Illuminated Arboretum FAQs

Subject to availability, exchanges to a different date for the same event may be possible at the transfer cost of £2 per ticket, plus any difference in ticket price on the day of exchange.

Tickets are non-refundable, and no exchanges are available within 14 days of the entry date on your ticket. 

No you do not need to print your Illuminated Arboretum tickets, but please ensure you have downloaded the tickets using the link on your confirmation email as the tickets contain a unique barcode which will need to be scanned on entry.   

If you have booked your car parking in advance, the confirmation for this also does not need to be printed. Please either present your booking confirmation on your smart device, or the booking reference number you were provided at the time of your booking. 

A limited number of tickets may be available on the evening of your visit, subject to availability. Please check online ahead of your visit. No tickets will be made available for purchase on the evening in sold out timeslots. 

 

To guarantee entry we do recommend booking your tickets in advance, ahead of your visit. If you wish to add tickets to an existing booking, please call our team on 01283 245 100.

All visitors (including children under five years) must have their own valid ticket, which must be produced to gain entry to the event. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18+. 

No, you do not need to print your parking confirmation email if you are able to show it to our car parking team on arrival on a smartphone or other device.

Yes, each car will require a parking ticket. Parking tickets can be purchased alongside your Illuminated Arboretum tickets, in advance for £4 per vehicle, or on the evening of your visit for £6 per vehicle. 

Parking will be available on Car Park A, as well as Car Park B which is just a three-minute walk along Croxall Road. Disabled bays are available in Car Park A, as well as a drop off / pick up point.

Parking tickets purchased in advance are priced at £4 per car. Parking tickets can be purchased on the night of the event but at £6 per car. 

No, you will not be require to book a ticket but please ensure that you have your Friends Membership Card ready to present to our parking attendants on the evening of the event.

You will not be required to book separate parking tickets.

The Remembrance Centre and Arboretum grounds will close to the public at 4pm each evening. Ticket holders will not be permitted to remain in the Remembrance Centre until their allocated Illuminated Arboretum entry time. 

Visitors wishing to explore the Arboretum earlier in the day are permitted to do so but must exit the Arboretum grounds and buildings at our normal closing time of 4pm and will be readmitted into the Remembrance Centre just before their allocated Illuminated Arboretum ticket time. 

Visitors wishing to leave the car park between the site closing and their allocated ticket time will be permitted to do so and will not be required to purchase a second parking ticket upon their return.

Inevitably bad weather can affect any outdoor light trail and therefore Illuminated Arboretum will still go ahead unless the conditions become unsafe. 

If the Arboretum is required to cancel Illuminated Arboretum as it is unsafe to proceed, wherever possible visitors will be offered an alternative date/time to attend. We will advise of any cancellation via our website and social media channels. 

Any decision to cancel will be taken by 2pm on the day and ticketholders will be notified by email or telephone with details of how to reschedule.  

 

Once you have entered, you are welcome to remain and walk the route as many times as you wish until the Arboretum closes at 9pm.  If you wish to visit the Remembrance Centre and then re-enter the route, please let a member of the Arboretum team at the ticket check know and they will issue you with a wristband. 

 

The last entry to Illuminated Arboretum will be at 7.30pm. 

If you find you're going to be a little late please don't worry, you will be able to enter Illuminated Arboretum after your ticket timeslot at any point until 8pm. Please be patient with our team who will prioritise ticket holders booked onto the current timeslot. 

The Remembrance Centre and Arboretum grounds will close to the public at 4pm each evening. Ticket holders will not be permitted to remain in the Remembrance Centre until their allocated Illuminated Arboretum entry time. 


Visitors wishing to explore the Arboretum earlier in the day are permitted to do so but must exit the Arboretum grounds and buildings at our normal closing time of 4pm and will be readmitted into the Remembrance Centre just before their allocated Illuminated Arboretum ticket time. 


Visitors wishing to leave the car park between the site closing and their allocated ticket time will be permitted to do so and will not be required to purchase a second parking ticket upon their return. 

The Illuminated Arboretum route is approximately 1 mile long, commencing around 200m from the entrance to the Remembrance Centre. 

The Illuminated Arboretum trail is approximately 1 mile long and is designed to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. We ask visitors to be patient as they explore, and at points along the route, we may ask your party to pause to allow previous visitors to progress through the route. 

Due to the nature of our site and for the comfort of all our visitors, only certified working assistance dogs are permitted at Illuminated Arboretum.

Though much of the route travels along our hard-standing pathways the route does feature areas where pathways are more uneven or are softer underfoot. If you have any special access requirements, or will need support on the evening, please speak to a member of our team ahead of your visit. 

A limited number of wheelchairs and mobility scooters available to hire. To ensure availability, they should be booked in advance either online here or by calling 01283 245 100. We respectfully ask that a donation is made for the use of a manual wheelchair; a charge of £10 applies for the hire of an electric scooter. Payment will be taken at the time of booking.  

There is level access to the Remembrance Centre, where toilet facilities, including disabled cubicles and baby changing facilities are available.   


Visitors with specific questions relating to accessibility can contact us on 01283 245 100 or email info@thenma.org.uk.

Illuminated Arboretum is an outdoor light trail. Please ensure you have sufficient warm and waterproof clothing as well as sturdy shoes as the route covers areas of uneven ground.   

The National Memorial Arboretum is located in Alrewas, Staffordshire, and is well signposted from the surrounding areas.   

Please use the postcode DE13 7AR for satellite navigation systems. Detailed information about getting to the Arboretum can be found here. 

Illuminated Arboretum follows a set route around some of our grounds. Visitors won't be able to visit memorials that are unlit or are off the Illuminated Arboretum route. If you would like to leave a tribute at a specific memorial please do speak to a member of our team and we will ensure that items are placed in the areas requested the following day. 

Male, female and accessible toilets as well as baby changing and Changing Places facilities are available in the Remembrance Centre.  Toilets will also be located along the trail. A member of our team will be able to advise you on the nearest restrooms available.   

The gift shop will be open from 10am until the end of the event.

We'll be offering a selection of tasty treats at the Arboretum during our Illuminated Arboretum evenings which will be available to purchase from our Restaurant and concessions on the route. 

In the Restaurant
You'll be able to enjoy fresh pizzas, loaded fries, warming soups, churros, mulled wine, hot drinks, sandwiches and festive cakes and biscuits.

As you explore
Along the route you'll be able to pick up German style sausages, burgers (and veggie alternatives), sweet treats including waffles, muffins and donuts and warming cups of hot chocolate and mulled wine.

The Coffee Shop will be closed during the event.

The taking of images and film footage for personal use is permitted at the Illuminated Arboretum.  The National Memorial Arboretum reserves the right to photograph and film Illuminated Arboretum for use in, but not restricted to, printed marketing and promotional materials, digital communication channels including websites and social media, presentations and exhibitions. By entering the event, you give permission for your likeness to be recorded through video and still photography. Visitors are advised that media outlets may be on site during the event.

Please note: Drones are not permitted on site.