If you’re considering renting office space in Bracknell, Windsor or Staines, the best answer may actually be a nearby location that offers stronger transport links, better parking, a more distinctive business setting or easier access to Heathrow, London and the wider South East.
Orbit Southern offers office space and commercial property across key South East locations including Ascot, Brentford, Egham, Heathrow and Maidenhead. These locations sit close to some of the region’s most active business and commuter towns, making them practical alternatives for companies looking at Bracknell, Windsor and Staines as possible bases.
That matters because location decisions are not only about where directors want the business to be. They are also about where employees live, how clients visit, how suppliers reach you, whether parking works, how easy it is to access London, and whether the building gives your business room to grow.
Why look beyond Bracknell, Windsor or Staines?
Bracknell, Windsor and Staines all have strong arguments in their favour. Bracknell is well established for business, Windsor offers prestige and a highly recognisable address, and Staines benefits from proximity to Heathrow, the M25 and the wider Thames Valley. But they are not always the perfect fit for every company.
Some businesses find that town-centre parking, availability, budget, access routes or future expansion plans make it worth looking slightly further afield. Others may have teams spread across Berkshire, Surrey and West London, making a location such as Ascot, Egham, Maidenhead, Heathrow or Brentford a more balanced option.
The key benefit of Orbit Southern’s portfolio is that these locations are spread across strong business corridors while remaining close enough to Bracknell, Windsor and Staines to be realistic for staff who already live there.
Ascot: A strong alternative for businesses searching for office space in Bracknell
For businesses considering office space in Bracknell, Ascot should be high on the alternative shortlist. It is close enough to Bracknell to remain convenient for local employees, but it offers a more distinctive, leafy and prestigious setting than many traditional business-park environments.
Ascot is a prime Thames Valley location, around five miles from Bracknell and with access to the M3, M4, M25 and M40. The town also has rail services to Reading and London Waterloo, giving businesses a practical mix of road and rail connectivity.
This makes Ascot especially appealing for professional services firms, consultants, healthcare businesses, technology companies and smaller teams that want a quality working environment without moving too far from Bracknell, Windsor or the wider Berkshire talent pool.
Our Ascot properties also help solve a common office-search problem: the need for a workspace that feels professional but not anonymous. Ashurst Manor is set within three acres of landscaped grounds and provides refurbished office space with features including parking, air conditioning and 24/7 access. Winslow House offers character office space within Ashurst Park, close to Sunninghill High Street and Ascot town centre.
Ascot may not suit teams that need a busy urban centre immediately outside the door. But for companies that value environment, parking, presentation and proximity to Bracknell, it makes for a compelling option.
Egham: Ideal for companies comparing Windsor and Staines
Egham is a natural alternative for businesses looking at office space in Windsor or Staines. It sits close to both, offers quick access to the M25, and has a strong combination of heritage, business connectivity and access to Heathrow.
Egham is around 20 miles from Central London, minutes from Heathrow Airport and well connected by road, with the M25 nearby and regular train services to London Waterloo. The town is also home to Royal Holloway, University of London, giving businesses access to a nearby graduate talent pool.
For businesses with employees living in Windsor or Staines, Egham can feel like a sensible compromise. It avoids some of the constraints of a tourist-heavy town centre while remaining close to the residential communities and client bases that make Windsor and Staines attractive in the first place.
Blays House, Orbit Southern’s Egham office location, is set in a rural environment close to the Royal Parks, Virginia Water and Savill Gardens, while still offering easy access to the M25. Its features include parking, air conditioning, a building manager and 24/7 access.
The main appeal of Egham is that it has a quieter feel than larger commercial centres. For some companies, that is a benefit. For others, particularly those wanting a high-street office with heavy footfall, it may be less suitable. But for teams seeking a well-connected base near Windsor, Staines and Heathrow, Egham is hard to overlook.
Heathrow: A strategic base for regional, national and international businesses
For companies considering Staines, Windsor or Bracknell because of their wider South East connectivity, office space in Heathrow may offer an even stronger strategic advantage.
Orbit Southern owns five buildings that form a business park at Heathrow, plus an additional building on Bath Road. The Heathrow location is close to Heathrow Airport, with access to the M25, M4 and M3, as well as Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line.
For businesses with international clients, frequent travel, logistics requirements, aviation links or senior teams moving between London and the wider UK, Heathrow can be a highly practical base. It offers the type of connectivity that many regional towns simply cannot match.
Heathrow Express services run between Heathrow and London Paddington every 15 minutes, with a 15-minute journey time between Terminals 2 & 3 and Paddington. The Elizabeth line also connects Heathrow with Paddington, the West End, the City and Canary Wharf, with six Elizabeth line trains an hour serving London Heathrow.
Orbit Southern’s Heathrow locations also offer a range of workspace styles and sizes.
Heathrow Boulevard offers landscaped grounds and shared amenities such as break-out space, exercise facilities and outdoor areas. Strata House is located on Bath Road opposite the entrance to Heathrow Airport and offers refurbished office suites in a range of sizes. While Sovereign Court provides flexible office suites and is situated minutes from Heathrow Airport.
The obvious trade-off is that Heathrow and the surrounding road network can be busy, especially at peak travel times. Not every business needs an airport location. But for companies that want access to London, the national motorway network and international travel, Heathrow is one of the strongest alternatives to office space in Staines, Windsor or Bracknell.
Brentford: A West London office location with serious business credentials
For companies searching for office space in Windsor, Staines or Bracknell but also wanting stronger access to London, Brentford office space offers a different kind of opportunity.
Brentford sits on the Great West Road, one of West London’s long-established business corridors.
Profile West is our landmark building in Brentford, located at 950 Great West Road close to former headquarters of GlaxoSmithKline. It offers modern office space, parking, air conditioning, a building manager and 24/7 access, along with a refurbished atrium reception, breakout areas and on-site amenities.
Brentford can be a smart alternative for companies that want to move closer to London while keeping a clear route back to Heathrow and the M4 corridor.
Brentford will not be the closest option for every employee if based in Windsor, Staines or Bracknell. But for businesses that need a stronger London-facing address, access to West London clients and a more corporate office setting, it offers advantages that many smaller towns cannot.
What about commuting from Bracknell, Windsor and Staines?
A major concern for any office relocation, or when looking for your first office base, is the average commute of staff.
If relocating, a good office move should support the people who already make the business work. If it’s a new business, you’ll want to be aware of where your talent pools are that you might need to recruit from.
There will always be trade-offs. Some employees may prefer a town-centre location close to home. Others may prioritise better or free parking, shorter driving routes, better public transport, flexible start times or a more attractive working environment. The most successful office moves usually compare these factors together rather than focusing on postcode alone.
Choosing the right location with Orbit Southern
Office searches typically begin with a single phrase online: office space Bracknell, office space Windsor or office space Staines. But the best location for your business might be just outside those search areas. The best location depends on what your business needs most.
Orbit Southern’s portfolio across Ascot, Egham, Heathrow, Brentford and Maidenhead gives businesses a wider set of options across the South East. Whether you are relocating, expanding, downsizing or reviewing your current office, looking slightly beyond your first-choice town could help you find a better balance of access, quality, value and long-term flexibility.
To explore current availability, view Orbit Southern’s property search or contact the team on 020 8750 1410.
