7 fun family days out in Berkshire

Holidays are a perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with your family. Although Berkshire may not be the first place you think of for a camping holiday, the county has plenty of fun and interesting things to do for adults and kids alike. Read on for some great family days out in Berkshire.

1. Legoland

Legoland is an excellent day providing fun for the whole family. There is so much to see and do with loads of incredible Lego models to see including Big Ben and the London Eye, over 55 fantastic rides suitable for the little ones and older children, a Lego driving school, water playground and so much more! Open most days of the year, the ticket price for a family of 4 is £118.44 but only if you book online early. There are a number of great shows to see too including the ‘Pirates of Skeleton Bay Stunt Show’ where you will see talented stuntman leap from great heights into water. You’ll be left on the edge of your seat! There are excellent facilities on site including shops like the Star Wars souvenir shop and Atlantis Sub Store, as well as a wide variety of places to eat.

2. Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle (pictured above) is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world! It’s a spectacular sight with lots to see here, including tours of the state rooms and apartments, Queen Mary’s doll’s house, St George’s Chapel and the Great Kitchen. There’s a free audio tour where you are introduced to magical characters that live at the castle, making it great for kids. Children can also take part in a treasure hunt while adults discover the history of the castle. Don’t miss the Changing of the Guard ceremony at 11am. Open all year except Christmas, a family ticket costs around £46. If you enjoy castles and you have the time, visit Highclere Castle in Newbury for a look around the setting of the popular Downton Abbey TV show!

You can discover campsites in Windsor here.

3. The Living Rainforest

Located in Hampstead Norreys just 1 hour from London, the Living Rainforest is a hidden treasure and a must-visit for your family. Here, you can see over 700 different species of plants and animals including giant water lilies, Dwarf crocodiles, monkeys, birds, lizards and a variety of colourful butterflies. You can even catch a glimpse of the deadly bird-eating spider and a huge python! The rainforest is very kid-friendly with a great children’s play area. There’s also a café selling excellent food and drinks, a gift shop and an oustide seating area for when the weather’s nice as well as ample parking. This is a unique and educational experience that only costs £31.75 for a family ticket. Don’t forget to take your camera!

4. Coral Reef

Coral Reef in Bracknell is a great place to cool off on a hot summer’s day. The centre has a huge area with water slides, an adventure pool, lazy rivers, jets, water sprays and water cannons as well as jacuzzis, a sauna and a gym. The kids will have a great time while mum and dad keep watch in the overlooking café which serves good food at reasonable prices. The changing rooms are clean and large with plenty of cubicles and lockers. Parking is free here. We would advise you to visit outside of the school holidays to avoid long queues to get in. Entry for a family of 4 is around £22.

5. Reading Museum

Reading Museum is located across 2 different sites, the Town Hall and the Riverside Museum at Blake’s Lock. The Town Hall museum is inside a stunning Victorian Gothic building. You can see 11 galleries displaying various interesting objects such as Greek pottery, tapestries, paintings, Roman coins and archaeological finds as well as information on local history. There are a number of family activities held throughout the year, such as the Victorian Schoolroom Experience, spooky late night tours of the museum and Jurassic Insects in Amber, which is especially great for kids! There’s a café and good facilities on site. Plus, admission is free.

6. Bracknell Ice Rink and Ski Slope

Bracknell is home to a huge dry ski slope ideal for ski fanatics or adventurous beginners! Adults and teens can choose to have some skiing lessons if it’s their first time or use the slopes for a little fun and practise. Skiing lessons for kids aged 4 to 7 are also available. If you don’t fancy a lesson, then an alternative activity is Sno-tubing! Just climb your way to the top of the slope, sit yourself in your tube and enjoy the thrilling ride back down to the bottom! Absolutely no skill is required and it is suitable for kids 6 years old and over. Be sure to stop by the Olympic-sized ice rink. For children under 8, you can hire a ‘penguin skate’ which helps the little ones stay upright on the ice while they find their feet. There are also ice-skating discos held on various nights of the week! Prices vary depending on activity so check the rink’s website before you visit.

7. Birdworld

Not too far from Farnham in Surrey is Birdworld, a 26 acre park home to hundreds of different birds including owls, herons, flamingos, parrots, pelicans and penguins! Make sure you stop to see the penguins being fed twice a day and the bird flying display where you can catch a number of exotic birds swooping overhead! At Christmas, the park turns into a winter wonderland where kids can meet Santa’s reindeer and elves before receiving a present from Santa himself, all while the adults enjoy a mince pie! The site also includes Jenny Wren Farm where the little ones can meet the baby animals. A family ticket is around £50 in high season and the park is open daily from 10am to 4pm.

Berkshire is a great county to explore with loads to do! In addition to these seven attractions, you can also check out Bucklebury Farm Park and Go Ape! Bracknell. There are many campsites and caravans nearby so make Berkshire your top destination for family fun!