Berkshire: Getting to know your new County

As one of the UK’s home counties, Berkshire is a great place to live. Berkshire has a pretty impressive history and reputation. Home to Windsor Castle, the county has a cemented relationship with royalty. And the county town, Reading, is highly popular with commuters.

Berkshire is nestled into the south east of England, within close proximity of London. The population of 905,000 is dispersed between cosmopolitan cities and smaller towns and villages. And thanks to its southern position, the county benefits from more sunshine on average than the rest of the UK.

If you’re considering a move to Berkshire, our local experts can help with everything from choosing the right area for you, to finding you a new gym. At Santa Fe, we make moving home easy for you.

 

Berkshire’s history

The county has plenty of history to discover, including a large number of stately homes and castles. However, the most popular aspects of the county’s history tend to be based in its close ties with the British royal family. The Queen honoured the county in 1957, recognising it as the Royal County of Berkshire because of Windsor Castle and the royal’s close links to the county.

Windsor castle remains one of the royal family’s main residences, where many royal events, weddings and parties are held. The Long Walk up to the castle gates, through Windsor Great Park is infamous.

 

Berkshire: culture of a royal county

Berkshire is a lush, green county. With a wealth of parks, woodlands and green spaces, the county offers all the benefits of outdoor living. This also means that there is an abundance of nature. There’s ample opportunity to spot red kites, and deer whilst exploring.

The county also has an excellent gastronomic culture, with a variety of restaurants and eateries. There’s a selection of Michelin starred and highly regarded restaurants to try. Our favourites are Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck, Daniel Galmiche’s The Vineyard, and Michel Roux’s The Waterside Inn.

For sporting fans, the county also boasts Reading FC, the only professional football club in Berkshire.

 

Things to do in Berkshire

We know and love Berkshire. Our local knowledge and experiences make it easier for us to help you settle into your new location.

Here’s Santa Fe’s top 5 things to do in Berkshire:
• Take a visit to Highclere Castle near Newbury – the stately manner is the setting of the beloved and world famous BBC series Downton Abbey.
• A fun trip for all the family, Legoland in Windsor is a must see.
• Reading Festival is a highlight on the Berkshire calendar. This is a fun packed and lively music festival showcasing international talent.
• Take a flutter on the horses at the famous Ascot racecourse, or pop to Newbury racecourse for one of their many great race days.
• Take a leisurely walk along the Windsor Long Mile, then relax and enjoy a leisurely lunch in one of the traditional pubs.

For personalised ideas of things to do, our settling in service is next to none. We can even help you find a gym, your new hairdressers or your new favourite restaurant as part of our moving service.

 

Where to live in Berkshire

Berkshire is a very popular relocation county for people looking to move out of London, as well as young professionals. This is down to proximity to London, as well as the vast variety of new places to explore. Often, people are drawn to Berkshire for a change of pace, with great amenities close by. City dwellers are attracted to Berkshire by the slower pace of life and abundant green space. West Berkshire is the least populated part of the county, where the biggest towns are Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford.

Our favourite places to move to in Berkshire are:

• Wokingham – it has good schools and quick transport links to Reading.
• Windsor – impressive history, Windsor Castle and excellent schools.
• Reading – exceptional transport links mean you can get to Paddington in 30 minutes .
• Bracknell – a very popular commuter town.
• Newbury – one of Berkshire’s most popular relocation towns, 1 hour to Paddington via direct rail, and a great family location.

If you are struggling to decide where in Berkshire would suit you best, our area orientation service could help. Our specialists have expert local knowledge, and can then create a personalised house search that meets all your needs. At Santa Fe, we make moving easy.

 

Family life and education in Berkshire

Berkshire is a popular county for families of all ages. There’s a wealth of activities and attractions to keep your family busy and entertained. The county also boasts some exceptional educational institutions: such as the world-famous Eton College. There is a very large number of private schools, as well as high achieving state schools across Berkshire.

For those looking at higher education offerings, there is the University of Reading, as well as University of West London Berkshire campus. You are also a commutable distance from the London based Universities.

 

Travel information

Berkshire is incredibly popular with commuters into London because of the exceptional rail and road links. There are fast, reliable, and regular trains into the capital from across Berkshire. Reading is only 30 minutes from Paddington by rail, and Newbury is under an hour into London. Berkshire residents also benefit from a close proximity to both Gatwick and Heathrow airports for domestic, European and long-haul flights.

 

How can Santa Fe Relocation help with your move to Berkshire?

Are you looking for a seamless moving experience, from a premium removals company? Santa Fe’s team of experts work tirelessly to offer you a personalised, care free move tailored to your needs. From local orientation, temporary housing, packing and unpacking, even a handyman service, we take care of it all.

Get a moving quote with Santa Fe, and find out how we can make your move the easiest of your life.

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