Name: National Memorial Arboretum
Rating: 5.0

National Memorial Arboretum

National Memorial Arboretum (Alrewas, Staffordshire), Croxall Road, Burton-on-Trent, UK

1-90 Years

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Description

The National Memorial Arboretum is a 150-acre landscape dedicated to remembering lives lost and celebrating lives lived. It features more than 400 memorials representing the Armed Forces, Emergency Services and civilian organisations. The site offers a peaceful and inspiring environment where stories of bravery, service and sacrifice are shared.

Visitors can explore memorials across the grounds, woodland areas with over 25,000 trees, and the Millennium Chapel where an Act of Remembrance takes place daily at 11am. Activities include walking through themed woods, discovering symbolic trees, following the Stick Man outdoor trail, and enjoying children’s play areas. The site also hosts family events and activities throughout the year, along with facilities for dining and relaxation.

Entry to the Arboretum is free, with parking charges of £8 on the door or £5 if booked in advance for cars, and £5 on the door or £3 in advance for motorcycles.

Overall, the National Memorial Arboretum offers a meaningful and reflective experience in a natural setting. With its combination of memorials, woodland landscapes and family-friendly activities, it provides both education and relaxation. It is a unique place to remember, explore and spend time in a peaceful environment.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

The Memorials: The Arboretum is home to over 400 thought-provoking memorials, each with a story to be discovered. The memorials are diverse in nature, rich in symbolism and represent a broad population of society, from military associations and charities to the emergency services, fraternity groups and individuals. Each year new memorials are added so there's always something new to see.
Woodland Landscape: The Arboretum is a living growing tribute which contains more than 25,000 trees. All of the native tree species found in the United Kingdom can be found at the Arboretum, including a number of disease-resistant Elms. Our trees and grounds are looked after by our dedicated Estates team who work throughout the seasons to ensure they look their best.
Millennium Chapel: The Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness can be found on Heroes’ Square close to the Remembrance Centre. It is the only place in the country where an Act of Remembrance is observed every day. The Act of Remembrance features the Last Post, a Silence and the Reveille, and takes place at 11am.
Exploring Our Grounds: Our grounds are very big, around 150-acres, that's about 75 football pitches! In them you’ll find over 400 memorials of all shapes and sizes. The memorials you'll see are incredibly special, and their designs are rich in symbolism, reflecting the stories of the groups they represent. There are a lots of flat wide paths to use, but don’t be afraid to head onto the grass to look at memorials you spot. Some of our memorials are tucked away in gardens and in woodland glades so you’ll need to explore to find them!
The Stick Man Outdoor Trail: From a twig for a nest to a mast for a flag, our Stick Man trail follows the adventures of The Stick Man* as he tries to get home to his Family Tree. Pick up a free self-led trail sheet on arrival at the Welcome Desk, and head out into the Arboretum grounds to explore the, fully accessible, one mile route. Along the way you'll be able to spot fun character carvings, including Stick Man himself! The trail is available every day.
Children's Play Areas: Here at the Arboretum, we have two outdoor play areas available for young visitors to enjoy. Our Children’s Sensory Play Garden can be found near to the Remembrance Centre. A second children’s play area, with a picnic area, can be found further into the Arboretum grounds.
Family Events and Activities: We hold lots of exciting activities throughout the year which are designed to help our youngest visitors learn more about the Arboretum, why it’s important to remember and the wildlife in our grounds. Visit our What's On page to find out what events are coming soon.

Facilities

Parking: Parking available.
Food & Drinks: Here at the Arboretum we pride ourselves on using only the tastiest ingredients to make our range of hot and cold meals, cakes and other snacks.

What to see

Many of the trees planted in our woodlands were selected due to their symbolic properties. Amongst many others you will see the following trees in our ground:

London Plane Trees: Owing to their association with London, this tree was selected to be planted along the Mall, the avenue for the Guards, which consists of plane trees alternating with cherry trees. You will also find London Plane Trees on The Beat.
Hornbeam Trees: You’ll find hornbeam trees in a number of locations at the Arboretum including in the Western Front Woodland. The only tree left in Delville Wood in the Somme area after the destruction caused be the shelling and fighting was a hornbeam tree.
Oak Trees: We have many different species of oak at the Arboretum, particularly in our naval areas due to their association with shipbuilding in years gone by. The Merchant Navy Convoy area consists entirely of so-called common oak.
Fruit Trees: In the BLESMA Garden you’ll find a varieties of fruit tree including apples.
Horse Chestnut: Along with London Plane trees you will also see Horse Chestnut trees along The Beat. They were chosen because the fist truncheons were made from this very durable wood.
Specimen Trees: We have many specimen trees in our grounds. In the Far East Area for example you’ll find trees from China, Korea, Japan and Iran.

Other woodland areas in our grounds include:

Armed Services Wood
Celebration of Life Grove
Douglas Skene Grove
Irish Infantry Grove
Kingfisher Wood
Lichfield Wood
Mercian Wood
Millennium Wood
RAC Future Forests
Royal Air Force Wood
The Army Wood
The RoadPeace Wood
The Ulster Ash Grove
War Widows Wood

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Aspects at the National Memorial Arboretum offers centrally located, contemporary events facilities for between 5 and 500 guests. A remarkable and memorable location our dedicated events building has fantastic features including:

A stylish lounge and bar* with spectacular views
State-of-the-art facilities filled with natural daylight
Seven flexible spaces suitable for meetings, conferences and banquets
Easy access links to the A38, A50, M6 (Toll), M42 and M1
150-acres of maturing woodland to explore, perfect for employee wellbeing
Onsite delegate activities
Inspiring and thought-provoking stories and memorials
Competitive Day Delegate Rates

Visit the website for more information.

Open 10am - 5pm* (daily)
*summer opening hours: 10am - 5pm daily from Sunday 29 March 2026.

Address: National Memorial Arboretum (Alrewas, Staffordshire), Croxall Road, Burton-on-Trent, UK

Post Code: DE13 7AR

Council: Lichfield

County: Staffordshire

By Car: If you are using a Sat Nav to find us, please use our postcode DE13 7AR. The Arboretum is located just off the A38 / A513 between Lichfield and Burton upon Trent. You can follow the local brown signs to find us. Cars - £8 on the door, or £5 if booked in advance. Motorcycle - £5 on the door, or £3 if booked in advance
By Bus: A seven-day bus service operated by Diamond, runs from Tamworth Rail Station. The bus stop at Tamworth Rail Station is located on Offa Drive (A513), approximately 150- metres from the train station. Exit the station approach (Victoria Road), then turn right onto Offa Drive, the bus stop is located on the opposite side of the road, just beyond the traffic lights.
By Train: A seven day bus service operated by Diamond, runs directly from Tamworth Rail Station, through Alrewas Village, to the National Memorial Arboretum. Visitors travelling to other local train stations, Lichfield City and Burton-on-Trent, can travel to Alrewas Village using Diamond Bus no.12 from each location's respective bus station. Passengers can then transfer onto the direct bus in Alrewas village.
By Bicycle: National cycle route 54 runs from Lichfield to Burton on Trent through Alrewas village. A cycle rack can be found outside of the Remembrance Centre on the car park. Bicycles are not allowed in the Remembrance Centre and should not be used on our site.
By Canal Boat: The Arboretum is only a few miles from the Trent and Mersey Canal which passes through Alrewas village. It’s around a 40-minute walk from the canal to the Arboretum via bridges, 46,47 or 48.