Seasonal opening hours will apply on:
Tuesday 24 December 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 25 December CLOSED
Tuesday 31 December 10am - 3pm
On all other dates our normal opening hours (10am - 4pm) will apply.
Drawing inspiration from the natural surroundings of the Arboretum and the powerful stories of service and sacrifice that are encapsulated within the memorials and landscaping, families are invited to journey through ‘The New World’, as they explore the 150-acre site.
Created in collaboration with immersive environments arts organisation Wild Rumpus, ‘The New World’ introduces six distinct themed areas that encourage creative, physical, and reflective activity drawing on the themes of journeys and travel, encouraging people to contemplate the experience of exploring new places.
“Our unique summer programme invites visitors to imagine
themselves transported to a new and wonderful place, through the power of their
own imagination,” said Rachel Smith, Head of Participation and Learning at the
National Memorial Arboretum. “Each adventure around The New World will be as
unique as those who have chosen to travel and will inspire reflection,
understanding, and growth, promoting connection through play.”
Families will be guided on their journey by the spin of a wheel, sending them on an unpredictable adventure around each installation. Visitors can create their own guide to ‘The New World’, starting from ‘The Oracle’, plotting their unique journey through ‘Dream Garden’, ‘Memory Maze’, ‘Playscape’, ‘Sanctuary’ and ‘Utopia’, completing fun activities that will challenge their imagination along the way:
“Created using recycled and repurposed material, ‘The New World’ has been designed to provide a new way to experience and celebrate the Arboretum,” said Rowan Cannon, Director of Wild Rumpus. ” Working together with the Arboretum team, we take families on an immersive technicolour journey, encouraging them to explore wondrous lands, discovering new worlds as they move through individual playscapes using the power of their imagination.”
Visitors can journey through ‘The New World’ daily from 10am to 5pm. Entry into the Arboretum, and The New World is free, though advance booking is recommended to guarantee entry and save on parking.
Wild Rumpus exist in a space
where arts and culture meet the natural environment. Working from their
woodland workspace in Cheshire, they create experiences which inspire curiosity
and design events that immerse audiences in incredible stories and moments of
wonder. In addition to Timber Festival, Wild Rumpus produce other ambitious
outdoor arts events including Palace of Light at Hampton Court Palace,
Hinterlands Film Festival in Skipton and Just So Festival for families on the
Rode Hall Estate in Cheshire. Wild Rumpus also run an extensive volunteer and
talent development programme working with performers, producers and programmers
to shape a cultural environment where excellent outdoor work thrives.
