6 Things To Do In Berkshire For Elderly People
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The Royal County of Berkshire is a wonderful place to live, offering sweeping countryside, quaint villages and beautiful natural scenery, as well as bustling shops and restaurants and easy transport into London and to two nearby airports. There are also lots of famous spots to visit, including Windsor Castle and Newbury racecourse.
There are numerous popular towns and cities to live in Berkshire; Maidenhead, Windsor, Cookham, Reading and Wokingham are just a few. As well as living, Berkshire makes a great day out or weekend trip for all ages - including the older generations.
To discover some of the best things to do in Berkshire for the elderly and things to do in retirement, read on.
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1. The Living Rainforest
If your elderly relative loves nature and wildlife, The Living Rainforest in Thatcham is the perfect place to take them. There are three greenhouses housing over 850 amazing species of plants and animals, including several endangered species. Visitors can enjoy strolling through the exhibits and can even watch the animals at feeding time too.
There is a gift shop suited to those with accessibility needs on site, as well as a takeaway food stand for when you get hungry. All car parking is free and disabled parking is available. The site is fully wheelchair accessible and assistance dogs are welcome in the café and shop, but not in the greenhouses. You can find all the information you’ll need to book your visit here.
2. Windsor Castle
Next on our list is one of the most famous landmarks in the UK - Windsor Castle. Did you know that Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world? Built under the rule of William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has since been the home of no fewer than 39 monarchs!
Open to visitors throughout the year, there’s plenty to see at the castle; from the gorgeous rooms inside the castle itself, to St George’s Chapel and the castle art gallery, plus special displays such as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee exhibition. You can have a guided tour to each attraction and spend time browsing the royal collection shop and tea room too.
Concessionary rates are available for those with a disability and a carer or companion will be admitted free of charge. Wheelchairs are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis and mobility scooters can be used in certain areas. Plan your visit here.
3. Thames Rivercruise
The ideal activity for a pleasant sunny afternoon, sail down the River Thames with family and friends in style with the Thames Rivercruise experience. There are several trips available, including the Afternoon Tea, Sunday Lunch and Sundowner cruises. Board the boat in Caversham and enjoy spotting all the different sights along the way, such as the Three Bridges of reading and Caversham Lock.
Senior tickets are available for those aged 65 or over and the Caversham Lady and Lady Caroline boats offer level easy access, with the Caversham Lady also having accessible toilets. You can find more information about booking on the website.
We’re here to help you find the right Berkshire care home for you or your loved one. You can request a free list of care homes from our care experts, who will then share homes matching your budget and type of care needed. You can also search for a Berkshire care home through our easy-to-use directory.
4. Museum of English Rural Life
Located in Reading, the Museum of English Rural Life is England’s most extensive museum for rural life, featuring a fascinating range of items that tell England’s story; from photographs and books to interactive displays on themes such as environment, identity, technology, culture and health.
The museum is just a short walk from Reading’s town centre and is easily accessible by bus or rail too. As well as the exhibits, there is a bright Welcome Space serving refreshments and a shop, plus a beautiful sheltered garden, perfect for enjoying a picnic in warmer weather.
Admission to the MERL is free and all areas are accessible to disabled visitors, including wheelchair access.
5. The Savill Garden
Next up is The Savill Garden, one of Britain’s biggest ornamental gardens. Commissioned by King George V and created by Sir Eric Savill, the site comprises 35 acres of stunning gardens and woodland, with numerous different seasonal displays to discover. During your visit you can explore the Queen Elizabeth II Temperate House, Rose Garden, Hidden Gardens, Summer Wood and the Winter Beds, to name just a few.
When you need a break from exploring, there is an on-site café restaurant and outdoor eating area offering hot and cold refreshments. Each season brings something new, so why not visit several times throughout the year to enjoy fresh displays? There’s even a dedicated Visitor Centre, constructed using sustainable timber from within the park itself.
You’ll find discounted prices when you book online and carers can enter for free. All areas of the gardens are accessible via wheelchair and there are also accessible toilets. Find all the information you need on the Savill Garden website.
6. Norden Farm Centre for the Arts
Finally, to round off our Berkshire top spots list, we have Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, an entertainment and theatre venue in Maidenhead offering gigs, theatre, exhibitions, classical concerts and family shows throughout the year.
Built on the site of an old dairy farm, the original listed building contains a Courtyard Theatre, 18th century Long Bar and a Georgian Farmhouse. The venue even puts on workshops and classes for all ages; from jewellery making and life drawing to Zuma and book clubs.
All performances and workshops at Norden Farm offer total accessibility and there are lifts, ramped access and adapted toilet facilities throughout the venue. Personal assistants can get a complimentary ticket and wheelchairs can be provided by the Box Office. All visitor information can be found on the website.
Finding A Care Home In Berkshire
We hope you’ve enjoyed our whistle-stop tour of fun things to do in Berkshire! If you or your family member are looking at care homes in Berkshire, finding your dream care home couldn’t be more simple.
Lottie can give you a complete list of the best care homes in Berkshire in just a few easy steps.
Here are two of the best care homes in Berkshire that we offer:
Parsons Grange Care Home in Reading
Shinfield View Care Home in Reading
Finding Retirement Living in Berkshire
We also offer amazing retirement living options in Berkshire.
Here are two of the best retirement homes in Berkshire that we offer:
Binfield House in Binfield
We’re on a mission to support individuals and their loved ones throughout each stage of their later living journey. For more information, check out everything Lottie has to offer.
