Berkshire

Berkshire, officially known as the Royal County of Berkshire, is a region defined by its deep-rooted ties to the British monarchy and its status as a leading global technology hub.  Its most iconic feature is Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, which has served as a royal residence for nearly a millennium.

The county is equally famous for Royal Ascot, a premier horse racing event held annually at Ascot Racecourse and attended by the Royal Family.  Historically, the county is the site of Runnymede, where the Magna Carta was sealed in 1215, and is home to the prestigious Eton College.  Geographically, it offers a diverse landscape, from the urban “Silicon Valley” tech corridor around Reading—home to major firms like Microsoft and Oracle—to the rolling chalk hills of the Berkshire Downs in the more rural west.

The River Thames forms much of its northern border, offering scenic views and a setting for literary inspiration such as The Wind in the Willows.