Runnymede & Ankerwycke

Runnymede & Ankerwycke are two sites jointly owned and operated by the National Trust in the southwest of London. Runnymede is internationally renowned as the birthplace of the Magna Carta, the 13th century document which limited the rights of the king and represented a leap in human rights and democracy. Ankerwycke, known for its peaceful nature, was once the site of a priory and Tudor mansion. It is now home to one of the country’s oldest-known yew trees.

This transformative project created fully accessible paths and trails (by others) to link Runnymede’s existing memorials and artworks. We worked with the team at the properties to develop new interpretation lecterns reflecting on the key themes of democracy and freedom. Audio points linked to the interpretation locations featured a range of voices, from artists to farmers, reflecting on the significance of the sites. A bespoke platform with interpretation was created to view the yew tree from a safe distance.

Historic reconstruction and intricate nature-based illustrations were developed to bring to life some of the hidden stories of the sites. Larger-than-life willow sculptures, carved interpretive furniture and a tactile 3D map of the site urge visitors to engage in surprising and engaging ways.

An associated community outreach programme with nature, land and freedom-themed events was delivered by the National Trust team over the five-year project. Greater than the sum of its parts, these interventions and programmes have helped to re-envisage Runnymede as a place for the local and global community to come together, reflect and engage with the site and its fundamental themes in a highly accessible and sustainable landscape.

We worked with the team
at the properties to develop new interpretation lecterns reflecting on the key themes of democracy and freedom.