than Rebellion 1:07:02

26d ago1:07:02

1:07:02

For a more complete picture of enslaved people’s experiences, we need to expand our understanding of resistance. Kenneth S. Greenberg, Ph.D., examines the numerous ways enslaved African Americans incorporated resistance into every aspect of their lives, offering a lens to help students see how enslaved people fought back against the brutality of sl…

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Dog Days: Chapter 14 - The Stars Fall Down 30:57

26d ago30:57

30:57

In Chapter 14 of Dog Days, Kit makes it back to the north bank of the river and strikes out, exhausted, for home. As he goes, he has much to consider. His day, long and baffling, has left him feeling punch drunk and alone. Though his empty belly is not the only thing that growls upon the streets of Norton Fulgate, and what greets him in the street …

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Dog Days: Chapter 13 - In Spite of All Suspected Enemies 50:01

27d ago50:01

50:01

Today's episode of Dog Days, Chapter 13, sees Kit progressing to Syon House - home of the enigmatic Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland - the 'Wizard Earl.' Kit has questions he wants answered, but so does Percy - and Percy's guests, one of whom is Sir Walter Raleigh, who ought to be at sea. Yet the object of Kit's interests ought to be Percy's ser…

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Dog Days: Chapter 12 - Climbing after Knowledge Infinite 38:46

28d ago38:46

38:46

Chapter 12 of Dog Days sees Kit's evening going further sideways, as the raven that has been following him all day suddenly turns the tables. Kit, and his secret package, soon find themselves in the home of Doctor John Dee. There, alongside Dee's daughter Katherine, Kit learns about the nature of The Rainbow - and the nature of matter itself... Thr…

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Workplace Scenarios 👷 Role Plays for Practical English [948] 1:00:59

29d ago1:00:59

1:00:59

In this fun and practical episode I dive into realistic workplace English through improvised role-play conversations. Designed to help you boost your vocabulary, listening skills, and confidence in professional settings, this episode features six humorous and educational role-play scenarios in workplaces like a factory, office, supermarket, and a s…

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Dog Days: Chapter 11 - Chase the Stars from Heaven 46:07

1M ago46:07

46:07

We start the week with Chapter 11 of Dog Days, during which we find Kit Marlowe high-tailing it to The Mermaid Tavern on the north bank of the Thames. A nexus for traders, actors, spies and thieves, Kit expects to be waylaid there, but must not dally: his meeting with the Wizard Earl is close at hand, and the night dark above him. All he needs to d…

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Episode 70 - Some Things I Learned on a Big Family Trip 58:40

30d ago58:40

58:40

In this episode, I talk mainly about some things I learned while preparing for, and while on a big family road trip such as: What camera or cameras should I bring? What lens or lenses should I bring? What film should I bring? What other things did I learn? I also talk about a nice gift given to me by Jess Ceason. You can find my work on Flickr: mar…

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Dog Days: Chapter 10 - Thy Words Are Swords 33:15

1M ago33:15

33:15

Hey, you know a cool thing? Today's episode of Dog Days means we are now a third of the way through the story. Thank you so much to you, and all of the people listening, for making us part of your own 'Hot Dog Summer!' Downloads are up 20% month on month, and 37% in just the last seven days! As for the contents of this chapter, well, suitably freak…

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Dog Days: Chapter 9 - Rise Aloft and Touch The Hornéd Moon 23:34

1M ago23:34

23:34

For today's episode of Dog Days we have a slightly shorter chapter, though one filled with revelations care of a pair of the Earl of Northumberland's closest allies, Hues and Harriot, two of the 'Three Magi.' While they speak, in the shattered ruins of the 'Jew Gardens' - a historic graveyard left to grow wild - the sun shines down from above, and …