About
Runnymede Memorials
Runnymede is believed to date back to Saxon times - much earlier than Magna Carta. Runnymede is thought to take its name from "runieg" meaning regular meeting, and "mead" meaning meadow.
Runnymede is an attractive area of riverside meadows, grassland and broadleaved woodland, rich in flora and fauna, and with a network of pleasant footpaths. It was on this site, in 1215, that King John sealed the Magna Carta, an event commemorated by the American Bar Association Memorial. The John F. Kennedy Memorial and various memorial trees are indicative of the area's importance in world history. The Fairhaven Lodges and Kiosks, designed by Lutyens, one of which is now an office can be found here.
A network of footpaths links the Magna Carta memorial with two others: one to the late American President, John F. Kennedy, and one to the 20,000 Royal Air Force airmen killed in the Second World War, who have no known grave.
The Magna Carta Memorial
The Magna Carta Memorial (link to new entry) on the site of the sealing of the Magna Carta, was erected in 1957 by the American Bar Association. Designed by Sir Edward Maufe, it reflects the role that the Magna Carta has had on the American Bill of Rights and Constitution and its use today, for example, the presumption of innocence and the burden of proof.
The sealing of the Magna Carta by King John and his barons ensured that the king could no longer do what he wanted to without question. Placed in the Runnymede meadows, the site is little changed over time and is a place for quiet reflection.
The Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede
The Kennedy Memorial is set in a symbolic acre of land donated to the United States of America by Queen Elizabeth II in 1965, this seven tonne block of Portland stone commemorates the life of President John F Kennedy following his tragic assassination.
The Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial
Above the Magna Carta Memorial and the Kennedy Memorial at the top of Coopers Hill is the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial. It commemorates by name over 20,000 airmen who were lost in the Second World War during operations from bases in the United Kingdom and North and Western Europe, and who have no known graves. They served in Bomber, Fighter, Coastal, Transport, Flying Training and Maintenance Commands, and came from all parts of the Commonwealth. Some were from countries in continental Europe which had been overrun but whose airmen continued to fight in the ranks of the Royal Air Force.
Fairhaven Memorial Lodges
Situated within the meadows of Runnymede, the Fairhaven Memorial Lodges were designed for Lady Cara Fairhaven, to mark her family’s gift of Runnymede to the nation. Lady Fairhaven had inherited her wealth from her father Henry Huttleston Rogers who grew up in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Cara and her husband, Urban Hanlon Broughton, who had worked for her father, came to live at Englefield Green, on the edge of Windsor Great Park. They purchased Runnymede meadow, but when Urban Broughton died in 1929, it was given to the nation ‘in perpetual memory’ of him. Lutyens’s plans includes the Egham roundabout, with the Bell-Weir Bridge (now M25) over the Thames, and the A308 that passes by Runnymede. Runnymede is marked by the red brick and Portland stone entrance kiosks, with the white lodges at the far, Old Windsor end. North Lodge entrance has the Fairhaven arms and houses the National Trust estate office. South Lodge is now the tea room and art gallery.
Coopers Hill Walk
Beyond the woods, a steep climb up Coopers Hill provides a viewing point, to watch the craft on the Thames go by, see Magna Carta Island and look across the river to the Ankerwyke Yew Tree which is said to be over 2000 years old.
This large wood contains varied trees, plants and animals including ancient oaks, bluebells, noctule bats and green woodpeckers. It forms part of a 4 mile Coopers Hill circular walk that takes in famous landmarks including Magna Carta, Commonwealth Air Forces and Kennedy Memorials and Langham Ponds.
Take a 45-minute cruise with French Brothers (summer only), or walk along the river to the Runnymede Pleasure Grounds. Or stop off for lunch or Afternoon Tea at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel, just along the river.
Tea Rooms and Parking
The Magna Carta Tea Rooms Open 363 days a year: April - October 10am until 5.30pm, till 4.30pm in February, March, October and November, and till 3.30pm in December and January.
South Side Tea Room Pay and Display Car-Park, March to September, 08.30 to 19.00 hrs
South Side Tea Room Pay and Display Car-Park, October to February, 08.30 hrs to dusk
Riverside Car-Park, March to September only, 10.00 to 19.00 hrs, when conditions allow.
The car-park will be closed on 24 December and may be closed on 25 & 26 December and 1 January.
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WTTC Safe Travels 2021
