News

Arboretum Awarded National Plant Collection Status

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.

Public invited to contribute to the ‘Canopy of a Thousand Dreams'

The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire is inviting creative individuals from across the country to contribute toward an art installation to be featured within the new Guiding Lights exhibition opening later this year. ‘Guiding Lights - Canopy of a Thousand Dreams,’ will showcase 1,000 hand-crafted leaves made by members of the public and local school children, attached to a large indoor tree sculpture.

Tickets released for BBC Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time Recording at the National Memorial Arboretum

One of BBC Radio 4’s most iconic programmes, Gardeners' Question Time is set to visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Shot at Dawn Restoration 

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.

'Look Up' at the National Memorial Arboretum this summer

Visitors can get ready to ‘Look Up’ and turn their eyes to the skies this summer at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Arboretum commences Armed Forces Week celebrations

The Arboretum has marked the start of Armed Forces Week 2024, a weeklong programme of commemorative and celebratory activities in recognition of the year-round service and sacrifices made by the Armed Forces community.

Arboretum hosting 'bostin' evening of entertainment in celebration of Armed Forces community

The Arboretum will be hosting a special evening of entertainment celebrating the service of the Armed Forces community on 29 June as part of its Armed Forces Week activity programme.

'The Year Was 1944' Exhibition Opens

New commemorative exhibition transports visitors back to a year of seismic change, telling stories from home and away.

Launch of new Stick Man Trail

Families invited to celebrate launch of brand-new FREE Stick Man trail at the National Memorial Arboretum.

What's Your Connection To 1944?

Call out for stories, photos and artefacts for new commemorative exhibition at the National Memorial Arboretum to tell stories from home and away.

Carnival Windrush celebrates the contribution of the Windrush Generation

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.

Arboretum awarded a Staffordshire Environmental Quality Mark for continued sustainability efforts

The National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, has been awarded a Staffordshire Environmental Quality Mark in recognition of the visitor destination’s continued commitment to making sustainable choices for the benefit of the planet, people, and the local economy.

Illuminated Arboretum light trail to feature Guiding Lights community-led art installations

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.

Remembrance Sunday Commemorations

Thousands of people stood side by side to watch our annual Remembrance Sunday Service, which was held at the base of the Armed Forces Memorial within the grounds of the National Memorial Arboretum.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal leads Armistice Day commemorations 

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal attended the Service of Remembrance on the iconic Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Immersive exhibitions bring stories of past generations to life 

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.

Thousands of motorcyclists pay tribute to the fallen at the Arboretum during Ride to the Wall 2023

Thousands of motorcyclists from across the country and overseas made their annual ‘Ride to the Wall’ pilgrimage to National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, on Saturday 7 October for a special Service of Remembrance in memory of those commemorated on the Armed Forces Memorial

Arboretum named ‘Best UK Attraction’ for third consecutive year

The National Memorial Arboretum was named ‘Best UK Attraction’ at last night’s Group Leisure & Travel Awards for the third consecutive year. The Group Leisure & Travel awards recognise the best providers, attractions and destinations for groups, with the winners voted for by readers of Group Leisure & Travel magazine.

Arboretum marks 70 years since the end of the Korean War

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.

Carnival Windrush

A commemorative cultural event at the National Memorial Arboretum on 6 August will explore the rich contributions made by migrants from the Caribbean.

Green Flag Award 2023

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.

Journey Through 'The New World'

This summer, visitors to the Arboretum can immerse themselves in an extraordinary free interactive experience suitable for families of all ages.

Aspects at the National Memorial Arboretum named as VisitEngland’s Business Events Venue of the Year  

Aspects at the National Memorial Arboretum named as VisitEngland’s Business Events Venue of the Year

Arboretum partners with Black Voices to create 'Sounds of Windrush' commemorative programme for schools

National Memorial Arboretum partners with Black Voices to create ‘Sounds of Windrush’ commemorative programme for schools

Solar Panels

Solar panel installation shines a light on National Memorial Arboretum’s commitment to sustainability.

Changing Places Toilet Improves Arboretum Accessibility

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.

Trees of Life Dedication

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.

Battle of Verdun Oak Tree

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.

Remembrance Sunday 

Earlier, thousands of veterans, serving personnel and members of the public eager to pay their respects, gathered together at the base of the Armed Forces Memorial for our annual Remembrance Sunday Service.

Queen's Green Canopy

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.

'Trees of Life' Service of Remembrance

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.

Ride to the Wall 2022

On Saturday 1 October, thousands of motorcyclists from across the UK and beyond made their annual ‘Ride to the Wall’ pilgrimage.

Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

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. 

National Memorial Arboretum unveils ‘Tree of Cherished Memories’  

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.

Queen’s Baton Relay visit set to be a highlight of the Arboretum’s ‘Sports, Service and the Commonwealth’ programme

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.

Wild Arboretum Photography Competition Winners Announced

During February 2022 we asked our visitors and supporters to use the Wild Arboretum exhibition as inspiration, grab a camera and get out into the Arboretum grounds to see what natural elements could be found to inspire their photography.

Lockdown Landscapes To Capture Pandemic Stories

Lockdown Landscapes will capture pandemic stories through art projects and engagement with communities.

Battlefield sketches on display as Arboretum marks 40th anniversary of the Falklands War

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.

Countryfile at the Arboretum

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.

Arboretum Dedicates 400th Memorial

The 400th memorial has been dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum

Arboretum Awarded First Green Flag Award

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.

Arboretum Pledges to Remove Barriers to Participation in Remembrance

National Memorial Arboretum pledges to remove barriers to participation in Remembrance

Arboretum Declares Climate Emergency

National Memorial Arboretum declares climate emergency as it unveils new sustainability pledges

Arboretum shortlisted at Group Leisure and Travel Awards

The National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, has been shortlisted for three categories (Best Garden Visit, Best Guided Tour and Best UK Attraction) at the tourism industry’s Group Leisure and Travel Awards 2020.

Staffordshire Day 2021

This year, to mark Staffordshire Day, we are highlighting just some of the many links to our wonderful county, that can be found across the site.

Arboretum Launches Brand-New App Experience

The National Memorial Arboretum, has launched a new augmented reality experience which takes families on a journey to learn about Our Everyday Heroes.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

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.

Arboretum Celebrates Award-Winning Events Building

The 2019 Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism & Good Food Awards saw Aspects collect a Gold Award for Business Events Venue of the Year.

Arboretum Launches Special VJ Day Activity Packs

In partnership with The Royal British Legion, the Arboretum has launched two free downloadable activity packs marking the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.

VJ Day Digital Exhibition

VJ Day Digital Exhibition Explores The Diversity Of The Fourteenth Army

Hold Still Exhibition Launches

Remembrance at the Arboretum

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.