Royal Berkshire Hotel, Ascot: Our Spring Family Stay, Afternoon Tea & Landscaped Gardens
Updated: Oct 12
Afternoon tea on the terrace, fifteen acres of spring gardens to explore, and two little ones who didn’t want to go home. Some stays just feel like home from the moment you arrive.
Back in spring we escaped for a family stay at Royal Berkshire, a beautiful red-brick country house hotel just outside Ascot and part of the Exclusive Collection. It was one of those easy, feel-good UK breaks that reminds you that you don’t always need to board a plane to feel like you’ve properly got away.
Images credit: Royal Berkshire / Exclusive Collection website
Below I’m sharing everything from our stay: the hotel itself, the truly incredible afternoon tea (including the best children’s afternoon tea we’ve ever had), the landscaped gardens the kids absolutely loved, where to eat, and the best things to do nearby, from Windsor Great Park to Legoland. If you’re researching a luxury family hotel near Windsor, Ascot or Legoland, here’s everything you need to know...
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For a visual journey through our stay here, feel free to explore my dedicated Royal Berkshire Highlight under the handle @SammyLouLuxe
Where is Royal Berkshire?
Royal Berkshire sits on London Road in Sunninghill, just outside Ascot (postcode SL5 0PP), surrounded by the kind of leafy Berkshire countryside that makes it feel far more remote than it actually is. It’s around 40 minutes from central London and roughly 20 minutes from Heathrow, which makes it a brilliant option for a weekend escape without a long drive.
The location is a real win for families. Legoland Windsor is barely 10 minutes from the front door, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park are close by, and Ascot Racecourse is just down the road. If you’re coming by train, Ascot station (around 2.3 miles away) has a taxi rank, whereas Sunningdale is slightly closer at 1.7 miles but has no taxi rank, so plan accordingly. There’s also a large car park with space for around 150 cars and electric car charging if you’re driving.
A Little History
Part of what makes Royal Berkshire so charming is its history. The red-brick mansion was originally built for the Churchill family in the early 18th century, and in the 300 years since, the house has welcomed a whole host of notable names through its doors. That heritage shows everywhere, from the striking Queen Anne-era architecture to the countless period features and details that give the house its personality.
Today it’s part of the Exclusive Collection, a family of independently owned country house hotels that also includes Pennyhill Park, South Lodge, Lainston House and Ansty Hall. Every property in the collection has its own character, but they’re united by a real warmth of service, and I think that’s exactly what makes them so special for families. The collection is also B Corp certified, which means it’s independently assessed on its social and environmental impact, something I always appreciate knowing when we choose where to stay.
First Impressions
Pulling up the drive, the first thing that strikes you is the house itself: grand, handsome and framed by sweeping lawns. What I loved, though, is that it never feels stuffy. The hotel describes itself as a home from home, and that’s genuinely how it felt with children in tow. Traditional and elegant, yes, but warm, relaxed and welcoming at the same time.
Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is by 11am. If you arrive early, the grounds are the perfect place to let the children burn off some energy while your room is being prepared. We were lucky enough to arrive on a beautiful sunny day, which elevated the whole experience of sitting outside soaking up the beauty of the landscaped gardens while our children loved exploring and playing with the giant lawn games. It felt truly bliss and the perfect place to spend quality time together as a family.
Click here to view videos from the arrival and gardens.
Our Stay: The Room
Royal Berkshire has 66 rooms and suites, each individually designed and full of character, with a mix of doubles, family rooms and suites to choose from. Our family suite overlooked the stunning gardens and gave us plenty of space to relax in. The children were given an activity pack and treats, which was such a lovely surprise for them. The bath comes with an integrated TV and the rainfall shower setup is absolute bliss.
For families, it’s worth knowing that cots are available free of charge and Z-beds for children are £40 per child, per night. It’s best to call ahead to check availability for your preferred room type. They also have dog-friendly rooms, complete with a dog bed, bowl and treats, if you’d like to bring the family pooch along too.
Afternoon Tea at Royal Berkshire
If there’s one thing you have to do during a stay at Royal Berkshire, it’s afternoon tea. Ours was, quite simply, incredible and one of the highlights of our entire stay. We’ve experienced plenty of afternoon teas as a family over the years, but this was hands down the best family afternoon tea we’ve had.
The experience began with choosing our tea, but rather than simply picking from a menu, we were invited to smell the different tea leaves while our server talked us through the selection. For the adults, the savoury course arrived first for us to enjoy alongside our chosen teas, with a beautiful selection of sandwiches and savoury bites. Once we had finished, our desserts followed on a traditional three-tier stand, filled with delicate sweet treats and fresh, warm scones with all the trimmings. As we visited during spring, our scones included a seasonal lemon variety served with lemon curd and clotted cream, which was divine.
Everything was generous, beautifully presented and had that wonderful homemade quality, while the service was warm and attentive from start to finish. The seasonal touches made it feel even more considered, and I loved that the experience unfolded over different courses rather than everything arriving at once. For us, this was what really set Royal Berkshire apart. It felt like a real occasion without ever feeling too formal for a family, and it remains hands down the best family afternoon tea we’ve experienced.
Good to know: Afternoon tea is served daily from 12:00 PM until 5:00 PM, with advance booking recommended.
The Best Kids’ Afternoon Tea
Now, I have to give the children’s afternoon tea its own section, because it was hands down the best kids’ afternoon tea we’ve ever had, and we’ve tried a few!
So often the children’s version feels like an afterthought, but here it was every bit as special as ours. It’s designed for little ones aged 12 and under, and the sample menu includes ham, cheese and strawberry jam sandwiches, followed by a sweet selection of meringues, marshmallows, popcorn, ice cream, a chocolate brownie and a warm scone, all washed down with a hot chocolate or fruit juice.
Our two thought it was the most magical thing, and honestly, watching their faces when it arrived was worth the trip alone. It made the whole experience feel like a proper family occasion rather than a grown-up treat the children had to sit politely through. The children loved working their way through the different tiers before heading off to play, which meant we could linger over our desserts with a glass of Prosecco. It struck that lovely balance of feeling like a special, luxurious afternoon for us while still being relaxed and genuinely enjoyable with young children.
Click the image to view videos from the afternoon tea on Instagram.
The Landscaped Gardens and Grounds
The grounds at Royal Berkshire are a real showstopper. The house sits within 15 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, and visiting in spring meant everything was fresh, green and just starting to bloom.
The children absolutely loved it. There’s so much space to run, explore and play, from the sweeping lawns to the woodland path, the rose garden and the ornamental pond. There are also tennis courts, frisbee golf and giant chess on the lawns, so you can easily fill a whole morning without leaving the estate. Keep your eyes peeled for the thoroughbred tribute in the grounds too, a nod to the hotel’s location in the heart of British racing country. The hotel has an estate map you can ask for, which the children loved using to plan their own little adventure.
Some of my favourite moments of the whole stay were simply wandering the gardens together with no plan at all, the children running ahead to discover the next corner while we strolled behind. It’s that kind of slow, simple family time that I always remember most.
Click the image to view the video showcase from our stay on Instagram
Why Spring is the Perfect Time to Visit
We visited in spring, and I honestly think it’s one of the best times of year to stay. The gardens come alive with fresh greenery and blossom, the days are longer, and it’s often warm enough for afternoon tea out on the terrace without the busy crowds of summer.
It’s also a beautiful season for exploring the local area. Nearby Windsor Great Park is at its most colourful, with rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias putting on a spectacular show, particularly in the Valley Gardens and The Savill Garden, where the displays peak from around April into June. If you can time your visit for a sunny spring weekend, you’re in for a real treat.
Eating at Fork and the Polo Bar
Fork is the hotel’s relaxed restaurant, serving contemporary dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients, and it’s also a lovely spot for a long Sunday lunch with the family. For drinks, the Polo Bar is cosy and elegant, perfect for an aperitif, a coffee or a cocktail once the children are settled.
Breakfast is served from 7am to 9.30am on weekdays and 8am to 10.30am at weekends. In the warmer months, the ice cream horsebox on the lawns is an extra little treat the children will love. If you fancy a relaxed evening, the Fork Dine & Stay package, which includes a three-course dinner and bed and breakfast, is worth looking at.
Things to Do Nearby
One of the best things about Royal Berkshire is how much there is on the doorstep. Here are the highlights if you’re planning a family stay:
Legoland Windsor
Legoland Windsor is barely 10 minutes from the hotel, making Royal Berkshire the perfect luxury base for a Legoland trip. After a full day of rides, Miniland and themed lands, it’s such a treat to come back to a peaceful country house, big gardens and a proper dinner rather than a busy chain hotel. If Legoland is on your list, book tickets online in advance for the best prices.
Windsor Castle and Windsor Town
Windsor Castle is a short drive away and is still a working royal palace, with spectacular State Apartments filled with incredible art and interiors. Allow at least two hours for your visit, and time it with the Changing of the Guard if you can, as children love the pageantry. Afterwards, wander the cobbled streets of the town, grab lunch and take a stroll down by the River Thames, where river boat trips are a lovely way to see Windsor and Eton from the water.
Windsor Great Park and Virginia Water
Windsor Great Park covers around 4,800 acres and is free to enter (car parking charges apply), making it one of the best family days out in the area. The walk around Virginia Water lake is around 4.5 miles on a flat, even path that’s perfect for scooters, buggies and little legs, and it’s full of surprises for children: a towering totem pole, a cascade waterfall and the ‘Roman ruins’, which are actually a folly built from stones brought over from the ancient city of Leptis Magna in Libya.
Nearby, the Valley Gardens are a free-to-visit woodland garden bursting with rhododendrons and azaleas in late spring, and The Savill Garden, created in 1932, is a beautiful ticketed garden with interest all year round. There’s also a brilliant Adventure Play area near The Savill Garden (booking is recommended). If you’re feeling energetic, the Long Walk offers iconic views straight down to Windsor Castle, and you may well spot the famous red deer in the Deer Park.
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is just down the road and is home to Royal Ascot every June. Beyond the famous royal meeting, there are family-friendly race days throughout the year, which can be a fun and different day out with children.
Brooklands Museum
A little further afield, Brooklands Museum is a brilliant day out for curious minds, with vintage cars, aircraft and the chance to learn all about Concorde, the airliner that cruised at twice the speed of sound.
Lapland UK
Just four miles from the hotel, Lapland UK is a magical festive experience. If you’re planning a winter trip, booking a stay at Royal Berkshire turns it into a proper Christmas getaway, with the hotel’s own festive packages adding to the sparkle.
If you’re visiting in summer, keep an eye out for the hotel’s outdoor cinema nights on the lawns too, and in winter, Windsor Great Park Illuminated transforms the woodland into a spectacular light trail.
Our Suggested Family Weekend Itinerary
If you’re planning a weekend at Royal Berkshire with children, here’s how I’d spend it:
Day one: arrive for 3pm check-in and head straight out into the gardens for frisbee golf, giant chess and a wander down the woodland path. Book the afternoon tea for a late-afternoon treat (with the children’s version for the little ones), then enjoy a drink in the Polo Bar once they’re in bed.
Day two: after breakfast, spend the day at Legoland, or for a gentler option, drive to Windsor Great Park for the Virginia Water walk, the totem pole and the Adventure Play. Return for dinner at Fork.
Day three: check out and head into Windsor for the castle and a riverside lunch before heading home.
Tips for Your Stay
After our stay, these are the things I’d pass on to anyone planning a visit:
Book afternoon tea in advance. It’s popular, especially at weekends, and a deposit is required to secure your table.
Check where tea will be served. Weekday afternoon tea is in the Polo Bar or on the terrace, and weekend tea is in Fork. On a sunny day, the terrace is the one to ask for.
Order the children’s afternoon tea. Even if your little ones are fussy eaters, it’s such a special experience for them.
Pack wellies and outdoor layers. The grounds are the star of the show, so you’ll want the children dressed to explore, especially in spring.
Request cots and Z-beds when booking. Cots are free and Z-beds are £40 per child, per night, subject to availability.
Plan your evenings. There’s no room service, so book dinner in Fork or plan ahead if the children need an early night.
Combine your stay with Legoland or Windsor. The hotel is so close to both that it makes a brilliant, calmer base for a busy day out.
Check the offers page. The hotel regularly runs packages, including discounts for booking 30 days ahead and for staying two nights or more.
Leave the Amex at home. The hotel is cashless and doesn’t accept American Express.
Is It Good for Families?
Absolutely. Between the welcoming, unstuffy atmosphere, 15 acres of gardens to explore, a children’s afternoon tea that genuinely rivals the grown-up version, and Legoland and Windsor right on the doorstep, Royal Berkshire is a fantastic choice for a luxury UK family break.
It strikes that lovely balance where the children are happy and entertained, and the grown-ups still get to enjoy a little bit of country house luxury. That’s exactly what I look for in a family stay.
The Honest Bits
As always, here are the little things worth knowing before you book. There’s no room service, which is worth knowing if you have very young children and were hoping for a room-service supper once they’re in bed. The hotel is also cashless and doesn’t take American Express, and if you’re arriving by train, Sunningdale station doesn’t have a taxi rank, so Ascot is the easier option. It’s also a popular wedding venue, so weekends can be lively with celebrations.
None of this took the shine off our stay in the slightest, but I always think it’s helpful to go in with eyes open so you can plan around it.
Royal Berkshire FAQs: Everything Families Ask
Here are the questions I get asked most about Royal Berkshire.
Is Royal Berkshire good for families?
Absolutely. Between the welcoming, unstuffy atmosphere, 15 acres of gardens to explore, a children’s afternoon tea that genuinely rivals the grown-up version, and Legoland and Windsor right on the doorstep, it’s a fantastic choice for a luxury UK family break.
How far is Royal Berkshire from London and Heathrow?
Around 40 minutes from central London and roughly 20 minutes from Heathrow. It sits on London Road in Sunninghill, just outside Ascot, which makes it a brilliant option for a weekend escape without a long drive.
Does Royal Berkshire do a children’s afternoon tea?
Yes, and it was the best kids’ afternoon tea we’ve ever had. It’s designed for little ones aged 12 and under, with sandwiches, a sweet selection including meringues, popcorn, ice cream, a chocolate brownie and a warm scone, plus a hot chocolate or fruit juice. Afternoon tea is served daily from 12:00 PM until 5:00 PM, and booking in advance is recommended.
Does Royal Berkshire have cots and family rooms?
Yes. There’s a mix of doubles, family rooms and suites, cots are available free of charge and Z-beds for children are £40 per child, per night. It’s best to call ahead to check availability.
What is there to do near Royal Berkshire?
Plenty. Legoland Windsor is barely 10 minutes away, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park are close by, Ascot Racecourse is just down the road and Lapland UK is just four miles from the hotel.
Does Royal Berkshire have room service?
No. There’s no room service, which is worth knowing if you have very young children. The hotel is also cashless and doesn’t take American Express.
Final Thoughts: Would We Go Back?
Without hesitation. Our spring stay at Royal Berkshire was everything I want from a UK family break: beautiful, relaxed and full of those simple moments that end up meaning the most. The afternoon tea alone is worth the visit, and seeing the children so happy exploring the gardens made it one of our favourite staycations yet.
If you’re looking for a luxury family hotel near Windsor or Ascot that genuinely caters for children without losing its elegance, I can’t recommend it enough. You can find out more and book directly on the Royal Berkshire website. And if you’re planning more UK family breaks, have a read of my Landal Dylan Coastal Resort review too.
Ad/PR Invite, our stay at Royal Berkshire was kindly gifted by Exclusive Hotels. As always opinions are my own.
You might also enjoy: our family stay at Ansty Hall in Warwickshire, our family stay at Whalesborough Farm Resort in Cornwall, our half-term stay in the Sunset Lodges at Cotswold Farm Park and our night at the Rhino Lodge at West Midland Safari Park.
If this has sparked your wanderlust, make sure you’re following me over on Instagram and TikTok [@sammylouluxe] as that’s where I share behind-the-scenes stories, travel tips, and magical moments from my trips as they happen. Think of my Stories as your front-row pass to the adventure, long before it hits the grid or features on the Travel Editorial.
Image credits: SammyLouLuxe & Royal Berkshire / Exclusive Collection website
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