Christchurch Bridge

Christchurch Bridge

Reading

Things To Do in Berkshire

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With so many places to visit in Berkshire, you can easily forget you're right on London’s doorstep. Just 45 minutes by train from London, you'll discover a wealth of towns, villages and countryside to explore, making this county the perfect antidote to UK city life.  A county with unique connections to the British Royal Family, where you will find the River Thames meandering along its northern edge and beautiful parks and gardens ablaze with colour. 

The North Wessex Downs (AONB) to the west of the county, a rich mosaic of chalk habitat, woodland, pastures and common land and the world famous historic town of Windsor to the east.  You'll find a year round events calendar, along with vibrant riverside towns of Reading and Maidenhead, the famous college of Eton and the place where the historic Magna Carta was signed.  Today this romantic county offers the perfect escape from the everyday, combining royal heritage, a slice of luxury with the great outdoors.  To get the most out of your stay, start planning your days out in Berkshire here.

Visit Berkshire

Windsor, Berkshire, the weekend home of the British Royal family, home to the iconic Windsor Castle, the world famous long walk and the beautiful Windsor Great Park.  With history and heritage at every turn, beautiful parks and gardens, riverside walks and great shopping, this beautiful historic town makes for a great South East short break destination.

Berkshire is the birthplace of the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, raised in the quaint village of Buckleberry where her parents’ home is still located today. It was in the village of Pangbourne in Berkshire where she spent her school days at St Andrew’s School. Situated on the River Thames, Pangbourne has been cited as the inspiration of many famous authors’ novels including Kenneth Grahame and Jerome K. Jerome.  Full of character, Pangbourne is a great place to visit.

Vibrant Reading, Berkshire, a modern destination with a medieval history, packed full of in or on the water activities, adrenaline fuled attractions, rich history and great places to stay.  Located on the River Thames it is home to the 900 year old Reading Abbey ruins, the Reading Festival, and the departure point for modern pilgrims and walkers retracing the steps of medieval pilgrims along St James’ Way to Southampton.  

Berkshire is also home to many other picturesque towns and villages such as Newbury, HungerfordAscot, Hurley, Cookham, Bray, Littlewick Green, and Waltham St Lawrence. Find out more about towns and villages in the county with our interactive map of Berkshire.

Things to do in Berkshire this weekend

Many of Berkshire's tourist attractions are open all year round so find the best days out in Berkshire with activities listings each showing a map and opening times for your convenience. Or why not browse our Berkshire events guide to find out what's on this week.

Top 10 things to do in Berkshire

For things to do in Reading, Newbury, Maidenhead, Bracknell and other Berkshire towns, browse our pick of the best attractions below or find a more comprehensive list of what to do and places to visit at the bottom of the page.

List of things to do & places to visit for days out in Berkshire

For more about Berkshire, including ideas on days out, where to stay and things to do in Berkshire, browse through the below selection of attractions and towns and villages that collectively make Berkshire such a memorable destination to visit. Use the 'map view' button to find something near you.

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Number of results: 149

, currently showing 61 to 80.

  1. South Hill Park

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    Type:

    Theatre

    BRACKNELL

    From within the grounds of an 18th century mansion house – South Hill Park hosts over 300 shows, events and films each year. We also provide a range of courses and workshops, inspiring exhibitions, and a stunning surrounding for corporate, community…

  2. Sonning

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Sonning

    Sonning, occasionally called Sonning-on-Thames is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Wokingham in the English county of Berkshire, a few miles east of Reading.

  3. Snelsmore Common Country Park

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    Country / Royal Park

    Newbury

    Heathland, valley bog and woodland. Suitable for most quiet recreational activities such as walking and picnicking. Walking distance to Donnington Castle.

  4. Slough

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Slough

    Slough is a town in Berkshire, England, about 20 miles west of central London.

  5. Shottesbrooke

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    Towns & Villages

    Although the smallest parish in the Royal Borough, Shottesbrooke contains one of the most noteworthy churches in Berkshire.

    The parish is centred on Shottesbrooke Park, where the church was built in 1370 as one of only three collegiate churches…

  6. Shaw House

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    Historic House / Palace

    Newbury

    Shaw House was built by a Newbury clothier in 1581 and retains much of its original Tudor architecture.

  7. Sandhurst

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    Towns & Villages

    Sandhurst

    Sandhurst is a small town and civil parish and is in the south eastern corner of Berkshire, within the Borough of Bracknell Forest, situated 33 miles south west of central London.

  8. Runnymede

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    Towns & Villages

    Windsor Road, Egham

    Runnymede is famous for its monuments, the most famous being the one to commemorate the Magna Carta. The area is a riverside setting of meadows, grassland and woodland with a network of pleasant paths and pleasure gardens.

  9. River Thames, Windsor and Maidenhead

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    Towns & Villages

    Throughout history people have tended to live on or near great rivers. This is true of the River Thames and as it flows into the west of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

  10. Reading Museum

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    Museum

    Reading

    Explore ten galleries of historic and artistic objects in Reading’s Victorian Town Hall.

  11. Reading Marine Services

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    Boat Hire

    Reading

    Barge, canal boat and narrowboat holidays with Reading Marine can give you one of the most enjoyable and enchanting holidays you’ll ever experience.

  12. Reading Abbey Ruins

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    Museum

    Reading

    The burial place of King Henry I, Reading Abbey celebrated 900 years of history in 2021. The ruins of what would have been one of Europe’s largest medieval buildings can be visited with self guided or with guided tours via Reading Museum.

  13. Reading

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    Towns & Villages

    Reading

    Perhaps the most bustling and energetic of Berkshire towns, Reading is an appealing combination of excellent shopping facilities and historic buildings.

  14. Racecourse Marina Windsor

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    Type:

    Marina / Harbour

    Windsor

    Racecourse Marina is one of the premier marines in the Thames Valley. We aim to provide service and facilities of the highest standards in order to make your boating a pleasurable experience.

  15. Prince Arthur

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    Pub/Inn

    Windsor

    The Prince Arthur is a traditional English pub set amongst the chimney pots of Grove Road.

  16. Pangbourne

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    Towns & Villages

    Pangbourne

    Nestling along the River Thames, Pangbourne is subject of much literary inspiration. A charming place, undeserving of being labelled Pongbourne by author DH Lawrence.

  17. Pangbourne

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    Towns & Villages

    Reading


    Close to Reading, Pangbourne, in Berkshire, is located on the River Thames and is on the opposite bank of the river to Whitchurch-on-Thames. The Pang flows through the centre of Pangbourne before joining the Thames.

  18. Padworth Common

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    Nature Reserve

    Thatcham

    Wonderful countryside sites, both hosting a wide varierty of plants and animals and perfect for walks.

  19. Old Windsor

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    Towns & Villages

    Old Windsor was the oldest Saxon town in Berkshire and the seat of Edward the Confessor. It continued in importance up until about 1100 when it was gradually overshadowed by the building of Windsor Castle two miles upstream.

  20. Norden Farm Centre for the Arts

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    Type:

    Theatre

    Maidenhead

    Gigs, comedy, film, theatre, gallery, classes, cafe bar. Since September 2000, Norden Farm has offered the people of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, and beyond, the best in entertainment and the performing arts.