Tours > Royal County of Berkshire Towns > Bracknell
Bracknell
Bracknell
is a so-called 'New Town,' built in the
1960s. It has been used as the set for a
number of big-screen movies where the
producers have wished to depict the
high-rise modern buildings of New York
without the expense! The town is at the
centre of Berkshire's Silicon Valley and
the home to many well-known computer and
IT companies; though best known for being
the abode of the Met Office, from where
all Britain's Weather Information is
distribiuted.
The old High
Street is barely recognisable today, with
only a handful of old buildings
remaining. Notable are three pubs: the
historic Old Manor (complete with ghost
and priest hole) and the timber-framed
Bull and Red Lion. The latter sits in an
interesting position sandwiched between
the shining gold of Eagle House and the
towering 3M Building which dominates the
town. 3M sits above Bracknell's bustling
indoor market (Friday & Saturday)
which is joined to the main shopping
precinct by one of a maze of, often beautifully
painted, subways. These run beneath the
town's ring roads in conjunction with an
excellent cycle-path network which allows
cyclists to avoid the town's notorious
traffic roundabouts, especially the
peanut-shaped double one at
'Twin-Bridges'.
Bracknell town
centre consists of a series of
interlinking pedestrianized squares,
surrounded by numerous multi-storey car
parks. A variety of interesting fountains
dotted around the area help to break
up the wide expanse of concrete,
including a huge granite ball apparently
suspended on water and a clock fountain
that sperts from beneath your feet:
highly popular with children on hot
summer days. There is a good array of
shops, some undercover in Princess Square
where there is always a craft market, a
book signing, children's entertainment or
some other activity going on. On the edge
of all this is the Peel Centre
with larger DIY and furniture stores; and
'The Point,' a focus for evening
entertainment with a bowling alley, ten
screen cinema, night club, bars and
eateries.
The town
is surrounded by Crown Estates woodland
and there is an excellent natural
heritage and scientific discovery centre at 'The Lookout,' just
south of Bracknell. Climb to the top for
a fantastic view of the local area and
walk or cycle around one of the many
pathways through the forest. Nearby is
the tree-covered Caesar's Camp, an Iron
Age hillfort. Across the road are superb
swimming, water park and spa facilities
at 'Corel Reef'. Bracknell has a large
sports centre and there are dry-slope
ski-ing and ice-skating facilities at the
John Nike Centre off the A329(M), as well
as a plush Alpine-style hotel. The
town also has an excellent arts centre at
South Hill Park. This 18th century
mansion in beautiful parkland has a
constant programme of theatre, cinema and
workshops.
Next Stop:
Wokingham
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