Looking for outdoor places in Berkshire to visit with kids? The royal county of Berkshire in South-East England has an abundance of country parks and natural outdoor spaces, which your family will love.
Read on for some great family days out in Berkshire and best things to do outdoors with kids.
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Windsor Great Park
One of the most impressive outdoor places in Berkshire is Windsor Great Park. Found just south of Windsor, this splendid park was formerly the private hunting ground of the royals at Windsor Castle.
Nowadays, Windsor Park is open to the public and has 4800 acres of ancient forest and parkland to explore.
If you’re feeling energetic, you could hike the Long Walk from Copper Horse Statue up to Windsor Castle, weekend home to the Queen. The walk passes through the Deer Park, so keep an eye out for the free-roaming deer.
Alternatively you could head into the beautiful Valley Gardens, where you’ll find a display of stunning plants and flowers all year long. On the Surrey side of Windsor Park, you’ll find the picturesque Virginia Water Lake, which is perfect for a family walk. You’ll see lots of things on the way, including a totem pole, a waterfall and some Roman ruins.
There’s plenty of open space for kids to run round and have fun at Windsor Park. What’s even better is that Windsor Great Park is one of the best free things to do in Berkshire with kids.
Wellington Country Park
A visit to Wellington Country Park in Rieseling (near Reading) is the perfect day out in Berkshire with kids. Set around a scenic lake, the park is an absolute paradise for little children, as there are so many different play areas and activities on offer. What child could resist the temptation of the giant slides, jumping pillows, wooden pirate ship and sandpits with diggers?
Alternatively, train fans will love a ride on the miniature railway which goes round the park. Wellington Country Park is even good on a rainy day in Berkshire, as there is an indoor soft play for younger kids.
If one day isn’t enough to fit everything in, book a stay at the Wellington Country Park campsite. As well as a night’s camping, you will get after-hours access to the park. It’s a great way to avoid the crowds!
Dinton Pastures Country Park
Dinton Pastures Country Park is one of the best days out in Berkshire for kids. The country park is between Wokingham and Reading in the village of Hurst.
One of the highlights for kids is the fantastic adventure playground. The park has a great choice of wooden play equipment. For younger children, you’ll find swings, slides, and a sand pit. If you are visiting with older children, they will love the monkey bars and climbing logs. Plus, everyone will enjoy the zip wires and giant nest towers.
Dinton Pastures is in 335 acres of countryside and has 7 lakes. We always enjoy a walk round the lake as there’s so many different birds to see. There are even some bird hides if you want a good look.
On the opposite side of the lake, you’ll find Dinton Activity Centre. From here you can hire out water equipment, such as kayaks, paddleboards and pedalos.
If you’re looking for something to eat, head for the Dragonfly café, which has an outside eating area. There’s also a mobile snack bar and plenty of picnic benches.
Another of the fun attractions at Dinton Pastures is the mini golf. It’s very family-friendly with models of woodland animals, trains and alligators on the course.
Admission to Dinton Pastures Country Park is free, but parking charges do apply.
You currently have to book a one hour slot to play in the adventure playground.
Legoland Windsor
With over 55 rides and attractions, LEGOLAND® is the biggest theme park in Berkshire and makes a perfect day out for thrill-seeking families.
The LEGOLAND® resort is ideal for families with children between the ages of 2 and 12, with plenty of fun and action for everyone.
Whether you are earning your first driving licence, riding a Dragon through a medieval castle of testing your Ninja skills, LEGOLAND® has something for the whole family.
Once you have had your fill of rides, take a visit Miniland, a whole world made from 40 million Lego bricks.
As well as rides, you can enjoy live shows in Skeleton Bay, where kids will love the pirates and their amazing acrobatics.
Click here for LEGOLAND® tickets.
California Country Park
California Country Park has always been a great place for kids to run around and enjoy time outdoors. However, the council have just opened a brand new adventure playground, which is totally fantastic.
The new play area is divided into two zones, the Sensory Garden and the Wild Wood. If you are visiting with younger children, head to the Sensory Garden. Here you’ll find a range of imaginative water play equipment, as well as a wooden boat and enormous chimes. Toddlers will love the water area, so remember to take wellies!
Older children should head to the Wild Wood, where there’s all sorts of climbing equipment, monkey bars a zip wire. The equipment is very natural to blend with the environment and is also very inclusive.
Alternatively, you can follow the family friendly trail around Longmore Lake. You’ll see lots of different ducks, geese and waterfowl and a feeding platform.
Other facilities at California Country Park include Jacksons Café and outside picnic tables. In the summer there’s a large paddling pool for kids to enjoy.
California Country Park is on the Nine Mile Road in Finchampstead. The postcode is RG40 4HU. Admission is free, but parking charges apply.
Beale Park
Now, if it’s animals you want to see, one of the best outdoor places in Berkshire is Beale Park. Located on the outskirts of Pangbourne, this fabulous wildlife park has a collection of farm animals, small exotic animals, and birds.
Once you have visited the animals, head for the play areas. Children can enjoy indoor and outdoor spaces and on a warm day will love the splash zone. And, don’t forget to take advantage of your free ticket for the train which runs round the grounds. This will provide the perfect opportunity to sit back and enjoy the landscaped gardens and trees.
The Look Out Discovery Centre in Swinley Forest
Our favourite outdoor place in Berkshire is the Look Out Discovery Centre. Located in Swinley Forest on the outskirts of Bracknell, this is a great place for an outdoor adventure with kids.
As well as the fantastic natural playground, you can explore the beautiful Swinley Forest. The Look Out has walking and bike trails, or you can take to the canopy for some Go Ape fun.
If you have little children, they can head inside to the Look Out Discovery Centre, where kids can have hands-on fun at this interactive science and technology experience.
Cliveden House
Cliveden House is a magnificent National Trust property on the Berkshire borders near Maidenhead. Its 376 acres of grounds make an ideal place for some outdoor family fun.
Cliveden House has a fantastic play trail in the woods and there’s plenty of places to stop and build dens. But, one of the best bits for kids is the giant maze, built from over 1000 yew trees.
Liquid Leisure Waterpark
One of the children’s favourite days out in Berkshire is Liquid Leisure in Windsor. Liquid Leisure is Europe’s largest water park and is one of the best things to do in Berkshire if you like getting wet.
There is a choice of a giant inflatable obstacle course on the water or Aqua Jungle, an assault course. Either way, children (and adults) will have loads of fun. Alternatively, you can challenge your friends to a Ninja Warrior style competition across an inflatable race course.
Four Kingdoms Adventure & Farm Park
Another of the best outdoor places in Berkshire for toddlers and younger kids is the Four Kingdoms Adventure & Farm Park, in Newbury.
Children can get up close and personal with animals in the petting barn and even get to feed them.
Outside there is a wide choice of play areas, including crazy golf, lazer tag, bounce pillows and go karts. One of the best parts is that all of the attractions are included in the ticket price, so there won’t be any hidden extras to pay.
Pin for later: 10 best outdoor places in Berkshire to visit with kids
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