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The birthplace of the Magna Carta. History, art and nature on the banks of the River Thames.
Windsor Road, near Old Windsor, Surrey, SL4 2JL (SatNav: TW20 0AE)
Asset | Opening time |
---|---|
Countryside | Dawn - Dusk |
Memorials car park | 09:00 - 19:00 |
Riverside car park | 07:00 - 19:00 |
Tea-room | 09:00 - 17:00 |
Last entry is 1 hour before closing. The riverside car park will be closed during the winter months. We may open it if weather conditions allow, but please use the Memorial car park in the first instance. Take-away service only in the tearooms 30 minutes before closing.
A small secondhand bookshop is located in the Magna Carta tea-room.
Open daily serving sandwiches, pasties and sausage rolls, cakes and scones, and hot and cold drinks. Indoor and outdoor seating. Highchairs and bottle-warming facilities are available. Well-behaved dogs welcome.
Free for National Trust members and Blue Badge Holders. Please remember to scan your membership card. Car parking charges apply for non-members. Coach parking is £5 for the first hour and £10 for more than one hour. Educational trips park for free. Please email runnymede@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Toilets can be found at the rear of the Magna Carta tea-room.
Runnymede and Ankerwycke is a three pawprint rated place. Dogs are welcome in the countryside at Runnymede and Ankerwycke. As a sign of respect, when around the memorials please keep dogs on a short lead. In areas where dogs can be off-lead, they must be kept under close control. Well-behaved dogs on a short lead are welcome in the Magna Carta tea-room.
Blue Badge parking. Adapted toilets with level access. Paths not suitable for wheelchairs, and are muddy during wet weather.
An accessible toilet can be found in the Magna Carta tea-room.
Level access can be found at the rear of the Magna Carta tea-room via the Memorials car park.
Runnymede is located on the A308. The nearest motorway access is Junction 13 of the M25.
Parking: Pay-and-display car parks either side of the A308 (free for National Trust members and Blue Badge holders). Disabled parking spaces are available in the Memorials car park. Car parks are open all year. The Riverside car park is weather-dependent.
Sat Nav: Sat Nav: Use postcode TW20 0AE or type in "National Trust Runnymede". For other GPS options use SL4 2JL. What3words location: agree.fault.skips
We're on the Thames Path, National Trail for 1¼ miles.
Our Coopers Hill Woods entrance is approximately 0.6 miles (1km) from Egham train station via the Egham to Runnymede Countryside Circular Walk. Alternatively, take the First 8 bus route from the station. Travelling from Heathrow: 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. To plan a train journey please use the National Rail journey planner.
Runnymede can be reached by the No8 First bus service from both Windsor Town Centre and Egham. The nearest stop is the Bells of Ouzeley, Old Windsor. After a short walk along the Thames Path, you will arrive at our Lutyens Lodges. Visitor information is available for our tea-room in the South Lodge on the opposite side of the road to the river.
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.
The French Brothers ferry from Windsor stops at Runnymede.
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.
Windsor Road, near Old Windsor, Surrey, SL4 2JL (SatNav: TW20 0AE)
Runnymede and Ankerwycke is a three pawprint rated place. Enjoy riverside walks and open countryside on a dog walk at Runnymede and Ankerwycke. Find out where dogs can explore and read the Canine Code.
Find out all about bringing your group to this peaceful riverside estate that’s home to open meadows and a variety of wildlife. Look out for notable memorials, art installations and the National Trust's oldest tree.
Boats are welcome to moor along the riverside at Runnymede. Mooring fees are £3 for up to 2 hours, £6 for up to 6 hours, or £9 for up to 24 hours. Seasonal mooring tickets are £40 allowing you to moor for up to 20 days per year (7 consecutive days max). Mooring fees can paid at the Magna Carta Tearoom, estate office, or by asking a member of staff. You can also pay online via the PayByPhone website using the code 806412. Seasonal tickets cannot be purchased online.
Fishing fees are £6/day or £35/year (12 years and up). £2.50/day or £12/year (under 12 years). Fishing tickets can be purchased at the Magna Carta Tea-rooms, estate office or ask a member of staff. You can also pay online via the PayByPhone website using the code 806411 for adults and 806413 for children. Please note seasonal tickets cannot be purchased via PayByPhone. No fishing between 15 March - 15 June.
Site of the sealing of Magna Carta in 1215. With riverside walks, open meadows, art installations and poignant memorials.
Lush wetlands with a diverse wildlife population, in a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Woodland slopes offering spring flowers, summer glades and autumn fungi.
Peaceful woodlands, wildlife and the site of the Ankerwycke Yew, thought to be over 2,500 years old, making it the National Trust's oldest tree.
Art installation by Mark Wallinger in collaboration with Studi Octopi which explores the founding principles of democracy and provides space for reflection and contemplation.
Twelve intricate bronze chairs by Hew Locke representing key moments in the struggle for freedom, rule of law and equal rights. Created to mark the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta.
Tearoom serving a range of hot and cold drinks, light meals and snacks.
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. With spotter sheets, seed bomb making, meadow crafts and games, and bug hunts, there something to do each day. Meadow Wonders concludes during Half term and the late May Bank holiday with even more crafts and activities to enjoy.
We’re celebrating the anniversary of the Magna Carta which was sealed at Runnymede on 15 June 1215. We're turning our paddock at Runnymede into an Medieval encampment where you’ll find family games, crafts, and activities exploring the very special history and significance of this floodplain meadow. On Sat 15 June there is a FREE shuttle bus to and from Runnymede and Egham town centre to enable you to enjoy Egham's Magna Carta day event too.
Enjoy an interactive kids’ nature walk, activities inside and outside an architectural artwork, willow sculptures with an added twist and a boat trip on the Thames.
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.
Enjoy Runnymede and Ankerwycke from a different viewpoint with a boat trip along the River Thames. Across the road from the Magna Carta Tearooms on the Thames, you'll find the Lucy Fisher, a replica Victorian paddle steamer where you can enjoy a cruise along the river. Operated by French Brothers, boat trips leave the National Trust dock (by the North Lodge), hourly between 11am and 5pm between April and the end of September. (Weekends only from 15 April - 24 May, then daily from 25 May - 8 Sept). Book in advance online or pay on the day.
Reflect upon the history of Runnymede inside this immersive architectural installation, which celebrates the sealing of Magna Carta at Runnymede over 800 years ago.
Twelve intricately carved bronze chairs celebrate the endurance of Magna Carta at Runnymede. Discover the artwork and its inspiration here.
Twelve intricately carved bronze chairs celebrate the endurance of Magna Carta at Runnymede. Discover the artwork and its inspiration here.
Follow this Surrey countryside trail of a circular walk between Egham and Runnymede through ancient woodlands, wetlands and wildflower meadows.
Learn about historic memorials, outdoor artworks and ancient ruins, as well as the local woodland, meadows and ponds, on this interactive audio walk.
Learn about the varied and layered history of Ankerwycke on this interactive audio walk.
Stay refreshed with hot and cold drinks, light meals, snacks and cakes in the Magna Carta tea-room at Runnymede.
Join us throughout May in celebration of our floodplain meadow that forms the heart of Runnymede
Join our Habitat Monitors for a guided walk through Runnymede on Fri 10 and 17 May, Wed 22 May, or Tues 28 May.
Join us during May Half Term celebration of our floodplain meadow at Runnymede.
Get ready to explore the world of bugs and see how many you can find at Runnymede.
Explore Runnymede on a guided walk and talk through meadows and woodlands, meeting on the last Thursday of every month March to October.
Seen by many as the birthplace of modern democracy, this open landscape beside the Thames was witness to King John's historic sealing of the Magna Carta over 800 years ago, on 15 June 1215. Today, Runnymede is a perfect place to relax outdoors, or to pause and reflect on the history of the struggle for freedom.
As well as a monument to the legacy of the Magna Carta, you'll find further memorials to John F. Kennedy and the Commonwealth Air Forces, and a series of art installations, including unique works by Hew Locke and Mark Wallinger.
Within easy reach of the M25, this peaceful stretch of countryside 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, try a spot of fishing or bring your dog on one of our waymarked 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 oldest tree in the National Trust's care, a 2,500-year-old yew where Henry VIII is rumoured to have courted Anne Boleyn.
Thanks to Heritage Lottery Fund grants, the National Trust has been able to improve your visit to Runnymede and Ankerwycke. Alongside community activities, artist residencies and archaeological work aimed at revealing more about this historic site, a programme of extensive infrastructure improvements has seen new paths to increase accessibility for everyone, a new boardwalk at Langham Ponds, and a brand-new trail with information panels and audio guide.
Learn about the historic sealing of the Magna Carta, a medieval priory, an ancient tree where Henry VIII wooed Anne Boleyn – and the site of a 1930s nightclub.
Visit the JFK Memorial at Runnymede and contemplate President John F Kennedy's fight for freedom and peace around the world.
From managing Runnymede's wildflower meadows to conserving Ankerwycke’s medieval past, our experts have been working hard to preserve nature and history for visitors.
Reflect upon the history of Runnymede inside this immersive architectural installation, which celebrates the sealing of Magna Carta at Runnymede over 800 years ago.
Twelve intricately carved bronze chairs celebrate the endurance of Magna Carta at Runnymede. Discover the artwork and its inspiration here.
Find out how you can volunteer and help all visitors to enjoy this special place and make new friends at the same time.
Enjoy access to more than 500 places with National Trust membership. Join today and help protect nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever.