Welcome to the Berkshire Directory

The county of Berkshire is one of a group of counties in the south east of England often referred to as the ‘Home Counties’. Berkshire shares its borders with Greater London and the counties of Surrey, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. The biggest place by far is the county town of Reading with a population of over 232,000. Other major towns include: Bracknell; Slough; Maidenhead; Windsor and Eton; Newbury; Thatcham, Crowthorne and Wokingham.

Berkshire is commonly referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because it is home to one of the most famous residences in the world, Windsor Castle. The Union flag of Great Britain can be seen at the top of the castle’s flag pole when the Monarch of England is in residence.

The county is believed to be one of the oldest in England dating back to around the mid-ninth century. Berkshire has been the scene of many a bloody battle over the years including during Alfred the Great’s struggle against the Danes at the Battle of Englefield, the Battle of Ashdown and the Battle of Reading. Reading also played host to the 1688 Battle of Broad Street. Newbury also has a bloody past with two battles taking place there during the English Civil War.

This prosperous southern English county is steeped in Royal tradition and heritage and is an area of significant historical interest. Modern day Berkshire is noted for being part of London’s ‘stockbroker belt’ and the English version of USA’s Silicon Valley because of Reading’s thriving computer-based industry.