News

Arboretum celebrates 25 years of growth with sixth consecutive Green Flag Award

The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire has received the prestigious Green Flag Award for a sixth consecutive year. This latest accolade, awarded as the organisation celebrates 25 Years since its official opening, recognises the transformative impact of creating an inspirational living landscape on a tract of former quarry workings over the past quarter of a century.

Catherines Roses

The National Memorial Arboretum's collection of Catherine’s Roses has come into bloom for the first time. Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales gifted 80 ‘Catherine's Roses’ to help create a striking new living feature within the site’s 150-acre landscape, offering visitors colour and fragrance, while encouraging reflection throughout the summer months. 

Free family activities and live performances across Armed Forces Weekend

On Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June, the National Memorial Arboretum will once again host a wide range of free, family activities to celebrate Armed Forces Weekend.

National Memorial Arboretum to become the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens

National Memorial Arboretum leads the Nation in commemorating Armistice Day

Today, the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, led the Nation in commemorating Armistice Day with a Service of Remembrance on the iconic Armed Forces Memorial. Attended by HRH The Princess of Wales, the service featured an Act of Remembrance, with a two-minute silence at 11am followed by wreath laying.

Remembrance Sunday Commemorations at the Arboretum

Thousands of members of the public gathered at the Arboretum to honour and remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community on Remembrance Sunday

Thousands of Motorcyclists Honour the Fallen

Thousands of motorcyclists honour the fallen at the National Memorial Arboretum

Remembering VJ Day - 80 Years On

Earlier today, the Royal British Legion, in partnership with the Government hosted 33 Second World War veterans as guests of honour at a Service of Remembrance at the base of the Armed Forces Memorial.

Grandsons of WWII prisoners of war to host guest speaker talk at the Arboretum

On Wednesday 20 August Charlie Inglefield and Ben Stallard will present ‘A Chaplain’s Portraits – The Story Behind the Artwork’.

Arboretum Hosts Special Episode of BBC Antiques Roadshow Commemorating 80 Years Since VJ Day

The National Memorial Arboretum will serve as a poignant backdrop for the latest episode of BBC One's weekend favourite, 'Antiques Roadshow'.

The Arboretum Awarded Green Flag Status for Fifth Consecutive Year

The Arboretum has been awarded Green Flag status for the fifth consecutive year.

Public invited to live screening of VJ Day 80 Service of Remembrance

The National Memorial Arboretum, which is hosting a Service of Remembrance marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan) and the end of the Second World War, is encouraging members of the public to book their parking in advance to attend a live screening of the event on Friday 15 August.

Children Honour Legacy Of Anne Frank On Her Birthday

Children from Home Ed-Venturers, an events group offering educational activities for home educated children and their families, participated in a learning activity day, creating art and poetry honouring Anne and her impact on the world.

Reflecting on VE Day: New Poet in Residence releases powerful poem

Arji Manuelpillai, an acclaimed poet and performer with a passion for community arts, has been named the new Poet in Residence at the National Memorial Arboretum

VE Day 80 Years On

On Thursday 8 May, the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE hosted the Royal British Legion’s special VE Day Service of Remembrance.

VE Day Celebrations Get Underway

On Friday 2 May, over 500 school children from across the midlands treated residents of Galanos House – a Royal British Legion care home – to VE Day inspired performances at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Arboretum Volunteers Honoured for Outstanding Contribution to Staffordshire with High Sheriff Award

National Memorial Arboretum Volunteers Honoured for Outstanding Contribution to Staffordshire with High Sheriff Award

Fundraising appeal launched to help National Memorial Arboretum pass baton of Remembrance to future generations

Call for project partners to help preserve the memory of child victims of war and terrorism coincides with the 80th anniversary of the death of Anne Frank.

Public asked to share 'Letters from the frontline' for new exhibition 

Members of the public are being encouraged to share letters from the Second World War for a new oral history project at the National Memorial Arboretum which is being developed in partnership with local BBC radio stations across the Midlands.

Arboretum Awarded National Plant Collection Status

The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire has been awarded its first-ever ‘National Plant Collection’ status by Plant Heritage, recognising its conservation work on the Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) and Amelanchier genera. This designation helps secure the future of these plants and enhances the Arboretum’s standing as a key centre of horticultural excellence and biodiversity.

Tickets released for BBC Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time Recording at the National Memorial Arboretum

One of BBC Radio 4’s most iconic programmes, Gardeners' Question Time is set to visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Shot at Dawn Restoration 

In 2024 we restored one of our most poignant and moving memorials. Donations funded the replacement of the 309 posts, representing each soldier shot, later pardoned, and now remembered at the Arboretum.

'The Year Was 1944' Exhibition Opens

New commemorative exhibition transports visitors back to a year of seismic change, telling stories from home and away.

Launch of new Stick Man Trail

Families invited to celebrate launch of brand-new FREE Stick Man trail at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Carnival Windrush celebrates the contribution of the Windrush Generation

On Sunday 6 August, thousands of people descended on the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, to attend Carnival Windrush, an immersive and vibrant celebration of the Windrush Generation.

Illuminated Arboretum light trail to feature Guiding Lights community-led art installations

As part of our returning spectacular winter light trail Illuminated Arboretum, three new community-led art installations will be showcased as part of the Arboretum’s ‘Guiding Lights’ project.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal leads Armistice Day commemorations 

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal attended the Service of Remembrance on the iconic Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Immersive exhibitions bring stories of past generations to life 

To coincide with Black History Month, two interactive storytelling exhibitions created by award-winning social entrepreneur and artist Janet Douglas are on display at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Arboretum marks 70 years since the end of the Korean War

Shortly after sunrise, the lament of a lone piper could be heard across the Arboretum, as the Nation’s year-round place to Remember marked the 70th anniversary since the signing of an armistice that brought an end to the Korean War.

Green Flag Award 2023

The National Memorial Arboretum, within the National Forest in Staffordshire, has been awarded a third consecutive Green Flag Award, a prestigious international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Aspects at the National Memorial Arboretum named as VisitEngland’s Business Events Venue of the Year  

Aspects at the National Memorial Arboretum named as VisitEngland’s Business Events Venue of the Year

Arboretum partners with Black Voices to create 'Sounds of Windrush' commemorative programme for schools

National Memorial Arboretum partners with Black Voices to create ‘Sounds of Windrush’ commemorative programme for schools

Solar Panels

Solar panel installation shines a light on National Memorial Arboretum’s commitment to sustainability.

Changing Places Toilet Improves Arboretum Accessibility

A new Changing Places Toilet facility has recently been installed at the National Memorial Arboretum. The new toilet facility will help improve the visitor experience for people who require additional support that is not met by standard accessible toilets.

Trees of Life Dedication

Today, in the week of the third anniversary of the first UK lockdown, a new ‘Trees of Life’ glade was dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, within the National Forest. The ‘Trees of Life’ glade is a living tribute to those who served our country throughout the pandemic, and to remember all those who died as a result of COVID-19 in the UK.

Battle of Verdun Oak Tree

This morning, on the anniversary of the start of The Battle of Verdun in 1916, a pair of saplings, directly descended from an oak tree on the battlefield were planted here at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Queen's Green Canopy

Today, on Armistice Day, Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester completed the planting of 26 new Elm, Oak and Lime trees along the road leading to the National Memorial Arboretum, as a tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

'Trees of Life' Service of Remembrance

Hundreds of pandemic key workers and members of the public gathered at Westminster Abbey for ‘Trees of Life’ - A Service of Remembrance with the blessing of saplings for a living memorial to honour those who served and died in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The National Memorial Arboretum, part of The Royal British Legion, joins the Nation, the Commonwealth and the rest of the World in mourning the death of Her Late Majesty The Queen. HM Queen Elizabeth the Second was Patron of the Royal British Legion and through it, the National Memorial Arboretum, and she was gracious and generous in providing her unstinting support over many years. 

National Memorial Arboretum unveils ‘Tree of Cherished Memories’  

The sculpture offers a unique opportunity to celebrate individuals from all walks of life whilst supporting the invaluable work of the Arboretum, the UK’s year-round place to celebrate lives lived and commemorate lives lost in service.

Queen’s Baton Relay visit set to be a highlight of the Arboretum’s ‘Sports, Service and the Commonwealth’ programme

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit the National Memorial Arboretum in the heart of the National Forest in Staffordshire on 20 July 2022, revealed as part of the full England route today.

Lockdown Landscapes To Capture Pandemic Stories

Lockdown Landscapes will capture pandemic stories through art projects and engagement with communities.

Battlefield sketches on display as Arboretum marks 40th anniversary of the Falklands War

The National Memorial Arboretum has opened a new free exhibition featuring frontline sketches of the Falklands War by Linda Kitson, who was appointed as the official war artist by the Imperial War Museum.

Countryfile at the Arboretum

Presenter Ellie Harrison took viewers on a tour of the Nation’s year-round place to remember, exploring the importance of Remembrance and how volunteers are essential to the smooth running of the 150-acre garden and woodland site.

Arboretum Dedicates 400th Memorial

The 400th memorial has been dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum

Arboretum Awarded First Green Flag Award

The Nation’s year-round place to remember now flies the flag as one of the country’s best parks, in a record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award, as the scheme marks its Silver Jubilee.

Arboretum Launches Brand-New App Experience

The National Memorial Arboretum, has launched a new augmented reality experience which takes families on a journey to learn about Our Everyday Heroes.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

The National Memorial Arboretum, part of the Royal British Legion, joins the Nation, the Commonwealth and the rest of the World in mourning the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was a Life Member of the Royal British Legion and he was gracious and generous in his support of the National Memorial Arboretum over many years.

Arboretum Celebrates Award-Winning Events Building

The 2019 Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism & Good Food Awards saw Aspects collect a Gold Award for Business Events Venue of the Year.

Hold Still Exhibition Launches

Remembrance at the Arboretum

Whilst the Arboretum is a space where everyone can reflect throughout the year, during November we remember those in our Armed Forces who have served and sacrificed on behalf of our Nation in our Armed Services.