Stanley Spencer’s ‘village in heaven’: an arty weekend in Cookham, Berkshire
The bucolic banks of the Thames, dotted with fine pubs and historic locations, make a picturesque setting for exploring the life and times of one of England’s greatest artists
July 2023
The wonder of Wessex: walking the Ridgeway in Wiltshire and Oxfordshire
It is 50 years since this prehistoric thoroughfare in southern England became a national trail. We take a two-day walk with highlights including Uffington White Horse
December 2022
I did the English leg of the Camino de Santiago – starting in Reading
The UK section of the pilgrimage runs through Berkshire and Hampshire to Southampton, where the faithful would set sail for Spain. And it’s now all waymarked
November 2022
Country diary
Country diary 1947: Clods sparkle like jewels in the sun
Berkshire, 3 December 1947: Hollows among the downs were lost in mist, but up on the Ridgeway the air was crystal clear and very still
June 2022
Wild swimming with a backpack? Welcome to cross country swimming
With the help of some innovative kit, these adventurers can easily negotiate both land and waterways
October 2021
Indigenous Amazon singers and sacred cacao … the UK festival that’s wild in a different way
The Medicine weekender specialises in nature and cultural exchange – a rare festival that you leave feeling better than when you arrived
February 2020
The Bell Inn, Berkshire, named Camra's pub of the year
Community focus and listed interior help win title for Aldworth pub run by same family for 250 years
April 2019
Country diary
Country diary 1969: feeding habits of the mistle thrush
9 April 1969 I gazed on a hill-top dewpond and immediately my thoughts flashed to WH Hudson venting his spleen on the pellet-ejecting bird
July 2018
Short break escapes: relax by the river at Ferry Cottage, Berkshire
Nestled beneath Cliveden, this riverside cottage provides the perfect spot to watch history float gently by
April 2018
Sex and spirituality: Stanley Spencer’s ‘visions’ return to Cookham
Paintings by the visionary British artist that were bought by his friends and admirers have been gathered together for a show in his beloved Berkshire village
October 2017
Reading's historic Thames Lido opens – in pictures
Following a four-year, £3.5m restoration project, the riverside lido opened on Monday on the site of an Edwardian women’s baths
August 2017
British boltholes
The Great House, Sonning, Berkshire: hotel review
The riverside village beloved of Jerome K Jerome and George Clooney is home to a swish bar and restaurant and, now, characterful but good-value bedrooms to match
October 2015
Take the kids to …
Take the kids to ... Legoland, Windsor
There’s certainly plenty to do, and enough bricks to satisfy the most ardent Lego builder, but the queues for rides are long and it doesn’t come cheap
December 2014
Country diary
50 years ago: Invasion of the short-eared owls
Originally published on 23 December 1964: There has been a time-lag of many weeks between the arrival of immigrant short-eared owls in East Anglia and their appearance at our local downland wintering-site
March 2013
Oxfordshire travel trips: A bronze age experience at Uffington's white horse
The enormous white horse cut into the chalk downs at Uffington has cast its spell on visitors for 3,000 years
September 2012
The amazing world of animals
Elephant paints a picture at Whipsnade zoo - video
Meet Karishma, an Asian elephant who has learned to paint. Her paintings are on display this weekend at at Whipsnade zoo, Bedfordshire
August 2012
Britain's best budget eats
Reading's top 10 budget eats
Reading FC are back in the Premier League – they play their first home game of the season this Saturday – but how does the town score for food? With the travelling fan in mind, Tony Naylor picks 10 budget eating options
May 2012
Britain's best bike rides
Eton, Dorney and Bray, Berkshire
Eton, Dorney and Bray: a Berkshire foodie circuit
December 2011
Betjeman's beloved Kennet runs dry and raises fears for England's rivers
Glory was in me, the poet wrote of one of the finest chalk streams in England. Now its flow has been reduced to a trickle
August 2010
British boltholes
Hotel review | Sanctum on the Green, Berkshire
You won't find a Rolls dumped in the swimming pool – this posh new hotel, opened by the music-industry owner of London's Sanctum Soho, is for rock'n'rollers who've grown up, says Sally Shalam
