Crowne Plaza Hotel

Crowne Plaza Hotel

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

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  1. Harris Arcade

    Type

    Type:

    Shopping Centre

    Reading

    Elegant 1930s covered arcade home to a unique collection of independent & specialist shops in Reading town centre.

  2. The Nature Discovery Centre

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    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Thatcham, Newbury

    The Nature Discovery Centre offers organic refreshments, interactive wildlife activities , adventure playgrounds and lakeside walks. A wonderful day out for all the family

  3. Limes Dine in Bakery

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    Type:

    Tea Room/Coffee Shop

    Windsor

    We are a Boutique Family run Bakery situated in a charming cobbled street with views looking onto the walls of Windsor Castle

  4. Stratfield Saye House

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    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Reading

    Home of the Dukes of Wellington since 1817. Unique collection of paintings, furniture and personal effects of the Great Duke, including his magnificent funeral carriage, military regalia and campaign trophies.

  5. The Swan at Streatley

    Type

    Type:

    Restaurant

    Streatley-on-Thames

    The Swan at Streatley is in a picturesque Berkshire village offering a hotel bar and coffee shop or dine in the Coppa Club.

  6. St James RC Church

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    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    READING

    Built between 1836 and 1840 St James Roman Catholic Church was built from designs by A. W Pugin architect of the Palace of Westminster.  The church is located next to Reading Abbey ruins, between Forbury Gardens and Reading Gaol.

  7. The Courtyard Café

    Type

    Type:

    Café

    Windsor

    OUR STORY

    When Dan and Alex met back in 2007, little did they know that they would very quickly be embarking on an amazing journey, privately and professionally. Daniel, a head chef, with 22 years of experience, both in London and Brighton, and…

  8. West Berkshire Museum

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    Type:

    Museum

    Newbury

    West Berkshire Museum is housed in two of Newbury’s best loved historic buildings - the 17th century Cloth Hall and the old Granary/Corn Stores in the Wharf. The permanent exhibition ‘Lives and Landscapes’ tells the story of West Berkshire. The…

  9. Gilbey's Bar, Restaurant & Townhouse

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    Type:

    Restaurant

    Windsor

    Gilbey’s Bar, Restaurant & Townhouse is located on Eton High Street, just a stone’s throw away from the pedestrian bridge that spans the River Thames, separating Windsor from Eton. Gilbey's Eton is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

  10. The Look Out Discovery Centre

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    Type:

    Science Centre

    Bracknell

    If you are looking for a fun day out, then The Look Out Discovery Centre is worth a visit with over 90 hands-on science and discovery activities. Set in 1,000 hectares of woodland with a great adventure play area, picnic area, gift and coffee shop.

  11. Spirit of England Tours

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    Type:

    Walking Tour

    Qualified Blue Badge Tourist Guide (English, German and French) to Windsor, London and much more.

  12. Windsor Tourist Guides Ltd

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Tour

    Windsor

    The best way to experience the sights of this ancient royal town is with one of our professional Blue Badge Tourist Guides. Elite Blue Badge Guides undergo two years of extensive training and represent the ‘gold standard’ of tourist guiding in the…

  13. Beacon Hill Iron Age Hill Fort

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    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Newbury

    One of the best known hill forts in England and the site of one of the beacons that formed a network across Hampshire.

  14. The Oracle Shopping Centre

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    Type:

    Shopping Centre

    Reading

    One of the region’s premier shopping destinations, located on the banks of the River Kennet in the heart of Reading town centre.

  15. Watermill Theatre

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    Theatre

    Newbury

    The beautiful and intimate Watermill Theatre, housed in a converted mill on the bank of the river Lambourn, is one of the very best producing regional theatres in the country.

  16. Dinton Pastures Country Park

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    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Hurst

    A 350-acre site with meadows, fishery, watersports and conservation lakes. Three bird hides, orienteering course, children's play area, cafe.

  17. Terry’s Reading Walkabouts

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    Type:

    Walking Tour

    Reading

    Terry set up his guided walks of Reading to pass on his love of local history and culture, Reading’s famous people, its myths and battles, gardens, architecture, gardens, buildings and so much more and also to get himself fitter!

  18. Mapledurham House

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    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Reading

    An Elizabethan manor house alongside the River Thames, containing paintings, oak staircases, and moulded ceilings. Home to the Blount family for over 500 years.

  19. Padworth Common

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    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Thatcham

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