Far East side of the NT estate near the Runnymede Hotel and Spa

Start & Finish: The National Trust Car Park, Windsor Rd, Englefield Green, Windsor SL4 2JL
Distance: 7 km (4.5 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 91 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: Magna Carta Tea Room (SL4 2JJ), Runnymede Cafe (TW20 0AE)
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: National Trust Runnymede and Ankerwycke, RAF Memorial Runnymede, Lutyen’s Kiosks, Magna Carta

This is a short walk that packs in a lot of history. Runnymede is a National Trust site on the banks of the Thames to the South East of Windsor. It’s most famous for being the location where the Magna Carta, a charter of rights and basis of modern law, was signed by King John in 1215. This walk combines a pleasant section of the Thames path with the main memorials and monuments in the area.

Start at the National Trust car-park (free to members) opposite the Tea Rooms. From here follow the Thames Path for ~2.75 km to the Runnymede Hotel and Spa just before the M25 river crossing. Both the National Trust managed banks of the river and the Pleasure Ground are great places to stop for a picnic in the summer. Watch out for the Queen Elizabeth statue in the Pleasure Grounds and the paintings on the lock-keepers cottage at Bell Weir Lock.

At the Eastern end of the Runnymede Hotel you’l find a footpath that takes you away from the river, through the car-park and up to the A308 Windsor Road. As you cross the road you’ll see 2 octagonal brick buildings called the Lutyens Kiosks. These were commissioned by architect Edward Lutyens to commemorate the death of MP Urban Broughton who died in 1929.

With the kiosks behind you continue along the footpath across the fields in a westerly direction for just over 1 km. Here you’ll find a path that takes you up into Cooper’s Hill Woods and onto Cooper’s Hill Lane. Continue for ~1km past the Kingswood University campus on your left to the gates of the RAF Memorial on your right. The RAF Memorial commemorates more than 20,000 airmen and women who were lost in the Second World War who have no known grave. I’ve been there several times before and always found it to be a peaceful, thought-provoking place.

On exiting the RAF Memorial, take a left onto Cooper’s Hill Road and retrace your steps to a footpath that takes you North into the woods at the Western corner of the memorial property. This path takes you steeply down and back to the fields where the main Runnymede memorials are located. The final 1 km of the walk is worth taking slowly to fully appreciate the history and significance of the memorials and works of art. In order you’ll pass Writ In Water, The American Bar Association Magna Carta Monument, The JFK Memorial and The Jurors artwork. The National Trust page for Runnymede is a great start for finding out more about these.

After The Jurors, you’ll be back at the A308 Windsor Road with the Car Park on the other side.