Runnymede Royal Air Forces Memorial: Honouring the Fallen

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Egham audio tour: Runnymede Royal Air Forces Memorial: Honouring the Fallen

This is an indoor tour

Egham

The United Kingdom

$9.99

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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

4 tours

Raised in the heart of Windsor, I have always been captivated by the rich history and timeless charm of my hometown. My childhood was spent exploring the streets of Windsor and its royal landmarks, developing a deep connection to its heritage. This passion inspired me to pursue a degree in History.

My love for the town and the Thames Valley has grown over the years, and today, I enjoy nothing more than sharing my insider knowledge with visitors from around the world.

Whether you're walking along the Long Walk, admiring Windsor Castle, strolling along Eton High Street, or exploring the meadows at Runnymede, I hope my guidance will provide a deeper appreciation of the area and will leave you loving Windsor and the Thames Valley as much as I do.

Preview Location

Location 7

Queen Elizabeth II - Key

On the wall is a bronze case containing the open pages of a visitors book from the 17th October 1953, the opening ceremony.

It shows the signatures of the royal visitors. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edin burgh, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth... On the wall is a bronze case containing the open pages of a visitors book from the 17th October 1953, the opening ceremony.

It shows the signatures of the royal visitors. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edin burgh, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester.

Beneath it is a mirrored casket containing an ornate key made of palladium ruthenium. This key was presented to Queen Elizabeth II by the architect, Sir Edward Maufe, for the opening ceremony and after which she graciously returned it to the memorial.

On this day the Memorial was also consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, some 25,000 people attended the ceremony. It must have been quite a feat to get them all seated.

The Queen's address was as follows:

“This memorial has been built in proud memory of the men and women of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire who lost their lives serving from bases in the United Kingdom and North West Europe in the Second World War, and who have no known grave.
They were part of a glorious and far larger company who laid down their lives for freedom; and this memorial is one of many others, built, wherever the battle raged, so that they may not be forgotten. 20,455 names are recorded on these stones; and all races and countries of the British Commonwealth have here their representatives. It is very fitting that those who rest in nameless graves should be remembered in this place. For it was in these fields of Runnymede 7 centuries ago that our forefathers first planted a seed of liberty which helped to spread across the earth the conviction that man should be free and not enslaved. And when the life of this belief was threatened by the iron hand of tyranny, their successors came forward without hesitation to fight and if it was demanded of them to die for its salvation. As only free men can, they knew the value of that for which they fought and that the price was worth paying.

With prophetic insight, Pope wrote of this hill on which we stand:

“On Cooper's Hill eternal wreaths shall grow.
While lasts the mountain, or while the Thames shall flow”.

Indeed, the heroism of each will be remembered for as long as this memorial shall stand. But that which was done by all will, with God's help, still be remembered when these stones have crumbled into dust. For wherever and for as long as freedom flourishes on the earth, the men and women who possess it will thank them and will say that they did not die in vain. That is their true and everlasting memorial.”

When you're ready, continue a few metres to the Shrine and press "I'm here" once you're in place. Read More

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Major Landmarks

Runnymede Air Forces Memorial

Getting There

Route Overview

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Start location
Cooper's Hill Ln, Englefield Green, Egham TW20 0LB, UK
Total distance

0m
Final location
Cooper's Hill Ln, Englefield Green, Egham TW20, UK
Distance back to start location

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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.

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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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Last Updated

17 Oct 2025

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