Armed Forces Weekend

Armed Forces Day is the Nation's chance to show support for the people who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving personnel to their families, veterans and cadets.


A young girl climbing on a climbing wall on Armed Forces Day in 2018

What's On

At the Arboretum, we will be marking this event across two days, with a range of fun interactive family activities.

Live Music

Live music from our Talent in the Ranks artists will soundtrack our celebrations; you'll be able to listen to lots of fantastic performances from aspiring singers, songwriters and poets from within the Armed Forces community.

 

Family Activities

There will be a whole host of FREE activities for the whole family to enjoy, including climbing walls, zip line, soft play area, a free-drop airbag and much more.


25 Years Of...

In 2026, we will mark 25 years since the Arboretum officially opened to the public. Throughout the year, we’ll be celebrating the stories, milestones, and moments that have shaped our story so far, as we look to the future, with a special programme of exciting exhibitions, events and activities. 

  • 25 Years Of... Outdoor Trails for adults and younger visitors featuring memorials and landmarks significant to our developing story.
  • 25 Years Of... Celebrating Women, an anniversary exhibition exploring the history of the Arboretum through the experiences of 25 remarkable women who have played an important role in its development.


Planning your visit? Watch our Armed Forces Day 2024 Video for a flavour of what to expect.
RAF STEM Team at Armed Forces Day 2022

Plan Your Day

Our free family friendly Armed Forces Weekend activities, sponsored by Briggs Equipment UK, include live musical performances, military vehicle displays, drop-in activities and much more... The Arboretum's Restaurant, Coffee Shop and Shop will also be open throughout the weekend. Please don't forget to leave time to explore the Arboretum grounds, there are 150-acres, and more than 420 memorials to discover on the way. 
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Accessibility

We aim to cater for the needs of all our visitors and try to accommodate all access requirements where possible. A limited number of mobility scooters and wheelchairs are available to hire at the Arboretum each day and are often used by our visitors to explore our site. Mobility scooters can be hired for a daily charge and a wheelchair for a donation of your choice. 

 

A number of accessible toilets can be found in the Remembrance Centre, as well as a Changing Places toilet

 

Assistance dogs are allowed in all areas of the Arboretum. 

Book Tickets


Due to expected high visitor numbers, advanced booking is recommended to guarantee entry over Armed Forces Weekend.

Book Here
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