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A view of Langham Pond made up of riverside meadows, grassland, and broadleaf woodland at Runnymede and Ankerwycke, Berkshire
A view of riverside meadows at Runnymede and Ankerwycke, Berkshire | © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler
Surrey

Egham to Runnymede countryside circular walk

Escape the crowds and take a wander through woodlands, secretive wetlands and open wildflower meadows. This circular route takes you around Runnymede nature reserve. Explore Langham Pond and the ancient woodlands, which form a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), for their many rare and endangered species and the rich wildflower meadows that are home to the birthplace of Magna Carta.

Total steps: 12

Total steps: 12

Start point

Egham railway station, grid ref: TQ0110771039

Step 1

On the London-bound (ticket office) side of the track, exit the station and turn right onto Station Road.

Step 2

At the traffic lights turn left. Pass Strodes College on your right.

Step 3

At the roundabout, cross the A30 using the staggered pedestrian crossing to your right and continue in the same direction as the traffic.

Step 4

Turn left into Coopers Hill Lane, Langham Farm access. Continue up the path, with the Runnymede meadows to your right.

Step 5

You’ll come to a kissing gate to your right onto the meadows with one ahead of you into Coopers Hill Woods. Continue ahead into Coopers Hill Woods.

Step 6

Continue along this woodland path for about 15 minutes.

Step 7

Continue through the kissing gate ahead of you, walking onto the grazed meadows. Walk ahead with the line of oak trees to your left.

Step 8

With the Magna Carta Memorial ahead of you, go through the kissing gate on your right. Turn right again through another kissing gate to enter a grazed meadow. You’re now on the return leg of your walk. On your right you'll see an ancient field boundary of willow pollards. These may have originally been pollarded to enable barons and royalty to ride on their horses beneath the trees without banging their heads. Now these willows continue to be pollarded and are home to a wealth of endangered wildlife, including insects, fungi, birds and bats.

The Magna Carta Memorial, designating the spot where it was sealed in 1215. The memorial is in the form of a domed classical temple with a pillar of English granite bearing the inscription 'To commemorate Magna Carta, symbol of Freedom Under Law' and was designed by Sir Edward Maufe RA and unveiled in 1957.
Magna Carta Memorial, designating the spot where Magna Carta was sealed in 1215 | © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Step 9

At the end of the meadow you’ll come to Langham Pond, an oxbow lake on your right. Walk over to your left where you’ll see a break in the hedge line on your right. Climb over the stile here, and follow the path through the rich wildflower meadow.

Step 10

Follow the boardwalk through the reedbed. On leaving the reedbed, take the diagonal trodden path to your left and go through the metal kissing gate on the opposite side of the meadow.

Step 11

You’re now back on the grazed meadows. Turn left and follow the hedge line. When you've passed through the hedge line in front of you, walk diagonally right towards the farm buildings.

Step 12

With the farm buildings on your left, go through the kissing gate in the corner of the meadow. You’re now back on Coopers Hill Lane. Turn left towards A30 and trace your route back to Egham railway station.

End point

Egham railway station, grid ref: TQ0110771039

Trail map

Egham to Runnymede circular walk trail map
Egham to Runnymede circular walk trail map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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