As the nation gears up for the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta, Michael Purton visited the hotel which is hoping to be the place to stay during the celebrations.

On June 15 Runnymede in Surrey will become the heart of Britain as we mark 800 years since the birth of the historic legal agreement with a day of celebrations on the meadows where the charter was negotiated and sealed.

The Queen and a host of American dignitaries and other special guests – some of them top secret until the day – will be attending the celebrations, and thousands of people are expected to descend on Runnymede and Egham to mark the occasion.

And while Runnymede will be the heart of Britain that day, the runnymede-on-thames hotel (controversially lower case since the rebranding two years ago!) is hoping to be the heart of Runnymede itself on and around June 15.

That’s because the vast, modern hotel and spa is ideally placed for visitors seeking a base from which to enjoy the Magna Carta festivities – it is the closest hotel to the memorial grounds.

And the hotel has gone all out to make the most of its connections to the historic Great Charter: there are boat trips along the Thames to Runnymede meadows where guided tours take place; there is a ‘Little Barons Break’ Magna Carta-themed family weekend package (£189 per night for a family of three); a Magna Carta Garden has just been installed at the hotel, fresh from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show; and there’s even a Medieval Afternoon Tea with, thankfully, much better food and preparation hygiene than the namesake era.

While staying at the hotel, we were blessed with a gorgeous weekend and thus the boat trip from the hotel to Runnymede meadows was idyllic, with calm waters and lush greenery on both banks of the river and a number of fascinating sights – including Magna Carta Island, a vast estate said to be on the exact spot where the charter was sealed in 1215, which was recently put on the market for almost £4million.

At the meadows, we were met by a Blue Badge guide who took us on a tour of all the points of interest. Even if you think you know it all about the Magna Carta, the guided tour is still a fascinating experience as the facts and stories are delivered with such drama and passion.

So, it is fair to say that the Runnymede-on-thames has succeeded in being basecamp for exploring the history of the Magna Carta. But what about the hotel itself?

Well, the good news is that even if you have no interest at all in the Magna Carta, the hotel is still a superb place for a long weekend, family break or just an overnight stay.

With 181 rooms and a vast lobby, the runnymede is one of those classic grand hotels that feel almost like a small town.

When we were there the place was bustling with activity – business meetings, weddings, conferences, birthday meals, a shiny display BMW to promote that the PGA Tour golfers would be staying there.

And there is a lot to do in the hotel grounds: indoor and outdoor pools, children’s play areas, a spa, a gym, The Lounge lobby bar and The Leftbank restaurant – which both have a patio overlooking the Thames – and the upmarket eaterie The Lock which, of course, also offers gorgeous views of the famed river.

Although the hotel was bustling there was a sense of peace and, despite the volume of guests, the place was immaculately clean and the service was prompt.

Breakfast and lunch were at the Leftbank and served buffet style and the food was excellent, with healthy options and heartier cooked fare available at both meals.

But The Lock, where we had our evening meal, was the most impressive of the hotel’s three restaurants. With delicious food complimented by a chilled atmosphere and the aforementioned view of the Thames, it cannot be faulted.

I had the duck rillettes (£7.50) to start, the beef stew with horseradish dumplings and mash (£17) for my main and the rhubarb and apple crumble (£6.50) for dessert, while my companion began with scallops (£10), chose the grilled Surrey Farm rib-eye steak (£21) for her main and topped it off with the chocolate pudding with orange sauce (£6.50).

We both agreed that it was one of the finest meals we’d had in a long time, and we regularly dine out. To wash it down, we shared a bottle of New Zealand sauvignon blanc (£35) which was equally as delicious as the food.

Besides the restaurants and facilities, the runnymede also has the advantage of being a short drive from a range of attractions – Windsor Castle, Legoland, Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens and Harry Potter World amongst many others – and surrounded by the beautiful Surrey countryside, while Heathrow Airport is just a 15 minute drive away.

But, despite all the praise-worthy features mentioned above, if the room and bed are disappointing a hotel has to be considered a failure. Fortunately, this is not the case at the runnymede.

The family rooms and doubles are immaculate and spacious with large comfortable beds, decent-sized bathrooms and a TV with a good selections of channels, so simply lounging in your room is a pleasure.

With comfort, entertainment and great food all on hand, it’s easy to see why the runnymede-on-thames is a four-star hotel.

It is so much more than just ‘the Magna Carta hotel’ - it’s the perfect place for families and couples looking for a relaxing short break with plenty of activities.

Rooms start from £144. For more, see runnymedehotel.com