CLIVEDEN HOUSE, TAPLOW

Astor Grill Cliveden House old stables now booths with original green hexagonal tiles, blue leather banquettes and brass light fittings

If you’re going to spam your followers with good times, you might as well do it from Cliveden House. Giddy up and grab a nose bag at the Astor Grill in the old stables – so many equine details and there are saddle seat stools at the bar. Take in the view of the South Parterre from the Cliveden Dining Room, there’s the Grade II listed Profumo affair pool, vintage boats to waft down the Thames and you can bring your pooch too. It’s Insta gold.

THE HIND’S HEAD, BRAY

The quirky decor at Heston’s Hind’s Head in Bray is catnip for dedicated followers of the ‘gram. Upstairs is the Royal Lounge the elegantly eccentric hunting lodge vibe. Think shotgun chandeliers, taxidermy and cocktails in vintage china. Looking turn up the drama dial? Book a private soiree in The Vicar’s Room (no room hire fee). It seats up to 20 people, the table is made from one piece of oak and it’s lit by a pair of parlour chandeliers depicting the likeness of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. Chef Pete Gray’s food is pretty epic too, so food snaps aplenty.

THE MARKET HOUSE, READING

The Vault Market House Reading — The Vault at Market House, Reading

Phones at the ready, the minute you walk through the door at The Market House you’ll be playing Insta bingo. Industrial vibes with crumbling bare plaster and concrete floors. Tick. Neon signs. Tick. Street food. Tick. Roof garden with living walls. Tick. Secret garden in a bank vault? The like count could be stratospheric.

THE DOLPHIN, NEWBURY

The Dolphin Pub Newbury Berkshire House of fun wall sticker, vintage pub games open fire place and picture gallery on the wall

The Dolphin Newbury has been transformed from traditional boozer to a place that wouldn’t look out of place in old Laaaaandon Taaaaaaarn. It really is the House of Fun. From the quirky vintage finds and beach hut garden tables to the colourful plates of food, there’s plenty to like and share.

COPPA CLUB, SWAN AT STREATLEY

Swan at Streatley hotel by ther river Berkshire crittal doors pink sofa lots of house plants

This riverside glass restaurant at the Coppa Club in Streatley is a Berkshire classic. Its flooded with light and has a gorgeous airy and bright feel (read increds flattering natural light darrrling). The interiors are dreamy too – blush pinks, subtle greens, dark walls, Crittal doors and plants everywhere. Coppa Club Sonning and Maidenhead deliver too.

PATCH ON THE PLAZA, WINDSOR

An outdoor restaurant that’s foodie, fabulous and fun. Sashay all the way to Windsor’s hottest seta in town, Patch On The Plaza. Get ready snap before your sip and scoff, because the food and drinks are pretty and we’re a sucker for sheepskin casually draped over our chair. This super-cool restaurant is a run by Test Kitchen – owned by local foodie icons Milly and John. They’ve breathed new life into an unloved area of the arches and the culinary creativity here is worth sharing

THE RETREAT ELCOT PARK, NEWBURY

Bang out those heart and rainbow emojis because The Retreat Elcot Park has a rainbow of restful hues to die for. Whether you’re popping in for a coffee, cocktail, afternoon tea or an indulgent dinner, this brand spanking new boutique hotel and spa is serving drinks and dishes as pretty decor. And we haven’t even mentioned the Whispering Angel pool bar. We might need to dip in fake tan and wait for warmer temperatures before we splash our socials with rosé.

THAMES LIDO, READING

Hello beautiful! Thames Lido is Reading’s little piece of paradise – and Edwardian outdoor pool bright back to life with a rainbow of coloured paint, walls of glass and an infinity pool if you fancy getting wet. At the Deep End is he bar, there’s a rather fabulous restaurant, and they all get to enjoy this view. If that doesn’t deserve a square on your grid, what does? Only trumped by Ryan Gosling in his budgie smugglers.

THE GREAT HOUSE, SONNING

The Insta-famous Coppa Club igloos. A pop up pod went viral on the ‘gram pre pandemic and are now a permanent fixture at Coppa Club at The Great House Sonning. The private dining spaces are beautifully decorated and make for a pretty darn fabulous pic. If you want to book one of these bad boys you need to plan ahead. To say they’re popular is an understatement.

THE GREENE OAK, WINDSOR

The Greene Oak Windsor horse box dining table

You’ll find gastropub The Greene Oak on the outskirts of Windsor. It looks like a traditional pub from the outside and the inside, but it’s in the garden where the Insta magic happens. Clip clip up outside and grab a nose bag in one of the two horse box dining spaces. I ate here with the family and it was the only time they were happy to be photographed. This place is owned by two fellas who cut their teeth at The Ivy Covent Garden, so the food is seriously snap-worthy too.

RYND, WOKINGHAM

Fancy playing Insta Bingo? Pop along to RYND, Wokingham’s Californian restaurant and bring your big dabber. We’ve got neon signs, pampas grass displays, theatrical cocktails, outdoor igloos and pretty plates of food. HOUSE! It’s a winner.

THE CORN STORES, READING

The Corn Stores Reading Private members lounge

It was a pub that suffered an identity crisis but now The Corn Stores Reading has supermodel good looks. A shiny cocktail bar with elegant interiors and a floor crying out for that #ihavethisthingswithfloors hashtag. Upstairs is a stunning restaurant serving a gastronomic gallery of beautifully plated dishes. Pop your tush on these awesome cane chairs and see design mavens and foodies clamber to like and follow.

OAKLEY COURT, WINDSOR

OAKLEY COURT SUMMER HOUSE RIVERSIDE SEating

Hello beautiful. The Oakley Court in Windsor had an epic refurbishment during lockdown and it’s showing some leg on Instagram right now. If the sun could shine a bit more you could almost believe you’re in the French Riviera. This Gothic beauty has starred in many Hollywood movies and is now a destination for design addicts. You can even shop the hotel: table linens, glassware, art and furniture all up for grabs.

COWORTH PARK, ASCOT

Glitz, glamour and worth the blisters you’re staggering around this vast country estate in heels. Restaurant Coworth Park‘s Michelin star speaks for itself – Chef Adam Smith culinary genius is art on a plate. The dining room’s copper leaf crown has the wow factor and the view across Coworth’s wild flower meadow will let you leave out your Timotei ad dreams.

THE BOTANIST, READING

The+Botanist watering can and plant pot cocktails

It’s a jungle out there, so if you like your Porn Star Martini mixed by Monte Don, then you’ll love The Botanist in Reading. It’s a bar and restaurant with a secret garden theme, serving botanical-inspired cocktails, served in plant pots, tea pots, watering cans and plenty of smoky dried ice. Instagram gold right there. The food? It’s famous for its hanging kebabs, but there’s a crowd-pleasing menu of pies, burgers, salads and sharing boards. You’ll find The Botanist on Kings Street, fast becoming a foodie quarter of Reading.

15 Insta-worthy eateries in Berkshire

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