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.
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Historic Site
NEWBURY
Fourteenth-century gatehouse and Civil War earthworks are all that remain of this castle destroyed during one of the longest sieges of the Civil War lasting 2 years.
Tea Room/Coffee Shop
Windsor
Windsor Farm Shop, High Quality local produce at your convenience.
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.
Museum
Reading
The burial place of King Henry I, Reading Abbey celebrated 900 years of history in 2021. The ruins of what would have been one of Europe’s largest medieval buildings can be visited with self guided or with guided tours via Reading Museum.
Bar
Reading
The London Street Brasserie is the second award-winning restaurant by owner and proprietor Paul Clerehugh.
Bar
Reading
The menus at the Lido have a strong Spanish and Mediterranean feel adding to the ‘holiday’ atmosphere of the venue.
Pub/Inn
Windsor
The Prince Arthur is a traditional English pub set amongst the chimney pots of Grove Road.
Natural Feature
Lambourn, Hungerford
Tours of Racehorse Stables includes gallops, racing stables, equine swimming pool, Hall of Fame and a tour of new staff housing.
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.
Theme Park
Windsor
The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort is a unique family theme park where children aged 2 -12 can take to the road, soar through the skies and sail the seas in complete safety.
Gallery
Cookham, Maidenhead
The Stanley Spencer Gallery is devoted to the work of one of Britain’s greatest painters, Sir Stanley Spencer. It holds the largest repository of Spencer paintings on display anywhere in the world.
Leisure / Swimming Pool
Reading
Thames Lido is a restored Victorian outdoor swimming pool which now offers a fully heated pool, hot tub and saunas, massage rooms, restaurant, bar and function room.
Shopping Centre
Reading
Elegant 1930s covered arcade home to a unique collection of independent & specialist shops in Reading town centre.
Walking Tour
Reading
Enjoy a walking tour exploring the heart of medieval Reading led by our Official Reading Museum tour guides.
Starting in the Story of Reading Gallery in Reading Museum and continuing outdoors, this tour will lead you on a discovery of the history…
Pub/Inn
East Garston, Berkshire
This is horse-racing country and it’s not just the stables that house pure-breeds; this picturesque 18th-century inn is as authentic as they come.
Walking Tour
Reading
Looking for things to do in Reading? Discover the hidden gems of our town on an unforgettable Reading walking tour. Immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of this charming town as our knowledgeable guides lead you through its…
Water Based Activities
Maidenhead
Join in the fun at Bray Lake Watersports! Take part in stand-up paddle boarding, windsurfing, kayaking, dinghy sailing, winging and open water swimming. Hire and tuition available. Visit our café for hot and cold refreshments.
Historic House / Palace
Windsor
The historic buildings are an integral part of the heritage of the British Isles. Visitors are invited to share the unique experience and beauty of Eton College.
Golf Course
Ascot
Founded in 1928, The Berkshire Golf Club is home to two Herbert Fowler designed courses, both of which are widely regarded as amongst the best in the British Isles.
Private Guided Tours
Windsor
The best way to experience the sights of this ancient royal town is with one of our professional Blue Badge Tourist Guides. Elite Blue Badge Guides undergo two years of extensive training and represent the ‘gold standard’ of tourist guiding in the…
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