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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.
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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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.
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.
Restaurant
Streatley-on-Thames
The Swan at Streatley is in a picturesque Berkshire village offering a hotel bar and coffee shop or dine in the Coppa Club.
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.
Walking Tour
Reading
Terry set up his guided walks of Reading to pass on his love of local history and culture, Reading’s famous people, its myths and battles, gardens, architecture, gardens, buildings and so much more and also to get himself fitter!
Farm
Bucklebury, Reading
Free tractor and trailer rides, hand feed the tamer members of the herd, lots of animals to pat and feed, indoor-slides, adventure playground, nature trail, picnic area & refreshments.
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.
Lake / Reservoir
READING
Hosehill Lake is also a local nature reserve. The path around the lake is a mile long and rustic seating and bird viewing areas at frequent intervals give the visitor time to stop and reflect.
Historic House / Palace
Windsor
Late 17th-century royal residence, particularly associated with Queen Charlotte and Queen Victoria. Frogmore House is currently closed to visitors.
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.
Church / Chapel
READING
Built between 1836 and 1840 St James Roman Catholic Church was built from designs by A. W Pugin architect of the Palace of Westminster. The church is located next to Reading Abbey ruins, between Forbury Gardens and Reading Gaol.
Science Centre
Bracknell
If you are looking for a fun day out, then The Look Out Discovery Centre is worth a visit with over 90 hands-on science and discovery activities. Set in 1,000 hectares of woodland with a great adventure play area, picnic area, gift and coffee shop.
Country / Royal Park
Hurst
A 350-acre site with meadows, fishery, watersports and conservation lakes. Three bird hides, orienteering course, children's play area, cafe.
Museum
Reading
Explore ten galleries of historic and artistic objects in Reading’s Victorian Town Hall.
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.
Café
Windsor
OUR STORY
When Dan and Alex met back in 2007, little did they know that they would very quickly be embarking on an amazing journey, privately and professionally. Daniel, a head chef, with 22 years of experience, both in London and Brighton, and…
Historic House / Palace
Reading
Home of the Dukes of Wellington since 1817. Unique collection of paintings, furniture and personal effects of the Great Duke, including his magnificent funeral carriage, military regalia and campaign trophies.
Garden
Windsor
Alexandra Gardens is a pretty public garden near the River Thames in Windsor with seating, a bandstand and plenty of grassed areas perfect for picnics.
Historic House / Palace
Newbury
Shaw House was built by a Newbury clothier in 1581 and retains much of its original Tudor architecture.
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