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Planning your visit

Set in 60 hectares of grounds, the Arboretum is filled with interesting and unusual features.  A little planning will help you get the best out of your visit.

Visitor reads memorial plaque for Operation Market Garden
Visitor reads memorial plaque for Operation Market Garden

Location (more details)

The Arboretum is located between Birmingham and Derby, just off the A38 north of Lichfield and south of Burton on Trent. You will see brown signs from the A38 directing you to the A513 junction signposted for Tamworth, where you will find the Arboretum. The address is Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR. Click here for a map and directions including bus connections.

Opening Hours

The Arboretum is open every day except Christmas Day between 9am and 5pm. However, the Armed Forces Memorial will be closed to the public on Tuesday 20th May between 10.00 - 12.00 noon and on Thursday 22nd May until 2.00 pm. The FEPOW Memorial Building will be closed all day on 20th May and 22nd May.

Admission Charges

You are welcome to visit the Arboretum free of charge. Donations are welcomed to help us with the maintenance and upkeep of the site. Visitors arriving independently by car should be aware that a parking charge of £2.00 per day will be introduced during the summer.

Remembrance
A daily act of remembrance takes place in the Millennium Chapel at 11:00 every day of the year incorporating Last Post, silence and Reveille. Seating in the Chapel is limited to 120 and may not be reserved. Occasionally private services take place which will restrict access to our visitors.

For those wishing to pay their own tribute at a memorial, poppy crosses and poppy sprays are available all year round from the Visitor Centre and wreaths may be obtained with two weeks’ notice.  In the Long Gallery, there is the facility to light a candle in remembrance. 

Visitor Centre/Shop

Opposite the car park is the Visitor Centre which includes a shop where gifts, memorabilia and cards can be bought. Brochures giving greater detail about the site and a full map are also available for purchase, as are items of wet weather clothing should conditions become inclement.

A new comprehensive guide book in full-colour, is now available from the Visitor Centre for £7.00.

   The Visitor Centre and Shop
The shop is filled with gift that will delight old and young

Arbour Restaurant

The Arbour Restaurant sells a range of hot and cold drinks and meals at its self-service counter. It is open daily.

During the festive season, special two-course meals and carvery options are available. See the events calendar or call 01283 792333 for details and bookings.

Conference Facilities

There is a large conference room available with full facilities for talks and presentations. It is available for large groups, schools, coach parties and ex-Service and other organisations. Refreshments can also be served in this room. Please contact Mrs Lynne Barkas on 01283 792333 to book this facility.

   The Arbour Restaurant
The Arbour Restaurant

Chapel

The Chapel is situated close to the Visitor Centre and is the only place in the country where the Act of Remembrance is observed daily at 11am. Chapel seating is limited to 120 and is on a first-come-first-served basis. However, the service is relayed to the surrounding area via a public address system.

Car and Coach Parking

There is a large designated area for car and coach parking. Visitors arriving independently by car should be aware that a charge of £2.00 per day will be introduced during the summer. Coach Operators should always book their arrival times with the NMA on 01283 792333 to avoid disappointment.

Facilities for People with Disabilities

  • Accessibility - there is level access to the Visitor Centre where disabled toilet facilities are available.  There are also firm level paths giving good access to much of the site.
  • Mobility - for less mobile visitors, wheelchairs and electric scooters are available on loan from visitor centre. To ensure availability they should be booked in advance.
  • Assistance dogs accompanying their handlers are welcome at this site.
Dogs

Dogs can be exercised along the river bank and we are happy to provide bowls of water for them at the Visitor Centre. Because the Arboretum is an area of peace and reflection we discourage dogs from the more formal areas around the Visitor Centre and main avenues.

   A rabbit in the grounds of the Arboretum
A rabbit in the grounds of the Arboretum
(photo by Jean Williams)

Public Conveniences

Toilets, with facilities for people with disabilities and baby changing, are situated within the Visitor Centre. If nursing mothers would prefer privacy, please ask a member of staff.

Tours of the site

Guided tours of varying length can be arranged for which there is no fixed charge, but donations appreciated. Alternatively, visitors may choose to purchase a self-guide information sheet to explore any of the three established routes, which are of varying length and interest. Our comprehensive guide book (£7.00) and detailed site map (£2.50) are available from the Visitor Centre on arrival.

Ceremonies & Wedding Receptions

The Arboretum aims to offer a comprehensive tailor-made package, and will assist and guide you throughout the planning of the event to ensure that your day is truly special. Please click here for further details.

Local accommodation

If you wish to stay in the area, the following local organisations can supply information on tourist accommodation.

Visit Lichfield (www.visitlichfield.com) Tel: +44 (0)1543 308215

The National Forest (www.nationalforest.org) Tel: +44 (0)1283 551211

Tamworth Borough Council tourist information (www.visittamworth.co.uk) Tel: 01827 709581