The Armed Forces Memorial, and its immediate surroundings, will be closed to visitors from 10am on Friday 8 August to 5pm on Sunday 17 August to allow us to prepare to host the national VJ Day 80 commemorations. The rest of the Arboretum will remain open to visitors as normal. We are sorry for any inconvenience this might cause and appreciate your understanding during this time.
Let the stories, science and sounds of the Arboretum’s trees inspire you as you discover the importance of our trees, their connection with humans and the wildlife that calls our woodland habitats their home.
In addition to the daily programme, every Wednesday throughout the summer Wondrous Takeovers will also give younger visitors the chance to engage in nature in a whole new way, as imaginative storytelling, performance, creativity, and play inspire more discovery.
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Daily 11am - 4pm | Free
CANOPY, a brand-new immersive sound installation, produced by the Lorna Rees Company, will encourage visitors of all ages to pause and listen. Joyful, hopeful, and thought-provoking, CANOPY celebrates the connection between humans and trees. Artist Lorna Rees has collaborated with more than 500 people to develop the piece, from ecologists, artists and musicians to writers and young people.
Collect a free CANOPY trail sheet from our Wondrous Trees facilitators, then wander between the suspended sonic seed pods in our woodlands nearby to immerse yourself in the 24 ideas about trees shared. From contemplations by renowned experts, to new songs inspired by trees, you can start at any pod, just pick one that sparks your interest, and visit as many as you like.
Exploring CANOPY
Canopy is an immersive sound installation within our woodlands that has been designed to be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. To support accessibility printed transcripts of all 24 ideas about trees can be collected from our CANOPY facilitators. You can also listen to all 24 ideas together at Seed Pod Stories which is located on the level grassed area, accessible for wheelchairs, next to the the CANOPY horsebox.
Discover More at the CANOPY Horsebox
The CANOPY horsebox is a curiosity of interesting things. You can collect special books to read on the chairs or log benches nearby, play with wooden toys in the tough trays, or make rubbings using leaves, bark and pinecones. It's also the place where we'd like you to share your own thoughts and ideas about trees.
CANOPY is co-commissioned by the National Memorial Arboretum and Inside Out Dorset, Activate Performing Arts and Forestry England. Funded by Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants with additional support from Cultural Hub. Presented at the Arboretum by Outdoor Places Unusual Spaces.
Join us every Wednesday for a tree-inspired Wondrous Wednesday Takeover and dive into a world of imagination!
From enchanting musical theatre performances performed by B’ Opera, captivating music making workshops, interactive storytelling and hands-on arts and crafts, there's something for everyone.
Admission to some events is by free ticket which we recommend booking in advance. On the day tickets are subject to availability.
Let your child’s creativity take root in our interactive music workshop, where the wonders of trees inspire rhythm, song and music.
Wednesday 23 July | 11am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 1.15pm & 2.15pm
Wednesday 20 August | 11am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 1.15pm & 2.15pm
Suitable for ages 3-5 years
When a storm damages her beloved library tree, can Alice get it re-opened? Will she be any match for the White Rabbit and evil Queen of Hearts? Will her Fairy Godmother help like she's supposed to?
Come and find out in this magical interactive production, a whistlestop tour of beautiful music by Handel, Mozart, Beethoven and more, woven around nursery rhymes, folksong, and original music, all sprinkled with musical fairy dust by B'Opera's resident composer, Phil!
Wednesday 30 July | 11am & 1.30pm
Close your eyes and listen… Can you hear the whispers of the leaves? The stories carried by the wind? Every tree has a tale to tell—of the creatures it shelters, the air it purifies, the beauty it shares. Join us as we bring to life the book “ Tree Full of Wonder” a journey into the heart of nature. Together we will uncover the deep, unbreakable bond between people and trees.
Wednesday 6 August | 11am, 11.30am, 12pm, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2pm & 2.30pm
Wednesday 27 August | 11am, 11.30am, 12pm, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2pm & 2.30pm
Let your imagination run through the woodlands in our drop-in creative arts and crafts sessions.
For our younger visitors, get crafty with twigs, leaves, feathers, and more! Create your own unique natural characters to bring the forest to life.
For older children, have a go at hapa zome (a Japanese eco-printing technique that uses natural pigments from plants to create prints on fabric or paper by pounding the materials), creating nature frames and turn pressed leaves into miniature masterpieces.
Wednesday 13 August | 11am - 3pm
Suitable for ages 0-5 years
Step into the magical world of trees! From whispering leaves to deep roots, join B’Opera for singing, swaying, and stomping. Little ones will explore nature’s rhythm with songs about towering oaks, wiggly worms, and swirling autumn leaves. Let’s grow our imaginations together.
B'Opera First Songs Workshops are a way for you and your little one to explore how we can all use rhythm, movement, and our singing voices to bring a story to life. This special session celebrates the magic of trees, their deep roots, whispering leaves, and the stories they hold. A multi-sensory blend of performance and education led by professional musician and trained educator Zoë, liberally sprinkled with fun, interaction, and the wonder of nature!
Wednesday 27 August | 11am & 12.30pm
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