Egham factfile

How to get to Egham
Egham is a small town in Surrey. It sits beside the River Thames and is 27 km (17 mi) south-west of London. As you'd expect from a town in the London commuter belt, it is well served by rail and bus. You can reach it on the A30 via junction 13 of the M25 motorway.

Egham through the ages
Egham's origins are Anglo-Saxon. In 666 AD, when Chertsey Abbey was founded, part of the surrounding land was described as "Ecga's Ham". By the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, it had become "Egeham".

In 1215, in neighbouring Runnymede, King John signed the Magna Carta.

In the 19th century, horse racing was held in Egham, presided over by William IV.

Egham has been a base for prestige sports cars throughout the 20th century. Lagonda and Maserati were based here. And for many years it's been Ferrari's spiritual home in the UK, at Tower Garage.

Shopping in Egham
Egham offers a wide variety of shops and restaurants, from major brands to independent boutiques. The High Street is pedestrianised for a more relaxed shopping experience.

Things to see and do in Egham
The Savill Garden is one of Britain's greatest ornamental gardens. Created in the 1930s by Sir Eric Savill, it offers 35 acres of contemporary and classically designed gardens and exotic woodlands.

Famous landmarks around Egham
The Air Forces Memorial at Coopers Hill was opened by the Queen in 1953 and commemorates those who lost their lives from the Air Forces of the Commonwealth during World War II. It also offers great views towards London, Windsor and the Surrey Hills.

Sport and leisure in Egham
Egham Sports Centre offers facilities for football, tennis, badminton and has a small gym. The Runnymede Pleasure Grounds contain a mini-playground, trampoline, carousel and go-kart track.

Egham Regatta takes place every July on the River Thames from Wraysbury Skiff to Runnymede. It's the only regatta in the country that still provides racing for rowing, skiffing and punting.

Arts and culture in Egham
Chertsey Museum is housed in the Cedars, a Grade II-listed Regency town house with an attractive garden. It explores the history of the area through hands-on exhibits and enjoyed a major redevelopment in 2003.

Chertsey Town Hall often hosts live entertainment events, from concerts to charity fundraisers.

Egham's claim to fame
Nearby Runnymede is the site where King John signed the Magna Carta, the world's first expression of human rights, on 15 June, 1215. There's a memorial to the milestone situated at the foot of Coopers Hill.