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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: 147

, currently showing 21 to 40.

  1. 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…

  2. Holme Grange Craft Village

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    Craft Centre

    Wokingham

    We offer a wide range of goods and services and a fabulous tea shop in a historic barn opening onto a beautiful enclosed courtyard where you can sit and relax while you enjoy your refreshment.

  3. Lambourn

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    Towns & Villages

    Lambourn is located in Berkshire near the source of the river Lambourn on the beautiful chalk downlands of England.

  4. Maidenhead Heritage Centre

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    Museum

    Maidenhead

    Fly a Spitfire simulator at this local museum which covers local history from the Romans to Racing Cars!

  5. The Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede

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    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.

  6. 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.

  7. The Mill at Sonning

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    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).

  8. Thames Rivercruise Ltd.

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    Boat Trip

    Caversham

    The perfect venue on the Upper Thames.

  9. Maidenhead

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    Towns & Villages

    Maidenhead

    Things to do, places to visit and what's nearby the town of Maidenhead, on the River Thames in Berkshire. Official tourist information guide.

  10. Crowthorne

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    Village

    Crownthorne

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

  11. White Waltham

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    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…

  12. Cobbs Farm Shop

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    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,…

  13. 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…

  14. Windsor Leisure Centre

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    Leisure / Swimming Pool

    Windsor

    On the banks of the River Thames, under the shadow of Windsor Castle, this prestigious facility has been serving the local community for over 35 years. More than just a leisure centre, Windsor Leisure Centre is a place where the community comes…

  15. 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

  16. Old Windsor

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    Towns & Villages

    Old Windsor was the oldest Saxon town in Berkshire and the seat of Edward the Confessor. It continued in importance up until about 1100 when it was gradually overshadowed by the building of Windsor Castle two miles upstream.

  17. Sunninghill

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    Towns & Villages

    Sunninghill means 'the home of Sunna’s people'. Most of the development around the large country houses of the 18th century was accelerated by the discovery of health-giving salt springs and rapidly increased with the advent of the railway in 1841.…

  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. Thatcham

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    Towns & Villages

    Thatcham

    Thatcham is a town in the historic county of Berkshire and is situated just three miles east of Newbury.

  20. Windsor Guard March & 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…