History and luxury combine at The Runnymede on Thames Hotel

The arguable jewel in the crown on this superb Surrey stay was the Café Chapeau show, a fantastic farewell night melange of theatre and songs with pitch-perfect multi-harmonies from the hotel's own Warner Theatre Group. I would say this would not be out of place on a high-end cruise ship, or the West End even, such was the quality of the performance.

This was the perfect finale to what had been a wonderful four days of eat, drink, relax, engage, repeat, with indulgence being the salient word.

The Runnymede is a very popular venue favoured by many Warner stalwarts who have difficulty in walking large distances or up flights of stairs. With two lifts serving just two storeys, several guests told me of their decision to come back here time and time again, and it's not hard to see why for other reasons too.

Situated on the bank of the Thames and just a 15-20 minute walk from the historic site of the Magna Carta signing in 1215, it's a picture-postcard idyll, with swans, ducks and other waterfowl and river wildlife vying for your attention as you munch on your muesli in the morning.

So segueing nicely into dining, the venue has two restaurants; the Market Kitchen which is a help yourself buffet for both your included breakfast and evening meals, or there's the Brasserie 32, which is waiter service. You can choose which you prefer or a combination of the two and at no extra cost at the time of booking.

Both venues provide excellent fare, with sumptuous starters, marvellous mains and delicious desserts with something to tempt all tastebuds. Expect to pay in the region of £24 upwards for a bottle of wine, around £5.50 for a pint and around £10 for a cocktail, not forgetting there is a discretionary 10 per cent service charge added to the bill.

Just like the rest of the hotel, our Deluxe bedroom was a triumph of decor and thoroughly inviting, with a large flatscreen TV, tea and coffee making facilities, a fridge and an Alexa device for telling you the weather, waking you up and answering all your questions, and a luxury walk-in shower was just the ticket after a hard day's...er....relaxing!

Like all Warner Hotels, entertainment and leisure activities are mostly all included in the price, so you can indulge in swimming with an indoor pool complete with sauna and steam rooms and a whirlpool. Excitingly there is also an outdoor pool (with bar) open in the warmer months, as well as rifle shooting, archery, a laser pistol competition and all manner of other free daily activities including neon abstract painting, coffee art (I 'mocha' you not!), pilates, dance fit, yoga and riverside walks to mention but a few.

Or if you want to push the boat out (sorry, couldn't resist) the Runnymede also runs sailing trips along the Thames from its own private jetty at an additional cost, though these had not yet started on my visit.

We enjoyed the gin tasting experience where, under the expert tutelage and pouring prowess of head barman Kieran, we were treated to myriad different gin flavours, mixers and botanicals to enhance the experience. At £17.50 a head and a good (hic!) eight shots of gin this was excellent value for the booze alone, not to mention our host's knowledgeable, amusing and laidback presenting style. Wine-tasting (£20) and cocktail-making (£17.50) sessions were also available during our stay.

If you fancy that extra bit of luxury, you can treat yourself with a visit to The hotel's award-winning spa, which offers a plethora of perfect pampering experiences. I enjoyed a thoroughly relaxing and invigorating Drift Away top-to-toe massage under the expert hands of Alex, while my wife Karen relaxed with a revitalising Power Breakfast facial courtesy of Jodie.

Afternoon tea is a must here at Runnymede. With scenic window views over the Thames, enjoy your scrumptious sandwich platter, cake extravaganza and freshly baked scones with your choice of tea - just be prepared to ask for a doggy bag to finish of your sweet treats later in your room with a cuppa!

If you want to stretch your legs a little (if only to burn off the cupcake calories) the town of Egham is just a 10-minute stroll, and for those in search of a bigger retail therapy experience, the Ali G home town of Staines is about 20 minutes' walk along the river bank. The hotel also runs a return coach trip to Windsor for £10pp - perfect for those who have not come by car or who like to enjoy a liquid lunch.

The evening's entertainment fare in the Live Lounge (there are also other performances elsewhere in the hotel) was first rate, with tribute act Essentially Elton taking us down the Yellow Brick Road on our first night, followed by an amazing Annie Lennox act, Yourythmics, on the second evening, with all the songs you would expect and wish to hear. Britain's Got Talent star Jamie Lee Harrison got people on the dancefloor as the third headliner before the dramatic finale night, courtesy of the aforementioned Warner Theatre Group.

A fantastic, fun-packed four days, in a historic and beautiful corner of the UK, which alas passed all too quickly. Two-night breaks at The Runnymede on Thames start from £309pp based on 12/05/25 and from £449pp for three nights based on 16/05/25.

Two-night Unwind Spa Breaks at The Runnymede on Thames start from £414pp, based on 09/06/25. For more details or to book, visit www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk/hotels/the-runnymede-on-thames

Factfile

The Runnymede on Thames Hotel is currently undergoing a complete renovation after being purchased by Warner Hotels in March 2022, making it the 16th hotel in the group’s portfolio.

The multi-million-pound investment, combined with Warner’s unique adult-only short break proposition, is set to attract guests from across the UK looking for an entertainment and activity-filled break.

Situated on the banks of the river Thames and just 10 minutes from Windsor, The Runnymede on Thames is a beautifully modern hotel that perfectly balances the peacefulness of an escape with proximity to local attractions and amenities.

Location: Windsor Road, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0AG

Total no. of rooms: 205 (8 Cosy Rooms, 72 Standard Rooms, 122 Deluxe Rooms, and 3 Superior Rooms)

Hotel: The Runnymede on Thames is a modern hotel set on the banks of the River Thames. With paddleboarding, river cruises, and boat hire available, it really makes the most of a stunning location – no matter the season. Outings to Windsor and its attractions such as Windsor Castle and Savill Gardens make the hotel an ideal place to rest between adventures, and with both an indoor and outdoor pool, a gym, and a yoga lawn, there are plenty of places to stretch out and relax or work up a sweat.

Garden Space: While the River Thames is certainly the focal point, the gardens that lay before it are equally glorious, with plenty of space to sit out in the sun or enjoy a leisurely stroll along the water. With vibrant greenery as far as the eye can see and grand trees dotted around the lawn, it’s easy to forget how close you are to London’s urban sprawl.

Market Kitchen: Open daily for buffet-style breakfasts and dinners from 8 am to 10:30 am, and 6pm to 8:30 pm. A breakfast menu filled with detox smoothies, croissants, overnight oats, pancakes, and even a full English. Then, in the evening, you can help yourself to daily changing roasts and international cuisine for starters, mains, and desserts. A spacious and stylish venue offers plenty of seating and a buzzing atmosphere.

Brasserie32: Open all day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu champions British heritage recipes made from traditional ingredients that are reimagined with modern twists. You’ll be treated to a full table service from 8am till late in a bright, airy room with a design that mimics the surrounding nature.

The Live Lounge Bar: An impressive central bar commands this space and leads seamlessly into the Live Lounge music venue. There are also cosy corners where groups of friends can enjoy a little more privacy, and drinks are served from 12pm until late.

The Riverside Lounge: A lively lounge at the centre of the hotel which makes for a great meeting point for hotel guests and day visitors. With direct access to the riverside terrace, this spot will be popular throughout the year. Food and drinks will be available throughout the day.

Interesting Facts:

The hotel was built in 1974 on the grounds of a former 17th century coaching inn.

The hotel sits across from a historic water meadow which is protected by the National Trust.

Guests will be able to add a picnic to their boat hire.

Just a 40-minute walk from the Magna Carta and JFK Memorials.

Holiday Extras

With a bit of a long drive (for me!) down to Runnymede, we made it easier on ourselves by breaking up our journey plus added to our break with a thoroughly relaxing stay at the Hilton Garden Inn at Birmingham Airport with Holiday Extras.

While we weren’t flying this time, Holiday Extras is the market leader in UK airport parking, hotels, lounges, and transfers – and last year its customers saved an average of £196 per trip by booking their airport parking in advance.

Booking an Airport Hotel with Parking means you can enjoy more holiday with less hassle. Plus with Flextras, if you need to cancel or amend you can without charge. One night’s accommodation and parking with Self Park at the Hilton Garden Inn is available for £224.00 based on arrival on 10th May 2025.

For more information and to book, visit HolidayExtras.com or call 0800 316 5678.