Towns & Villages in Runnymede

HISTORY of EGHAM

Records show that in the 8th century, Chertsey Abbey owned extensive tracts of land in Egham, and the link between the two areas was perpetuated into the Middle Ages when the respective Manors of Chertsey and Egham were in the same ownership. It is therefore, perhaps, not surprising that the separate Urban District Councils of Chertsey and Egham were later reunited as Runnymede Council.

The historic meadows at Runnymede, where King John put his seal to the Magna Carta in 1215, actually lay within the boundaries of the former Egham Urban District Council. The coat of arms of that Council lay on a green background (an allusion to the fields at Runnymede) and contained a representation of Magna Carta with King John's seal attached. King John's crown was placed above the scroll. The motto 'That men may know freedom' (translated) is a direct reference to the Magna Carta and the 'freedom' theme is preserved in Runnymede Borough Council's motto of 'In freedom we serve'.

The Runnymede venue, which is owned by the National Trust, is still a popular place for visitors, and the Council's Runnymede Pleasure Grounds are an ideal place for relaxation on the banks of the Thames. For those wishing to stay in the area the 4-star Runnymede Hotel is ideally located.

Both the Magna Carta memorial and the Kennedy Memorial are located at Runnymede meadow. The latter was unveiled by the Queen on 14th May 1965. The Queen had, twelve years earlier, unveiled the impressive Commonwealth Airforces Memorial which stands of Cooper's Hill, Englefield Green, and overlooks the area.

This memorial records the the names of 20,000 airmen who died in the Second World War and who have no grave. More than 50 years after the war surviving airmen still travel long distances to leave flowers and commemorative cards beneath the names of their former colleagues.

It is a quiet powerful place.

The attractive villages of Englefield Green and Thorpe (mentioned in the Doomsday Book) are near Egham, as are Virginia Water (with its extensive lake) and the Savill Garden. The Virginia Water lake was originally laid out in 1746 by the Duke of Cumberland, and it is a very pleasant 5 mile walk from here to Windsor Castle.

The 35 acres of Saville Garden, situated on the 5 mile walk from here to Windsor Great Park, contain an outstanding collection of flowers, trees and shrubs.

The historic mansion house of Great Fosters (a Grade 1 listed building), a building of great character, is now a leading hotel, and other buildings worthy of mention are Royal Holloway, University of London and the old Holloway Sanatorium. The latter, after years of neglect and decay, has now been given new life as the focal point of an exciting new residential development.

For those fit enough not to require a sanatorium, the Council provides a fully equipped modern Sports Centre in Vicarage Road, Egham.

Another interesting feature of Egham is the Swan Sanctuary. This facility was originally set up by a caring Egham resident in her back garden, but as the numbers of swans requiring care increased the Council arranged a time-limited lease and temporary planning permission at Pooley Green Allotments. The site however is earmarked for a public park and the Swan Sanctuary has been seeking better and more permanent accommodation for over ten years. It is now planning a move to a new site at Shepperton in the adjoining Borough of Spelthorne during 2005, and Runnymede Borough Council will be pleased to assist the move.

Towns & Villages in Runnymede Egham
HISTORY of EGHAM Records show that in the 8th century, Chertsey Abbey owned extensive tracts of land in Egham, and the link between the two areas was perpetuated into the Middle Ages when the respective Manors of Chertsey and Egham were in the same ownership. It is therefore, perhaps, not surprising that the separate Urban District Councils of Chertsey and Egham were later reunited as Runnymede Council. The historic meadows at Runnymede, where King John put his seal to the Magna Carta in 1215, actually lay within the boundaries of the former Egham Urban District Council. The coat of arms of that Council lay on a green background (an allusion to the fields at Runnymede) and contained a representation of Magna Carta with King John's seal attached. King John's crown was placed above the scroll. The motto 'That men may know freedom' (translated) is a direct reference to the Magna Carta and the 'freedom' theme is preserved in Runnymede Borough Council's motto of 'In freedom we serve'. The Runnymede venue, which is owned by the National Trust, is still a popular place for visitors, and the Council's Runnymede Pleasure Grounds are an ideal place for relaxation on the banks of the Thames. For those wishing to stay in the area the 4-star Runnymede Hotel is ideally located. Both the Magna Carta memorial and the Kennedy Memorial are located at Runnymede meadow. The latter was unveiled by the Queen on 14th May 1965. The Queen had, twelve years earlier, unveiled the impressive Commonwealth Airforces Memorial which stands of Cooper's Hill, Englefield Green, and overlooks the area.		This memorial records the the names of 20,000 airmen who died in the Second World War and who have no grave. More than 50 years after the war surviving airmen still travel long distances to leave flowers and commemorative cards beneath the names of their former colleagues. It is a quiet powerful place. The attractive villages of Englefield Green and Thorpe (mentioned in the Doomsday Book) are near Egham, as are Virginia Water (with its extensive lake) and the Savill Garden. The Virginia Water lake was originally laid out in 1746 by the Duke of Cumberland, and it is a very pleasant 5 mile walk from here to Windsor Castle. The 35 acres of Saville Garden, situated on the 5 mile walk from here to Windsor Great Park, contain an outstanding collection of flowers, trees and shrubs. The historic mansion house of Great Fosters (a Grade 1 listed building), a building of great character, is now a leading hotel, and other buildings worthy of mention are Royal Holloway, University of London and the old Holloway Sanatorium. The latter, after years of neglect and decay, has now been given new life as the focal point of an exciting new residential development. For those fit enough not to require a sanatorium, the Council provides a fully equipped modern Sports Centre in Vicarage Road, Egham. Another interesting feature of Egham is the Swan Sanctuary. This facility was originally set up by a caring Egham resident in her back garden, but as the numbers of swans requiring care increased the Council arranged a time-limited lease and temporary planning permission at Pooley Green Allotments. The site however is earmarked for a public park and the Swan Sanctuary has been seeking better and more permanent accommodation for over ten years. It is now planning a move to a new site at Shepperton in the adjoining Borough of Spelthorne during 2005, and Runnymede Borough Council will be pleased to assist the move.