Things to do in the Royal County of Berkshire

This county of countryside, canals and castles gets royal approval for being home to Windsor Castle, one of the Queen’s weekend residences.

It’s likely near the top of your list of things to do in Berkshire. After all, there’s more than 900 years of royal history to explore - from the turbulent first years of William the Conqueror’s reign to the fairytale wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at St George’s Chapel.

More intrigue lies beyond the castle gates. Join Tours2Order for an insightful tour of the town and Eton College, where 19 British Prime Ministers studied. Or head to West Berkshire Museum in Newbury and learn about the region through stories and artefacts related to its people, industries and popular pastimes. Shaw House, nearby, is an Elizabethan mansion - once the home of a rich local merchant.

For those keen to get back to nature, a narrow boat trip might be just the ticket. The red and green Rose of Hungerford runs trips along the serene Kennet and Avon Canal. Alternatively go on a gentle towpath walk, stopping for breaks at the charming cafes along the way.

Berkshire’s the perfect place to unwind and enjoy some leisure activities, too. You could dress up for a day at the races at Newbury Racecourse. Or take a trip to Alder Ridge Vineyard for wine tasting in a spectacular setting - the North Wessex Downs Area of Natural Beauty. Or treat yourself to an afternoon tea at The Tutti Pole in Hungerford - a quaint cafe steeped in the traditions of the town’s spring Hocktide celebrations.

For family fun, don’t miss LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort. Great for younger kids who’ll love splashing about on a Pirate Falls Treasure Quest, flying The Dragon through the treetops and making their own LEGO® models. Or for something active - try a mountain bike ride on the trails at Swinley Forest. Go to Swinley Bike Hub for bike hire.

For more things to see and do in the Royal County of Berkshire, take a look below.

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Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, the family home of 39 British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years, and is today one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. Open to visitors throughout the year, today The Queen spends most of her private weekends at the Castle.
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National Trust around Berkshire and Thames

Discover National Trust properties around Berkshire and the River Thames along the Great West Way.
Reading

Be amazed by modern Reading – from remarkable medieval heritage and beautiful Thames countryside to award-winning shopping centres, there’s a surprise around every corner.
Hungerford
What's happening in Newbury?

Alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal, the largest town in West Berkshire, Newbury, has a bustling high street with many interesting shops, which include unique stores such as family-run department store Camp Hopson.
West Berkshire Brewery

West Berkshire Brewery is an independent brewery nestled in the heart of Berkshire with over 23 years of brewing experience. With our new state of the art brewery and packaging line we proudly produce traditional cask ales and innovative craft beers.
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Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen, Hungerford

Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen is open seven days a week. In their farm shop, you will find a traditional butchery counter, a fully licensed café, delicatessen, fishmongers, florists and bespoke indoor wooden Play Barn. At the heart of Cobbs is their 55 acre farm, open for seasonal Pick Your Own and also the home to their award-winning vineyard, Alder Ridge.
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River Thames

The River Thames is the longest and most well-known river in England. It is navigable for 215 miles starting as a small trickle in the Cotswolds; flowing through nine English counties; right through the centre of London; past the Thames Barrier out through the Thames Estuary to the North Sea.
Canal & River Trust

The beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal (or K&A as its known) flows along 87 miles of the Great West Way. From Bath to Reading, it winds through quintessential rolling Wiltshire hills, bustling towns and even a World Heritage Site. Since 1810, narrowboats have drifted along at four miles an hour, plying their trade from Bristol to London. Today, you'll find a mixture of holiday and live-aboard boaters, all seeking the calm and tranquillity that comes from life on or by the water.
Places to Stay in the Royal County of Berkshire

You’re bound to feel at home staying in Berkshire - one of the ‘home counties’ surrounding London. Whether you explore its royal connections with a posh hotel stay in Windsor or cuddle up in a cosy village pub, you’ll be glad you stopped by.
Henley on Thames

South Oxfordshire is an area full of natural beauty, picturesque villages, shops to browse and places to stay and to eat.
Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Welcome to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. Crowned by stunning Windsor Castle – the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world and the Queen's favourite weekend home – and linked by the beautiful River Thames, the Royal Borough is one of South East England’s loveliest short break destinations and a 'must see' for everyone's list. Close to Heathrow and less than an hour by public transport to the capital, we are London’s country estate – the perfect place from which to enjoy the city and the countryside! Witness the colourful – and very ‘British’ spectacle – of the guards marching through the streets of Windsor for the Changing the Guard ceremony within Windsor Castle's walls - it's a sight not to be missed!