10 Best Things to Do in Berkshire

With races held year-round, Newbury Racecourse is a great destination for a bit of fun and healthy wagering no matter when you take your vacation. Many events are free to the public, and you can come to enjoy the incredible spectacle and sip a cold pint. 

Newbury has been the spot for racing in Berkshire for over 200 years, and Newbury Racecourse has been a championship racecourse for over 100 years. Dozens of notable races take place each year, including flat, chase and hurdle, so don’t hesitate to include Newbury Racecourse in your vacation plans.

One of the most brilliant places to spend a few days when you are visiting Berkshire is the Cliveden Estate. Also known as the Cliveden House, this historic English manor has been an architectural icon of the region for over 350 years. 

It's operational as a hotel nowadays, and you can tour the grounds to witness the beauty of the gardens and the architecture of the stone clocktower that have been attracting visitors year after year.

You don’t need to travel thousands of miles to a tropical climate to experience the rainforest when you can visit The Living Rainforest in Hampstead Norreys in Berkshire. Focused on educating visitors about the rainforest and promoting conservation efforts, The Living Rainforest offers the chance to see the natural habitat of fauna and flora and how it can thrive. 

With monkeys, birds, butterflies, sloths, lizards and all sorts of creepy-crawlies, The Living Rainforest is fun and exciting for kids and adults of all ages.

For over 90 years, The Savill Garden has been bringing peace and happiness to those fortunate enough to visit. The interconnected gardens are beyond what is typically thought of as a botanical garden, and there’s a reason why it’s the hidden gem of Windsor Great Park. Each garden section is vibrantly themed to reflect British or international flora. 

Within each garden section, you might find art and sculptures depending on the season, and some have bridges that allow you a birds-eye view of the soothing sights and smells of The Garden.

The immaculate country house of Basildon Park in Lower Basildon is an 18th-century marvel of one of the most prominent families in Berkshire at the time. Nowadays, you can visit the impressively kept grounds of Basildon Park and experience the home seen in the hit show 'Downton Abbey', as well as other productions designed to capture the atmosphere of Victorian England. 

The massive manor has prominent stone columns to the front that act as an entryway and are visible from the long, winding drive. Come discover the reason that Basildon Park is a national heritage site.

You and your family can enjoy the 350 acres of Wellington Country Park as you explore the forested woodlands and hike nature trails around a serene lake. You can also visit the petting zoo that has real and fanciful animals to feed and interact with. To get a unique and fun view of the park, you and your kids can take a ride on the miniature railroad that chugs its way to a miniature town. 

On hot summer days, the splash zone is the perfect way for kids to cool off as they run and leap through waterspouts and jump in the water fountains.

One of the best ways to get a fun unique view of the area is to take a scenic river cruise. The River Thames is London’s most famous waterway for commerce and pleasure, and there are all types of cruises that may suit your fancy. You might take your romantic interest on a dinner cruise, or perhaps you would enjoy a cruise down the Thames to enjoy the sights with family. 

The River Thames is not the only boat trip, though, as you can check out Berkshire’s own Kennet Horse Boat Company, with its unique horse-drawn cruises on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Built in the 19th century, the Highclere Castle harkens back to the Italianate style of architecture, with a distinct castle appeal with tall spires on each corner of the manor. 

Every detail of Highclere Castle is intricately intended, from the massive stone frame with noble insignia surrounding the iron-accented wooden front doors to the interior tower with sharply-carved, erect stone spires that contrast the peaceful country grounds. If you wanted to tour the grounds, you can easily follow the finely crushed stone paths to see the extent of the over 2,000-hectare estate.

You’ll find proper live entertainment at the Theater Royal in Windsor, which has provided cultural entertainment for over 100 years. With a nice shot of the Windsor Castle, Theater Royal Windsor gives you a fresh taste of the British stage, hosting many future hits that are later featured on London's popular West End. 

The auditorium is immaculate, with velvety red seats, prominent V.I.P. booths and an eye-catching chandelier that's as glamorous as the on-stage performances. The exterior is unassuming, but once you walk in, you’ll see where the magic happens.