Coast’s Choice: Berkshire

Coast Choice has reached the beautiful county of Berkshire, home to British landmarks including Eton College, Ascot racecourse and Windsor Castle. This royal county has also produced many famous faces including Ricky Gervais, Ranulph Fiennes, Kate Winslet and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

In addition to the three places mentioned above, here are some recommended tourists hot spots to visit if you’re visiting Berkshire in the near future:

Ashdown House

This unusual Dutch-style house was consecrated to Charles I’s sister, Elizabeth of Bohemia, by Earl William Craven and is situated in the picturesque Ashdown Woods. Today the property belongs to the National Trust and visitors can enjoy tours of its grand interior, learning about its hunting lodge origins and subsequent guises as a Victorian family home and World War II training centre.

The 17th century oak and elm staircase, an example of master craftsmanship, is lined by many historic portraits, while the cupola at the top of the building offers stunning views over the gardens.

Ashdown House is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays with guided tours taking place at set times during the afternoon. Woodland Walks are available in the grounds every day except Friday. Entry costs £3.00 for adults and £1.50 for children. Click here for more information.

Nearest caravan site: 9 miles

Legoland Windsor

Nearly every person remembers playing with Lego as a child, which makes Legoland a perfect day out for both children and the young at heart!

Popular activities including Miniland, a village constructed by almost 40 million lego pieces, the chance to drive a toy car, learn swashbuckling skills at pirate training camp, conquer the Nordic maze, watch an incredible 4D show or take on one of the many high octane rides designed for young and older children. 

Tickets for Legoland Windsor, which is open daily from March until November, cost from £33.15 for adults when booked in advance and £26.40 for children. More information is available through the official website.

Nearest caravan site: 3.4 miles

The Living Rainforest

West Berkshire’s Living Rainforest is a great way to get up close to exotic plants and animals, as over 600 species live in this specially constructed habitat.

In addition to offering a fun day out, the Living Rainforest is an important educational tool on concepts such as biodiversity and climate stabilities. Among the animals that live on site are crocodiles, monkeys, turtles and African birds, while plant life includes everything from the striking Angel’s Trumpet flower to a crop of bananas!

The Living Rainforest is open daily from 10.00am – 5.00pm. Admission costs £9.95 for adults and £7.95 for children, click here to find out more.

Nearest caravan site: 6.4 miles

Sandham Memorial Chapel

Built in the 1920s, the red brick Sandham Memorial Chapel is an art gallery dedicated to the paintings of Stanley Spencer. Spencer’s work often depicts Biblical scenes taking place in the village of Cookham, where he was born, however the work housed in the chapel is an ambitious series of 19 paintings inspired by his experiences in World War I.

The cycle of war paintings took Spencer five years to complete and recorded many of his experiences during the fighting. It has been claimed his greatest achievement by many art critics and has been compared to Giotto’s Arena Chapel in Padua.
Another National Trust property, entry to Sandham Memorial Chapel costs £5.00 for adults and £2.50 for children. It is open to the public on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.  Visit the official website for further details.  

Nearest caravan site: 1.5 miles

Watermill Theatre

For a dose of culture, the Watermill Theatre features a bustling programme of artistic performances for Berkshire visitors to enjoy.

The family-run venue is a converted Watermill and it’s productions have been recognised for their quality throughout the UK and beyond. Many plays have visited the theatre during international tours and there have also been several West End transfers at the theatre.

Among the highlights in 2012 are performances of Ben Hur, Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Othello, Thoroughly Modern Millie and the Watermill Book Club including a talk from Classic FM presenter John Suchet.

For more information on the Watermill Theatre, visit the official website

Nearest caravan site: 3.9 miles

If you’re thinking of taking your motorhome or caravan away this year, please ensure you have an up-to-date caravan insurance or motorhome insurance policy before you set off. For a competitive quotation on your touring caravan insurance or campervan insurance, call Coast on Freephone 0800 614 849.