Runnymede and Ankerwycke
Riverside site of the sealing of Magna Carta
Visiting Runnymede: what you need to know
Our car parks and café are open and we can't wait to welcome you back.
Runnymede and Ankerwycke
Overview
Riverside site of the sealing of Magna Carta
Seen by many as the birthplace of modern democracy, this open landscape beside the Thames was witness to King John's historic sealing of Magna Carta 801 years ago on 15 June 1215.
Today Runnymede is an ideal place to relax outdoors, or to pause and reflect on the history of the struggle for freedom. As well as a monument to the democratic legacy of the Magna Carta, you'll find further memorials to John F. Kennedy and the Commonwealth Air Forces, and a unique installation by artists Hew Locke and Mark Wallinger.
Within easy reach of the M25, this peaceful river scenery is home to rolling hills, open meadows and a variety of wildlife. Enjoy a picnic, take in the views, ride your bike along the riverbank or bring your dog on one of our waymarked countryside walks.
On the other side of the Thames you'll find Ankerwycke, a hidden gem with secrets to discover among the woods and fields. Look out for the ruins of a Benedictine priory and the National Trust's oldest tree, a 2,500-year-old Yew where Henry VIII was rumoured to have courted Anne Boleyn.
We're open all year round, so come and explore a beautiful and important slice of history.
- Telephone
- 01784432891
- runnymede@nationaltrust.org.uk
Runnymede and Ankerwycke
How to get here
- Address
- Windsor Road, near Old Windsor, Surrey, SL4 2JL (SatNav: TW20 0AE)
- By cycle
- We're on the Thames Path, National Trail for 1¼ miles. Cycle racks are available in the Magna Carta car park, beside the tea-room.
- Cycle route information
- By ferry
- The French Brothers ferry from Windsor stops at Runnymede.
- By bus
- The First 8 bus goes from Windsor Town Centre, Theatre Royal to Runnymede, opposite Beaumont on Priest Hill. For the return journey the closest stop is adjacent Beaumont on Priest Hill, from which the number 8 drops passengers at Windsor Town Centre, WH Smith on Thames Street.
- By train
- Our entrance is approximately 2 miles (3.2km) from Egham train station, and can be reached using the First 8 bus route. To plan a train journey please use the National Rail journey planner. Traveling from Heathrow: You can take the Underground from Terminal 1-3 to Hatton Cross, connect with the 490 bus to Feltham, then take the National Rail service to Egham.
- By road
- From Egham: Take the exit onto Windsor Road/A308 at Runnymede roundabout. Drive along for about 1½ miles (2.4km). From Heathrow: Turn off at junction 13 of the M25 and take the exit to Egham/Windsor. At the large roundabout, take the third exit onto the A308. Drive along the river for about 1½ miles (2.4km) to the memorials car park. From Windsor: Head north and turn left onto Alma Road. At the roundabout, take the first exit onto the A308. Continue along the A308 (Osborne Road, Albert Road, Straight Road, Windsor Road) until you reach the memorials car park.
- Parking: Pay-and-display car parks either side of the A308 (free for National Trust members). The Memorials car park (tea-room side) is open all year, and the riverside car park is open seasonally, weather dependent.
- SatNav:
- On foot
- We're on the Thames Path, National Trail for 1¼ miles.
- Ankerwycke
- If you’re travelling by car: From the M25, exit at junction 13 onto A30 toward London (W)/Hounslow/Staines. From A30 or A308, go to the roundabout junction with M25. At the roundabout junction with M25, take the 1st exit (from south) or 3rd exit (from north) toward Wraysbury/B376. Follow the road for about a mile and Magna Carta Lane is on the left just before the Wraysbury 30 mph zone. Note, on Staines Road, you see two yellow-backed chevrons to the right hand side. From here, you can see the Magna Carta Lane sign cul-de-sac symbol.Go down Magna Carta Lane 100 yards or so to the turning area where there is a notice board. This is the main entrance point to the site For sat nav: TW19 5AD. Be wary of Sat Nav, as this may take you down the wrong lane to Thatch Lodge Lane; Magna Carta Lane is the next left after this. Train: Half hour walk from Wraysbury Station, Windsor/Waterloo line. Leave the station via Station Road and continue into Staines Road B376. Magna Carta Lane on right. Bus: Route 60/61, Eton Wick to Heathrow Terminal 5. Alight at Staines Road between Hythe End and Wraysbury and walk to Magna Carta Lane.
Runnymede and Ankerwycke
Prices
Admission free
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission
- Standard Admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
Runnymede and Ankerwycke
Opening times
Please note...
There's currently no water in Writ in Water due to an electrics issue with the pump. We're working to get it fixed as soon as possible.
Saturday 23 October
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
- Memorials car park 09:00 - 17:00
- Riverside car park Closed
- Tea-room 10:00 - 16:30
Sunday 24 October
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
- Memorials car park 09:00 - 17:00
- Riverside car park Closed
- Tea-room 10:00 - 16:30
Monday 25 October
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
- Memorials car park 09:00 - 17:00
- Riverside car park Closed
- Tea-room 10:00 - 16:30
Tuesday 26 October
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
- Memorials car park 09:00 - 17:00
- Riverside car park Closed
- Tea-room 10:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 27 October
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
- Memorials car park 09:00 - 17:00
- Riverside car park Closed
- Tea-room 10:00 - 16:30
Thursday 28 October
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
- Memorials car park 09:00 - 17:00
- Riverside car park Closed
- Tea-room 10:00 - 16:30
Friday 29 October
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
- Memorials car park 09:00 - 17:00
- Riverside car park Closed
- Tea-room 10:00 - 16:30
Runnymede and Ankerwycke
Contact us
- Telephone
- 01784432891
- runnymede@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Address
- Windsor Road, near Old Windsor, Surrey, SL4 2JL (SatNav: TW20 0AE)