What's new in Surrey and Berkshire in 2023

17th March 2023

Every year new hotels, tourist attractions and events join the already fantastic tourism offering in South East England and 2023 is no different.  Take a look and discover some of the great new things to try this year, in and around the counties of Surrey and Berkshire.  Whether you live in the region or are a regular visitor, celebrate the diverse and exciting, ever changing tourism offerings and do something new in 2023.

What's New in Berkshire and Surrey in 2023

Walk this way to discover Reading's stories 

A fantastic new walking festival comes to Reading this spring.  Across five days from 10th – 14th May 23, with over 40 guided walks bringing the stories, history and heritage of Reading to life.  

Accessible Windsor and Eton

Brand-new destination guides for people with access needs have been launched.  The guides provide detailed information to assist people with access requirements to plan their journeys, to and around, both towns, they are free to download from VisitWindsor’s website.

Take a wander in Waverley, Surrey

Discover new places to explore, gardens to visit and places of historic interest, in and around Waverley, Surrey with the brand-new online visitor guide.  There's also information about walking breaks, free things to do and for all craft fans, workshops and activities to enjoy.

Reach the top in Reading, Berkshire

Climbing Hanger, a brand-new indoor climbing centre has just opened its doors in Reading, offering both monthly memberships for locals and pay as you go for visitors, with around 50% of its visitors trying climbing for the first time, it’s a great place to visit on a rainy day and try out something new.  

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Kings Coronation Concert - Windsor Castle, May 23

On Sunday 7 May 2023, a special Kings Coronation Concert will be held at Windsor Castle. This one off event will be produced, staged and broadcast live by the BBC and BBC Studios, bringing together global music icons and contemporary stars in celebration of this historic occasion.

New Ancient Pilgrimage route open, Reading - Southampton

You don’t have to go abroad to walk one of the ancient pilgrimages - the St James Way a medieval pilgrimage route stretching from historic Reading Abbey ruins to Gods House Tower in Southampton is now fully waymarked! Follow the iconic 'camino' scallop shell waymarking signs along all or part of the 66 miles route. 

Thought-provoking sculpture comes to Guildford Cathedral, Surrey

The striking 27ft sculpture - The Knife Angel can be seen outside Guildford Cathedral until 30 March 2023.  Knife Angel is the National Monument against Violence and Aggression and weighs over 3.5 ton and is made out of 100,000 confiscated knives received from 43 Police Forces across the UK.

Celebrating contemporary art at the Watts Gallery, Surrey

Watts Gallery Artist Village is celebrating its first solo exhibition by a contemporary artist - Halima Cassell: From the Earth - includes a piece specially commissioned by the gallery, made with local Compton clay.  As one of Britain's leading contemporary sculptors, this exhibiton celebrates her work over the past 25 years.

New Adventure Play this summer, Savill Gardens, Windsor

Looking for somewhere to take the children? A unique, hand-crafted adventure playground is coming to Windsor Great Park this summer. Hidden within the woodland next to The Savill Garden, discover a world of walkways, slides, sculptures and treehouses. Take a look and discover the world of adventure that awaits.

Raise a toast to King Charles for the Coronation, Windsor

Windsor & Eton Brewery have created a brand-new beer - Return of the King celebrating King Charles III passion for the environment.  This 100% organic beer uses organic barley from the local Royal Farm and organic English hops.  Great for your Coronation Big Lunch! 

What could possibility go wrong tour comes to Windsor

A brand-new guided tour will be on offer from April by the Windsor Tourist guides.  A Coronation: What could Possibility Go Wrong will delight walkers with stories of coronations over the last 1,000 years with a fun focus on the ones that didn’t go quite to plan. 

It's event time in Berkshire

Three brand-new events come to Berkshire in 2023, including the UK's national celebration of disability inclusion and wellbeing, and two new music festivals.  These join an already event-ful calendar of events across the county. 

• Parallel Windsor - 2nd July - Festival of inclusivity in Windsor Great Park.
• Readipop Festival - 14th – 16th July – Global and Local Artist, Caversham 
• Down at the Abbey – 8th – 9th Sept – Independent Music Festival, Reading Abbey 

A unique world view comes to Reading

The seven-metre diameter Gaia Earth artwork, comes to Reading Town Hall from 10th June - 18th June.  The installation is 1.8 million times smaller than the real Earth, and will provide a unique opportunity to view planet Earth as it appears from space when the world famous Gaia globe goes on display.

Discover more about Surrey and Berkshire

Berkshire is home to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, plus the market town of Reading, graced by the River Thames, and full of royal connections, with a dynamic all year-round events and plenty of opportunities to get out and about in the wonderful Berkshire countryside.

Surrey is just 16 miles from the capital, and is home to rolling green countryside, beautiful walking and cycling trails and the stunning Surrey Hills - Outstanding Area of Natural Beauty.  Full of quaint villages like Cranleigh, bustling market towns like Godalming, with heaps of history and full of rich diversity, its a stunning place to explore.

Take a look for further inspiration and ideas for your next visit to Surrey and Berkshire, let your new adventures in 2023 begin.