Things to do, events & lifestyle

The Flying Scotsman at Goring & Streatley earlier this year Photo: Tony Bartlett

Berkshire Instagrams of the week

Fri, 10:36

Getty Images/iStockphoto (Text added with www.canva.com)

A look back at some of the best Berkshire photography shared on Instagram this week…

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18 photos of the North Wessex Downs that will make you want to visit this second

Tue, 12:06

Views from Walbury Hill by Andrew Foster (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0) via flic.kr/p/BwnBut

Rolling through Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire, the North Wessex Downs are truly picturesque from all angles, so let’s appreciate that for a moment…

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Berkshire walk in the North Wessex Downs near Fawley

Mon, 16:00 Steve Davison

Views stretch out over the rolling chalk hills of the North Wessex Downs AONB

Steve Davison takes us across a patchwork of ancient fields in the North Wessex Downs as we visit Jude Fawley’s ‘Marygreen’

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10 photos from the sky that will give you a new perspective of Berkshire

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 Harry Maddock

Windsor Castle by brewbooks (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0) via flic.kr/p/nCdFbX

You really do get a whole new idea of what Berkshire looks like from up in the skies

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Artist studios to visit across Berkshire during September 2018

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 Elena Richardson

Most of Kate Findlay’s hand crafted textile pieces are inspired by wildlife, the local countryside and scientific themes, but here’s a unique view of Wokingham Town Hall, see artsfindlay.co.uk

We have at least two of your September weekends sorted: take a journey of discovery around the studios of local artists

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Berkshire walk in the North Wessex Downs near Fawley

Mon, 16:00 Steve Davison

Steve Davison takes us across a patchwork of ancient fields in the North Wessex Downs as we visit Jude Fawley’s ‘Marygreen’

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The ultimate Buckinghamshire walking guide

Tuesday, August 28, 2018 Harry Maddock

Bottom Road, Radnage by Amateur with a Camera (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0) via flic.kr/p/qx1BGN

The county of Buckinghamshire is an amazing place for a Sunday stroll. From the Chilterns to the waterways, we round up our favourites

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5 short Berkshire walks perfect for you and your canine friend

Tuesday, August 14, 2018 Steve Davison

Photo by John 'K'' (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via flic.kr/p/6bShCk

Steve Davison suggests some super short walks that are great for both you and your four-legged companion

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Berkshire walk around Waltham St Lawrence, Shottersbrooke and White Waltham

Monday, July 23, 2018 Steve Davison

Heading back along the path between White Waltham and Shottesbrooke

This month we head off for an easy walk which takes us through three villages and picturesque scenery

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The ultimate Berkshire walking guide

Tuesday, June 26, 2018 Harry Maddock

The Long Walk by Robin Jaffray (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0) via flic.kr/p/pALujP

With the North Wessex Downs, Windsor’s Long Walk and a whole host of beautiful towns and villages, Berkshire is an amazing place for a stroll

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Eating out in Berkshire - Best restaurants

Mon, 11:55

Burger by Alpha (CC BY-NC 2.0) via flic.kr/p/qZapS5. Text added with canva.com.

Whether you’re looking for fine dining, pub food, a romantic meal for 2 or a taste of something from further afield, eating out in Berkshire really has something for everyone. Here’s our guide to the best local restaurants and pubs

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Chef Chris Wheeler on his first ever cookbook

Monday, September 10, 2018 Jan Raycroft

Flying in the flag... and Chris is championing UK beef and lamb © Maureen McLean Photography

Stoke Park’s chef has his first cookbook out, so you create culinary masterpieces at home to impress family and friends

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Eating out in Buckinghamshire - Best restaurants

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Tapas by Ian S (CC BY-NC 2.0) via flic.kr/p/eZujx4. Text added with canva.com.

Whether you’re looking for fine dining, pub food, a romantic meal for 2 or a taste of something from further afield, eating out in Buckinghamshire really has something for everyone. Here’s our guide to the best local restaurants and pubs

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6 of the best places to enjoy afternoon tea in Berkshire

Tuesday, August 28, 2018 Maureen McLean | Harry Maddock

We round up some of the best locations for afternoon tea across Berkshire

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15 places to find international food in Berkshire

Monday, August 20, 2018 Katy Eachus

Celebrate tastes from around the world with our pick of Berkshire restaurants, ranging from European and African, to South American and Oriental

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People

The new constructed reality ITVBe show ‘Absolutely Ascot’

Tue, 11:54 Janice Raycroft

Straight from the horse's mouth: Absolutely Ascot is not expected to provide a real 'fly on the wall' account of life here

Ascot knows how to raise a glass or two, but might need a double as Absolutely Ascot is filmed, which seems a long gallop from reality in East Berkshire

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Chef Chris Wheeler on his first ever cookbook

Monday, September 10, 2018 Jan Raycroft

Stoke Park’s chef has his first cookbook out, so you create culinary masterpieces at home to impress family and friends

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Drew Burnett: How I became a wildlife photographer and my gallery in Old Amersham

Monday, August 20, 2018 Sandra Smith

That's close enough, thank you! (Photo by Drew Burnett)

Drew Burnett’s path to becoming a wildlife photographer is as extraordinary as the images he now captures for us all to enjoy

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The mums behind Amersham-based Bloom and Blossom

Monday, August 13, 2018 Karen Kay

Christina and Julia set up their Amersham business after a chat over a glass of wine

Some of the best ideas grow from a chat at the family dining table, and this one blossomed into products now delighting mothers across the country

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Veteran rowing coach Mike Spracklen on his career, training Steve Redgrave and life in Marlow

Tuesday, August 7, 2018 Sandra Smith

These days music and bellringing provide some of the rhythm to Mike's life (Photo: Kevin Light)

While the sounds of national anthems as rowers collected gold medals yet again was once music to his ears, veteran coach Mike Spracklen is ringing the changes

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Events

Things to do in Berkshire this weekend

Mon, 11:27

Donnington Castle by NIL L (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0) via flic.kr/p/nqHuro. Text added with canva.com.

Great things to do in Berkshire this weekend: art exhibitions, walks, concerts, theatre, places to visit and other events and ideas.

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Homes & Gardens

5 tips to prepare your home for the winter months

Friday, August 31, 2018

Take steps to create a cosy home this winter

Rural energy provider, Calor, gives some top tips for homeowners wanting to make their houses cosy and warm in time for the colder months.

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Why buying a home in a festival hot spot could be a great investment

Monday, August 13, 2018 Fiona Brandhorst

If you’re heading to one of the UK’s many festivals this summer, the chances are you’ll be having a sneaky peak in local estate agents’ windows to see how much it would cost to live there all year round.

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Wokingham furniture designer Pete Hill and his story

Tuesday, July 3, 2018 Pete Hill

Pete and Sil: he knew within minutes of meeting that he'’d found his soul mate

A Wokingham furniture designer recalls the moment he decided to tell his wife – and mother of their two young children – that his commuting days were coming to an end

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Ad Feature: Armed forces finding a home with help from heylo housing

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Residential property company heylo recently signed the Armed Forces Covenant, pledging its commitment to fair treatment and support to the Armed Forces community, including regulars, reserves, veterans and their families. The signing took place in a ceremony held at Wellington Barracks

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Englefield: What it takes to maintain a 400-year-old garden

Friday, May 25, 2018 Fran McElhone

As the seasons change the gardens surrounding Englefield House provide a perfect setting

Sue Broughton is looking forward to her second spring as the Head Gardener at Englefield Gardens, which are open to visitors every Monday and are available for weddings and corporate events. She tells Fran McElhone what it takes to maintain the 400-year-old garden

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