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 21 to 40.

  1. Coral Reef Bracknell's Water World

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    Type:

    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.

  2. Thames Rivercruise

    Type

    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…

  3. White Waltham

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    Type:

    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…

  4. 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.

  5. 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…

  6. The Mill at Sonning

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    Type:

    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).

  7. Ascot

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    Towns & Villages

    Ascot was originally a village called East Cote meaning Eastern Cottage from the old English Estcota and lies just 6 miles from Windsor Castle. Home to arguably the most famous racecourse in the country, most commercial development has grown up…

  8. 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.

  9. Clewer

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    Towns & Villages

    In the days when the River Thames meandered through a wide flood plain, and in the absence of bridges, Clewer became well known for its ford as this was the only place to cross the river for several miles. It was used by soldiers, traders and…

  10. Littlewick Green

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    Type:

    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',…

  11. Hungerford

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    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.

  12. St Thomas' Church

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    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…

  13. 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.

  14. Windsor

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    Town

    Windsor

    It's a rare town indeed that can boast two of the UK's favourite attractions yet Windsor is home to not only the world famous Windsor Castle, but also the theme park Legoland® Windsor Resort.

  15. Runnymede

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    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.

  16. The Reading Room

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    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.

  17. Sunningdale

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    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…

  18. Pangbourne

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    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.

  19. Wokingham

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Wokingham

    Wokingham is a market town and civil parish in Berkshire It is about 7 miles east-southeast of Reading and 4 miles west of Bracknell.

  20. Cobbs Farm Shop

    Type

    Type:

    Farm Shop

    HUNGERFORD

    Cobbs was founded out of a passion for supplying quality food with provenance to our customers as well as providing a platform to the immense volume of artisanal producers on our doorstep. You will find a fantastic farm shop, delicatessen, butchery,…