Runnymede

Runnymede is a river-meadow on the south bank of the River Thames in Surrey, England, located near Egham and within the Borough of Runnymede. The landscape is a flat, green meadow bordered by trees along the river and known as part of the historic Windsor Forest. The site is now a public recreation and historic area managed by heritage and conservation organizations, with paths for walking and access to views of the Thames.

The name and site gained international prominence in 1215, when King John met with rebellious barons at Runnymede and sealed the Magna Carta. The charter limited the powers of the crown and laid early groundwork for constitutional law and the rule of law in the English-speaking world, influencing later legal charters and the development of common law.

Runnymede is home to several notable monuments and landmarks. The Magna Carta Memorial and the John F. Kennedy Memorial stand as commemorations of the area’s historical and international significance. On the north bank of the Thames, the ruins of Ankerwycke Abbey and the nearby Ankerwycke Yew—one of the area’s oldest living features—are associated with the broader medieval landscape surrounding the Magna Carta event.

Today, Runnymede is a protected and visited landscape that combines historical interpretation with natural scenery. It remains a focal point for education about constitutional history and civil liberties, while also serving as a public space for recreation along the Thames.