Frequently Asked Questions

We are pleased to welcome well-behaved dogs and their owners during the daytime at the Arboretum.

 

Please ensure your dog is kept on a short lead at all times, clear-up promptly after your dog using the dog waste bins provided and manage your dog respectfully throughout your visit, being considerate of other visitors and the Remembrance that the memorials represent. 

 

Dogs are not allowed in children’s play areas, on the Armed Forces Memorial, the land train or buggies and access to our indoor spaces is limited.

 

 

Dogs are permitted on the Stick Man Trail, however we do ask that our visitors manage their dogs respectfully throughout the visit, being considerate of other visitors.

You are welcome to visit the Arboretum with your dog on our event days, providing these are taking place within our regular opening hours. For the comfort and safety of all of our visitors please note that visitors with dogs may not have access to the full event experience, as some activities may be taking place indoors or in an environment unsuitable for four-legged friends.

 

Please also be aware that on event days our grounds may also be a lot busier than normal, and some dogs may not enjoy their experience.

 

Only assistance dogs are permitted in all event areas and at evening events.  

Motorised and non-motorised bikes, including quad bikes, monkey bikes, mini motorbikes, go-peds, segways, hoverboards, scooters, bicycles, balance bikes and roller skates/blades are not permitted in the grounds of the Arboretum.

The Arboretum provides bicycle storage in the car park in front of the Remembrance Centre. 

It’s free to visit the Arboretum.

Book your visit in advance on our website to receive a discount on our daily parking charge and to guarantee entry on busy days. 

	Advance tickets	On the day tickets
Cars	£4	£6
Motorcycles / scooters	£2	£4
Bicycles / arrival on foot	Free, one ticket is required per bike or person	Free, one ticket is required per bike or person

Coaches and mini buses are permitted to park onsite at the Arboretum for free, we do ask that groups of ten or more visitors book in advance by calling 01283 245 100.

There may be a small charge for other activities and events if you choose to take part in these. You can find out more on our What’s On pages.  

As a registered charity we are here to keep important stories alive and can only do this with your support. As you arrive, or before you leave, please do consider giving a £5 per person donation. We’ll use your donation to grow and develop the Arboretum.

Entry into the Arboretum is free. Book your visit in advance on our website to receive a discount on our daily parking charge and to guarantee entry on busy days. 

	Advance tickets	On the day tickets
Cars	£4	£6
Motorcycles / scooters	£2	£4
Bicycles / arrival on foot	Free, one ticket is required per bike or person	Free, one ticket is required per bike or person

Coaches and mini buses are permitted to park onsite at the Arboretum for free, we do ask that groups of ten or more visitors book in advance by calling 01283 245 100. 

Book Tickets

Drones are not permitted within the grounds of the Arboretum. 

You can download a simple map of our site here.

A Visitor map is available from our Welcome Desk. Guidebooks are also available to purchase from our Shop and Welcome Desk.

All proceeds from the sales of guidebooks are used to grow and develop the Arboretum.

Absolutely, you’re welcome to bring picnics to enjoy out in our grounds and we have a number of picnic areas. We ask that you don’t eat food that isn’t from our Restaurant in either the Restaurant or Coffee Shop.

To see all of the memorials would take more than a day. If you have less time you can see our most visited memorials in an morning or afternoon.

If you have less time our land Train and buggy tours are great as they allow you to see lots in a short space of time.

The taking of images and film footage for personal use is permitted on site. Commercial photography and footage for any purpose is subject to negotiation and a location fee, and must be arranged and authorise in advance. 

The use of drones onsite are not permitted. 

 

You’ll find lots of useful information on our getting here page.

Our grounds are largely flat and there are lots of hard standing paths to use as you’re exploring. Many of our memorials are positioned in grassed areas so some visitors may find it more difficult to access these.

To help you get around wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be hired for a small charge. We also offer land train and buggy tours. Our Remembrance Centre is flat with levelled access into the building and ramped access into our grounds.

If you would like to know more about our facilities and read a full access statement for our grounds you can do so here.

Our Restaurant, located in the Remembrance Centre, offers a variety of choices including hot meals, created using seasonal produce, snacks, and drinks. Our Coffee Shop is currently offering a take-away service featuring barista crafted hot drinks and snacks. 

Camp fires and barbecues are not permitted within the grounds of the Arboretum unless organised by the Arboretum itself. 

We welcome groups of all sizes and interests. You will find lots of useful information on our visiting as a group pages. When you have chosen your preferred visit date, complete and return your booking form. Your booking will be confirmed by a member of our team. You can talk to  a member of our Groups team by calling 01283 245 100 or emailing groups@thenma.org.uk

Vehicles can’t be left on our car parks overnight. Accommodation can be found in the surrounding area. Please visit enjoy staffordshire for further details.

Unless otherwise stated in an event contract, only fundraising for the Arboretum is permissible in our grounds, this includes conducting a collection, the distribution of publicity materials or canvassing for donations.  

If you’re having problems making an online booking for an event or activity please call 01283 245 100 or email info@thenma.org.uk. Our phones are manned daily from 9am – 5pm.

Fishing is not permitted at the Arboretum unless a riparian consent exists.

The sale of merchandise and services on site are only permitted with prior agreement from the Arboretum. 

We love to hear from our visitors and we use your feedback to grow and develop. You can submit your feedback online, call 01283 245 100 or email info@thenma.org.uk. 

Visitors are not permitted to take vehicles on site. Any contractor, deliveries or event vehicles must comply with site safety regulations and follow any specific information provided by the Arboretum team. 

The names of people who have lost their lives on duty, died in operational theatre or were targeted by terrorists since the end of the Second World War are remember on the Armed Forces Memorial.

Individuals who died in the First and Second World Wars are usually remembered on local war memorials or at Commonwealth War Graves sites.  

You can search for individuals using their name or service number online

We are no longer able to offer tree or bench dedications for individuals or organisations at the Arboretum.

You can read more about dedications at the Arboretum on our Dedications at the Arboretum page. 

As a charity we are unable to fund the creation of memorials. The memorials that you see in our grounds have been designed, funded and dedicated by the groups they represent or other third parties. You can find more information about the application process for adding a memorial into our grounds on our How to apply for a memorial page. 

A full list of the memorials in our grounds can be found on our memorials listing page.  

As an ever growing site with more than 400 memorials it is not possible to provide a printed visitor map that indicates the location of all the dedications in our grounds. A Visitor Map that highlights a selection of our largest memorials can be collected from the Welcome Desk, where guidebooks can also be purchased. 

Visitors wishing to browse a list of all the dedications, including tree, benches etc, can use the kiosks in the Remembrance Centre to find the location of dedications that are of interest. Our team are also always happy to help our visitors find memorials that are of interest to them. 

A full list of the memorials in our grounds can be found on our memorials listing page.  

Unfortunately, we are unable to accepted donated items including artwork, poetry or historical pieces. We do have two temporary exhibition spaces, if you wish to display a collection or exhibition please email our exhibitions officer. 

There are lots of ways to support us and we’d love for you to get involved in our journey. Some people choose to make a regular donation, fundraise or hold events. You can also support us by becoming an NMA Friend.