Runnymede Memorial
- Country United Kingdom
- Total identified casualties 20264 Find these casualties
- Region Surrey
- Identified casualties from Second World War
- GPS Coordinates Latitude: 51.43804, Longitude: -0.56503
Our War Graves, Your History
Discover more about the history of Runnymede Memorial and plan a visit through our Our War Graves, Your History project.
Runnymede MemorialImportant information for visitors:
Please be advised that access to certain wooded areas of Runnymede is currently restricted. This will be in place from May to around the end of July. This is due to an infestation of Oak Processionary Moth.
The caterpillar poses a significant risk to human health. They are covered in barbed hairs which detach easily and contain a toxin which can cause skin irritation and can also trigger allergic reactions and respiratory problems. This usually occurs when people touch the caterpillars, their nests, and any materials such as bark or grass that have hairs sticking to them.
They do tend to transfer to the ground and other trees which could pose a risk to anyone walking in the near vicinity. It is for this reason that the access to the wooded area has been restricted.
Thank you for your understanding.
Location information
This Memorial overlooks the River Thames on Cooper's Hill at Englefield Green between Windsor and Egham on the A308, 4 miles from Windsor.
Visiting information
The Memorial is open every day except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, as follows:
1 February until 31 October:
Weekdays: 08.30 - 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: 08.30 - 16.00 or dusk, whichever is sooner.
Weekends and Public Holidays: 10.00 – 16.00 or dusk, whichever is sooner.
Disabled badge holders may use the onsite parking area in front of the memorial. All other visitors requiring parking are asked to make use of the public car park some 200 yards from the memorial on Coopers Hill Lane.
Accessibility dogs only allowed on to the grounds.
History information
The Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede commemorates by name over 20,000 men and women of the air forces, who were lost in the Second World War during operations from bases in the United Kingdom and North and Western Europe, and who have no known graves. They served in Bomber, Fighter, Coastal, Transport, Flying Training and Maintenance Commands, and came from all parts of the Commonwealth. Some were from countries in continental Europe which had been overrun but whose airmen continued to fight in the ranks of the Royal Air Force.
The memorial was designed by Sir Edward Maufe with sculpture by Vernon Hill. The engraved glass and painted ceilings were designed by John Hutton and the poem engraved on the gallery window was written by Paul H Scott. The Memorial was unveiled by The Queen on 17 October 1953.