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: 146
, currently showing 21 to 40.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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
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
Boat Trip
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.
Towns & Villages
Slough
Slough is a town in Berkshire, England, about 20 miles west of central London.
Towns & Villages
The village is set just off the main Bath Road two miles west of Maidenhead and has a certain charm, with many of its cottages and houses set around a sizeable green with the school and parish church completing the picture. Also here is 'Redroofs',…
Museum
Reading
The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) is England’s most extensive museum dedicated to farming, food, craft, rural life and countryside issues.
Towns & Villages
Thatcham
Thatcham is a town in the historic county of Berkshire and is situated just three miles east of Newbury.
Towns & Villages
Newbury
Set along the banks of the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal, Newbury has a fresh, rural atmosphere combined with great shopping facilities and new attractions.
Towns & Villages
Lambourn is located in Berkshire near the source of the river Lambourn on the beautiful chalk downlands of England.
Historic Site
Windsor
Set in a symbolic acre of land donated to the United States of America by Queen Elizabeth II in 1965, this seven tonne block of Portland stone commemorates the life of President John F Kennedy following his tragic assassination.
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.
Boat Trip
Old Windsor, Windsor
Large range of public trips on weather-proof vessels from Windsor, Runnymede and Maidenhead.
Towns & Villages
Although an area of great antiquity, where Roman remains have been found, White Waltham has seen more change during the past 60 years than all its previous history. This is due to the establishment of White Waltham Airfield during World War II and…
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…
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…