The Arboretum is part of The Royal British Legion family of charities. It employs 50 staff and has over 150 volunteers.

Sited in the heart of the Nation, with 50,000 maturing trees and 200 memorials, it is a beautiful and lasting tribute to those who serve their country, die in conflict or have a special reason for being remembered.

Visitors from all walks of life number around 300,000 per year, including Service personnel, veterans, students of all ages, groups and individuals. Over 200 special events are held annually. The Act of Remembrance, including a Silence, is observed daily in the Millennium Chapel.

Armed Forces Memorial

The Armed Forces Memorial, dedicated in the presence of The Queen in October 2007, is the UK's tribute to the 16,000 men and women who have been killed on duty or as a result of terrorist action since 1948 to the current conflict in Afghanistan. Names are added annually to the giant Portland stone walls.

The Memorial has been designed to allow a shaft of sunlight to fall across the sculpted wreath on the central stone at precisely 11.00am on the 11th day of the 11th month.

The obelisk, which forms an integral part of the Memorial, is specifically dedicated to those who have died while in service. It carries the inscription "they died serving their country we will remember them".

Uniquely, the memorial also recognises and acknowledges the courage of family and friends left behind. It is hoped it will play a valuable role in supporting the bereaved as they manage their loss through different stages in their lives.

Uniquely, the memorial also recognises and acknowledges the courage of family and friends left behind. It is hoped it will play a valuable role in supporting the bereaved as they manage their loss through different stages in their lives.

Education

The Arboretum welcomes school groups of all ages. With a dedicated education resource centre and education officer it offers a one stop shop for teachers wanting to arrange stimulating and memorable student visits.

As facilities on site improve, the number of children visiting is expected to increase from 4.000 to 10,000 per annum.

The future

The continual increase in visitor numbers has led to a significant project to create a world-class centre for Remembrance. It will provide more fitting, higher quality buildings and infrastructure. The designs are being worked up by award winning Glenn Howells Architects. Key aspects are:

• 'Remembrance Learning Centre' - for lifelong learning, education and interpretation of Remembrance. The building will provide an appropriate sense of arrival for visitors.
• 'Veterans Pavilion' - to accommodate many of the 200+ events and conferences that take place every year, replacing existing marquees.
• 'Heroes Square' - for major set piece events.

The Appeal for the £8m that is required (with a stretch target of £11.4m) was launched by HRH The Duke of Cambridge in April 2009.

Information for broadcasters

Broadcasters and filmmakers are welcome to use the Arboretum as a filming location. For resourcing and event scheduling reasons please note that permission to film must be sought at least one week in advance. The Arboretum also has archive video footage which can be made available to broadcasters. Please refer to our filming agreement for more information.

Media contacts

For further information about the Arboretum, please call Andrew Baud on: 
T-020 3397 3383 / M-07775715775 or email andrew.baud@talapr.co.uk.

A full video and photographic library is available.

The National Memorial Arboretum
Croxall Road
Alrewas
Staffordshire DE13 7AR

Registered charity number 1043992

Click to download printer friendly (pdf) version