Top Things to do in Berkshire
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What to do and see in Berkshire, England: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
Discover the best top things to do in Berkshire, United Kingdom including BCA Zoo, Windsor Castle, Windsor Great Park, The Museum of English Rural Life, Basildon Park, Silchester Roman City Walls and Amphitheatre, The Look Out Discovery Centre, Kennet & Avon Canal, Shaw House, Boulter's Lock and Ray Mill Island.
Restaurants in Berkshire
1. BCA Zoo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 125 reviews
Come and visit BCA's fully accredited zoo! You can book a tour of the zoo and reptile house, an up close encounter with one of our animals or even come and work with us as a Zookeeper for the Day! All visits are available during weekends, school holidays and bank holidays and MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE.
Reviewed By SarahH123UK
Great tour of a little zoo with a personal guide who had limitless patience for questions and was clearly passionate about her animals. Highlight was half an hour inside the meerkat enclosure with a dozen of the little creatures clambering all over us. Enjoyed by children (aged 7 and 9) and adults alike. Total duration two hours. Excellent value for money. An unforgettable experience.
2. Windsor Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,258 reviews
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and offers an extraordinarily rich and varied day out. Throughout its history, the Castle has been redecorated, enlarged and rebuilt. Today The Queen spends most of her private weekends at the Castle, which is also used regularly for ceremonial and State occasions.
Reviewed By 595KathyB595 - Waltham, United States
The town of Windsor, located and easy 20 miles west of London, is a beautiful and must see destination for any trip to England. An easy train ride from London that is very affordable if you have an Oyster card and London Pass. You will want to spend some time visiting the historic castle and St. Georges cathedral that is NOT open for visitors on Sundays. The town itself is a true gem with lots of shops and places to get some lunch. Very friendly people and pretty accessible (except for in the Castle). it is a day well spent
3. Windsor Great Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,579 reviews
Welcome to 4800 acres of sweeping parkland, award-winning gardens, ancient woodland and forest trails that are just waiting to be explored.There is something for everyone within Windsor Great Park, at any time of year. Encompassing The Savill Garden, Virginia Water, The Valley Gardens and the Long Walk and Deer Park - the Great Park offers a rich tapestry of experiences to discover, with a Royal history spanning over 1,000 years. You will encounter historical monuments, ancient forests and stunning horticultural displays, as well as rare wildlife, plants and fungi - so whatever your interest, there will be something to excite and amaze you.
Reviewed By japplet0n - Warrington, United Kingdom
The Long Walk is exactly what it says it is and from the Castle gates to the Horse Monument and back again is a total of 5.2 Miles, every each of it is well worth the effort and walk - wear comfy shoes, definitely dont miss doing this.
4. The Museum of English Rural Life
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
The Museum of English Rural Life is one of the best things to do in Reading. Whether on your own or with friends and family, discover our new immersive galleries, research our collections, refresh in our café and relax in our garden. Admission is free. The museum houses the most comprehensive national collection of objects, books and archives relating to the history of food, farming and the countryside. The museum galleries and garden were recently redeveloped thanks to Heritage Lottery funding.
Reviewed By ian19542016 - Reading, United Kingdom
A museum that is interesting, informative and educational, suitable for all age groups and best of all admission is free. The story of English rural life is told through a wide range of exhibits from horse drawn wagons large and small, early steam and petrol vehicles agricultural impliments, and items used by country folk in everyday life. For younger visitors there are a number of excellent interactive exhibits. Those of a certain age will recall childhood countryside days out and holidays. The only downside is that parking is very limited so best travel by public transport.
5. Basildon Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,184 reviews
An 18th-century house, a 1950s homeThis is a story of grandeur created, dissolved and resurrected - not once, but twice.Basildon Park is an impressive Georgian mansion, surrounded by glorious parkland, which was lovingly rescued from ruin by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the mid 1950s. The house you see today is a re-creation and restoration of the 18th-century mansion. They restored the elegant interior and scoured the country salvaging 18th-century architectural fixtures and fittings. They filled their comfortable new home with fine paintings, fabrics and furniture, which can still be enjoyed by visitors today.
Reviewed By JohnHodderHobbit - Clitheroe, United Kingdom
Very beautiful house that original and several prosperous, successive owners never fulfilled to its potential as a dynastic home. WW2 offered limited available accommodation to HQ elements (intriguingly claimed for both the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions) prior to their sacrifice in !944. Their basic operations office with a new A/V display is functional, but emotional in context to those who left here to fight. The NT has furnished rooms with appropriate furnishings and displays although the original treasures are long gone. The house volunteer staff are some of the most friendly and informative you could ever hope to meet. Big kitchen and still used for cookery classes in traditional catering menus. Lovely surrounding flower gardens although much now to lawn. Approach to the House is from the public car park via a Yew Tree walk with wooden statuary and a play site for little persons. Particular worthy of mention are the delicious cakes and excellent coffee/tea available in the tea room inside ( jungle animal murals by Riddle ) or sit in outside court in fine weather.
6. Silchester Roman City Walls and Amphitheatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 316 reviews
Reviewed By rogergardiner - Basingstoke, United Kingdom
Not for wet weather but on a sunny day the circuit of the wall is well worth doing. Handy parking. Take in the 12th Century Church and the amphitheatre. Lovely countryside views. Drinks and food at the Calleva in Silchester.
7. The Look Out Discovery Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 535 reviews
We are a hands-on science and discovery centre aimed at primary school aged children with over 90 activities to entertain. We have an amazing outdoor play area which includes an all-access section. With a picnic area and coffee shop, you can stay all day.
Reviewed By themugtree - East Grinstead, United Kingdom
This place is AMAZING! Having stayed overnight locally, visiting legoland the day before, we were looking for something fun and interesting for our 3 year old before we went home and this did not disappoint! The centre is absolutely brilliant for toddlers and children, with so much to do, see, learn and watch. There were 100 activities and exhibits and only 1 out of use, including a huge water play area, giant building section with bricks and ride on dumper trucks, puzzles and experiments into forces, colours, the body, flight and so much more. There's a viewing tower you can climb the 88 steps. Great cafe, nice little gift shop and huge adventure playground outside. Hours and hours of fun were had, we didn't leave until they closed and our son had the best time. The centre is run by lovely, friendly staff and it is clean, well organised and incredibly well maintained. We've been to a few similar places which have lots of exhibits out if action and they're all a bit run down, but not this one! I highly, highly recommend this for an entire day out for all ages. There's woodland walks and a go ape on the same site and a large car park with very reasonable rates. Highly recommend!! We're already planning our next trip back!
8. Kennet & Avon Canal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 305 reviews
Reviewed By RosyU - Colombo, Sri Lanka
I have had peaceful walks along the canal. It is really nice to have such a view in the town area. very quiet and peaceful.
9. Shaw House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Built in 1581 by Newbury clothier Thomas Dolman this fine Elizabethan building was recently restored through a £6million project. The stories and characters from Shaw House’s varied past are bought to life in the new exhibition. An ideal day out for families; Wheelie Do activities are located throughout the house, with activities from designing the gardens to playing our Civil War board game. Exciting and varied events program. Open most weekends.
Reviewed By Dakles - Southampton, United Kingdom
We only discovered this place because our daughter was getting married and the registry office is located here. The building is a superb Elizabethan mansion situated in lovely grounds on the outskirts of Newbury. Sadly, the interior is now closed due to Covid but the cafe and toilets are still available. Under normal circumstances there are public opening times for a series of exhibition rooms where you can learn the story of the house and view art exhibitions and the like. Picnics are allowed in the grounds and there is a large car park.
10. Boulter's Lock and Ray Mill Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 349 reviews
Reviewed By 1975sarahb - Bracknell, United Kingdom
Took a trip over with my family, was a lovely place to visit we stood for a while watching the boats in the lock my children were fascinated of how it all works. If you walk down a little further and go over the bridge you will walk into Ray mill Island. Lovely walking area where your see lots of wildlife, and a animal corner of guinea pigs, birds. If you walk down a little further there is a weir. There is a cafe where they serve hot and cold drinks and ice cream etc, there is a small play area for the children, a lovely couple of hours spent.
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