West of London is the Royal County of Berkshire, home to many great stately homes and historic buildings, and the most famous being Windsor Castle. Just a short distance from London it is easy to visit many of Berkshire’s grand mansions and gardens on a day trip when staying in the City on holiday.
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Highclere Castle – One of England’s most beautiful Victorian Castlesset in a 2000-hectare estate set in the spectacular countryside near to Newbury. The Castle has been the home to the Carnarvon family since 1679 and it still the home of the present Earl of Carnarvon.Highclere Castle is ‘The Real Downton Abbey’ in the British television series and is open to the public at various times throughout the year, tickets can be purchased on line. As well as exploring the grand State Rooms, the Gardens and woodlands there is the Egyptian Exhibition; 100 years ago, it was the 5th Earl of Carnarvon who famously discovered the Tomb of the Egyptian Boy Paraoh – Tutankhamun with his archaeological colleague, Howard Carter. In the cellars of the Castle is the Antiquities Room where you learn the history and see the artefacts from this discovery.
Windsor Castle – No visit to London would be complete with out a trip to Windsor Castle, the family home to British Kings and Queens for over 1000 years. The Castle is huge, covering 5 hectares it is the largest and oldest occupied castle in world and it is where the Queen spends most of her private weekends. You can tell if she is in residence because if the flag flying from the Castle’s Round Tower is the Royal Standard then the Queen is there.
The Castle which is situated in the middle of the town, is open all year to visitors, there is so much to see that you should allow about 3 hours to see all of it. Before you tour the Castle with its wonderful furnishings, exquisite décor and rare collection of paintings you can take a free 30-minute tour of the Castle Precinct – the outside areas of the Castle. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at around 11.00am is the Changing of the Guard, this colourful spectacle of British pageantry also has a military purpose, the new group of guards march through Windsor town before the duties are handed over.
Basildon Park – Set in 162 hectares of historic parkland and gardens this 18th C mansion in Lower Basildon near Reading was bought by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the 1950s and they then spent nearly 50 years renovating and returning the house to it former glory. The wooded parkland and gardens have been revived including adding new editions such as Lady Iliffe’s Rose garden. The House and Estate are now owned by the National Trust and are open all year, dogs are allowed in the grounds on leads.
Mapledurham House – A 12th C country house in the quintessentially English village of Mapledurhamby the River Thames. The House and village are often used as a film or television location, including Inspector Barnaby and Agatha Christie. During 2018 the House will not be open to visitors due to renovation work, but the Watermill, which is the only mill on the River Thames still working will be open to the public, as are the Tea Rooms and the rest of the Estate.
Dorney Court – Near Windsor it is regarded as one of England’s finest Tudor Manor Houses and has been lived in by the Palmer family for over 500 years. Standing in landscaped gardens which overlooks parkland, Dorney Court is a rural oasis next to the River Thames just a short distance from London. The House is open to the public on Bank Holidays in May and during the month of August, there are also pre booked tours available for groups throughout the year, with refreshments served in the Great Hall.
