National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, England

Allied Special Forces Memorial, National Memorial Arboretum
Entrance to the Remembrance Centre.
Entrance to the Remembrance Centre.

The National Memorial Arboretum is a woodland landscape site of 150 acres of 30,000 planted trees and over 350 memorials. The memorials represent a wide variety of organisations and individuals from military associations, charitable organizations, emergency services and fraternity groups.

The National Memorial Arboretum was created in 1997 in the centre of England at Alrewas near Lichfield in Staffordshire. It is a living tribute to the personal sacrifices made by the armed and civil services of the United Kingdom.

The rivers Tame and Trent flow through the site and there is an abundance of birdlife and wildlife to be seen, especially in the meadows and on the rivers.

The Nation Remembers

Monument to the 49th West Riding Division, known as the Polar Bears.
Monument to the 49th West Riding Division, known as the Polar Bears

There are over 350 dedicated plots on the site to individuals and organizations including the military, civilian victims of war, the Police, Fire Brigade and Ambulance services, charitable organizations, local and overseas organizations.

Buildings at the National Memorial Arboretum include the Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness, the Remembrance Centre, the FEPOW Memorial Building and the Armed Forces Memorial.

A full list of the memorial plots is available in the guidebook and on the National Memorial Arboretum website.

Website: www.thenma.org.uk Memorials

The Armed Forces Memorial

The Armed Forces Memorial.
Armed Forces Memorial.

The Armed Forces Memorial was dedicated in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen on 12 October 2007.

The memorial is a national memorial to provide a focus in recognition and thanks to all those who have given their lives while serving their country since the Second World War.

The Armed Forces Memorial at dusk.
The Armed Forces Memorial.

The memorial was designed by Liam O'Connor. Portland stone panels contain the names of those individuals who are honoured on the Memorial.

In the centre of the stone structure there is a bronze wreath and two bronze sculptures by Ian Rank-Broadley.

The Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness

The Millennium Chapel.
Millenium Chapel at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Daily Act of Remembrance

The Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness is the only location in England where a daily Act of Remembrance takes place. The short ceremony takes place at 11.00 hours and consists of the playing of Last Post, silence and the playing of Reveille.

Seating is limited to the 120 places in the Chapel and cannot be reserved. Attendance of the Act of Remembrance is operated on a first-come, first-served system. The Act of Remembrance is, however, relayed live on the public address system for all in the vicinity of the Chapel to hear.

Events at the National Memorial Arboretum

The John McCrae seat at the Allied Special Forces Association Memorial Grove.
John McCrae seat at the Allied Special Forces Association Memorial Grove.

There is a varied programme of events throughout the year at the Arboretum. A list of the events can be viewed on the National Memorial Arboretum website at:

Website: www.thenma.org.uk

A Venue for your own Event

The Arboretum can be booked as a venue for conferences, remembrance events, meetings and other appropriate gatherings.

Gift Shop

The shop at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Shop at the National Memorial Arboretum.

A well-stocked shop offers a wide variety of gifts, books and keepsakes to remind you of your visit.

Poppies, poppy sprays and small poppy wreaths can be purchased at the shop.

100% of all proceeds from the items sold in the shop is given to support the charity.

Restaurant and Coffee Shop

Restaurant at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Restaurant at the National Memorial Arboretum.

The restaurant serves hot and cold food. There is a selection of light meals, salads, hot dishes and homemade soup.

The coffee shop is located in Heroes Square. Coffee beans are hand roasted by a local Staffordshire supplier.

100% of all proceeds from the sales of food is given to support the charity.

Donate to the NMA

Memorial to the TOC H Christian organization at the National Memorial Arboretum. A bronze TOC H lamp sits on top of a brick plinth. The TOC H organization was inspired by the “Everyman's Club” at Talbot House (Toc H) from 1915 to 1918. Talbot House was situated near to the First World War battlefields in Poperinge near Ypres.
Toc H Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.

The National Memorial Arboretum is part of the Royal British Legion family. It is a registered charity No. 1043992. The charity relies on donations to be able to continue to provide free admission to this very special place of Remembrance. Donations are very welcome. No gift is too small.

To find out how you can donate to the charity, visit the National Memorial Arboretum website at:

Website: www.thenma.org.uk Donate

Visitor Information

Opening Hours

Visitors are assured of a warm welcome from staff and volunteers.
National Memorial Arboretum reception.

The National Memorial Arboretum is open every day (except Christmas Day). Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.

Admission

Admission is free of charge. Donations are appreciated.

Charges may apply to activities and events at the site.

Parking

There is a large car park for cars and coaches. A fee of £4.00 per vehicle per day for parking is charged as a Pay & Display scheme. The parking fee is given directly to the charity and helps to support the free admission policy for the site.

Group Visits

A selection of poppies and poppy wreaths are available for visitors to buy at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Poppy wreaths at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Groups are very welcome. Prior notice of a group visit and coach parking requirements is appreciated.

Education Visits

Schools and students are very welcome to visit. The learning facilities available at the National Memorial Arboretum and how to book a visit are explained on the NMA website.

Accessibility

Every effort will be made by staff and volunteers to assist visitors. If you have a special request or query about your visit, contact the National Memorial Arboretum when planning your visit.

Land Train

A guided tour of the site is available on a Land Train.
Land train at the National Memorial Arboretum.

A Land Train provides a guided tour of the site. Visitors board the Land Train at the main stop near the Remembrance Centre. There are a couple of stops along the route for people who wish to get off and explore further, but those who do so will be required to make their way back to the Remembrance Centre on foot.

NMA Friends

Gallipoli 1915 Memorial designed and erected by Nadir Imamoglu in memory of his mother.
Gallipoli 1915 Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.

By becoming a Friend your membership will help to support the charity and the work that it does at this national centre of Remembrance. NMA Friends make a valuable contribution in helping to raise the profile of the charity, helping with fundraising events and volunteering.

Membership offers the following:

For details on how to become an NMA Friend see the NMA website at:

Website: www.thenma.org.uk NMA Friends

Contact Details

One of the two bronze sculptures, with the wreath in the foreground, by Ian Rank-Broadley on the Armed Forces Memorial.
Bronze sculpture at the Armed Forces Memorial.

Address: National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR

Telephone: 01283 245100

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.thenma.org.uk

Related Topics

One of the most famous First World War memorials, the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, on the 1914-1918 Somme battlefields, France.
Thiepval Memorial, Somme battlefields, France.

WW1 Monuments and Memorials

WW1 Monuments and Memorials