National Memorial Arboretum partners with Black Voices to create ‘Sounds of Windrush’ commemorative programme for schools
As the UK’s centre of Remembrance we understand the importance of honouring a loved one through a charitable gift or personal tribute.
Like most websites, the National Remembrance Gardens uses cookies. Our cookies policy explains what cookies are and how we use them.
Your organisation can make a difference in a variety of ways: from volunteering to sponsorship.
Why not make the most of your visit to the National Remembrance Gardens and plan an extended stay in the local area.
Call for project partners to help preserve the memory of child victims of war and terrorism coincides with the 80th anniversary of the death of Anne Frank.
Arji Manuelpillai, an acclaimed poet and performer with a passion for community arts, has been named the new Poet in Residence at the National Memorial Arboretum
To help you plan your visit we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions.
Working with artists has enabled community groups to develop new creative skills, coming together to share their individual and collective stories.
If you're passionate about the work of RBL National Remembrance Gardens and are keen to help us grow, you might be interested in volunteering with us.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal attended the Service of Remembrance on the iconic Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Learning groups are welcome to visit the National Remembrance Gardens and deliver their own activities.
We can be found in the centre of England on Croxall Road, Alrewas in Staffordshire. It is easy to reach and is close to all the Midlands motorways.
As a charity we rely on the generous support of our donors, supporters and sponsors. We could not survive without them.
Groups will enjoy exploring the areas closest to the Remembrance Centre with hardstanding pathways making them more accessible.
Our programme of daily activities has been designed to help you make the most of your visit.
Thank you for commissioning a leaf dedication to be added to our Tree of Cherished Memories.
Register to receive our emails and keep up to date with our latest news.
There are over 420 memorials and around 25,000 trees in our 150-acre grounds.
The National Memorial Arboretum, has launched a new augmented reality experience which takes families on a journey to learn about Our Everyday Heroes.
Lockdown Landscapes will capture pandemic stories through art projects and engagement with communities.
In 2021 we produced a nationwide programme of exhibitions exploring communities’ engagement with local outdoor heritage during the pandemic.
RBL National Remembrance Gardens is a UK registered charity that relies on the generous support of our visitors, partners, friends and donors.
We welcome applications from organisations wishing to dedicate a memorial.
There are lots of ways to get involved with RBL National Remembrance Gardens, from volunteer roles to paid positions.
Schools are welcome to visit our grounds and deliver their own sessions, book in by completing our online booking form.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team about hiring one of the spaces on our site please complete the enquiry form below.
You will soon be receiving the latest updates from our learning team about the exciting upcoming events and activities available for your young people.
Solar panel installation shines a light on National Memorial Arboretum’s commitment to sustainability.
Dedicators should allow a minimum of 12 weeks before their dedication is added to the Tree of Cherished Memories.
Talent in the Ranks supports aspiring singers, songwriters, and poets, from within the Armed Forces community.
Artists worked alongside a local social prescribing group to produce eco-dyed textiles inspired by experiences of outdoor spaces during and after the pandemic.
Entry to the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens is free, however we recommend booking your visit in advance to guarantee entry and save on our daily parking charge.
The team aim to respond within three working days of receiving your enquiry.
You will soon be receiving the latest updates from our team about the exciting upcoming events and activities.
In 2025 we launched a series of exhibitions, events, talks and tours that shared the stories of those who lived and served 80 years ago.
This morning, on the anniversary of the start of The Battle of Verdun in 1916, a pair of saplings, directly descended from an oak tree on the battlefield were planted here at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Earlier today, the Royal British Legion, in partnership with the Government hosted 33 Second World War veterans as guests of honour at a Service of Remembrance at the base of the Armed Forces Memorial.
Our site is unique, and there’s lots to see and do. New visitors often say that our grounds are much bigger than expected.
We are happy to support journalists, broadcasters and filmmakers and welcome people to use our site as a recording location by pre-arrangement.
The Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens welcomes thousands of groups visitors annually to explore, discover and remember.
Guiding Lights is a project that aims to bring a unique dimension to Illuminated, showcasing the power of storytelling through collective creativity.
The Nation’s year-round place to remember now flies the flag as one of the country’s best parks, in a record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award, as the scheme marks its Silver Jubilee.
Whilst the Arboretum is a space where everyone can reflect throughout the year, during November we remember those in our Armed Forces who have served and sacrificed on behalf of our Nation in our Armed Services.
Our Changing Places Toilet is located in our Remembrance Centre, with level access, and can be accessed by a RADAR toilet key.
There are over 400 memorials of all shapes and sizes in our grounds. Discover more about just some of the memorials and their symbolism.
On Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June, the National Memorial Arboretum will once again host a wide range of free, family activities to celebrate Armed Forces Weekend.
Welcome to the National Remembrance Gardens (formerly National Memorial Arboretum), a place to discover remarkable stories and gain new perspectives.
For the safety and comfort of all our visitors, we ask that you observe the following terms and conditions of entry during your visit to the Arboretum.
Members of the public are being encouraged to share letters from the Second World War for a new oral history project at the National Memorial Arboretum which is being developed in partnership with local BBC radio stations across the Midlands.
It is an exciting time at RBL National Remembrance Gardens, read our latest news here.
We have pulled together a list of all our frequently asked questions that will help you plan your Illuminated visit.
Children from Home Ed-Venturers, an events group offering educational activities for home educated children and their families, participated in a learning activity day, creating art and poetry honouring Anne and her impact on the world.
New commemorative exhibition transports visitors back to a year of seismic change, telling stories from home and away.
For a leisurely day out with friends, explore the site and many memorials together and socialise over a delicious, homemade two-course lunch.
With nearly 400 memorials amongst peaceful gardens, RBL National Remembrance Gardens is the perfect place to hold your Remembrance event.
Plan a visit with your four-legged friend, using our visiting with dogs information.
The Tree of Cherished Memories is a sculpture at the National Remembrance Gardens.
Together, we work to find new ways to give voice to memories, uncover hidden stories, and keep the past alive for future generations.
The 400th memorial has been dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum
Aspects at the National Memorial Arboretum named as VisitEngland’s Business Events Venue of the Year
In 2024 we restored one of our most poignant and moving memorials. Donations funded the replacement of the 309 posts, representing each soldier shot, later pardoned, and now remembered at the Arboretum.
On Friday 2 May, over 500 school children from across the midlands treated residents of Galanos House – a Royal British Legion care home – to VE Day inspired performances at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
Twenty-five years since our grounds officially opened to the public we are undertaking an ambitious heritage project, Archiving Remembrance.
In 2024, the Shot at Dawn Memorial urgently needed restoration. As word spread that this memorial needed urgent repair, our community stepped in to help.
We work hard to maintain all areas to a high standard. To achieve this, we have expectations to ensure all visitors have an enjoyable visit.
Our poet-in-residence takes to the grounds for up to a 2-year period, exploring the surroundings, landscape, and memorials through the art of poetry.
The National Remembrance Gardens is unique, and there’s lots to see and do during a visit. Wander and discover as you go or join one of our tours.
Shortly after sunrise, the lament of a lone piper could be heard across the Arboretum, as the Nation’s year-round place to Remember marked the 70th anniversary since the signing of an armistice that brought an end to the Korean War.
The National Memorial Arboretum, which is hosting a Service of Remembrance marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan) and the end of the Second World War, is encouraging members of the public to book their parking in advance to attend a live screening of the event on Friday 15 August.
We believe in being open and up-front with our visitors and supporters. Our privacy promise explains how we look after your information.
On Thursday 8 May, the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE hosted the Royal British Legion’s special VE Day Service of Remembrance.
The National Memorial Arboretum, part of the Royal British Legion, joins the Nation, the Commonwealth and the rest of the World in mourning the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was a Life Member of the Royal British Legion and he was gracious and generous in his support of the National Memorial Arboretum over many years.
As custodians of 150-acres of natural landscape, healed from a former mineral extraction pit, operating sustainably and ethically is at the heart of what we do.
In Westminster, artist Alix Smith and members of St Andrew's Youth Club produced a series of park benches covered with illustrations.
Founded from the seed of an idea, discover more about the history and origins of the National Remembrance Gardens.
Talk to our team today about our range of facilitated workshops help students of all ages interact with the subject of Remembrance.
A programme of interesting and enjoyable events, for visitors of all ages, are available throughout the year.
The National Memorial Arboretum's collection of Catherine’s Roses has come into bloom for the first time. Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales gifted 80 ‘Catherine's Roses’ to help create a striking new living feature within the site’s 150-acre landscape, offering visitors colour and fragrance, while encouraging reflection throughout the summer months.
We aim to cater for the needs of all our visitors and try to accommodate all access requirements where possible.
Our Explorer Days have been designed to encourage students to form their own opinions and arguments around key themes.
Today, the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, led the Nation in commemorating Armistice Day with a Service of Remembrance on the iconic Armed Forces Memorial. Attended by HRH The Princess of Wales, the service featured an Act of Remembrance, with a two-minute silence at 11am followed by wreath laying.
Maintaining and supporting the environment is something we care passionately about.
Artist Sebbie Mudhai and videographer Tom Chimiak explored the experiences of those living in Citizen's supported housing.
To ensure schools can access the learning experiences offered by our team, eligible schools can apply for support from our Education Travel Bursaries.
RBL National Remembrance Gardens celebrates lives lived and commemorates lives lost. We are the nation’s year-round place to remember.
The National Memorial Arboretum has opened a new free exhibition featuring frontline sketches of the Falklands War by Linda Kitson, who was appointed as the official war artist by the Imperial War Museum.
The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire has been awarded its first-ever ‘National Plant Collection’ status by Plant Heritage, recognising its conservation work on the Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) and Amelanchier genera. This designation helps secure the future of these plants and enhances the Arboretum’s standing as a key centre of horticultural excellence and biodiversity.
Some of the stories featured here explore themes of togetherness, isolation, service, support and the value of the outdoors.
We offer a range of homemade tasty meals and snacks, along with freshly prepared hot beverages and chilled drinks.
Situated within South Staffordshire, local hotels, bed and breakfasts and apartments offer an array of accommodation options for guests.
Presenter Ellie Harrison took viewers on a tour of the Nation’s year-round place to remember, exploring the importance of Remembrance and how volunteers are essential to the smooth running of the 150-acre garden and woodland site.
Prepare using the helpful guidance and travel information on our plan your visit pages.
Centrally located in the heart of the country, the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens is an ideal place for a service stop.
Today, in the week of the third anniversary of the first UK lockdown, a new ‘Trees of Life’ glade was dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, within the National Forest. The ‘Trees of Life’ glade is a living tribute to those who served our country throughout the pandemic, and to remember all those who died as a result of COVID-19 in the UK.
The largest memorial at the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens is the Armed Forces Memorial.
Our shop offers the perfect retail treat during your visit.
View an alphabetised list of all the memorials in our grounds.
Today, on Armistice Day, Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester completed the planting of 26 new Elm, Oak and Lime trees along the road leading to the National Memorial Arboretum, as a tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Keep up to date with our latest workshops, events and activities suitable for your school or learning group.
The National Memorial Arboretum, part of The Royal British Legion, joins the Nation, the Commonwealth and the rest of the World in mourning the death of Her Late Majesty The Queen. HM Queen Elizabeth the Second was Patron of the Royal British Legion and through it, the National Memorial Arboretum, and she was gracious and generous in providing her unstinting support over many years.
During November, public services of Remembrance will be held at the National Remembrance Gardens.
National Memorial Arboretum Volunteers Honoured for Outstanding Contribution to Staffordshire with High Sheriff Award
Impress your guests with an evening event in Aspects at the Royal British Legion Nation Remembrance Gardens.
Hundreds of pandemic key workers and members of the public gathered at Westminster Abbey for ‘Trees of Life’ - A Service of Remembrance with the blessing of saplings for a living memorial to honour those who served and died in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Centrally located, with stunning onsite views; our facilities provide a remarkable and memorable location for conferences and events.
The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire has received the prestigious Green Flag Award for a sixth consecutive year. This latest accolade, awarded as the organisation celebrates 25 Years since its official opening, recognises the transformative impact of creating an inspirational living landscape on a tract of former quarry workings over the past quarter of a century.
To ensure schools can access the learning experiences offered by our team, eligible schools can apply for support from our Education Access Fund.
Thousands of motorcyclists honour the fallen at the National Memorial Arboretum
We welcome and encourage teachers and trainee teachers to visit our site as part of teacher training and CPD.
Our collaborative participation programmes help us to explore and learn from the stories we share at RBL National Remembrance Gardens.
Ideal for smaller groups, our personalised tours with an experienced guide make the perfect gift for loved ones.
The sculpture offers a unique opportunity to celebrate individuals from all walks of life whilst supporting the invaluable work of the Arboretum, the UK’s year-round place to celebrate lives lived and commemorate lives lost in service.
The National Memorial Arboretum will serve as a poignant backdrop for the latest episode of BBC One's weekend favourite, 'Antiques Roadshow'.
Briggs Equipment Ltd have partnered with the National Remembrance Gardens for over seven years in a relationship that has evolved over time.
The National Remembrance Gardens is a collection of stories, a celebration of lives which have mattered and a living tribute to lives lost.
Only have time for a quick visit? Our shorter workshops start from 30 minutes, and can be tailored to a range of key stages.
Since our official opening 25 years ago our grounds have grown into an inspirational living landscape.
Our site has something for all ages, from outdoor trails and holiday activities, to leisurely strolls that can end at one of our children's play areas.
As part of our returning spectacular winter light trail Illuminated Arboretum, three new community-led art installations will be showcased as part of the Arboretum’s ‘Guiding Lights’ project.
The 2019 Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism & Good Food Awards saw Aspects collect a Gold Award for Business Events Venue of the Year.
Using our natural landscape as inspiration, we support various curriculum-based objectives through our fully inclusive learning programme.
A guided tour at the National Remembrance Gardens offers a meaningful and age-appropriate experience for students of all ages.
Our programme of free Activity Days allow students to explore topical themes alongside our grounds and memorials.
Thousands of members of the public gathered at the Arboretum to honour and remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community on Remembrance Sunday
Can’t visit us? Let us come to you with one of our specially adapted activities or workshops.
The Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens will welcome tens of thousands of people to the 150-acre Staffordshire estate for a programme of Remembrance events and activities throughout the autumn.
To coincide with Black History Month, two interactive storytelling exhibitions created by award-winning social entrepreneur and artist Janet Douglas are on display at the National Memorial Arboretum.
A new Changing Places Toilet facility has recently been installed at the National Memorial Arboretum. The new toilet facility will help improve the visitor experience for people who require additional support that is not met by standard accessible toilets.
On Sunday 6 August, thousands of people descended on the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, to attend Carnival Windrush, an immersive and vibrant celebration of the Windrush Generation.
Find your search results here, with information on our site and upcoming events and activities.
Venture deeper into the site with a guided walk highlighting the hidden stories behind the many trees and memorials within our grounds.
The Arboretum has been awarded Green Flag status for the fifth consecutive year.
On Wednesday 20 August Charlie Inglefield and Ben Stallard will present ‘A Chaplain’s Portraits – The Story Behind the Artwork’.
This very special place is a remarkable location for your next event offering award-winning event spaces and facilities for 10 – 300 guests.
One of the most rewarding ways to support us is to become a Friend.
The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit the National Memorial Arboretum in the heart of the National Forest in Staffordshire on 20 July 2022, revealed as part of the full England route today.
Families invited to celebrate launch of brand-new FREE Stick Man trail at the National Memorial Arboretum.
The National Memorial Arboretum, within the National Forest in Staffordshire, has been awarded a third consecutive Green Flag Award, a prestigious international quality mark for parks and green spaces.
In Birmingham, artists Tasawar Bashir and Nafeesa Hamid gathered stories from communities with South Asian heritage.
Inspire students with a learning visit at RBL National Remembrance Gardens (previously the National Memorial Arboretum)
The restoration of The Garden of the Innocents Memorial alongside two play areas is a huge undertaking.
Groups of all sizes and interests enjoy visiting the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens, formerly the National Memorial Arboretum.
Make your visit to the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens more relaxing by pre-booking one of our food packages.
One of BBC Radio 4’s most iconic programmes, Gardeners' Question Time is set to visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
Enquire today about our free programme of Activity Days, which explore topical themes and run throughout the year.
A stately Spaeth Alder tree sits surrounded by a beautiful seating area, inviting visitors to pause and take a moment and reflect.
We love to hear from our visitors, whether you have a question in advance of a visit, or you would like to share some feedback after a visit.
Thank you for submitting our online booking form. Our learning team will be in contact to confirm your booking in due course.
We are currently unable to take calls on our telephone line. If you wish to get in contact with our team, please email nrginfo@britishlegion.org.uk, or message us on Facebook or Instagram.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
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