Remembrance events taking place at the National Memorial Arboretum this November

The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire has announced its plans to honour and remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community throughout November.

As the Nation’s year-round place for Remembrance, the Arboretum will once again be a national focal point of Remembrance, welcoming visitors from across the UK to come together in commemoration.

“Each November, the Arboretum plays a leading role in national Remembrance, uniting people from all walks of life as they gather to pause, reflect and remember,” said Philippa Rawlinson, Director of the National Memorial Arboretum. “Whether joining a service, exploring our exhibitions, or simply seeking a quiet moment alongside one of more than 420 memorials in the Arboretum’s grounds, visitors can connect with the stories of courage, sacrifice and service that continue to shape our Nation.”

Remembrance Sunday – Sunday 9 November

On Sunday 9 November, the National Memorial Arboretum hold a Service of Remembrance at the base of the iconic Armed Forces Memorial.

The service will begin at 10:30am, with a two-minute silence observed at 11am. Thousands are expected to gather to pay their respects.

Visitors travelling by car are strongly encouraged to book parking tickets in advance to guarantee entry to the Arboretum on Remembrance Sunday.

Armistice Day – Tuesday 11 November

On Tuesday 11 November, the Arboretum will lead the Nation in commemorating Armistice Day – the anniversary of the end of the First World War – with a service on the Armed Forces Memorial. While all public tickets to watch the service on the memorial have now been allocated, a live video feed will be streamed to Heroes’ Square so all visitors can participate.

At 11am, a two-minute silence will be observed. In a symbolic moment, weather permitting, a shard of sunlight will fall directly onto the central bronze wreath; a tribute to those who gave their lives in service.

The service will also feature performances from a cappella group, Black Voices, and Talent in the Ranks, an artist development programme made up of Armed Forces community members.

Visitors travelling by car are strongly encouraged to book parking tickets in advance to guarantee entry to the Arboretum on Armistice Day.

Field of Remembrance – Friday 31 October – Sunday 16 November

Led by the Royal British Legion, this year’s Field of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War with a special commemoration bringing together thousands of personal messages of Remembrance.

The official Opening Service will take place on Friday 31 October at 10:45am, and members of the public are warmly invited to attend, pay their respects, and visit their personal tributes. The Field will remain open daily from 10am to 4pm, closing on Sunday 16 November 2025.

Other Remembrance Activities

As part of the Arboretum’s ongoing ‘The Year was 1945…’ commemorative programme to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War, visitors are invited to explore five special exhibitions, open until 16 November:

• Remembering VJ Day: Poetic Reflections: An interactive audio poetry trail located in the Far East section of the Arboretum, produced in collaboration with Arboretum Poet in Residence, Arji Manuelpillai. The trail features ten powerful new poems inspired by the service, bravery and sacrifice of those who served in the Far East during the Second World War.
• Letters from the Frontline – Words, War and Victory: Produced in partnership with BBC radio stations across the Midlands, this exhibition shares the changing experiences and emotions of Armed Forces Personnel and their families during 1945, during the final months of the Second World War.
• VE Day Street Party at Cherry Tree Road: Visitors can a take an immersive walk through a period-accurate recreation of a VE Day Street party to relive the sense of joy and community that swept across the country in 1945.
• Through Their Eyes: 80 Years On: Produced by the Royal British Legion, the exhibition uses powerful stories and portraits to honour the service, sacrifice, lives and legacy of those who served during the Second World War.
• Prisoners of War – A Chaplain’s Portraits: A series of portraits drawn by Army Chaplain Fred Stallard during his time as a prisoner of war in the Far East, accompanied by personal stories that reveal the harsh realities of captivity and the fates of those depicted.