Introduction

A large town in the English county of Berkshire, Bracknell is located in the middle of the Thames Valley region, handily placed within easy reach of London to the east and Reading to the west. Designated as a ‘New Town’ in 1949, it has undergone extensive development but is in the middle of a makeover to make it seem like a friendlier place to visit. Bracknell is seen as a major destination for people to do business, as many hi-tech companies are based in the town. However, it also has its fair share of historical sites and a small but growing number of cultural venues. Meanwhile, the town’s centre has plenty of good places to go shopping while the whole of Royal Berkshire is there to explore.

Ideal car

Important things to note

Highlights & Hotspots

South Hill Park, a mansion built back in 1760, is now the town’s main arts centre. It regularly hosts live music events as well as plays and art exhibitions. There are events on at the mansion throughout the year, so it might be worth visiting to see what’s on.
The John Nike Leisuresport Complex in the nearby village of Binfield has a dry ski slope and ice rink. This is the best place in the area to try and get some exercise, especially in winter when visitor numbers typically go through the roof.
At the complex, the town’s ice hockey club, Bracknell Bees, play on the ice rink. They currently play in the second tier of British ice hockey, but are among the better teams in their league, playing a high-octane style of hockey.
Just a few miles east of Bracknell, Ascot Racecourse is one of the most famous horseracing venues in the country. Every year, it’s worth going to the Royal Ascot festival, one of the highlights of the sport’s calendar, where you might see royalty in among the punters!