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.
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, Hungerford, Ascot, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Number of results: 145
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Country / Royal Park
Windsor Great Park, Windsor
Windsor Great Park covers 4,800 acres, huge parts of which are open to the public. Windsor Great Park is the perfect place for picnics, eating, shopping, running, walking, cycling, horse riding and fishing. Families will love the hand-crafted…
Towns & Villages
Pretty riverside Hurley lies halfway between London and Oxford, being 55 miles from each by river. The river has always been an important part of the village’s history with records of a ford as early as the 6th century.
Towns & Villages
Earley
Earley is a town and civil parish in the English county of Berkshire and lies some 2 miles south and east of central Reading.
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…
Sightseeing
Windsor
The Changing of the Guard is one of the highlights of a visit to Windsor. A band usually accompanies the Guards, although this is subject to weather conditions.
The Guards can be watched as they march up the High Street and into the Castle, but…
Leisure / Swimming Pool
Windsor
On the banks of the River Thames, under the shadow of Windsor Castle, this prestigious facility has been serving the local community for over 35 years. More than just a leisure centre, Windsor Leisure Centre is a place where the community comes…
Towns & Villages
Hungerford
The charming market town of Hungerford can be found in the West of Berkshire. Find a map, details about the town, tourist information and things to do.
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.
Towns & Villages
Bisham is a parish of woodlands, the best-known being the Quarry Woods, which provide a splendid backdrop to the many historic buildings both large and small along the road to Marlow. Although the woodlands are private there are many public…
Towns & Villages
One of the most westerly parishes in the borough, Waltham St Lawrence includes the hamlets of West End and Shurlock Row and contains many fine examples of domestic architecture.
The village is centred on its cattle pound, around which are many…
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…
Towns & Villages
A pretty riverside parish with a three-mile frontage on the Thames between Maidenhead and Windsor, Bray has become a very popular stopping place for visitors
Towns & Villages
Slough
Slough is a town in Berkshire, England, about 20 miles west of central London.
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).
Theatre
Windsor
The Theatre Royal Windsor is a beautiful Edwardian theatre nestling between Windsor Castle and the River Thames and is the only unsubsidised producing theatre to operate all year round in Britain.
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.
Adventure Park / Playground
Bracknell
Find out why this has become one of Berkshire's most popular attractions with with 3 giant water slides, pirate ship, erupting volcano and water rapids.
Towns & Villages
Reading
Perhaps the most bustling and energetic of Berkshire towns, Reading is an appealing combination of excellent shopping facilities and historic buildings.
Towns & Villages
It is impossible to think of Eton without reference to its famous public school, Eton College, and indeed the later history of the town is inseparably entwined with that of the college.