3 underrated historical sites within travelling distance of Regency Park Hotel

Berkshire is a part of England that attracts overnight guests for an abundance of reasons – not least the county’s close proximity to London and the excellent amenities offered by accommodation options like Regency Park Hotel.

Speaking of our hotel, though, a stay with us leaves you excellently placed to investigate the many historical treasures in this area of the UK, including some that can be so easily overlooked.

Here are just three of our favourites.

Basildon Park

This National Trust property situated about 15 miles away from our hotel via the A4 road certainly has a curious history; it was built in the Palladian style in the late 1770s and early 1780s, at a time when this aesthetic was already going out of fashion in favour of neoclassicism.

Basildon Park came within a hair’s breadth of being dismantled in the early 20^th century and became significantly derelict. However, it has since undergone a serious renaissance and restoration, and was given to the National Trust for posterity in 1978.

Frogmore House

While Frogmore House is certainly reachable from Regency Park Hotel – being just over an hour’s drive away via the M4 motorway – we would advise you against making the journey if you aren’t sure that you will be able to enter. This is because it is usually only open to the public a few days a year, normally around Easter and the August Bank Holiday.

Nonetheless, Frogmore House – which is only half a mile south of Windsor Castle in Windsor Home Park – is captivating for several reasons. Not only has it has been a Royal Residence since 1792, but Frogmore Cottage on the estate is also the present residence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, and their young son Archie.

Highclere Castle

This Jacobethan-style country house is especially closely situated to Regency Park Hotel – you’ll be scarcely 10 miles away as one of our guests! However, there’s something else you might immediately notice about this monumental property, besides its slight resemblance to the Houses of Parliament (Sir Charles Barry served as architect for both).

No, we’re referring to its only relatively recently acquired fame as the principal shooting location for the hit ITV period drama series, Downton Abbey!

It’s no wonder, then, that so many people seek out the best hotels near Highclere Castle, of which Regency Park Hotel is one. We would add, though, that the property is not always open to the public, and it is essential to secure tickets for attendance before you travel – as you can do through the official Highclere Castle website at www.highclerecastle.co.uk.

Whether you are well aware of Berkshire and neighbouring counties’ remarkable living architectural heritage or you are a newcomer to such local charms, there could scarcely be a more convenient place to stay for a history-focused trip to this wonderful corner of England than Regency Park Hotel.

So why not book a room with us today, to discover the reasons for our reputation as one of the best hotels near Highclere Castle, Windsor Castle, Reading Abbey and so many other nearby heritage attractions?