Climbing
from the John F Kennedy memorial, you only proceed for a couple of
minutes before you see on your left the gates pictured below, giving
access to the field beyond.
Its not well signed that it is a public right of way, but it is.
Pass through the pedestrian gate. The path is not well defined in
the open field but just keep going straight.
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When a track veers to the right, don't follow it, just keep going
straight. |
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will have a panoramic view of Runnymede meadow below, similar to the
picture below. Further along there is an isolated bench to sit on.
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After
about 750m the path descends to some woods, you will see a style,
your entrance to the woods. Within the woods the path is very well
defined.
After a while there is a major fork in the path, it doesn't really
matter which one you take, the right hand fork is slightly shorter.
Whichever path you take, very soon a major path crosses your path
going up the hill. Take this path up the hill.
Just follow
the path all the way as it winds its way, its the last climb of the
walk - honest!. |
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Eventually the path exits onto a lane. Turn right and follow the
lane for about 5 minutes to the entrance of the Air Forces Memorial
on your right.
The Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede commemorates by name over 20,000
airmen and women 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 names in their thousands
are inscribed on panels in a courtyard.
The memorial (see picture right) is at the top of the hill with
fine views over Runnymede and beyond. There are tributes at all
times, but at times of anniversaries like D Day the tributes can
be quite moving.
In reflective
thought, retrace your steps down the lane.
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