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Runnymede in Sound: audio tour
Using expert interviews and archive material, National Trust curator Rowena Willard-Wright delves into the history and significance of Runnymede’s varied landscape in this immersive audio tour. Scroll down the page to find the trail number that corresponds to your location on the signage.
Trail point 1: Welcome to Runnymede
An introduction to the audio tour from your guide Rowena Willard-Wright.
00:00
01:58
Trail Point 2a: The Magna Carta
Rowena describes the events that led up to the signing of Magna Carta.
00:00
03:43
Trail Point 2b: The greater charter of freedoms
Historian David Carpenter talks about the Magna Carta document.
00:00
02:46
Trail point 2c: Women in the Charter
Historian David Carpenter talks about Magna Carta and women.
00:00
01:12
Trail point 3: The Jurors
An introduction to Hew Locke's artwork, The Jurors. Follow the link to tour the12 bronze chairs decorated with stories on the themes of liberty and justice.
Jurors audio tour00:00
01:01
Trail point 4: Owning the Magna Carta
Lead Ranger Jamie Preston talks about nature on the Runnymede meadows.
00:00
01:34
Trail point 5a: The Kennedy Memorial
Lead Ranger Jamie Preston talks about the inspiration behind the Kennedy Memorial.
00:00
01:51
Trail point 5b: Kennedy's Inaugural Speech
President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech in 1961.
00:00
02:42
Trail point 5c: Kennedy's Presidency
Rowena talks about Kennedy’s presidency, and we hear from American statesman and civil rights activist John Lewis who felt Kennedy’s loss deeply.
00:00
01:47
Trail point 6a: Magna Carta Memorial
Rowena tells us why the Magna Carta memorial was built here.
00:00
01:40
Trail point 6b: Peaceful Protest
Royal Holloway student Gina Gitonga remembers the Black Lives Protest at the Magna Carta Memorial.
00:00
01:52
Trail point 7: Ripples of Democracy
India and the Magna Carta.
00:00
02:23
Trail point 8a: Writ in Water - Listen before you enter
A brief introduction to Writ in Water. Writ in Water was designed as a quiet space for reflection. Please listen to this audio before or after you visit the artwork.
00:00
00:39
Trail point 8b: Writ in Water
Mark Wallinger talks about the inspiration behind Writ in Water. Writ in Water was designed as a quiet space for contemplation. Please listen to this audio before or after you visit the artwork.
00:00
03:52
Trail point 9: Ankerwycke's Hidden History
Archaeologist James Brown tells us about the history of Ankerwycke on the other side of the river.
00:00
01:42
Trail point 10: Changing River and Landscape
Archaeologist Harry Farmer talks about Runnymede after the glacial age.
00:00
03:32
Trail point 11: Langham Ponds
Lead Ranger Jamie Preston describes water and wildlife at Langham Ponds.
00:00
02:42
Trail point 12: Cattle at Runnymede
Runnymede Farmer David Sheldrake talks about life and cattle at Runnymede.
00:00
02:30
Trail point 13: Should Nature Have Rights?
Rowena and Lead Ranger Jamie Preston discuss whether nature should have rights.
00:00
02:01
Trail point 14: Charter of the Forest
Rowena and archaeologist James Brown introduce us to the all-important Charter of the Forest.
00:00
03:01
Trail point 15: Air Forces Memorial
The Air Forces Memorial and the poem by Paul H Scott written for the Memorial’s opening.
00:00
02:01
The idea for this audio tour came from the Runnymede Voices, an intergeneration group of 12 people from the local area who have helped us decide which stories to tell. Runnymede in Sound and Ankerwycke in Sound was made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It was created by the Runnymede National Trust team in collaboration with Naked Productions.
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Things to see and do at Runnymede and Ankerwycke
With riverside walks and open meadows, art installations inspired by history, and a series of moving memorials, there’s lots to see and do at Runnymede and Ankerwycke. For a deeper dive, why not listen to our audio guides.