Arboretum’s winter light trail now open
Visitors to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire can kick off their festive season by exploring Illuminated Arboretum, this year’s stunning winter light trail around many of the gardens and woodlands at the nation’s year-round place to remember.
Featuring over a mile of immersive light, colour and sound displays on a new route for 2023, Illuminated Arboretum is a magical opportunity to experience the Arboretum at night as visitors encounter poignant audiovisual tributes and interactive sensory installations every evening until Saturday 23 December.
As part of this year’s route, visitors will explore three new community-led art installations, showcased as part of the Arboretum’s ‘Guiding Lights’ project, including an enchanting illuminated indoor garden, a willow Archway of Hope, and an installation that pays tribute to the ‘Windrush Generation’.
These new additions are complemented by firm visitor favourites such as the iconic ‘Beacons’ light display over the Armed Forces Memorial at the heart of the Arboretum as well as the stunning ‘votive woods’, one of the most popular installations in Illuminated Arboretum each year.
This year the installation can be found near to the Tree of Cherished Memories, a magnificent 4-metre bronze Remembrance sculpture to remember or pay tribute to loved ones.
Visitors will also be encouraged by Arbie the Owl to try out playful sensory installations including stepping stones, musical woodland instruments and the hugely fun new Sky Trackers.
“We’re thrilled to be welcoming visitors to this years’ Illuminated Arboretum, a stunning winter light trail, packed with spectacular new light and sound installations,” said Neill Martin-Hoare, head of events at the National Memorial Arboretum.
“Appealing to all members of the family with its fun hands-on elements, immersive spaces and areas for personal reflection, Illuminated Arboretum is a magical opportunity to experience the Arboretum at night, to get into the festive spirit with your family and friends and to remember those who have served and sacrificed for the Nation in a truly unique way.”
Tickets cost £24 per adult and £14 for children, with under 5s and carers admitted free of charge.
