Information on places to visit and where to stay in Surrey

There is now a Tourist Information Centre based in the Annual Sales Office at Thorpe Park.

The responsibility for local government in Runnymede lies with Runnymede Borough Council, which came into being on 1 April 1974 when the two smaller Urban District Councils of Egham and Chertsey were amalgamated under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972.

The District was granted a Charter of Incorporation as a Borough in January 1978, and Runnymede Borough Council is currently one of eleven District/Borough Councils contained with the County of Surrey

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The Authority, which has a population of 75,577 and covers approximately 30 square miles in north and west Surrey, has a natural north-eastern boundary formed by the Rivers Thames and Wey which separate it from the neighbouring towns of Staines (Spelthorne Borough Council) and Weybridge (Elmbridge Borough Council).

In the north-west the boundary cuts across the wooded areas of Windsor Great Park; in the west it links along the edge of Chobham Common, and in the south it extends to just above Woking. The northern half of the Borough contains Egham (which includes the historic area of Runnymede itself) and the villages of Thorpe and Englefield Green . To the west is an extensively wooded area which embraces the residential village of Virginia Water and the famed Wentworth golf courses. Further south is Chertsey, an historic town whose links with its former Abbey go back to Saxon times. Chertsey merges with the town of Addlestone, which itself leads into the urban villages of New Haw, Woodham and Ottershaw.

The Borough is predominantly residential but does have a number of light industries. Good communications by road and rail make Runnymede a suitable area in which to live close to the countryside and yet be within 30 minutes of central London. Rail routes link all parts of the Borough with Waterloo; there are several bus companies operating in the area providing access to the surrounding towns, whilst the M3 and M25 motorways provide an easy access to all parts of the country.

It is the Council's intention to provide an efficient, effective and positive service to the public and the Council's primary aim is to improve the quality of life for Runnymede residents.

Runnymede is in the county of Surrey, and the County Council also provides a further range of services to people living in, working in or visiting Surrey. Decisions on policy and spending are made by 76 Councillors who are elected by the electorate every four years. Members of the public can write or telephone or visit County Hall in the Royal Borough of Kingston to raise queries or seek help on County services.
Surrey County Council's address is:

County Hall,
Penhryn Road,
Kingston-upon-Thames,
Surrey KT1 2DN
(Tel: 0181 541 9082)