Runnymede

	The spot where a reluctant king gave birth to modern democracy

Runnymede is a fairly undistinguished site for such a momentous event - and even more surprising is the fact that there is no monument to make the spot. With obelisks and plaques for all sorts of other nonentities and non-events, you would have thought that Runnymede would qualify for its own visitor centre at the very least.

Mind you, the spot is beautiful with lush green meadows running down to the water's edge; but we remember it not for its peace and quiet but for the tense stand-off between King John and his barons that resulted in the first great statement of subjects' rights - Magna Carta.