Other areas of England have laid claim to being the "heart of the country" whereas Runnymede can be regarded as it's "soul" for it was at Runnymede Meadow, beside the River Thames, that King John, forced by his barons, agreed to seal a great Charter (Magna Carta) on 15 June 1215 in order to prevent a civil war.

Immediately before the meeting the King was at his castle at Windsor, while his rebel barons were encamped nearby at Staines. Runnymede lay halfway between and offered a wide, open area with ample space for each side's armies tents and horses The rebellion of the barons forced King John to grant them protection from certain injustices, but in doing so, Magna Carta embodied the principle that both the King and the barons were bound by law in the exercise of power and this gave the Charter a far wider and enduring significance. The document we know as Magna Carta has for long been the most potent symbol of freedom under the law for Western Civilisation.

"No free man shall be .... imprisoned or ... outlawed ..... except by the lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land. To no one will we sell, to no one will we deny or delay right or Justice."

The principles and subsequent interpretations of this historic document have had a profound and significant influence on peoples rights and freedoms, not only in England but across large parts of the civilised world.

These principles were exported to the United States of America and it was the American Bar Association which erected the memorial on the site. This is maintained by the Magna Carta trust whose Chairman is the Master of the Rolls, one of the leading figures in the English judicial system.

Today, the majority of the meadows beside the Thames belong to the National Trust and are visited by thousands of people throughout the year. The Thames is broad, calm and peaceful here; there is little commercial traffic on the river apart from cruise boats, and the varied attractions close at hand draw visitors from all over the world. Many come to see the Memorial commemorating the men and women of the Commonwealth Air Forces killed in World War II, who have no known grave. From its position on Coopers Hill, above the river, it commands splendid views over the Thames Valley. In the meadows below stands the Magna Carta Memorial set up by the American Bar Association and the Magna Carta Trust. Nearby, the Kennedy Memorial stands in its own acre of land, given by the people of Britain to the USA, honouring the memory of the assassinated President. A little piece of America by the Thames.

Apart from its historic memories, this is an attractive area of the country with a great many things to do and see. From boating on the river, a trip upstream to Windsor or downstream to another Royal residence, Hampton Court Palace, the Runnymede Boathouse is a convenient place from which to start. Parks and gardens abound here. Hampton Court has traditional formal gardens and its Annual Flower Show. Windsor Great Park has acres to walk, run and play in, and the Savill Garden, carefully landscaped to be beautiful at all seasons, but perhaps most of all in early summer when the azaleas are a blaze of colour.

There is a wide variety of water sports available, including sailing, water-skiing and wind-surfing; a dream of fast cars can be experienced at the Brooklands Museum in Weybridge with its memories of motor racing in the 20s and 30s. Horse racing, 'the sport of kings' can be enjoyed at Kempton Park, Ascot, Windsor, Sandown Park and Epsom courses which are not far away. Children are extremely well looked after - Thorpe Park, a family leisure park with 500 acres of rides and attractions, many of them water based, will keep everyone happy. Within easy reach is Chessington World of Adventures and, LegoLand, near Windsor is sure to be a big attraction for high days and holidays. Golfers are well catered for with many courses in the vicinity and the river banks offer fishing and the chance just to sit and watch the ripples pass.

Websites of Historical Information

Addlestone Historical Society

Historical/ Conservation Information

Chertsey Abbey

The Abbey Field - Historical Information

The Abbey Fishponds - Historical Information

Chertsey - Conservation Area Chertsey Bridge - Historical Information

Egham - Historical Information

Englefield Green - Conservation Area

Hythe - Conservation Area

St. Anns Hill - Historical Information

Thorpe - Conservation Area