Visitors are advised that the Shot at Dawn Memorial will close to the public on Monday 6 May. The memorial will undergo restoration and will be closed for approximately six weeks whilst these works take place. Free Shot at Dawn Talks will continue to take place daily at 12.30pm and 1.30pm in the Millennium Chapel, please ask at the Welcome Desk for more information. Visit our Shot at Dawn Restoration Appeal to find out more and donate.
Opening on 23 March, visitors will be able to pick up a free self-led trail sheet on arrival at the Welcome Desk, and head out into the Arboretum to explore the new trail.
To celebrate its launch, we will be hosting a full day of The Stick Man related activities, from arts and crafts and music making to an indoor screenings of the animated adaptation.
As a free-to-enter site, on our event days, such as our Stick Man Celebration Day, we can only guarantee entry to visitors who have pre-booked parking tickets in advance. This is in addition to any free tickets for the Stick Man film screenings that you may book. By booking parking visitors avoid disappointment on their preferred visit day and will also save on parking which costs £6 on the day or £4 in advance.
Our brand-new The Stick Man Trail will take young visitors on an adventure through our acres of woodland, as they help The Stick Man on his adventure back to the Family Tree. Featuring new carvings inspired by the story, as well as our ever-popular The Stick Man sculpture to find along the way, there is plenty to spot along the mile-long route.
You can pick up your free copy of the self-led trail from our Welcome Desk.
We aim to cater for the needs of all our visitors and try to accommodate all access requirements where possible.
We recommend that families wishing to try the Stick Man Outdoor Trail wear appropriate footwear and clothing. The route, while mostly on hardstanding pathways, does venture into our woodlands and so may be unsuitable for some pushchairs.
Please note that children's bikes, balance bikes, scooters and roller blades can not be used in the Arboretum grounds.
Dogs are permitted on a short lead on the Stick Man trail. However, visitors should note that dogs will not be permitted into our cinema screenings and other indoor activities including music making sessions and arts and crafts.
Tickets for our cinema showings are now closed. Please ask at our Welcome Desk for any remaining availability on the day.
Gather the family together for one of our free screenings of Julia Donaldson's classic, The Stick Man, played throughout the day in our Remembrance Centre.
Free | We recommend booking both your screening tickets and a parking ticket in advance to guarantee entry.
Keep an ear out during your visit to the Arboretum and hear the trees rustle, birds sing and wind blow. Then head to our music making sessions for 'Sounds of The Stick Man' to explore a range of instruments from around the world, and create your own soundtrack to the story.
Free | Hourly from 11am
Subject to Availability.
Using your best creative skills and imagination, join us in our free arts and crafts sessions making The Stick Man themed items to take away. Alongside colouring sheets, you can also create themed badges, or contribute to a collage of The Stick Man's family tree.
Free | 11am - 3pm
