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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: 148

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Streatley-on-Thames

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    Towns & Villages

    The village of Streatley-on-Thames stands on the opposite side of the River Thames to Goring; Oxfordshire on one side and West Berkshire on the other, linked by a bridge which was built in 1923

  2. Littlewick Green

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    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',…

  3. 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…

  4. Ascot Racecourse

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    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.

  5. 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.

  6. Changing the Guard

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    Sightseeing

    Windsor

    The Changing of the Guard is one of the highlights of a visit to Windsor. A band usually accompanies the Guards, although this is subject to weather conditions.

    The Guards can be watched as they march up the High Street and into the Castle, but…

  7. 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.

  8. Slough

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    Towns & Villages

    Slough

    Slough is a town in Berkshire, England, about 20 miles west of central London.

  9. Coral Reef Bracknell's Water World

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    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.

  10. 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…

  11. Sandhurst

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    Towns & Villages

    Sandhurst

    Sandhurst is a small town and civil parish and is in the south eastern corner of Berkshire, within the Borough of Bracknell Forest, situated 33 miles south west of central London.

  12. Windsor & Royal Borough Museum

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    Museum

    Windsor

    The jewel in the Royal Borough's crown, Windsor and Royal Borough Museum is a family friendly museum bursting with interesting facts and interactive displays of East Berkshire.

  13. 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.

  14. Waltham St Lawrence

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    Towns & Villages

    One of the most westerly parishes in the borough, Waltham St Lawrence includes the hamlets of West End and Shurlock Row and contains many fine examples of domestic architecture.

    The village is centred on its cattle pound, around which are many…

  15. Wraysbury

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    Towns & Villages

    During the 14th century. Wraysbury (or Wyrardisbury) was a Royal Manor and its lands often featured in the dowries of English Queens. The village grew up around the Church of St Andrew which, although of 12th-century origin and containing some…

  16. Kris Cruisers

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    Boat

    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.

  17. Wokingham

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    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.

  18. Museum of English Rural Life

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    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.

  19. What's happening in Newbury?

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    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.

  20. Crowthorne

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    Village

    Crownthorne

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