Runnymede Royal Air Forces Memorial: Honouring the Fallen
About the Tour
The Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede is a solemn tribute to courage, sacrifice, and freedom. On this reflective walking tour, you’ll explore a masterpiece of memorial architecture that commemorates 20,455 airmen and women who died in World War II with no known graves. This memorial tells a powerful story of those who gave their lives in service to liberty, through thoughtful design elements, symbolic features, and panoramic views.
Your journey begins at the English Oak gates of the memorial, overlooking Runnymede. You’ll walk through carefully designed cloisters where names are inscribed on stone panels or ’books,’ allowing natural light to fall across them throughout the day. The site’s six acres, gifted by Sir Eugen and Lady Effie Millington-Drake, offer sweeping views westward to Windsor and eastward towards London.
Along the way, you’ll discover the memorial’s rich symbolism, from its stone eagle at the entrance, to the stars carved into column capitals. The tour ends in the Visitor Room, where directories allow for personal research and reflection on the airmen and women commemorated here, including famous figures like Amy Johnson and Wing Commander John Nettleton VC.
During this 45-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to:
- Admire Sir Edward Maufe’s award-winning architectural design that earned him the RIBA Bronze Medal
- Visit the Shrine with its magnificent engraved Great North Window depicting vapour trails from the Battle of Britain
- Study the painted ceiling depicting the Four Winds, planets, stars and other natural elements of the skies
- Read the poignant poem by Paul H. Scott that captures the memorial’s essence
- Discover the symbolic connection between Runnymede’s Magna Carta heritage and the airmen who defended freedom
- Explore the Stone of Remembrance designed by Lutyens, with its inscription chosen by Rudyard Kipling
- See personal tributes left by families beside the names of their loved ones
- Experience breath-taking panoramic views from the memorial tower, spanning seven counties
This tour offers a moving experience of one of Britain’s most significant war memorials.
£1 from every tour sold will be donated to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Tour Producer
Timeless Walking Tours
I’m a walking tour guide brought up and educated in Windsor, where a lifetime of local knowledge underpins everything, I do. I guide across the historic towns of Windsor and Eton, blending lived experience with rigorous research to help you understand not just what you’re seeing, but why it matters.
My academic background is in Economic History from the University of Liverpool, where my dissertation examined the growth of tourism in Windsor. That training shaped how I interpret places—connecting royal power, local enterprise, and global visitors across 1,000 years of history.
Curiosity drives my work. I love exploring new places and learning from the people who live there—their stories, customs, and everyday insights. Travel has been a constant teacher, especially in Southeast Asia, where I lived and worked in Malaysia for three years. Talking with locals always reveals layers you won’t find in guidebooks.
Alongside research, I spent 17 years running an arts events business, so experience design is second nature to me. Every tour is crafted to give listeners the best possible experience: authoritative history, priceless local knowledge, unexpected details, and moments that hopefully make you smile.
I write tours about the places and themes I’m genuinely passionate about. That includes royalty and iconic locations in Windsor and Eton; the remarkable memorial landscape of Runnymede, with features ranging from the Bronze Age to contemporary art installations; and the RAF Memorial Englefield Green, a place of calm and reflection overlooking Runnymede, honouring the airmen and women lost in the Second World War.
My routes are in locations that follow the River Thames, naturally leading to Richmond—where one tour reflects another passion of mine: Ted Lasso ! The Emmy-winning, heart-warming story of an American football coach discovering English football in the historic town of Richmond.
I see myself as an explorer and a storyteller—someone who loves discovery and sharing it. With deep roots, proven expertise, and a commitment to accuracy and delight, I aim to make every VoiceMap journey memorable.
Preview Location
Location 7
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How VoiceMap Works
Major Landmarks
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Runnymede Air Forces Memorial
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationCooper's Hill Ln, Englefield Green, Egham TW20 0LB, UK -
Total distance0m -
Final locationCooper's Hill Ln, Englefield Green, Egham TW20, UK -
Distance back to start location0m
Directions to Starting Point
There are Brown signs to the Air Forces Memorial. There is no parking on the site, instead visitors should park in Coopers Hill Car Park (public) which is only a short walk away.
You can park free for up to three hours but please note that you still need to get a ticket from the machine.
When you come out of the car park turn right and walk up the lane for approximately 200 yards where you will see the gated entrance to the memorial.
Disabled badge holders may use the onsite parking area in front of the memorial.
Tips
Places to stop along the way
The Memorial overlooks Runnymede, which is only a short drive away.
Best time of day
The Memorial is open every day except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, as follows:
1 February until 31 October:
Weekdays: 09.00 - 18.00 or dusk, whichever is sooner.
Weekends and Public Holidays: 10.00 – 18.00 or dusk, whichever is sooner.
1 November until 31 January:
Weekdays: 09.00 - 16.00 or dusk, whichever is sooner.
Weekends and Public Holidays: 10.00 – 16.00 or dusk, whichever is sooner.
Precautions
The viewing Platform maybe closed in adverse weather conditions.
The ground floor is easily accessible but there are a number of stairs to the upper floors.
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