Launch of new Stick Man Trail

Christmas Opening Hours

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.

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

 

On Saturday 23 March, families are invited to kick off their Easter holiday, at a special opening celebration for a brand-new FREE Stick Man outdoor trail at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, within the National Forest.

The new, free mile-long trail will feature five new carved wooden characters, encouraging younger visitors to complete activities exploring the wildlife, nature, and the stories they find.  

The Stick Man Celebration Day, featuring free indoor screenings of The Stick Man adaptation, themed arts and crafts, and music making inspired by the book, will ensure that visitors will enjoy a full day at the Arboretum immersed in the world of Julia Donaldson’s classic children’s tale.

The journey back to the Family Tree

 

From a twig for a nest to a mast for a flag, the brand-new Stick Man trail will follow the adventures of The Stick Man as he tries to get home to his Family Tree. 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. 

“Our original Stick Man trail has proven to be a huge family-favourite, with thousands of visitors exploring the route since it opened in 2019,” explains Rachel Smith, Head of Participation and Learning at the National Memorial Arboretum. “This new trail is longer, more interactive than ever, and features stunning woodcarvings that will really capture the imagination of our visitors as they follow The Stick Man’s journey back to his Family Tree. We’d love for fans of The Stick Man young and old to join us at the Arboretum for our full day of free activities to celebrate the opening of the new trail, a fantastic way to start the Easter holidays!”


Free Stick Man celebration activities - Saturday 23 March

 

Families are invited to the Arboretum on Saturday 23 March to be the first to explore the new Stick Man trail and participate in a day of The Stick Man themed activities to celebrate the opening. Highlights include:

 

  • The Stick Man Indoor Screenings (10am - 4pm, booking recommended)
    The Stick Man adaptation will be shown throughout the day. Limited spaces are available for each session so visitors should book their free tickets online in advance to ensure entry at their preferred time slot. 
  • Music making sessions (hourly from 11am)
    Visitors are encouraged to listen out for the hum of bees, singing birds and the wind blowing around the Arboretum, before joining in music making sessions to create a soundtrack to spring using instruments from around the world.
  • The Stick Man arts & crafts (11am - 3pm)
    Using creative skills and imagination, younger visitors can make The Stick Man themed items to take home.