Berkshire Travel Guide outlines various places of interest, local attractions for visitors and highlights tourist information for travellers. The county is located to the west of London. Berkshire lies in close proximity to the capital and like many of the home counties some use it as commuter county to work in London but live in the home counties and enjoy the greater space and rural environment in comparison to the capital. Berkshire is famed as being the home of Windsor Castle one of the official residences of the Queen, the world renowned Eton College as well as the many picturesque villages and historic houses.
Overview and Attractions
The eastern region of Berkshire is urbanised the west more is rural in its character. Reading is a thriving place most famous now for the music festival that takes place there each summer. Newbury is famed for its race course and racing heritage and the town of Wokingham has a host of historic buildings to see and explore.
Reading is a thriving town just half an hour from London and as such is very much in the commuter belt area. The town is known for its churches, inns and sites of historical interest as well as contemporary culture. Each summer the town hosts the Reading Festival attracting music lovers from far and wide where some top performers in rock, indie and brit pop can be seen.
There is plenty of history in Reading such as the ancient Reading Abbey, it is now in ruins and there is a museum dedicated to its legends. Built in 1121 the Abbey is situated between two rivers, the Thames and the Kennet. The museum contains displays of carvings going back to Norman times which show the splendour the Abbey would have had in its heyday.
Newbury is a market town and is located in a scenic, beautiful area of Berkshire. Boating enthusiasts can go to the Newbury Wharf and indulge in a spot of boating navigating the Kennet and Avon canal. Newbury Racecourse is among the best in the UK, the famous Hennessy Gold Cup takes place here, any racing fan is sure to love it here.
The Bekonscot Model Village is a miniature village established back in 1929 and shows rural England of a bygone era in the 1930s. There are six little villages on the landscape that include fields, farms, churches, castles and woods among others. You can see the population of the village enjoying a cricket match and at the zoo and the fair as you stroll around the village. There are cottages and train details to see too, this village provides a fascinating reminder of yesteryear in this part of the world. There is a sit-on railway at weekends and school holidays.
Dorney Court has been the home of the Palmer family for several hundred years. It is a Grade I listed building, earmarked as being of outstanding architectural and historical interest. Dorney Court has been the manor house of Dorney village, the manor house is situated close to the village and common, where you can still see cattle and sheep grazing. It can be hired for special occasions or for business and even a course for quad bikes.
Windsor Castle is one of the three official residences of the Queen, the castle is regarded currently as the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation. The towers are imposing and create a great spectacle. The main areas visitors can see are, the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, the Castle Exhibition and the exhibition in the Drawings Gallery. In addition from October to March, the semi-state rooms can also be viewed. The semi-state rooms include The Green Drawing Room, The Crimson Drawing Room, The State Dining Room and The Octagon Dining Room. Damaged by fire in 1992, it castle has been subject to painstaking restoration work in light of this.
Legoland in Windsor offers the chance to enjoy a fun day out for the whole family. There are many attractions, rides and shows here to keep the whole family entertained. With the sheer variety of rides, shows and attractions it is aimed at everyone. It is set in scenic parkland, there are also interactive rides to get you more involved in the whole experience. There are new rides being put on regularly with many different themes. There are also a programme of music and fireworks that are a spectacular sight, it is best to check to see when these are on to avoid disappointment.
Historic Eton College was founded back in 1440, now it admits boys aged from 13 to 18 who must take competitive exams to get in to one of the most prestigious and exclusive schools in the world. Eton has educated a number of British Prime Ministers and royalty including Prince William. The famous school dress that includes a black tailcoat and waistcoats with pin-striped trousers dates back to the 1850s. Visitors can go on guided tours of the College that provide an interesting insight in to the school and include the Cloisters, the College Chapel, the oldest classroom in the college and the Museum of Eton Life.
Highclere Castle and its beautiful gardens are a popular place for visitors to Berkshire to explore. The castle bears a resemblance to the Houses of Parliament which was built at the same time. It is the family home of Lord and Lady Carnarvon, the 7th Earl and Countess, Highclere Castle is striking and imposing and its ornate exterior is matched by the striking interior design.
The informative tour of the historical state rooms includes an exhibition about the history of the Highclere Stud. The interesting Egyptology exhibition shows the experiences and discoveries made by the Fifth Earl of Carnarvon with the Egyptologist, Howard Carter, discovered Tutankhamun’s Tomb. This was a momentous discovery in the history of archaeology. The Highclere Tea room serves light lunches in the afternoon. There is also a gift shop to get souvenirs from. The Castle is situated in 6000 acres of unspoilt landscape containing lakes, walled gardens, and some dramatic scenery.
For theatre connoisseurs the Theatre Royal in Windsor has been putting on shows to appreciative audiences since 1910. The compact theatre hosts many productions and has a traditional pantomime every Christmas. This beautiful theatre is located in the shadow of Windsor Castle and is the only unsubsidised producing theatre to operate all year round in Britain. With its wide program of works there is likely to be something for most theatre tastes. The theatre has gained a fine reputation for the good quality of its productions and is thought of currently as among the top theatres in the UK.
A restaurant you may wish to consider is The Fox and Horn, an award winning restaurant serving British contemporary & international cuisine that prides itself on using fresh ingredients for its dishes. The à la carte menu offers a selection of fresh fish, beef, pork and imaginative and interesting vegetarian Dishes. The Lunch menu contains a selection of lighter meals with the full à la carte menu also available. The restaurant has built up a fine reputation and as such reserving a table is recommended to avoid disappointment as this popular restaurant.
There is an extensive wine list to choose from to enjoy with your food. Private dining & meeting facilities are catered for too and the location is in rural Berkshire in the lovely countryside but close to the motorways. Address: The Fox & Horn, The Street, Stratfield Mortimer, Berkshire, RG7 3NR and Telephone: +44 (0) 118 933 2428.
Havana Bar is a stylish bar located in Windsor, it includes exclusive DJs, a luxurious lounge area, sound system, Hi-Tec lighting and exclusive DJ’s and internet / Wi-Fi facilities among others. It is a great place to meet up with friends and enjoy a few drinks together, there is also the option of having a bite to eat with the renowned cuisine on offer here. There has been a great effort to ensure the bar is recognised for its food too. There is a variety of music played here varying from Funky house to Old Skool. Combined with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, the bar is a popular one.
The Vanilla Nightclub offers a stylish environment and varied music to allow you relax whilst trying a range of cocktails. It is a popular club that attracts a mix of people where they can relax and enjoy themselves in an enjoyable environment. The place has been a hit with discerning customers and there the cocktail bar where you can sit back and enjoy your cocktails, prior to taking to the dance floor where clubbers can dance the night away. There are also private hire arrangements for private parties etc.
The county of Berkshire contains two of the top attractions in the UK, Windsor Castle and Legoland Windsor, a visit to these two alone would be worth visiting the county for. There are many other attractions in Berkshire for visitors to enjoy from model villages to a world renowned college. Its transport links mean it is fairly easy to get to from other areas of the UK by rail and road, making it a place that is worth exploring further.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
