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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'.

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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.

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a person holding up a podcatcher audio device next to the Changi Lych Gate, one of the locations of the poems in the Poetic Reflections trail

Remembering VJ Day: Poetic Reflections
  • 14 August - 16 November 2025
A jubiliant group of people walk arm in arm through the streets of London on 8 May 1945

80th Anniversary Commemorative Programme Announced 80 Days Before VE Day

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire is launching ‘The Year Was 1945...’, a special programme of events and activities themed around 1945. The events, running at key points throughout the year, will include a VE Day celebration weekend taking inspiration from the iconic street parties of 1945, alongside Acts of Remembrance, themed exhibitions, and guided talks and tours.

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A crowd of Second World War campaign veterans stand together in front of the Armed Forces Memorial.

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.

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victory-over-japan---a-guard-of-honour-mounted-by-heavily-decorated-indian-service personnel

Remembering VJ Day - 80 Years On, National Commemorative Event
  • 15 August

Malayan Volunteers Service of Remembrance
  • 15 August 2025
Far East Prisoners of War Memorial Building

COFEPOW VJ 80 Commemorative Service and Wreath Laying
  • 17 August 2025
Key Stage 1 students taking part in arts and crafts

In-School Activities

Can’t visit us? Let us come to you with one of our specially adapted activities or workshops.

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Key Stage One Students taking part in craft workshops in the Arboretum's classrooms

Facilitated Workshops and Activities

Using our natural landscape as inspiration for a series of workshops and activities, we support various curriculum-based objectives through our fully inclusive learning programme.

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Key stage two students chatting and walking amongst the trees at the Arboretum

Self-Led Visits

Learning groups are welcome to visit the Arboretum and deliver their own activities. Visits can include self-led tours of the Arboretum and exploration of our free exhibitions, including Landscapes of Life.

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School Children at the Fire and Rescue Service Memorial

Guided Tours

A guided tour at the National Memorial Arboretum offers a meaningful and age-appropriate experience for students of all ages. Set in a beautifully landscaped setting, the Arboretum brings history to life through its memorials and stories of service and sacrifice.

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KS2 students on a guided walk around the Arboretum

Short Workshops

Only have time for a quick visit, or want to enhance your self-led visit? Our shorter workshops start from 30 minutes, and can be tailored to a range of Key Stages.

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81st Anniversary of Operation Market Garden
  • 17 September 2025
Illuminated Arboretum

Events and Exhibitions

Throughout the year we hold a range of enjoyable events and activities for visitors of all ages.

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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.

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School Chidlren Taking part in a WW2 Explorer Day, looking at ration packs

Arboretum Explorer Days

Our Explorer Days have been designed to encourage students to form their own opinions and arguments around key themes, through a range of indoor and outdoor interactive sessions

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In a white room a wooden frame is attached to the ceiling. Hung from the frame are hundreds of strings of fairy lights and Red, blue and white paper flowers. With their backs to the camera two people stare up at the flowers.

Our Programmes

Our collaborative participation programmes help us to explore, tell and learn from the stories we share at the Arboretum in new ways.

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Ride to the Wall
  • 04 October 2025
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Book Tickets 

Entry into the Arboretum is free. Book in advance to receive a discount on our daily parking charge and guarantee entry on busy days.

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Armed Forces Memorial from Rear

Home

The National Memorial Arboretum is the UK's year-round place to remember. Our grounds are open throughout the year and are free to enter.

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Normandy Veterans Memorial

Working Together in the Second World War - Session One

In this learning from the home session you will learn more about the Second World War and the service and sacrifice given by people from Britain, the Commonwealth and Allied nations.

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National_Memorial_Arboretum_Learning-6648

Visiting For Learning and Training

Inspire students and young people with a learning visit at the Arboretum. Facilitated and self-led visits for schools, higher education, military groups and youth groups are available.

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Every Which Way - British Evacuees Memorial

Children in the Second World War - Session One

In this session you will learn how the Second World War impacted on children’s lives around the world. Follow these activities to learn about children who were evacuated in Britain and how the war changed children’s lives in other countries.

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Women's Land Army and Timber Corps Memorial Bronze Statues

Women at Work in the First World War - Session Two

In the second Women at Work in the First World war session you will discover more about some of the jobs women completed in the First World War.

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Key Stage Two students sat on the grass in front of the Women's Land Army Memorial

Learning Resources

Learning and engagement are at the heart of what we do. Here are some materials that we invite you to use from home.

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Image of Royal Army Medical Corps

Medicine in the First World War - Session One

In this session you will discover the role that medical professionals played in the First World and explore how many of the innovations of the time have impacted on medicine today.

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Image of Nursing Memorial

Medicine in the First World War - Session Two

In this second Medicine in the First World War session you will discover more about the role that medical professionals played in the First World and explore how many of the innovations of the time have impacted on medicine today.

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Image of the Memorial to the British Evacuees

Children in the Second World War - Session Two

In the second Children in the Second World War session you will learn how the Second World War impacted children’s lives around the world. Use the activities to discover more about children who were evacuated in Britain and how the war changed children’s lives in other countries.

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Image of Nursing Memorial

Women at Work in the First World War - Session One

In this learning from the home session you will learn why more women worked in the First World War and some of the jobs they did. You will have some literacy activities to complete throughout the session.

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Normandy Veterans Memorial

Working Together in the Second World War - Session Two

In the second Working Together in the Second World War session you will continue to learn about the Second World War and the service and sacrifice given by people from Britain, the Commonwealth and Allied nations.

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Visitor Announcement

The Armed Forces Memorial, and its immediate surroundings, will be closed to visitors from 10am on Friday 8 August to 5pm on Sunday 17 August to allow us to prepare to host the national VJ Day 80 commemorations. The rest of the Arboretum's 150-acres will remain open to visitors as normal. We are sorry for any inconvenience this might cause and appreciate your understanding during this time.

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