Runnymede National Trust
Runnymede National Trust
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The site where King John signed the Magna Carta, England's great icon of liberty and first expression of human rights, on June 15, 1215.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- emuslushyLondon, United Kingdom399 contributionsFull of HistoryThis area is absolutely full of history and is very understated, but in a really good way. First off the Magna Carta and JFK memorials, as well as The Jurors and Writ In Water. A lovely walk along the Thames - keep your eyes and ears peeled for birdlife. The NT staff member in the cafe was really helpful and very friendly. Coffee was very hot and tasty. There's also more in the area - the Pleasure Ground isn't NT and has a separate car park. Find the Ankerwycke Yew and priory ruins. NOTE - the NT staff members explained that even if you are a joint member, both scan your cards at the parking machine when getting free ticket (even though only one parking ticket needed) and this helps the funds of the NT at no cost to members.Visited March 2024Travelled soloWritten March 13, 2024
- Shirley EDronfield, United Kingdom414 contributionsA nice interesting walkThe car park is small and can get busy. It’s a nice walk from the car park. There’s the Kennedy memorial (beware slippy steps in wet weather) and the Magna Carta memorial and also various interesting art installations. Nice little cafe with outdoor seating.Visited March 2024Travelled soloWritten April 10, 2024
- blt100East Midlands, United Kingdom325 contributionsLovely spotWe came here because we'd seen a leaflet about boat trips from Windsor and Runnymede and decided that the 45 mini boat ride from Runnymede would be a good option. We're so glad that we were did come as it's a lovely spot. We took a walk to see the Jurors and the other sculptures. We then went to the JFK memorial. It's well worth a stop.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten August 31, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
364 reviews
Excellent
175
Very good
122
Average
58
Poor
7
Terrible
2
Big-A-Leics
Langham, UK167 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
We parked in the public carpark at the pleasure gardens and walked back along the river to the National Trust cafe then from there followed the walks to the JFK memorial, American Bar memorial, the water feature (forgotten its name) then trekked up through the woods -it’s a steep climb to the airforce memorial which is simply stunning. Then back down to the carpark and a little return trip on a boat. A great day out!
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So glad that you enjoyed your visit - you sound like you covered a lot of ground!
Written November 15, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Barbara1407
Enfield, UK103 contributions
Apr 2022
I've visited 3 times. Twice during lockdown when, yes, it was really muddy - but nothing that walking shoes / wellies couldn't deal with - then again last week when, whilst the muddy areas were still visible, the mud had completely dried out.
It was a joy in lockdown to actually have lots to see on our walk but now with the cafe open and boats running from over the road from the car park, it was even better. Also the new exhibit, The Haymakers, was fascinating.
When we visited previously there were leaflets available which explained The Jurors . These had disappeared when we went last week. The Jurors is fascinating but only when you understand what each picture means and not everybody will think to Google it. Suggest the leaflets should be re-instated.
The other memorials are equally excellent and it's a short(ish) walk to the RAF Memorial which is free and well worth visiting.
Yes it may well be muddy ( unless you visit during a prolonged period of dry weather) but having to clean your footwear afterwards is a small price to pay for such an enjoyable outing which has so much to see.
It was a joy in lockdown to actually have lots to see on our walk but now with the cafe open and boats running from over the road from the car park, it was even better. Also the new exhibit, The Haymakers, was fascinating.
When we visited previously there were leaflets available which explained The Jurors . These had disappeared when we went last week. The Jurors is fascinating but only when you understand what each picture means and not everybody will think to Google it. Suggest the leaflets should be re-instated.
The other memorials are equally excellent and it's a short(ish) walk to the RAF Memorial which is free and well worth visiting.
Yes it may well be muddy ( unless you visit during a prolonged period of dry weather) but having to clean your footwear afterwards is a small price to pay for such an enjoyable outing which has so much to see.
Written April 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Big_Jeff_Leo
St Helens, UK22,639 contributions
Oct 2020
Here you will find real history coupled with a good stroll. The park is very large, but it is not difficult to navigate around the various monuments that are dotted about. Runnymede is famous as the site of the sealing of Magna Carta, but today it's home to a collection of memorials to the struggle for liberty. As well as the monument to Magna Carta, you can visit memorials to JFK and the Allied Air Forces of the Second World War.
I particularly liked the Jurors, an artwork created by Hew Locke to mark the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta taking the form of twelve different and ornately carved bronze chairs.
The Tea room is closed due to Covid. but the carpark is still open to visitors.
I particularly liked the Jurors, an artwork created by Hew Locke to mark the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta taking the form of twelve different and ornately carved bronze chairs.
The Tea room is closed due to Covid. but the carpark is still open to visitors.
Written October 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
xsarahx
205 contributions
Aug 2020
Large beautiful natural beauty spot with fascinating sculptures/monuments along the way. Can easily spend a whole day here. There seems to be several car parks along the route and you need to cross the road to view the jfk monuments. Highly worth it though. Inside the main park area is a lovely children’s play park and a cafe with several places to grab an ice cream along the river walk. Car park was £1.50 an hour. Public toilets were near the cafe and were clean. Was also a child’s swimming pool in the grounds but was not open. Would highly recommend a visit.
Written August 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John G
United Kingdom656 contributions
Jul 2020
A really nice circular 4 mile walk can be organised- (see national trust website that takes in the memorials for President Kennedy, RAF plus the Magna Carta monument. There are some other sculptures dotted around too. Most people just seem to drive to one of two car park s and just stagger accross the road but a walk around the area can be paeceful with few people. The View from the RAF memorial accross the Thames is magnificent. The walk can be extended for 2-3 miles by arriving at Staines station and walking along the Thames. trains take 30-40 mins from London Waterloo.
Written July 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine S
4 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
We initially stopped at the first car park which is not National Trust (not immediately obvious) - statue of Queen Elizabeth and nice walk around the park/along the Thames though, as well as adequate cafe at reasonable prices.
Then realised there must be another site close by and drove a little distance further which does lead you to the NT property with ample parking.
I advise anyone visiting to get your bearings (take a photo of the map there as the signage is not great).
Area currently undergoing construction of a path.
Would be a very good idea for NT to provide a leaflet/guide which could provide more context.
Then realised there must be another site close by and drove a little distance further which does lead you to the NT property with ample parking.
I advise anyone visiting to get your bearings (take a photo of the map there as the signage is not great).
Area currently undergoing construction of a path.
Would be a very good idea for NT to provide a leaflet/guide which could provide more context.
Written July 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlexPOxford_UK
Oxford, UK139 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Very nicely maintained memorial. Although quite few visitors were there, it was clean and easily accessible.
Before reaching the memorial we stopped at the Jurors where a wonderful NT volunteer explained the history of the Magna Carta and the artist's rationale for each of the 12 seats of the Jurors.
The staff in the tearoom were amazing and very helpful in whatever we asked. The food and drink offers were standard NT level and they did not disappoint!
Before reaching the memorial we stopped at the Jurors where a wonderful NT volunteer explained the history of the Magna Carta and the artist's rationale for each of the 12 seats of the Jurors.
The staff in the tearoom were amazing and very helpful in whatever we asked. The food and drink offers were standard NT level and they did not disappoint!
Written July 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FoodFanMan26
Liverpool, UK98 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
I did wonder why there was a memorial to JFK here and, having visited, now I know!
I’ll let you explore and discover for yourself.
Also, you don’t need your passport but you can walk on American soil!
Go visit, explore, enjoy and discover for yourself.
We parked in the grass car park and had a picnic in the shade of the trees along the banks of the River Thames before crossing over to the monuments.
‘The Jurors’ should be read up on line before or after your visit to understand, otherwise they just look like metal chairs concreted into a field!
I’d recommend about 2 hours for your visit.
Have fun!
I’ll let you explore and discover for yourself.
Also, you don’t need your passport but you can walk on American soil!
Go visit, explore, enjoy and discover for yourself.
We parked in the grass car park and had a picnic in the shade of the trees along the banks of the River Thames before crossing over to the monuments.
‘The Jurors’ should be read up on line before or after your visit to understand, otherwise they just look like metal chairs concreted into a field!
I’d recommend about 2 hours for your visit.
Have fun!
Written August 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jttejn
horsham ,west sussex87 contributions
Sept 2020
Allow 90 minutes at least to walk between all the memorials. The climb up to the Air Forces memorial building is steep but well worth it. The views are brilliant.
Unfortunately the NT tearoom near the river was closed, but the toilets were open. Parking by the river was easy and convenient.
Unfortunately the NT tearoom near the river was closed, but the toilets were open. Parking by the river was easy and convenient.
Written September 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marko
Datchet, UK1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Friends
This is a review for the tearoom only, over priced, inexperienced staff front of house struggle to communicate with customers. The highlighted example of this, is Sunday afternoon when they close at 4.00pm if you arrive at 3.30 you will find chairs on tables out of action, no hot food available, staff not willing to try and provide anything. Leaving you feeling you are in the way of them closing even though there is still 30mins to go of open hours? I personally wouldn’t care if they closed at 3.30pm. But please do not write 4.00pm on the blackboard sign outside, if you neither intend to provide a service, or want to be there. But above all do not start wrapping up the business well before closing time!
Written March 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
We're sorry to hear about that you didn’t have a positive experience at the Magna Carta tearoom. As a smaller National Trust establishment, we need to manage our catering carefully to reduce waste. Unfortunately, on the day you visited, we had sold out of many items.
For the last half hour of the day, we only offer a take-away service to enable us to close on time. We appreciate that this has been poorly communicated and have updated our signage and staff training to explain this more clearly and reduce any disappointment in the future.
Written March 17, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Do blue badge holders have to pay to park at Runnymede Pleasure Grounds?
Written August 3, 2020
Eric D
Berkshire, United Kingdom
1 contribution
Hi, what would you like to know about this attraction?
How accessible is this site by car? Where did you park and how far is it to walk?
Written August 22, 2019
Its best to park in the runnymede car park to see the statue of the Queen. Drive a little further up and park on the right hand side near theTea Rooms so that you can cross the road to see the seats and other memorials.The RAF memorial is excellent but you have to drive, its well sign posted and not too far, the views are superb as is the memorial. Not at all difficult.
Written August 24, 2019
Can you pay to park using a card or does it have to be cash?
Written January 29, 2018
David K
Maidenhead, United Kingdom
11 contributions
I can’t 100% remember but cash is yes and if you can’t pay be card it will be by phone.
Written January 29, 2018
Hi, can anyone tell me please how far it is from the tearoom carpark to the Magna Carta memorial? We will be in Windsor mid-September with very limited time, but I am keen to have morning tea at the cafe and if time permits walk to the memorial (I'm presuming you cannot drive to it?) We are slow walkers!
Thank you
Written August 1, 2015
Thanks Dave, that sounds perfectly doable for us. Thanks for the advice on the leaflet. Appreciate your prompt response.
Written August 3, 2015
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