PALACES & HOUSES
There are several fine country houses in the area. Stratfield Saye House, home of the Dukes of Wellington since 1817, is only 3 miles from Wokefield Park. The house and gardens are open to visitors and there is a fine collection of paintings, furniture and personal possessions of the 1st Duke; it was he who led the British army to victory at the Battle of Waterloo.
Two National Trust properties are found within 10 miles, the Vyne near Basingstoke and Basildon Park to the west of Reading. The former was built in the 16th century as the home of Henry VIII's Lord Chamberlain. The latter is an 18th century mansion built for Francis Sykes who made his fortune in India. Both houses have extensive gardens and grounds.
A little further afield are two of England's most famous treasures. Windsor Castle, overlooking the Thames at Windsor, is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and its magnificent State rooms and works of art reflect the tastes of successive kings and queens. Blenheim Palace, near Oxford, was built for the 1st Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill, in the early 1700's and is now a World Heritage site. Winston Spencer Churchill was born in the palace in 1874.
Wokefield Park is also conveniently situated for access by rail or bus from Reading into London. Choose from Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Natural History Museum, the Tate Gallery, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the London Eye, Oxford Street, Hyde Park ......
GARDENS & RAMBLES
There are several famous gardens within easy reach of Wokefield Park, including Kew Gardens to the west of London, the Savill Gardens near Egham and new 'Living Rainforest' at Wyld Court, Newbury. Those who would like to go walking for the day may visit Wellington Country Park, Windsor Great Park or Finchampstead Ridges, or take a stroll along the River Thames at Henley or Marlow. The nearby Ridgeway Path offers yet another alternative for a bracing walk.
SHOPPING CENTRES
The new Oracle Centre in Reading is now open. The complex includes shops, bars, restaurants, cinemas and car parks in a river side setting. Further afield, the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet shopping centre in Swindon offers an American-style discount outlet experience. Other major shopping centres include Guildford, Oxford and Southampton, not forgetting London's Oxford Street, Regent Street, Knightsbridge .....
STEAM RAILWAYS
If you like railways - particularly steam - you're going to be spoilt for choice! The Didcot Railway Centre (at Didcot on the way to Oxford), is the home of the Great Western Society's collection of restored locomotives, carriages, wagons and memorabilia, and their restoration workshops. The Watercress Line to the south of Basingstoke operates a regular daily timetable for steam train services through the summer months. Finally, there's the Steam Museum of the Great Western Railway at Swindon, rather conveniently situated next door to the McArthur Glen Shopping Centre.
BOATS & SEA
The south coast is within convenient driving distance of Wokefield Park. A major attraction for visitors is the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard where HMS Victory, Nelson's flagship and the world's oldest commissioned ship, rests in dry-dock. Other exhibits at the dockyard include Henry VIII's favourite warship, the Mary Rose (1510), HMS Warrior (1860), the Royal Naval Museum and the new Action Stations attraction. Nearby Gosport is home to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum and the Museum of Naval Firepower.
OTHER VARIED ATTRACTIONS
Other local attractions include: Legoland at Windsor, Silchester Roman Town, the River & Rowing Museum at Henley, Highclere Castle near Newbury, Beale Bird Park at Pangbourne, Jane Austen's House near Alton, Aldershot Military Museum, Whitchurch Silk Museum, and Stonehenge near Thruxton. The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the New Forest and the British Motor Heritage Museum at Gaydon are further away but still within range for a comfortable day trip.
