Remembrance | RBL National Remembrance Gardens

The National Remembrance Gardens provide a quiet year-round space for reflection and contemplation.

We welcome over 300,000 visitors to our ground each year, taking part in large-scale services or individual acts of Remembrance at any of our 420 memorials living within the 150-acre grounds.

During November, public services of Remembrance will be held here at the Gardens. We encourage visitors to book in advance where possible, but all are welcome.

A member of the British Army stands, head bowed, looking at a number of poppy wraths laying on the Armed Forces Memorial

Remembrance Sunday

On Sunday 8 November, thousands of veterans, serving personnel and members of the public paid their respects to those who have served and made sacrifices on behalf of the nation during our annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the base of the Armed Forces Memorial.

The service was led by Clare Callanan, Afghanistan Veterans Community Chaplain and veteran, and Mandeep Kaur, RAF Sikh Chaplain, RAF Cosford. It included the traditional Act of Remembrance; the Exhortation, Last Post, a two-minute silence at 11am, Reveille and Kohima Epitaph, followed the laying of wreaths.

The service also reflected how Remembrance continues to be passed between generations, through music, poetry and personal reflection. It also captured how when someone serves, their family serves too.

During the service, our poet-in-residence Arji Manuelpillai read Remember Them Here and there were performances from Black Voices, the Band and Bugles of The Rifles, and participants from our ‘Talent in the Ranks’ artist development programme.

You can watch a recording of today’s Remembrance Sunday Service below.

Watch the Remembrance Sunday Service

Armistice Day

On Wednesday 11 November we commemorated Armistice Day during a service of Remembrance. Attended by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the service featured an Act of Remembrance, with a two-minute silence, followed by a wreath laying.

During the event, Arji Manuelpillai, the Gardens’ Poet in Residence, shared Remember Them Here, a specially commissioned poem. The service also featured performances by The Band of the Coldstream Guards, Black Voices, and Talent in the Ranks participants, Bethany Neame and Emily Rose-Noble. Shero Llumo, a student at The Royal Sutton School, shared her poem ‘For those who have never truly been forgotten.

Watch the Armistice Day service

Field of Remembrance

The Royal British Legion's Field of Remembrance is returning to our site between Friday 30 October - Sunday 15 November.

The Tributes planted in the Fields of Remembrance each carry a personal message to someone who lost their life in Service for our country.

Find out more

Wreath Laying Service

We know not all of our supporters can make the trip to the National Remembrance Gardens.

If you’d like to request a wreath with a personal tribute to be laid on your behalf at a memorial, tree or plaque on our grounds, our team will be honoured to do so on your behalf.

Please call 01283 245 100 or email nrginfo@britishlegion.org.uk and our team will be happy to assist.

Wreaths cost £20 each for a plain wreath or £23.50 for a personalised wreath, with all proceeds used to grow and develop the National Remembrance Gardens. Our team can send a photograph for you to share with others in your family or association.

A couple who are dressed in a suit and a red coat lay a wreath in the centre of the Armed Forces Memorial.

A blue sign highlighting the drop off area at the front of the Remembrance Centre

Parking during November

We are anticipating a very busy Remembrance period at the National Remembrance Gardens, as thousands of people gather to pay their respects at the nation's year-round place to remember.

We strongly recommend booking your car parking space in advance to guarantee entry ahead of our Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day services, as only limited parking spaces are available and may become fully booked.