National Remembrance Gardens - formerly National Memorial Arboretum - begin new chapter

The Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens will welcome tens of thousands of people to the 150-acre Staffordshire estate for a programme of Remembrance events and activities throughout the autumn.

The Staffordshire estate was previously known as the National Memorial Arboretum.

The name change follows a full integration with their parent charity, the Royal British Legion (RBL).

In addition to annual Remembrance events, visitors are invited to experience a wider programme of activities highlighting many of the stories behind the hundreds of onsite memorials.

Philippa Rawlinson, director of Remembrance for the Royal British Legion, said: “For 25 years, this place has led the nation in Remembrance, providing a dedicated space throughout the year where people can come together to remember incredible acts of service and sacrifice made by members of the Armed Forces, Emergency Services and civilian organisations.

“That purpose remains unchanged as we begin the next chapter of our story as the National Remembrance Gardens.

“Our team will continue to host events, exhibitions and activities that highlight the inspirational stories that lie behind our collection of hundreds of sculptures, ensuring that they live on in perpetuity.”

The first large-scale Remembrance event this Autumn will take place this weekend, with thousands of members and supporters of the Armed Forces community making a pilgrimage by motorcycle for Ride to the Wall (RTTW).

This act of modern Remembrance at the base of the iconic Armed Forces Memorial also raises invaluable funds to support the site, with more than £2 million raised to date.

On 10 October, members of the public are invited to join a pair of free Capturing Remembrance photography workshops.

Supported by a professional photographer from GRAIN Projects, participants will explore themes of service, sacrifice and community.

Photographs produced during the workshops may be considered for inclusion in the Capturing Remembrance exhibition, on display in Heroes’ Square at the Gardens from 7 November to 31 January.  Places in the workshops are limited and should be booked via the Gardens website to avoid disappointment.

The Field of Remembrance will return to the Gardens from 30 October to 15 November. Open during daily visitor hours, the Field features thousands of individual wooden Remembrance tributes, each carrying a handwritten message in memory of someone who has served.

The Field will open with a special public dedication service on Friday 30 October at 10.45am.

In November, thousands of Armed Forces community members and the wider public will attend the annual Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day services at the National Remembrance Gardens.

The annual Remembrance Sunday (8 November) service at the base of the Armed Forces Memorial is open to all.

On 11 November, the estate will lead the nation in marking Armistice Day with a ticketed service on the Armed Forces Memorial to remember all those who have served and continue to serve. These proceedings will be broadcast on screens in Heroes’ Square for public viewing.

Throughout October and November, the Gardens will also host a range of learning activity days for young people in KS1 to KS3.

These facilitated multi-curricular activity days are focused on National Poetry Day, Black History Month and the symbolic significance of the poppy, helping schoolchildren from across the Midlands explore the concept of Remembrance and understand its continued relevance to their everyday lives.

From 4 to 22 December, visitors will have the opportunity to explore Illuminated and discover extraordinary stories told through colour, light and sound.

This year’s thought-provoking light trail will include new installations charting the evolution of the Nation’s year-round place to remember during its first 25 years. It will also see the return of beacons above the Armed Forces Memorial and the intricate handcrafted giant Poppies created by participants in the 2025 Guiding Lights community and learning arts programme.