Best Landmarks in Berkshire

12 landmarks

1. 
   01
   Castle4.6★5,425 reviews

   Highclere Castle

   Highclere Castle is the iconic real-life setting of the television series Downton Abbey, nestled in the rolling Hampshire countryside near Newbury. This magnificent Victorian mansion, transformed in 1842, features 250–300 rooms and sits within arcadian parkland designed by Capability Brown. Visitors can explore the grand State Rooms, including the Library and Main Hall, discover the fascinating Egyptian Exhibition in the castle cellars, and wander through beautifully landscaped gardens. Open on limited dates throughout the year, Highclere offers guided tours, afternoon tea experiences, and special seasonal events that celebrate both its cinematic fame and its rich 1000-year history as the ancestral home of the Earls of Carnarvon.

   Fri–Sat 17:00–20:00 · Sun 9:00–14:00Price level $$Time to spend 2.5–4 hrs

   40 min drive · 20 km·Highclere Park, Highclere, Newbury RG20 9RN

   Show on map Highclere Castle
2. 
   02
   Park and Garden4.8★2,888 reviews

   The Long Walk

   The Long Walk is a magnificent tree-lined avenue stretching 2.65 miles through Windsor Great Park, connecting Windsor town centre directly to Windsor Castle. This iconic route winds through ancient forests, open grasslands, and the historic Deer Park, offering spectacular views of the castle and the surrounding royal landscape. Free to access and open daily from dawn to dusk, it's one of England's most celebrated ceremonial pathways and a perfect blend of natural beauty and royal heritage.

   Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.8–3 hrs

   81 min drive · 40 km·The Long Walk Rd, Windsor SL4 2JG

   Show on map The Long Walk
3. 
   03
   Historical landmark4.5★1,593 reviews

   King Alfred the Great Statue

   The King Alfred the Great Statue in Winchester is a commanding bronze monument erected in 1901 to commemorate the millennium of the Saxon king’s death. Standing 4.5 meters tall on Cornish granite bases, it symbolizes Alfred’s legacy as a warrior, Christian leader, and unifier of England. Despite an upside-down central base, the statue remains a striking historical landmark in the heart of Winchester’s Broadway.

   Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs

   92 min drive · 46 km·65 The Broadway, Winchester SO23 9BE

   Show on map King Alfred the Great Statue
4. 
   04
   Historical landmark4.6★1,442 reviews

   Reading Abbey Ruins

   Discover the evocative remains of Reading Abbey, founded in 1121 by King Henry I and once one of Europe’s largest royal monasteries. The ruins, including the south transept, chapter house, dormitory, and refectory, offer a glimpse into nearly 900 years of history. Nestled beside the Victorian Forbury Gardens in central Reading, the site is a Grade I listed Scheduled Ancient Monument, open daily from dawn to dusk with free admission. Informative panels and nearby museums enrich your visit with stories of medieval monks, royal connections, and literary heritage.

   Daily 8:00–18:00Time to spend 1–2 hrs

   31 min drive · 15 km·Abbot's Walk, Reading RG1 3HW

   Show on map Reading Abbey Ruins
5. 
   05
   Historical landmark4.5★868 reviews

   Magna Carta

   The Magna Carta site at Runnymede near Windsor is where King John sealed the historic Great Charter in 1215, a foundational document for modern democracy and legal rights. This serene riverside meadow symbolizes the rule of law, individual freedoms, and the origins of constitutional governance, attracting visitors eager to connect with centuries of political heritage and legal reform.

   Open 24 hoursPrice level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs

   86 min drive · 43 km·Windsor Rd, Old Windsor, Englefield Green, Windsor TW20 0YU

   Show on map Magna Carta
6. 
   06
   Historical landmark4.5★255 reviews

   Maiwand Lion

   The Maiwand Lion is a striking 31-foot cast iron sculpture in Reading’s Forbury Gardens, commemorating the bravery of the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment who fought in the 1880 Battle of Maiwand during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. Sculpted by George Blackall Simonds and unveiled in 1886, this iconic monument symbolizes local valor and is deeply embedded in Reading’s cultural identity.

   Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs

   30 min drive · 15 km·26 The Forbury, Reading RG1 3EJ

   Show on map Maiwand Lion
7. 
   07
   Bridge4.6★191 reviews

   Sonning Bridge

   Sonning Bridge is a charming 18th-century brick arch road bridge spanning the River Thames, linking Sonning in Berkshire with Sonning Eye in Oxfordshire. Completed in 1775, this Grade II listed structure is notable for its historic architecture, scenic riverside setting, and role as the only road bridge between Henley-on-Thames and Reading. It is flanked by picturesque villages, historic buildings, and popular riverside amenities.

   Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–2 hrs

   38 min drive · 19 km·B478, Sonning, Reading RG4 6UT

   Show on map Sonning Bridge
8. 
   08
   Historical landmark4.6★157 reviews

   Maidenhead Railway Bridge

   The Maidenhead Railway Bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and completed in 1838, is a historic railway viaduct spanning the River Thames near Maidenhead. Renowned for its two wide, flat brick arches—the flattest and widest of their kind—it carries the Great Western Main Line and stands as a testament to Victorian engineering innovation. This Grade I listed landmark combines elegant classical design with groundbreaking structural techniques, remaining in active use and admired for its architectural and historical significance.

   Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs

   68 min drive · 34 km·River Rd, Maidenhead SL6 0BB

   Show on map Maidenhead Railway Bridge
9. 
   09
   Historical landmark4.5★78 reviews

   Liddington Hillfort

   Liddington Hillfort, also known as Liddington Castle, is an ancient Iron Age hillfort perched at 275 meters above sea level near Swindon. Dating back to around 700 BC, it offers panoramic views over the Wiltshire countryside and Swindon town. The site features earthwork ramparts, a historic star-shaped WWII decoy bunker nearby, and a tranquil atmosphere ideal for contemplation and exploration of layered historical landscapes.

   Time to spend 1–2 hrs

   72 min drive · 36 km·Liddington, Swindon SN4 0HJ

   Show on map Liddington Hillfort
10. 
    10
    Historical landmark4.5★76 reviews

    Lord Wantage Monument

    The Lord Wantage Monument is a historic landmark perched on the Ridgeway near Wantage, Oxfordshire. Erected by Lady Wantage in memory of Robert Loyd-Lindsay, 1st Baron Wantage, this striking monument stands atop a Bronze Age barrow, blending ancient heritage with Victorian commemoration. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and serves as a poignant tribute to a notable British figure.

    Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs

    35 min drive · 17 km·The Ridgeway, Wantage OX12 8PA

    Show on map Lord Wantage Monument