The Alrewas National Arboretum or NMA is a wonderful place for a day out in Staffordshire. Whether you are interested in military history, looking for a calm place for remembrance or looking for somewhere to entertain the kids the NMA has it all.
Living just 20 minutes away, we have visited the Alrewas National Arboretum many times over the past few years. I have loved watching it grow and change. Each season offers something new to see. And they are always adding new memorials and places to play. During these times when we need to be aware of social distancing, the sheer size means this is probably one of the safest places to visit in Staffordshire.
About the Alrewas National Arboretum
“At the going down of the Sun and in the morning we will remember them.”
For the Fallen. Laurence Binyon, 1914.
The National Memorial Arboretum was opened in 2001. It is a 150 acre site and home to nearly 400 memorials. A wonderful place to celebrate life and remember those lost.
The combination of wide open space and stunning memorials are absolutely stunning so whatever your reason for visiting, they’ll be something to catch your eye.
How the NMA will make you feel
Parts of the NMA are pretty somber as you would expect. The vast expanse of memorials, lists of names lost and plaques to those we grieve for cannot fail to move. It’s not all dedicated to military organisations, there are many memorials for children, the emergency services and charitable organisations.
We found the “Shot at Dawn” memorial particularly poignant. Dedicated to the young men (boys really) who were labelled as deserters. I cannot imagine what these men went through, what would now be recognised as Post traumatic stress syndrome was then seen as cowardice. This is a moving reminder that we must keep moving forward, learning from the past and striving to do better. Wandering the posts and reading the names sent chills through us all.
The Armed Forces memorial, the largest onsite is another heart rending place for remembrance. As impressive as the 43 metre stone structure is, it’s the 16,000 names recorded on the memorial that really got to me. Remembering those who have died on duty with space for another 15,000. It’s a harsh reminder of all the people who give their lives every year for our safety and freedom.
On Armistice day there is a small gap in the memorial. A shaft of sunlight will fall through this gap onto the bronze wreath in the centre of the memorial. I would love to see this.
The Children’s wood is another very special but heartbreaking place. With trees and plaques dedicated to children lost. It is a lovely space for family members to come and remember.
As much as this is a space where sadness can feel overwhelming, I do ultimately feel it should be a place of joy. To remember life and hope and a constant quest for peace.
Alrewas National Arboretum with kids
The National Memorial Arboretum is a great place to visit with kids. Of any age! My ten year old is a bit of a history fan so she finds all the memorials fascinating. I think it’s so important to engage kids with our history and not constantly shield them from some of the horrors of our past. When age appropriate of course. The NMA is a wonderful place to do this. You can dip in to as much or as little of the history as you like then head off to one of the many play areas.
Family friendly memorials
My daughter found the WW2 Children’s evacuees memorial absolutely fascinating. It is dedicated to displaced children evacuated during the second world war. They are holding hands, cases and even a teddy. It sparked some great conversations about what it must have been like growing up during wartime.
Playgrounds at the NMA
There’s loads for little kids to enjoy at the NMA. The playgrounds are super fun and the equipment never seems too busy. You’ll find the first one near the main entrance which is a sensory play garden. It has equipment to climb and hang off, tunnels to hide in and a couple of play swings.
The second play area is a nature based one. This can be found near the picnic area at the end of the Stick Man Trail. This is my daughters favourite, she loves jumping and balancing and getting a bit muddy if possible.
The Stick Man Trail at the NMA
A pretty recent but very welcome addition to the NMA is the wonderful Stick Man Trail. Most kids will know Julia Donaldsons brilliant stories and the Stick Man is one of our favourites. This is a free, self-led trail which leads kids away from the main memorials. Just pick up a sheet from the main entrance and follow the sign to the huge stick man sculpture. From there it’s a short wander around the grounds to tick off the 5 letter hints. It’s not too hard meaning all ages can get involved.
The Land Train
Whilst not exclusively for kids, the land train is a great way for families to explore the huge site. It’s a 45 minute round trip costing £7 for adults and £3 for kids. Under fives are free.
The NMA encourages young visitors and knows that the best way to learn is by having fun. This is not a stuffy “keep off the grass” space. Children are free to play, run and explore the memorials up close. But please do remain respectful and aware that the rules will be slightly different during official events.
Scooters and and bikes are not allowed in the NMA.
Taking dogs to the Alrewas National Arboretum
We’ve visited the NMA with and without Holly, our Hungarian Vizsla. If you plan on completing the Stick Man Trail I would leave dogs at home as they are not allowed in the area. But most other parts of the Arboretum are dog friendly – just keep them on a lead at all times.
There are several dog friendly trails around the outskirts of the NMA which are ideal for dog walking and are very pretty. You can pick up a map of the dog friendly trails at the entrance. We tend to give Holly a good walk to tire her out as soon as we arrive, that way she’s a bit calmer for when we want to explore the main memorials. There are some memorials that are off the dog friendly routes, you’ll need someone to hold the lead if you want to get closer.
Please make sure you clean up after your dog. If you’re visiting on a hot day, dog drinking water is available in Heroes Square. You can see more information on visiting the Alrewas National Arboretum with dogs here.
Alrewas National Arboretum Refreshments
There are plenty of food and drink options at the National Arboretum memorial. Currently it’s all takeout to be enjoyed in the grounds or in the main outdoor seating area near the main reception. My daughter always opts for a delicious ice cream and I’m an absolute sucker for a strong coffee to start our visit.
We will often bring a picnic to enjoy halfway through our visit. There are loads of places to throw down a picnic blanket and enjoy the surroundings. But also several picnic benches should you prefer something solid to sit on.
National Arboretum Entrance Fee
Amazingly the NMA is totally free to visit. Parking for the whole day is just £4. If you walk in from the National Forest Way for instance so don’t arrive by car it’s a totally free day out. You will still need to book to ensure they know the numbers visiting.
National Memorial Arboretum List Of Memorials
Home to almost 400 memorials this post would be too long to list them all. I’m sure you’ll find your favourites but some of ours include:
The National Naval Service Memorial
Apart from vibrant green grass and bight blue skies, the NMA can feel pretty lacking in colour. The National Naval Memorial created with 13 glass panels rectifies this. The memorial was opened by Prince Michael of Kent and represents sails of coloured glass.
Religious Society of Friends Memorial
This is one of my daughters favourites simply down to the acoustics. If you stand in the middle and speak, the echos are amazing!
The Football Remembers Memorial
Remembering the Christmas truce of 1914 this is a great one to show any football fans. Helping remember the power of a common goal and that we should celebrate peace and friendship above all else. The memorial was opened by Prince William in 2014.
Free Spirit Memorial
Opened in 2019 the Free Spirit memorial remembers the amazing contribution horses have made to our history and culture.
The Pegasus Bridge Memorial
I’ve really missed travel this year so the delightful Pegasus Bridge Memorial has become a firm favourite. The silver sculpture consists of three planes on a large S. The S represents a secret mission carried out with silence and speed.
Railway Industry Memorial
This one is my Dads favourite, being a huge train fan! This one remembers all those killed in the construction of railways. It features a black granite steam train.
You can find a full list of the memorials on the NMA website.
National Memorial Arboretum hours
The Alrewas National Arboretum is open everyday between 10am and 5pm.
National Memorial Arboretum address
The NMA is extremely easy to find, just off the A38 at the exit to Alrewas and Tamworth.
Croxall Rd, Burton-on-Trent, DE13 7AR
National Memorial Arboretum Shop
The shop at the NMA is currently open and has some lovely souvenirs to remember your day
How long should I spend at the NMA
This is entirely up to you. You could pop in for an hour just to visit a couple of memorials or easily spend a whole day. If I’m visiting with kids I schedule in at least four hours. The stick man trail and land train easily takes an hour and a half then there’s time for a picnic and a wander round the memorials. Add on a walk and the time just flies.
If you’re in the area to visit the NMA then why not tag on an afternoon walk. This is one of our favourite Alrewas circular walks taking you along the canal and across the Staffordshire countryside. It’s seven miles long so will take a good few hours. If you fancy something a little shorter, this Alrewas to Wychnor loop is just over 4 miles and really lovely.
Make sure to pin for later to plan your visit to the Alrewas National Arboretum.
