Each British county has its own charms, but only one wears a crown. The Royal County of Berkshire, so titled since 1957, is home to the Queen’s favourite castle – and, for many, that’s enough of a reason to visit. But beyond Windsor’s fine pomp and pageantry, you’ll find a region full of surprises: riverside theatres, abundant museums, and villages with more Michelin stars than most cities. It’s also home to the loveliest stretch of the Thames (according to us locals, at least), and a trove of fabulous hotels. From dinky townhouses to entire private islands, here’s where to rest your head in style.
The best hotels in Berkshire are:
Drink the afternoon away at The Vineyard
(The Vineyard)
Neighbourhood: Newbury
There are 30,000 bottles of wine in this hotel’s cellar. Do you really need another reason to visit? Yes, the décor is lavish and art-filled, and there’s a huge pool overlooking the gardens, but you’re really here for the inch-thick wine list – and it doesn’t disappoint. Many bottles are under £30, and the sommeliers are savvy yet un-snooty: describe your taste, and they’ll dig out something spot-on. Maybe you’ll sip a zesty Japanese Koshu over lunch, a voluptuous Argentinian Malbec with dinner, or get elegantly sozzled on tastings? Ask nicely, and they might even let you look in the cellar…
Price: Doubles from £225, room only
This grand hotel will make you feel like a queen
(River Arts Club)
Neighbourhood: Maidenhead
From the outside, this Thames-side Victorian mansion looks grand and traditional – but all is not as it seems. Inside, it’s a dazzling combo of original features and decade-hopping accessories, from antique Chinese furniture to modernist sculptures and bright Designer’s Guild wallpaper. Despite its bombastic looks, the atmosphere is refreshingly low-key – with just 13 rooms, an honesty bar, and plenty of nooks to curl up with a book. There’s no restaurant, but nearby options sport a constellation of Michelin stars: among them, Michel Roux’s Waterside Inn, and Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck.
Price: Doubles from £175, B&B
The perfect spot to tuck into afternoon tea
(SungChauPhotography)
Neighbourhood: Reading
It’s hard to believe that this glorious red-brick manor started life as a council building. Built in 1911, it’s all elegant cornices, lofty ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows – a delight to work in, no doubt, but even better for play. Skip the minimalist ‘House’…
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