Berkshire

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About Berkshire

If your travel plans include Windsor, Bray, Newbury, Sandhurst, Eton or Ascot, then you’re travelling to Berkshire. Likewise if you’re passing through Reading, Maidenhead or Bracknell Forest. Even foodies heading off on the train to Bray, to visit Michelin-starred The Fat Duck, or The Waterside Inn, are heading off to Berkshire. So our recommendations for the best places to stay in Berkshire are a varied collection from wonderful country inns and pubs-with-rooms, to Windsor pied-a-terres, or extravagant country house hotels converted from grand manor houses and Michelin strarred restaurants with rooms.

Some of our Berkshire Collections:

The royal family are locals, and the British Prime Minister’s country residence, Chequers, is in Berkshire too. A trip to Windsor Castle or a day at Ascot Race Course are popular excursions, though Windsor Great Park and Legoland might be more your scene if you’re travelling with children in tow. There are plenty of wonderful riverside walks, or water-based activities to attempt if the weather is pleasant.

However don't forget that this region is exceptionally busy at certain times of the year (Royal Ascot for example). So if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Berkshire, get organised and book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Berkshire

For a Special Occasion

Long time haunt of the anyone who could wrangle themselves an invitation — from Chaplin to Churchill and Laurence to Lennon — Cliveden House is a stunning stately home with genuine Old Masters adorning the walls and a priceless collection of antiques. There's a boating lake, tennis courts, croquet lawns, pools and spa, and people to drive you wherever you need to go. You’re just 45 minutes from London, but the stylish, National Trust owned surroundings and luxurious details make this a trip-back-in-time.
Monkey Island Estate is a serenely elegant, white Palladian mansion on Monkey Island, which is in the Thames. So the views from the lawns are entirely charming in all directions. The interiors are elegant too, from the carefully restored grander rooms in the original building, to more countryfied self-catering cottages — perfect for families or groups. We love the floating spa (on a canal boat!) and the fine dining restaurant, run by a chef who previously headed up the kitchen of The Savoy.

Best Country House Hotels

Converted from a Georgian-built manor house, Coworth Park is a quintessentially English countryside retreat, now with a luxurious eco-spa, a choice of restaurants — one Michelin-starred — and bars, and excellent equestrian facilities. Part of the Dorchester Collection, you can expect five star luxury and service as standard. This is a beautifully decorated hotel and a dream for anyone of a horsey persuasion.
The Retreat at Elcot Park is the result of a re-imagining of a beautiful 18th century country house. Set on sixteen acres, the wonderfully revitalising landscape remains the same, as does some of the charmingly welcoming facade, and the offer of horse-drawn barge trips, but the interiors have been fancied up 21st century style, and feature House of Hackney, as well as William Morris wallpapers, copper roll-top baths, elegant antiques and contemporary colour combinations. The tennis courts are close by, there’s a pool and spa, a cinema room, and an excellent restaurant. The family suites have well designed bunk beds.

For a Rural Escape

The Vineyard at Stockcross is a five star country retreat with a 30,000 strong wine cellar, an excellent restaurant, an award-winning spa and 49 individually themed, spacious and elegant rooms and suites. If you, or your loved one needs a bit of pampering this is the place to come.
The Dundas Arms is a Grade II listed Georgian inn on the banks of the Kennet River in picturesque Kintbury, close to Newbury. The views from the eight classically country house bedrooms are peaceful and rural, but with luxurious bathrooms and wonderful feature wallpapers. Some of the rooms have private terraces. There’s a welcoming pub plus a more formal dining room.

Best Pubs-with-Rooms

Newbury’s The Crab and Boar is a historic pub in a beautiful rural setting overlooking the Newbury Downs. The historic bit is impressive: the pub traces its roots back to 1644, and famous former guests include Oliver Cromwell. It was refurbished in 2015, and now has a rustic inn/boutique hotel vibe — the perfect weekend bolthole. There are five suites, all with outdoor hot tubs, and nine rooms, richly furnished with deep baths. We particularly like the field-to-fork game in the 2 AA Rosette restaurant, and the retro novelties.
The Pheasant is a beautifully refurbished rural inn peacefully set overlooking the Berkshire Downs. Its 14 light-filled, smartly decorated rooms benefit from pale decor with pops of colour, sash windows, and elegant botanical prints. Downstairs in the pub and restaurant you can feast on exemplary fare after days spent taking long walks in the picturesque surrounding countryside.
The Bunk Inn is a stylish country pub in the pretty village of Curridge. As well as having a friendly bar, there's a lively restaurant converted from former stables — with a fantastic skylight, and great gastropub menu. The accommodation is in seven rooms, decorated in dark colours with rustic details for a sophisticated feel. Great value and ideally located for walkers.
The Carnarvon Arms is a colourful pub with rooms a stone's throw from Highclere Castle. Interiors are traditional in style yet with a very modern fresh feel, think jewel coloured velvet upholstery, bright woollen throws and interesting art work.

For Families

The Sir Christopher Wren is a large and grand hotel, right on the river Thames on a leafy Windsor stretch, just across the bridge from Eton. Its 133 rooms and suites offer plenty of useful family-friendly configurations, all decorated in a sophisticated palette of blues and greys, in classic hotel style. Downstairs in the communal areas the decor is much more ornate, with impressive art and antique collections romantically lit by chandeliers and many silk-shaded lamps.The restaurant is excellent, and spills outside onto a terrace and gardens when the weather allows for it.

For Foodies

Bray’s The Waterside Inn is the ultimate foodie venue. Until his death, Michel Roux, and son Alain ran the place and have three Michelin stars for their troubles. Now Alain Roux continues alone. There are 22 sumptuous suites and rooms — some of the larger ones arranged in cottages nearby — and a wonderful French breakfast served to your room on wicker trays.
Gilbey's in Windsor is a buzzing restaurant, complete with elegant studio apartment and king-sized room upstairs. The restaurant is undoubtedly one of the best in town with imaginative menus and an excellent wine list. The accommodation is traditionally stylish, with well chosen decor and all the mod cons.

For Walkers

The Bull Inn is a charming riverside pub-with-rooms in Sonning-on-Thames, near Reading. There are just seven rooms in three different sizes. All of them feel light, but cosy, with printed wallpapers, and furnishings that are a great mix of real antiques, and reproductions. The hearty restaurant fare adds to the charm, and to the pub’s popularity with walkers. Bring your dog and/or your kids.

For a Royal Visit

The Castle Hotel Windsor M Gallery is an elegant choice, just across the way from Windsor Castle. Interiors are classic in style with muted shades — except for the cheery dining room and restaurant. Included amongst the 108 rooms and suites are some great family options, and a couple of rooms allow pets.
Central Windsor’s Royal Adelaide is a Georgian era property with 43 rooms and suites, just few minutes' walk from the castle. This is the sort of hotel with a charming lounge and afternoon tea offering, while the Heritage Restaurant offers a more casual experience for breakfast and suppers. Family suites and pet-friendly options mean this is a hotel for everyone.

For Romantics

The Elephant at Pangbourne is a beautifully quirky hotel in a bustling village right beside the Thames. Loved by design aficionados, and anyone who appreciates unique accommodation, The Elephant has just 22 individually designed rooms and suites, featuring handcrafted Indian furniture. The restaurant has an excellent reputation, and you’re just a short drive from Windsor, and from the races at Ascot or Newbury.
The Eton Mess is a chic restaurant with rooms snuggled into an historic building in Windsor. There are just five rooms, all of them boldly decorated in confident colours, with statement art, and great objects and furniture. There’s also a small, and rather sexy, dining room and cocktail bar. Coffee machines, music docks, smart TVs and Prosecco on arrival make this an extra romantic choice.
The Roseate, Reading is an elegant, red-brick mansion in Forbury Gardens, close to a large park dating from the Victorian era. The facade is grand, with pillars and an enormous balcony and within there’s plenty of grandeur too: more pillars and marble, and open fireplaces. The 23 rooms and suites feel spacious, and are decorated with a confident eye for colour, bold fabrics and furnishings. Expect patterns and commissioned artwork throughout. The gourmet restaurant is memorable for all the right reasons.

For Great Value

The Market House is a chic, boutique style hotel in the centre of Reading, with a collection of 24 rooms and suites in a range of shapes and sizes that means you'll find some great value options, as well as fancier picks. Expect an eclectic collection of decorative choices, but plenty of colour, original art, and a good amount of wicker. Even the bathrooms have been creatively imagined. The Market House has a couple of bars, including one on the rooftop, and their sourdough pizzas are very good.
The Royal Oak is a quintessentially British Inn set in the quietly pretty village of Yattendon, surrounded by pretty countryside. Its ten rooms are light and airy, painted in white and creams set against the building’s original uneven beams. The pub serves an excellent array of local ales, and in the dining room you’ll be offered modern British fare.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

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Travel Information

International visitors could feasibly fly into any London Airport, though the closest to Berkshire is Heathrow. If you're heading from Heathrow to Reading then you can hop on the train which takes just over an hour. Those going to Windsor can take the First Bus 8 from the airport which takes under an hour and runs regularly from 6am to 10pm.
If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
Berkshire’s climate is mild, not far off that of London. If you’re planning to do a lot outdoors, the best time to visit Berkshire will be in the spring and summer months, from April until September. Spring flowers liven up Berkshire’s green countryside, or, if you prefer the changing colours of leaves, then autumn will offer you the same colourful cacophony. Like a lot of the UK, Berkshire gets rain indiscriminately, so there’s not really a season or month to avoid if you want to avoid the rain. It’s better just to pack your wet weather gear and cross your fingers!

Still not sure where to stay?

Refine your search by the kind of accommodation you’re looking for, and consider just the best Pubs-with-Rooms in Berkshire, Berkshire's most romantic hotels or Berkshire’s best country escapes
Refine your search by location to just the best places to stay in Windsor or Reading
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The best hotels in Berkshire

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Carnarvon Arms

Berkshire

Former coaching inn, turned colourful pub with rooms a stone's throw from Highclere Castle. Interiors are done in traditional style, but with a very modern feel. Think jewel coloured velvet upholstery, bright woollen throws and interesting art work. Children and dogs are welcome too.

Local exploring - A superb location on the Hampshire/Berkshire borders. Downtown Abbey fans will love its proximity to Highclere
Country Escape - Set amid charming countryside with plenty of walking and outdoor pursuits in the surrounding area
Sights nearby - Highclere Castle, Newbury showground, Bombay Sapphire distillery — all this and much more very close by
Restaurant - Serves seasonal British cuisine alongside pub classics

from AU$193 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

Berkshire

About Berkshire

Some of our Berkshire Collections:

The Best Places to Stay in Berkshire

For a Special Occasion

Best Country House Hotels

For a Rural Escape

Best Pubs-with-Rooms

For Families

For Foodies

For Walkers

For a Royal Visit

For Romantics

For Great Value

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

Travel Information

Still not sure where to stay?

Weather

Monthly Weather in Berkshire

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The best hotels in Berkshire