Things for families to do at Runnymede and Ankerwycke

A little girl jump and a little boy kneeling in the grass in front of a river at Runnymede, Surrey — Children playing on the banks of the River Thames at Runnymede and Ankerwycke, Surrey | © National Trust Images/John Millar

There’s plenty of family-friendly fun at Runnymede and Ankerwycke, with an interactive kids’ nature walk, activities inside and outside our architectural artwork Writ in Water, and willow sculptures with an added twist. Plus, make the most of the river, with a trip on a paddle steamer.

Meadow Wonders - 4 May - 3 June

Throughout May, we are celebrating the floodplain meadow that forms the heart of Runnymede. Not just as the place where the Magna Carta was sealed but as a haven for wildlife and nature and a centuries-old gathering place for the local community. During the summer months, the meadows or ‘mead’" at Runnymede become a haven for wildflowers, with colours and aromas in abundance. It’s a wonderful time to come and experience this beautiful landscape.

Visit anytime throughout the month to explore the meadows with our free spotter sheets available from the tearoom or come on a Saturday to make seed bombs and have fun launching them into the meadows. Join us on Friday 10 and 17 May or Wednesday 22 May for guidied walks and talks with our Habitat Monitors.

Half term week steps up a notch with free meadow-themed games throughout the week and on the last Bank Holiday Monday there'll be meadow crafts and a chance to meet the Rangers with their tractor.

Meadow Wonders

Follow the Nature Knights walk

Pick up a trail booklet from the Magna Carta Tea-rooms, or from a member of outdoor staff, and get ready to explore Runnymede as a Nature Knight.

Follow the route using the trail points in the booklet, try the activities as you go, and keep track of your adventure in your Knights Notes.

Look out for a range of plants and wildlife with regal names, and enjoy the natural beauty of Runnymede, whatever the season.

Nature Knights Trail

Go inside a willow sculpture

There are two groups of larger-than-life willow sculptures at Runnymede, both created by local artists Willotwisters, with the help of visitors, volunteers and local groups.

As the name suggests, The Haymakers depicts a rural haymaking scene, while the figures that make up The Last Survivors conceal a secret – go inside each sculpture to discover a different poem about land and freedom.

Visitors explore the Writ in Water architectural artwork which features words from the Magna Carta carved in stone — Exploring the Writ in Water architectural artwork | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Immerse yourself in Writ in Water

Writ in Water is an interactive architectural artwork celebrating science, nature and history. Before visiting it, pick up a Writ in Water activity sheet from the Magna Carta Tea-rooms or a member of outdoor staff.

Outside the circular building, you’ll be challenged to make a sensory map, by listening, smelling, viewing and touching the things around you. Then head inside to learn how, and why, it was built.

Please note, the suggested age for this activity sheet is 7 years and up.

Writ in Water activity sheet

Take a Victorian paddle steamer down the Thames

During spring and summer, you can enjoy Runnymede and Ankerwycke from a different point of view, with a boat trip along the River Thames.

Across the road from the Magna Carta Tea-rooms, you'll find the Lucy Fisher, a replica Victorian paddle steamer that will take you on a leisurely cruise along the Thames toward the Runnymede pleasure grounds and back.

For more information visit French Brothers River Thames passenger boat cruises.

Look out for seasonal events

We run seasonal events at Runnymede and Ankerwycke throughout the year.

Visit our events page to find out more.

Useful information for planning your visit

There are toilets and baby changing facilities in the Magna Carta Tea-rooms.

The tea-rooms also sell family friendly drinks and snacks as well as kids’ lunchboxes.

We have new accessible paths along the river and to our memorials and artworks. If you’re going further afield, you might prefer to use a child carrier.