Runnymede Air Forces Memorial

This place is so quiet and peaceful. It is a wonderful place to visit. Once you go through the main gates, there is a long walk through pristine grass lawns, leading to the main building. Upon entering the building you can either walk along the corridors (to see all the names of those who have died), or you can walk through the courtyard directly to the back of the building where there is the most incredible view towards Heathrow. (I know looking at Heathrow doesn’t sound particularly appealing, but you can see all the countryside and river leading up to the airport.) It really is a spectacular view.
I went to the memorial to look for family names, and even though I didn’t see what I was looking for, you can’t help but to be moved by the large number of names listed. Some people have even left photos of their relatives who died in the wars and it was touching to read some of the notes left for the public.
We spent about an hour walking around and enjoying the view. We noticed several people eating lunch and arriving to set up picnics so you might consider bringing a lunch if you go. (I guess this is ok as there were several people doing it when I was there.) There are also several walks around the memorial and in the general area which we did, so it was a good afternoon spent out of doors in the rare English sunshine last weekend.
There is parking a few minutes away-​it is all clearly marked.
One note, they do not allow dogs.

This is a lovely place to visit and really brings home to you how many people lost their lives fighting in the Second World War.
The Memorial commemorates by name more than 20,000 airmen who were lost during that war while flying operations from bases in the United Kingdom and North and Western Europe. These men have no known graves.
The Memorial is a beautiful white building in the Art Deco style which stands high above Runnymede. If you climb to the top of the tower there are some stunning views over the local area.
It’s very moving to look at all the names of men lost while serving their country.