Berkshire
The County
Looking for a property search recommendation in the tranquil, affluent home county of Royal Berkshire? As our Recoco buying agent can confirm, you’ll be spoiled for choice. This south eastern county borders Buckinghamshire, Greater London, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and Wiltshire.
Most of the population lives in the centre and east, as buyers agents can attest. Here, your property buying agent may suggest Woodley, Wokingham, Earley, Windsor, Sandhurst, Maidenhead, and Crowthorne.
If you advise your property search company to seek out rural retreats, they may suggest more rural, sparsely populated West Berkshire; buyers agents can conduct a property search of the largest towns: Newbury, Thatcham, and Hungerford.
If you’re a property buyer who needs to access the information technology and mobile communications industry, ask your real estate buyers agent about the many cutting edge companies near Bracknell and Reading. For other industries, ask your property search company: our independent buying agents may mention energy and construction, hunting and forestry, and financial services.
History
The county is known for royal connections through the centuries; when Alfred (later known as King Alfred the Great) was born in Wantage, it was still part of Berkshire. After William the Conqueror arrived in England in 1066, he was responsible for the building of Windsor Castle.
The Wars of the Roses left their mark on the county, as did the English Civil War, while the man widely regarded as the founder of modern agriculture, Jethro Tull, spent his final days here.
In 1867, Reading became the county town; prior to this the title had been shared with Abingdon. In recent years part of the county has also become known for mobile communications and ICT.
Transport
Your property buying agent can show no part of the county is further than 8.5 miles away from the main M4 motorway. Our independent buying agents can also confirm the proximity of Heathrow airport has contributed to the county’s prosperity. And Reading is known as a major hub on the rail network.
Education
Buyers agents can help you compare local universities, including Reading and campuses of the University of West London and Imperial College. Your real estate buyers agent may also mention Henley Business School and Chartered Institute of Marketing are located in the county.
And if you’re a property buyer needing to weigh up educational options for younger family members, our Recoco buying agent will be delighted to outline options like Eton College, Ludgrove School, and Wellington College. Grammar schools include Herschel, Kendrick, and Reading.
Leisure and Events
Need a break from your property search? Our independent buying agents may mention
Basilton Park, Berkshire Downs, and abbeys like Bisham and Reading. Or our boutique buying agents might suggest Donnington Castle, Frogmore House, the Living Rainforest, and Legoland Windsor. For culture, your property buying agent can point you towards Museum of English Rural Life Museum, Museum of Reading, and Slough Museum.
Love walking? Your real estate buyers agent may mention North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or attractive River Thames or Ridgeway options.
Property buyer who enjoys horse racing? Our Recoco buying agent may mention the many horse races hosted in Berkshire. Ascot and Newbury are well-known centres, while Royal Windsor hosts thoroughbred horse racing and Lambourn Down is known for its first rate training facilities.
Football fans will enjoy following the fortunes of Reading FC. Amateur clubs can be found in Ascot, Aldermaston, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Thatcham, Sandhurst, Wokingham & Emmbrook, Windsor, and Reading. Or ask our boutique buying agents about other sporting options, like hockey, ice hockey, and rugby.
Celebrity Connections
Famous names linked to Berkshire include actors Ricky Gervais, Kenneth Branagh, Lenny Henry, Kat Winslet, Emilia Clarke, and Natalie Dormer; Paddington Bear creator Michael Bond, journalist and storyteller Charlie Brooker, Oscar Wilde, and Jane Austen, singer Will Young and racing superstar Ayrton Senna. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge also hails from this part of the world.
Our boutique buying agents can confirm the county also regularly appears on screen, with Windsor Castle often used as a backdrop for films and TV programmes. And the typical industrial estates of Slough were immortalised in the TV series The Office.
Foodies’ Corner
The area is especially well-known for cheeses: Red Windsor, Wigmore, Waterloo, Spenwood, Barkham Blue, Barkham Chase, and Loddon Blewe. Agriculture is important to the area, and wheat, barley, and other cereals grow well here. And no mention of Berkshire food and drink would be complete without a nod to Eton Mess and Windsor pudding.
Fun Fact
Seeking Downton Abbey? Highclere Castle provides the backdrop for many scenes in the popular series.