Now established as a regular annual event in the Sands calendar, the open day offers parents and families the opportunity to acknowledge their babies in a simple remembrance service at 2pm and then to meet with others in the peaceful atmosphere of the Sands Garden which was created specially in memory of all those babies who have died.   

The concept of the Sands Garden was originally inspired by the stillbirth of Alison and Jon Stokes’ son Jack.  The result was a garden designed to reflect the emotional journey that many parents face in trying to come to terms with their bereavement and which features the baby sculpture created by John Roberts and the two elm sculptural seats carved by Nigel Ross.

The Sands Garden is located at the National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR.

The open day and remembrance service is now an established annual event in the Sands calendar. It offers families the opportunity to acknowledge their babies in a simple remembrance service in the Arboretum’s Millennium Chapel and to meet with others in the peaceful atmosphere of the Sands Garden.

The chapel itself only holds just over 100 people but there will be additional seating and a marquee in the open area immediately outside the chapel and the service will be broadcast on loudspeakers.

The remembrance service starts at 2pm in the chapel but you can to join us at the Arboretum from 12 noon. Refreshments and lunch will be on sale in the restaurant in the visitors centre, or why not bring a picnic. There is lots of space for children to run around in the garden or outside the marquee.

If you would like to personally acknowledge your baby in the Sands Garden, once again we will be making available some small flat stones on which you can write the name of your baby using an indelible marker pen.  You can then place your stone at the side of the path which leads into the garden.  Alternatively, if you would like to bring your own stone from your garden please feel free to do so.  We ask only that it is no more than 7cms in length. 

For further information about the Sands Garden or the open day please contact Erica or Julia on 020 7436 7940.

Access by car

M1 (southbound) - exit at Junction 28 and take the A38 south bypassing Derby and Burton or exit at Junction 24 and take the A50 west until you reach the A38 south.

M1 (northbound) - exit onto M6 north and exit M6 at Junction 4 taking the A446 north until it joins the M42 north - exit at Tamworth and take A5 west until you reach the A38 Derby/Burton exit.

M6 (southbound) - exit at junction 11A onto M6 Toll (junction T5) – follow to A38 Burton/Derby, A38 North A513 junction at Alrewas exit.

M6 (northbound) - exit at junction 4 onto M6 Toll (junction T5) - follow to A38 Burton/Derby, A38 North A513 junction at Alrewas exit.

M54 (eastbound) - exit at Junction 1 and take A460 towards Cannock passing over M6 continue towards Cannock - turn right onto A5 south and then leave A5 at A38 Burton/Derby exit.

The map below shows the main roads in the vicinity of the Arboretum. The M42 is just off the map and the nearest point is at Tamworth. For satnav users, the postcode is DE13 7AR.

Access by Public Transport

Lichfield Trent Valley is the closest railway station (5-6 miles). Burton Railway Station is about 8 miles away.

Bus route 112 runs up to every 60 minutes daytime Monday to Saturday, from Burton Railway Station (ideal for customers making connections to and from the Cross Country Rail Network) to Birmingham via Burton on Trent, New Street, Branston, Barton under Needwood, Alrewas, National Memorial Arboretum, Lichfield, Hill Hook, Sutton Coldfield and Erdington.

Bus route 7E between Burton on Trent and Lichfield via Branston, Barton, Yoxall, Alrewas and Fradley, will call at the Arboretum on Sundays.

Bus timetables can be found on the Arriva Town Linx website.

From Lichfield: City Cars are offering a special pre-booked taxi rate of £8 each way (4 seat car) or £12 (8 people mini bus) for visitors to the Arboretum. Phone  01543 254999  for bookings.

Access for cyclists

National Cycle Route 54 runs from Lichfield to Burton on Trent through Alrewas.  From Beacon Park, Lichfield follow the route to the Canal Bridge at Fradley. Turn right and follow the new signed cycle link to the NMA. The distance from the Canal Bridge at Fradley on route 54 to the NMA is approx 3 miles, with easy country lane cycling and crossing over the A38 by bridge near the Fradley Arms and Travelodge.

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