Living in Bracknell

Bracknell, a thriving town in Berkshire, has fast become one of the South East’s most desirable places to live. Known for its modern regeneration, excellent schools, and abundance of green space, Bracknell strikes the perfect balance between urban convenience and green space to unwind.

For families, Bracknell offers safe neighbourhoods, great schools, and attractions like Coral Reef Waterworld. For young professionals, it provides affordable housing compared to nearby Windsor or Reading, alongside great commuting options into London.

With shared ownership homes in Bracknell, it’s now more achievable to step onto the property ladder in this exciting Berkshire location.

Where is Bracknell?

Bracknell is located in the heart of Berkshire, less than 40 miles from London, making it an ideal choice for commuters. The town has two railway stations – Bracknell and Martins Heron – with regular services into London Waterloo in just over an hour, as well as direct routes to Reading and Ascot.

By road, the M3 and M4 are within easy reach, linking residents to Heathrow Airport, West London and the wider motorway network. Bracknell is just 11 miles from Reading and 9 miles from Windsor. Perfectly positioned within the commuter belt, it offers a balance of suburban comfort and countryside charm.

This location makes Bracknell a fantastic place to call home, whether you’re commuting to the capital, raising a family, or looking for a home to buy in Berkshire.

How to spend the perfect day in Bracknell

Bracknell is packed with things to do, whether you’re after shopping, dining, outdoor adventure, or family fun.

Start with breakfast in The Lexicon 

Kick off your morning at The Lexicon. The town centre has undergone an impressive transformation with The Lexicon, a major retail and leisure complex offering high street favourites, independent boutiques, cafés, restaurants and a 12-screen cinema. It’s an award-winning destination, and the perfect place to grab breakfast as the town comes alive.

Mid-Morning: A walk through Lily Hill Park

After breakfast, take a short stroll to Lily Hill Park, a 23-hectare historic parkland that offers a peaceful escape from the buzz of the town centre. This award-winning green space is filled with woodlands, open meadows, and winding trails, making it the perfect spot for a mid-morning walk. Families can bring children to explore the wide grassy areas, while dog walkers and joggers will find plenty of scenic routes.

Highlights of Lily Hill Park include its restored Edwardian water garden, historic tree carvings, and one of England’s largest picnic table - carved from a single piece of wood - ideal for social gatherings. The park is a reminder that Bracknell is not just about shopping and regeneration; it’s also a town with a deep respect for its natural environment.

Late morning: Family fun at Coral Reef Waterworld

By late morning, head to Coral Reef Waterworld, one of the UK’s largest and most exciting indoor waterparks. A favourite among families, it offers a huge range of activities: from thrilling flumes and rapid river rides to bubble pools and lazy rivers. For younger children, the pirate ship play area provides hours of entertainment, while adults can unwind in the spa area with saunas, steam rooms, and whirlpools.

Coral Reef is more than just a leisure attraction, it’s part of Bracknell’s identity as a family-friendly town. Families living in the area have access to this world-class facility all year round, making weekends and school holidays a breeze to plan. It’s one of those amenities that adds real value to choosing Bracknell as your home base.

For those weighing up a shared ownership home in Berkshire, Coral Reef highlights the benefits of living in a town that has invested in first-class family facilities, where an active and relaxing lifestyle is right on your doorstep.

Lunch at South Hill Park Arts Centre

At lunchtime, make your way to South Hill Park Arts Centre, a Grade II listed 18th-century mansion set in landscaped gardens. The on-site café and restaurant serve light lunches, fresh coffee, and seasonal treats, all in a beautiful setting overlooking lakes and lawns. It’s a peaceful and cultured alternative to the buzz of The Lexicon.

After lunch, take time to explore the centre itself. South Hill Park is Bracknell’s cultural hub, offering two theatres, galleries, and studios. You might stumble upon a live performance, an art exhibition, or even a workshop. It’s the kind of place that appeals equally to families looking for enrichment, employees seeking creative downtime, and retirees enjoying the arts.

Living close to cultural gems like South Hill Park adds another dimension to life in Bracknell. It shows that the town isn’t just about shopping or commuting, it’s about community, creativity, and enjoying life in a setting rich with history and art.

Afternoon: Shopping or adventure

The afternoon in Bracknell can go in two directions depending on your mood, such is the variety of options within the town. If you’re in the mood for more retail therapy, return to The Lexicon to explore its 80+ stores, from high-street fashion to unique independents. It’s the kind of place where you can shop for everyday essentials and treat yourself to something special all in one trip.

Alternatively, if adventure is calling, head to Swinley Forest to experience Go Ape Bracknell. This treetop adventure park is perfect for families with older children or groups of friends, offering rope bridges, zip lines, and climbing challenges. It’s set against the stunning backdrop of Bracknell’s ancient woodlands, offering a completely different experience to the modern town centre. As well as some of the best mountain biking trails within reach of London, to really fulfil your need for adrenaline.

The contrast between retail and adventure is what really makes Bracknell stand out.

It’s a town where you can spend the morning shopping in a modern retail district and the afternoon swinging through treetops in the forest. The variety on offer makes the area an appealing option for so many different types of people.

Evening dining & cinema

As evening falls, Bracknell’s dining and entertainment options come alive. The town boasts a growing restaurant scene with everything from family-friendly Italian chains to gastropubs serving hearty classics. Whether you’re after a quick bite or a sit-down meal with friends, there’s plenty of choice.

After dinner, head to the Odeon Luxe Cinema, where reclining seats and state-of-the-art screens make for a luxury viewing experience.

For those who prefer live entertainment, South Hill Park frequently hosts evening performances and live music. And if a cosy nightcap is more your style, Bracknell’s traditional pubs and bars provide the perfect setting.

This balance of dining, entertainment, and relaxation demonstrates why Bracknell is such a desirable place to live. It’s not just a commuter town, it’s a community where evenings are just as rewarding as mornings.

Why live in Bracknell?

Bracknell offers excellent value compared with neighbouring towns and parts of Greater London.

With continued investment in regeneration and infrastructure, the area is becoming an increasingly desirable place to put down roots. Whether you are seeking a family home close to good schools, a first step on the property ladder, or a location with straightforward connections into London, Bracknell is a location that ticks every box.

Bracknell is also well catered for when it comes to schools, with a number of Ofsted-rated "Good" and "Outstanding" primary and secondary options. Further education is available at Bracknell and Wokingham College, while nearby Reading and Guildford offer access to universities.

There is a strong sense of community with regular events such as food festivals, seasonal markets and family activities held throughout the year. Sports enthusiasts will find plenty of local clubs, from football and rugby to golf and tennis, as well as the Coral Reef Waterworld leisure centre.

The mix of green open spaces, cultural venues and modern facilities makes Bracknell an attractive destination for those looking to combine convenience with a relaxed lifestyle.

Considering making Berkshire home?

One of the biggest reasons to move to Berkshire? It’s a great area to buy a house and shared ownership makes it much more accessible for people trying to get a step on the property ladder.

If you’re looking for a more accessible way to buy, shared ownership could be the perfect solution.

Explore Aster Sales' shared ownership properties in Berkshire and take the first step on the property ladder today.

Shared ownership offers an achievable pathway to buying a home. This initiative allows you to purchase a share of a property, typically between 10% and 75%, and pay rent on the remaining portion.

As your financial situation improves, you can gradually increase your ownership share - this is called staircasing, making it a flexible home buying solution.

Explore Aster Sales' shared ownership Berkshire developments, and take the first step toward home buying today.

Embarking on the shared ownership journey not only provides a foothold in the property market but also allows you to become part of Berkshire’s vibrant community.

With its natural beauty, and modern amenities, Berkshire is more than just a destination, it's a place to call home.

Alternatively, take a look at other shared ownership properties we have available, if you’d like any information on these beautiful new shared ownership homes, you can send us an email or give us a call.

Ready to make an Aster home your home?

If getting on the property ladder with a shared ownership Berkshire sounds like the perfect option for you - contact our team today!

At Aster, our mission is to help you discover a home that's perfect for you - not just any house.

With shared ownership, we can offer you the opportunity to find a stunning property in an ideal location that might otherwise have been inaccessible, due to the large deposits required for traditional home purchases.

Call the team on 01380 735 480 to discuss your needs.

Who are Aster?

We are a well-known housing association who supply a wide range of housing options in response to the housing crisis. We specialise in providing shared ownership homes for sale for those unable to get on to the property ladder. We provide affordable rental and shared ownership homes within the South West and London, and pride ourselves on our commitment to providing this service to all of our customers. With shared ownership, you could buy a share of a property at a fraction of the cost, with our experienced team offering comprehensive advice throughout.

Where can I learn more about shared ownership?

At Aster, we understand that buying a property can be a daunting experience, so our team of experts are always happy to answer any questions or queries you may have about shared ownership or the process involved in purchasing your own home.

Find out how does shared ownership work and what is shared ownership with our guides.

Our website also has an FAQ page full of useful information to help you make an informed decision. Alternatively, you can contact us directly and one of our experienced team members will be more than happy to assist.

 Contact Us             Blog