The memorial was funded by the American Bar Association to honor the document as the foundation of Anglo-American constitutional liberty.
The inscription on the memorial pillar specifically cites the Magna Carta as a 'symbol of freedom under law'.
Runnymede was chosen because it was the neutral ground between the king's camp at Windsor and the rebel barons' camp at Staines.
The site features a bronze chair, 'The Jurors', created by Hew Locke, which commemorates the 800th anniversary of the sealing.
The nearby JFK Memorial, which was gifted to the United States by the people of Britain, is situated on one acre of land that was granted diplomatic status by the UK government.
The Magna Carta Memorial at Runnymede marks the site where King John sealed the Magna Carta in 1215. The memorial itself is a domed classical temple featuring a central pillar inscribed with the words 'To commemorate the Magna Carta, symbol of freedom under law.' It was commissioned by the American Bar Association and designed by Sir Edward Maufe, unveiled in 1957. The site is part of the larger Runnymede meadow, a 188-acre National Trust property bordering the River Thames. The area also hosts the JFK Memorial and the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial on the adjacent hillside. The location is maintained by the National Trust as a site of historical and constitutional significance.
Under the columns of the domed temple looking out toward the meadow.
Wear sturdy footwear as the site is located in a large, often muddy meadow.
Combine your visit with a walk along the Thames Path for views of the riverbank.
Bring binoculars if you wish to view the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial from the lower meadow.
Do not mistake the modern 'Jurors' art installation for the historic 1215 document itself, as the original Magna Carta is not housed here.
Respect the site as a war memorial and historical location; maintain a quiet demeanor.
