"Bracknell - more loathed than liked." Bracknell by easyoar

Bracknell Travel Guide: 66 reviews and 74 photos

Bracknell

Bracknell is a hard town to be positive about. It used to be tiny 30-40 years ago, and then the government designated it a New Town. These days it is has little soul. It has a concrete monstrousity of a shopping centre (although the council is trying hard to add flowers and tart it up a bit). Around the outside of the shopping centre are vast numbers of roundabouts that cause inexperienced visitors to get very lost.

There are some positives to Bracknell however. There is plenty of work in the IT industry. Some of the leisure facilites are also pretty good.

The picture here shows the Red Lion pub. Yes it is hard to believe that this view (with the 3M building behind it - well it WAS the 3M building, it now appears to be unoccupied! - yet another firm departing Bracknell...) features on one of the only postcards that was ever produced for Bracknell. Well actually if you know Bracknell it isn't actually that hard to believe - what else would you put on a postcard of Bracknell?

Pros and Cons

Pros:The Leisure Facilites
Cons:A Concrete Monster with no soul but many roundabouts
In a nutshell:Avoided by many who visit Reading or Camberley instead.

Intro Updated Feb 7, 2005
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Reviews (3)

The LookOut Things to Do (3)

Now this really is worth visiting. If you like the outdoors and like walking, mountain bike riding, orienteering or... more travel advice

The Water Clock in Bracknell - Bracknell

The Water Clock Things to Do (3)

This is in Bracknell Town Centre too, and is Bracknell Town Centre's other 'Must See' site. When it is working it is a... more travel advice

Bracknell's spherical object - Bracknell

The spinning ball Things to Do (3)

If there is such a thing as a 'Must See' in Bracknell Town Centre, this would probably have to be it. I don't think... more travel advice

Have you been to Bracknell? Share your travels with the world!

Comments (14)

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iris2002 May 7, 2006 at 5:59 AM

I so agree about monstrosities and not much soul.... .but - 10 minutes to the east, to the south or to the west and you are in fab countryside with lots of little lovely villages - I am in the midst of green and forest here - BLISS!! :)
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evaanna Jul 14, 2005 at 12:31 AM

I wish they could move the Red Lion Pub away to a nicer place.
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craic Jun 16, 2005 at 5:53 PM

Well, I am a bit gopbsmacked by Bracknell. I can't even stutter out - A haaaandbag!
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scottishvisitor May 25, 2005 at 2:19 PM

Why build a high rise on top of a pub? Also why is there so many Red Lion Pubs? Don't answer the last question!!
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Dabs May 9, 2005 at 8:29 PM

Guess I can cross this one off my must see list! There isn't even one smutty element to it and if Andy can't find a smutty reference....
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matcrazy1 Apr 13, 2005 at 5:27 AM

Thanks for honest opinion! Well, maybe I would take a quick look at this concrete monster, anyway...
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LoriPori Apr 4, 2005 at 4:45 AM

Doesn't look like much to see or do in Bracknell!
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dejavu2gb Mar 18, 2005 at 1:19 AM

It sure does have many roundabouts, but I think if there was a competition, Milton Keynes will be in the lead...
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jenniferchin Mar 13, 2005 at 5:21 AM

What a Ball ......
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ATXtraveler Feb 12, 2005 at 11:30 AM

I thought it was a giant HP trackball actually... it isn't?