Runnymede Memorial
- Country United Kingdom
- Total identified casualties 20263 Find these casualties
- Region Surrey
- Identified casualties from Second World War
- GPS Coordinates Latitude: 51.43804, Longitude: -0.56503
PLEASE NOTE
The Tower will close at 16:00hrs daily.
During thunderstorms and/or where weather warnings are in place the Tower may be closed at short notice.
We apologise in advance where any inconvenience is caused.
ASSISTANCE DOGS ONLY are allowed on to the grounds at Runnymede Air Forces Memorial.
Annual Act of Commemoration
SUNDAY 18TH MAY 2025 AT 11 A.M.
Wreaths will be laid on behalf of the Commonwealth Air Forces and Ex-Service Organisations in honour of 20,263 members of the Commonwealth Air Forces who lost their lives in the Second World War 1939/45 while operating from the United Kingdom and North West Europe and who have no known grave.
This moving ceremony is open to all who wish to pay their respects to those named on the memorial.
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: 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.
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.