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: 145

, currently showing 41 to 60.

  1. Windsor & Royal Borough Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Windsor

    The jewel in the Royal Borough's crown, Windsor and Royal Borough Museum is a family friendly museum bursting with interesting facts and interactive displays of East Berkshire.

  2. Greenham and Crookham Common

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    Type:

    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.

  3. 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…

  4. Norden Farm Centre for the Arts

    Type

    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.

  5. Hurley

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    Type:

    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.

  6. Thames Rivercruise Ltd.

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    Type:

    Boat Trip

    Caversham

    The perfect venue on the Upper Thames.

  7. The Mill at Sonning

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    Restaurant

    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).

  8. Slough

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    Towns & Villages

    Slough

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

  9. The Savill Garden

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    Formal Garden

    Egham

    The Savill Garden is a garden of beauty and colour where visitors journey through 35 acres of interconnecting gardens. It offers year-round interest, an iconic visitor centre with restaurant, gallery café, gift shop and plant sales.

  10. Wraysbury

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    Towns & Villages

    During the 14th century. Wraysbury (or Wyrardisbury) was a Royal Manor and its lands often featured in the dowries of English Queens. The village grew up around the Church of St Andrew which, although of 12th-century origin and containing some…

  11. Caprice at Crowne Plaza Reading M4 Jct 10

    Type

    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. Shottesbrooke

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    Type:

    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…

  13. Reading

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    Type:

    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. Ascot Racecourse

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    Type:

    Sports Ground

    Ascot

    Ascot Racecourse is synonymous with quality, excellence and a truly memorable day out. The highlight is Royal Ascot in June with five days of tradition, pageantry and style. Outside of Royal Ascot spectacular racing takes place throughout the year.

  15. The Reading Room

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    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.

  16. 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

  17. Snelsmore Common Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    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. Runnymede

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    Type:

    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.

  19. St Thomas' Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Hungerford

    Alabaster nobles and wall paintings in a rural idyll.

    This simple little church, with pre-Norman origins, stands in an idyllic spot beside a water meadow next to the River Lambourn.

    Its village has long since vanished, but the spirit of the…

  20. Waltham St Lawrence

    Type

    Type:

    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…