Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Wokingham, Berkshire

This market town and borough lies directly south-east of Reading, featuring a blend of historic streets within its town center, encircled by contemporary developments and residential neighborhoods.

While Wokingham may not traditionally be categorized as a tourist destination, it offers numerous amenities for families. Additionally, the surrounding Berkshire countryside provides ample green spaces, such as country parks and nature reserves.

Children can engage in interactive learning at a science center, and there is an excellent indoor play area suitable for younger visitors.

For adults, the Nirvana Spa presents an extensive day spa experience, while Berkshire’s largest vineyard is conveniently nearby, producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and offering guided tours.

1. Rose Street

Wokingham showcases its charm on this serene residential road situated in the heart of the town.

The street is rich in history, with a row of half-timbered houses along the southern front, particularly towards the eastern end.

These façades have remained unchanged for over 600 years and provide a clear illustration of what a Medieval street may have resembled.

Originally, this terrace represented a single home, designed in the style of a Wealden House that was prevalent in southeastern England during the late Medieval epoch.

By the 16th century, it is believed that these houses housed silk looms.

One of the gardens still features a mulberry bush, which is thought to have been planted for silk production during the Tudor period.

2. Stanlake Park Wine Estate

South East England is emerging as a notable region for wine production, particularly with its sparkling and white varieties.

Located just north of Wokingham, there is an award-winning vineyard that offers comprehensive tours of its facilities.

The tours cost £20 per person and last approximately two hours.

During the tour, visitors will explore various areas including the grape-pressing zone, fermentation tanks, barrel room, “fizz” room for sparkling wine, and the bottling area, where they will gain insights into the process of producing high-quality English wine.

At each location, participants have the opportunity to sample different wines, totaling up to eight varieties (three whites, two rosés, two sparkling, and one red). Consequently, arranging for transportation post-tour is advisable. At the conclusion of the visit, guests may browse the Cellar Shop for wines they enjoyed during the tour.

3. Dinton Pastures Country Park

Within the same borough lies a 450-acre country park featuring seven lakes, two rivers, woodlands, and meadows.

During the summer holidays, the Dinton Activity Centre located on Black Swan Lake offers various courses and taster sessions in canoeing and paddling for children up to the age of 17.

From early April to late September, visitors can also rent boats to enjoy the lake.

This service operates daily throughout the school holidays and on weekends at other times.

The park includes a play area for young children, and the Dragonfly Café is housed within a converted farmhouse dating back to 1904. Those who take a leisurely stroll through Dinton Pastures may be fortunate enough to spot Muntjac and roe deer in the meadows and woodlands, and the park boasts a rich diversity of bird species.

Among the various birds are waders such as grey herons, little egrets, and redshanks, as well as birds of prey like peregrine falcons, marsh harriers, red kites, and buzzards.

4. California Country Park

Ideal for a family outing during summer, California Country Park spans 100 acres of ancient lowland heath and bogland.

The park is managed by Wokingham Borough and features a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The name is derived from a nearby village that was named after a former brickworks.

Longmoor Lake serves as a habitat for cormorants, Canada geese, mallards, and coots, and offers a surfaced walking path along its banks for tranquil strolls.

For visitors with children, the park features swings, an adventure playground, and a paddling pool that is operational in summer.

Additionally, patrons can enjoy refreshments at Jackson’s, a well-regarded café located near the lake.

5. Nirvana Spa

This large-scale day spa located to the west of Wokingham could be likened to a luxurious theme park for adults.

Nirvana Spa attracts guests from various locations due to its extensive facilities, opulent environment, and a vast array of treatments.

It features six distinct pools, each maintained at varying temperatures and catering to specific purposes ranging from leisurely swimming to fitness activities, hydrotherapy, flotation, and outdoor relaxation.

Additionally, there is a spa garden, tepidarium, crystal treatment suite, thermal suite, wellness suite, rasul area, and a restaurant.

The selection of treatments available is too extensive to summarize in detail, encompassing massages, facials, wraps, prenatal treatments, manicures, pedicures, and much more.

6. Wokingham Theatre

This theatre located on Twyford Road has been home to an amateur repertory group active for over 70 years and continues to thrive.

The 250-member group produces eight major productions annually, each running for nine nights during a season that extends from September through July.

In addition to these principal productions, there are shorter performances of less mainstream plays and youth theatre presentations, while the venue is also available for local concerts and workshops.

Some noteworthy productions from the 2018-19 season included The 39 Steps, Sense and Sensibility, The Taming of the Shrew, and The Lady Killers.

All aspects of production, from wardrobe to lighting, sound, bar services, and program printing, are handled by dedicated volunteers.

7. Pope’s Meadow

A few miles outside of town, situated between Wokingham and Bracknell, lies the village of Binfield, where poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744) spent his youth in the early 18th century.

That estate soon became known as Pope’s Manor, while Pope’s Meadow comprises approximately 14 acres of Green Flag parkland available for public access.

The park features two distinct play areas catering to different age groups, alongside a large expanse of open grass and woodlands.

Some of the oaks in the woodlands are at least 400 years old, making the meadows an excellent choice for summer picnics.

8. Dinton Adventure Golf

Among the prime attractions of Dinton Pastures Country Park is its meticulously designed 18-hole adventure golf course, which has been crafted with considerable precision and creativity.

This captivating yet challenging course is themed around the natural world and includes realistic models of various animals—some life-sized, like the large buck and doe in the center, and others enlarged, such as a giant ant situated on one of the greens, complemented by models of a beetle, squirrel, and frog.

The course is open daily during the summer and operates on weekends during the winter months, with a fee of £5.50 for adults and £4.50 for children under 16, as of 2019.

9. The Look Out Discovery Centre

Located within the Swinley Forest, an expanse of nearly 2,500 acres southeast of Wokingham, there exists a scientific attraction designed for children.

The Look Out Discovery Centre provides over 90 interactive activities aimed at challenging young minds, fostering an understanding of scientific principles, and encouraging creativity.

Activities include aiding a boat in navigating an indoor stream, launching a hydrogen rocket, collaborating to construct a house, capturing silhouettes, witnessing objects appear to float mid-air, composing tunes using lasers, and observing a colony of leaf-cutter ants in action.

The center also features a 22-meter lookout tower offering panoramic views above the forest and an expansive outdoor play area.

10. Monkey Mates

This facility caters specifically to the needs of parents with toddlers or smaller children. Monkey Mates is an indoor playground located in the northwestern suburb of Emmbrook and operates every day of the week.

Monkey Magic is a spacious area equipped with soft padding from floor to ceiling.

Facilities include ball pits, slides, climbing obstacles, and numerous smaller side games and toys.

The venue features a café suitable for children’s parties and an outdoor playground equipped with climbing frames, slides, picnic benches, and toy pedal carts.

11. Museum of Berkshire Aviation

Situated on the opposite side of Dinton Pastures Country Park is a small aviation museum that will captivate enthusiasts of rare British aircraft.

This site previously served as the headquarters for the now-defunct manufacturer Miles Aircraft. In addition, the museum also houses the collection from Fairey Aviation, which operated a few miles away in White Waltham.

Several of the aircraft on display are the last surviving examples of their types, including the Fairey Jet Gyrodyne (1954), a unique hybrid of a helicopter and an autogiro.

Other aircraft include a Miles Student (1957), which is the only jet trainer ever constructed with side-by-side seating.

Additional exhibits encompass a Miles Martinet target tug from WWII, a Handley Page Herald airliner from the 1950s, and a Miles Magister monoplane trainer produced in the 1930s.

12. The Mill at Sonning

A well-known establishment, The Mill at Sonning serves as a theatre housed in a refurbished 18th-century flour mill situated on an island in the Thames.

The setting is picturesque, with the mill race, excavated during Medieval times to power the mill, flowing through the center of the island.

Although the current mill dates back to the 1700s, its original counterpart was documented in the Domesday Book during the 11th century.

This mill race is harnessed to operate a small hydroelectric generator that services the 215-seat air-conditioned theatre.

The Mill at Sonning features theatrical productions, musical performances, comedy acts, and magical shows, complemented by an esteemed riverside restaurant essential to the experience.

For those intrigued by the establishment and its history, regular tours combined with afternoon tea are available.

Among the productions scheduled for early 2019 were Guys & Dolls and Patrick Hamilton’s psychological thriller, Gaslight.

13. Keephatch Park Nature Reserve

Located on the eastern edge of Wokingham lies a tranquil reserve that features a delightful blend of woodlands and waterscapes, mere minutes from the town center.

The reserve comprises four distinct areas, primarily situated along Binfield Road, with a substantial woodland area (Keephatch Woods) bordered by the A329. Historically, this entire region belonged to Keep Hatch Manor, which had a residence constructed in the 1870s but was demolished in the 1990s to accommodate the adjacent housing development.

Popular among local dog walkers, Keephatch Woods is adorned with ash trees, Norway maples, sycamores, birches, horse-chestnuts, and pedunculate oaks.

Additionally, it features several walking paths.

Eastward from Keephatch Woods lies Willowherb Pond, which was excavated in the 1800s and is bordered by reeds.

14. Pinewood Miniature Railway

A delightful experience for train enthusiasts or families with young children, the Pinewood Miniature Railway offers rides on steam locomotives operating on half a mile of 7 1⁄4-inch track winding through peaceful woodlands.

This service is offered on the third Sunday of each month from April through October and is conducted by dedicated hobbyists.

Light refreshments are also available, and the railway can be reserved for two-hour sessions for children’s birthday parties.

15. Golf

Similar to other attractions in the Wokingham area, the nearest golf course is designed to be suitable for visitors of all age groups.

The Wokingham Family Golf Course, a recent addition, consists of a nine-hole pitch and putt course set amidst picturesque countryside, alongside an adventure course and a driving range.

It provides an excellent opportunity for children to experience their first golfing skills while also accommodating skilled golfers looking to refine their technique.

Nearby is Sand Martins Golf Club, a members’ facility that welcomes visitor play.

For more seasoned players, its 18-hole course is remarkable, featuring a front nine that showcases meticulously maintained parkland typical of Southern England, while the back nine offers a challenging links-style layout generally found at coastal courses.