Things to do in Berkshire

The ancient houses of Blenheim Palace, Ashdown House and Highclere Castle represent some of the best things to do in Berkshire, boasting a wealth of history, expansive gardens, and of course now popular as the home of Downton Abbey too. With acres of open space to explore and a millennia of human activity to discover, these houses are perfect for a day out whatever the weather.

Ashdown House

27-min drive from Littlecote House, RG17 8RE

Opening times restricted during Winter – please see here for details.

A 17th century Dutch-style house on the edge of Oxfordshire (it was officially ‘moved’ from Berkshire in 1974), much of the house is off-limits due to its tenant (Pete Towshend of ‘The Who’ fame) but the gardens and nearby Ashdown Woods provide walking routes with panoramic views of the countryside.

Highclere Castle

30-min drive from Littlecote House, RG20 9RN

Opening times restricted during Winter – please see here for details.

Also known as Downton Abbey, the Highclere Castle estate dates back to 749AD, with the present-day Castle completed in 1842. Set within 1,000 acres of parkland and surrounded by six individual gardens, you could walk all day here.

Blenheim Palace and Garden in Berkshire.

Blenheim Palace and Gardens

55-min drive from Littlecote House, OX20 1UL

Built in the early 1700s during the short-lived English Baroque architectural period, Blenheim Palace’s extensive grounds include the Formal Gardens with their majestic water terraces, private Italian garden, rose garden and more, as well as the beautiful lake and famous Grand Bridge.