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: 145

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Streatley-on-Thames

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    The village of Streatley-on-Thames stands on the opposite side of the River Thames to Goring; Oxfordshire on one side and West Berkshire on the other, linked by a bridge which was built in 1923

  2. Cookham

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Cookham

    Visit pretty, historic Cookham, home to authors and artists, including Sir Stanley Spencer. Explore interesting shops, friendly cafes, pubs and restaurants and enjoy countryside and riverside walks.

  3. Holme Grange Craft Village

    Type

    Type:

    Craft Centre

    Wokingham

    We offer a wide range of goods and services and a fabulous tea shop in a historic barn opening onto a beautiful enclosed courtyard where you can sit and relax while you enjoy your refreshment.

  4. The Reading Room

    Type

    Type:

    Bar

    Reading

    Opened in 2020, The Reading Room at the Roseate Hotel Reading  offers delicious modern cuisine revolving around the freshest, seasonal ingredients and best of British produce from Executive Chef Rajesh Maharjan.

  5. Wellington Country Park

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    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Riseley, Reading

    Wellington Country Park, ‘The Biggest Outdoor play in Berkshire’, was established in 1974 by the Eighth Duke and Duchess of Wellington. Set in 350 acres of beautiful parklands off the A33 between Basingstoke and Reading, Wellington Country Park…

  6. Sunningdale

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    In the southeastern corner of the Royal Borough, Sunningdale borders the county of Surrey and until 1894 was included within the parish of Old Windsor. As in neighbouring Ascot and Sunninghill, the area is noted for its fine displays of trees and…

  7. Newbury Racecourse

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    Type:

    Sports Ground

    Newbury

    Newbury Racecourse is one of the most famous and prestigious horseracing venues in the UK, providing world class racing all-year-round and excellent facilities for conferences and events.

  8. Kennet Horse Boat Company Ltd

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    Type:

    Boat Trip

    HUNGERFORD

    Traditional horse-drawn and motorised canal boats. Kennet and Avon Canal. Refreshments, coach parking. Suitable for all age groups.

  9. Greenham and Crookham Common

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    Nature Reserve

    Newbury

    After many years as a military site, Greenham and Crookham Common has been restored and reopened to the public. The area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and cattle and Exmoor ponies graze here.

  10. Windsor Castle

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    Castle / Fort

    Windsor

    Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the Official Residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Its rich history spans almost 1000 years.

  11. Caprice at Crowne Plaza Reading M4 Jct 10

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    Type:

    Restaurant

    Winnersh Triangle, WOKINGHAM

    Sat within the new, fully refurbished, 4 Silver Star Crowne Plaza Reading M4 Jct 10, the 2 AA Rosette Caprice Restaurant and Monty’s Lounge & Bar with superb terrace serves modern British & authentic Indian dishes as well as Splendid Afternoon Teas…

  12. 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.

  13. The Mill at Sonning

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    Type:

    Theatre

    Reading

    Set on the River Thames, the historic Mill at Sonning Theatre has over 40 years of entertainment excellence as the UK's only dinner theatre. It recently won the UK Theatre Award for Best Musical Production (Gypsy, 2023).

  14. Horton

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    Towns & Villages

    Despite the rather unfortunate Saxon meaning of its name, Hor-tun or 'Dirty Farm', the village today is a clean and wholesome place clustered around its small triangular green, but with more modern houses on the roads to Wraysbury and Colnbrook.The…

  15. Thames Rivercruise

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    Type:

    Boat

    Caversham, Reading


    Thames River Cruise was established in 1974 when it all started very simply with one small open launch operating from Caversham to Mapledurham.

    Things have moved on considerably. All our vessels are of the finest standing on the Upper Thames and…

  16. Maidenhead Heritage Centre

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    Museum

    Maidenhead

    Fly a Spitfire simulator at this local museum which covers local history from the Romans to Racing Cars!

  17. 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.

  18. Go Ape Bracknell

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    Type:

    Climbing / High Ropes

    Bracknell

    Axe Throwing
    Every tried slinging an axe? Not only is it the perfect stress-reliever but it's bags of fun too. Enjoy an action-packed hour of axe-flinging in the great outdoors, as you go in search for that all-important bullseye (it's harder than…

  19. Woodley

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Woodley

    Woodley is a town and civil parish in Berkshire, England. It is a suburb of Reading and is located near the towns of Earley and Wokingham.

  20. Kris Cruisers

    Type

    Type:

    Boat

    Slough

    Whether you have a week, a day or just a few hours, relax, unwind and discover the hidden treasures of the River Thames with Kris Cruisers self-drive Day Boats and Boating Holidays.