| Berkshire forms part
of the South East England region. It is often referred to as the
Royal County of Berkshire due to the presence of Windsor Castle in
the county; this title goes back to the 19th century at least, and
was recognised by the Queen in 1958, and Letters patent issued
confirming this in 1974.
Berkshire is one of the oldest in
England. It may date from the 840s, the probable period of the
unification of 'Sunningum' (East Berkshire) and 'Ashdown' (the
Berkshire Downs, probably including the Kennet Valley). The county
is first mentioned by name in 860
the strategic 'Thames Gateway'
development. Undoubtedly the airport will have a role to play in
supporting the 2012 London Olympics in East London.
Windsor Castle in Berkshire is the
largest inhabited castle in the world and, dating back to the time
of William the Conqueror, it is the oldest castle in continuous
occupation. Together with Buckingham Palace in London and Holyrood
Palace in Edinburgh it is one of the principal official residences
of the British monarch. Queen Elizabeth II spends many weekends of
the year at the castle, using it for both state and private
entertaining. Windsor is set in the Thames Valley to the west of
London.
The county of Berkshire is one of the
oldest in England. It may date from the 840s, the probable period of
the unification of 'Sunningum' (East Berkshire) and 'Ashdown' (the
Berkshire Downs, probably including the Kennet Valley). The county
is first mentioned by name in 860. According to Asser, it takes its
name from a large forest of box trees that was called Bearroc
(believed, in turn, to be a Celtic word meaning 'hilly').
Prior to the reformation, Berkshire
hosted Reading Abbey which was one of the largest and richest abbey
complexes in the country; it is here that Henry I was buried. It was
destroyed in the 16th century with the dissolution of the
monasteries but the ruins can still be seen.
The University of Reading is within
the county of Berkshire and is one of the top 20 most
research-intensive universities in the UK. This university is a
major contributor to the knowledge economy, and internationally
recognised for the excellence of its teaching on a broad range Arts,
Humanities and Sciences programmes. The University offers taught
degree programmes in more than 60 subjects, and in excess of 250
part-time adult education (public) courses.
There's a whole range of cultural and
leisure activities available in the Reading area as well as 2 major
international festivals every year - WOMAD and Reading Festival.
The annual Reading Rock Festival,
which attracts people from all over the UK and Europe. Reading
Festival is the oldest UK music festival it started in 1960 included
were “The Rolling Stones”. The annual festival is still going
strong, with a good quality selection of bands. |
