Forbury Gardens

Forbury Gardens

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: 146

, currently showing 61 to 80.

  1. 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.

  2. Crowthorne

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    Village

    Crownthorne

    Crowthorne is a village and civil parish in the Bracknell Forest district of south-eastern Berkshire.

  3. Bray

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    Type:

    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

  4. The Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede

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    Type:

    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.

  5. Windsor Great Park

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    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…

  6. 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

  7. 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…

  8. 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…

  9. Shottesbrooke

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    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…

  10. Datchet

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    Towns & Villages

    Despite much modern development, Datchet still manages to retain many features of the quiet riverside settlement it once was. The older buildings cluster around The Green with its central oak tree commemorating Queen Victoria’s Jubilee.

  11. Eton College Natural History Museum

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    Museum

    Windsor

    Eton’s hidden gem, this family friendly museum is Berkshire’s only dedicated natural history museum. It houses over 16,000 specimens in atmospheric Edwardian surroundings and has something for all the family.

  12. West Berkshire Museum

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    Type:

    Museum

    Newbury

    West Berkshire Museum is housed in two of Newbury’s best loved historic buildings - the 17th century Cloth Hall and the old Granary/Corn Stores in the Wharf. The permanent exhibition ‘Lives and Landscapes’ tells the story of West Berkshire. The…

  13. Mapledurham Watermill

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    Water Mill

    Reading

    The last working corn and grist watermill on the Thames with parts dating from the 15thC. Flour produced is sold in the shop, and the traditional working machinery can be viewed.

  14. Harris Arcade

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    Shopping Centre

    Reading

    Elegant 1930s covered arcade home to a unique collection of independent & specialist shops in Reading town centre.

  15. Windsor Royal

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    Shopping Centre

    Windsor

    Windsor Royal integrates the former Windsor Yards and Windsor Royal Station Shopping Centres into one fantastic offering, where you can shop, play, dine, or stay. Embrace Windsor.

  16. Limes Dine in Bakery

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    Tea Room/Coffee Shop

    Windsor

    We are a Boutique Family run Bakery situated in a charming cobbled street with views looking onto the walls of Windsor Castle

  17. Beacon Hill Iron Age Hill Fort

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    Country / Royal Park

    Newbury

    One of the best known hill forts in England and the site of one of the beacons that formed a network across Hampshire.

  18. Maidenhead Golf Club

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    Type:

    Golf Course

    Maidenhead

    Established in 1896 Maidenhead Golf Club is a mature course set in lovely rolling parkland where you can glimpse deer in the early morning and enjoy the peace and tranquility of a round of golf in this picturesque part of Berkshire.

  19. Tours2Order

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    Type:

    Walking Tour

    Reading

    Tours2order is run by Blue Badge Tourist Guide Graham Horn.  We can offer many different tours in Reading, Chilterns and the Thames Valley.

  20. Bray Marina Ltd

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    Type:

    Marina / Harbour

    Bray

    Bray Marina is situated in a country park setting, providing berth holders with a delightfully tranquil mooring.