Remembrance Day

Every year in November, the National Service of Remembrance is held at the Cenotaph in London to remember the servicemen and servicewomen who have lost their lives in conflicts since the First World War.

But this isn’t the only event that takes place to mark the day. In addition to this collective act of remembrance, countless organisations and institutions throughout Britain also host their own events, providing an opportunity to take part in-person, wherever you live. We’ve gathered a few of them below.

If you’re travelling by train to attend one of the Remembrance Day events, remember to book with your Railcard – you can save 1/3 off your fare. And you can use the Journey Planner below to check your travel details.

Remembrance Day in England

Remembrance Service at The Royal Air Force Museum

Cosford, Shropshire

Stand in front of the world’s oldest Spitfire for a Remembrance Sunday service at Cosford’s Royal Air Force Museum(external link, opens in a new tab). It’s a unique setting and you’ll be there with members of RAF Cosford and the Military Wives Choir.

Afterwards, you can explore the museum, where, among other notable aircraft on display, you’ll be able to see the Miles Magister, the Tiger Moth and the last surviving Dornier Do 17 bomber.

Nearest station: Cosford

Southsea Remembrance Service, Portsmouth Naval Memorial

Portsmouth, Hampshire

Hear the roar of motorbike engines at the Remembrance Sunday “Ride-In” at Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Southsea Common, where you can see scores of bikers on their 2-wheeled choppers gather to pay their respects.

Later, you can learn about the liberation of Europe during the Second World War at The D-Day Story(external link, opens in a new tab) museum. Alternatively, for an insight into Portsmouth’s naval history, head to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard(external link, opens in a new tab).

Nearest station: Portsmouth & Southsea

Remembrance at The Tank Museum

Bovington, Dorset

Help younger family members learn the importance of remembrance at Bovington’s Tank Museum(external link, opens in a new tab), where the Cold War Hall hosts the Royal Armoured Corps Remembrance Sunday service. Following the main event, the Bournemouth and District Concert Band will play familiar, war-themed music from movies like The Great Escape and Lawrence of Arabia.

Home to some 300 armoured vehicles – it’s dubbed the “world’s best collection of tanks” after all – the museum also has 9 main exhibitions charting the history of this fighting vehicle.

Nearest station: Wool

Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum

Alrewas, Staffordshire

If you’re looking for a full day of remembrance, head to the National Memorial Arboretum(external link, opens in a new tab), where 400 plus memorials and Remembrance Centre await. Here you can join the Armistice and Remembrance Sunday services at the Armed Forces Memorial.

Throughout November, you can also visit the arboretum’s Field of Remembrance, which is set in 150 acres of gardens and woodlands. There’s also a cafe, a chapel and remembrance exhibitions in the gallery.

Nearest station: Lichfield Trent Valley

Remembrance Day in Scotland

Remembrance Sunday at the Edinburgh City Chambers

Edinburgh

Find a viewing spot along the Royal Mile as veterans lead an impressive military parade of bagpipes and drums from Edinburgh Castle to the Stone of Remembrance on Remembrance Sunday.

Watch the parade at 10:30, then spend the afternoon at Edinburgh Castle(external link, opens in a new tab) to learn about the lives of Scottish soldiers at the National War Museum and see ancient armour in the Great Hall.

Nearest station: Edinburgh

Angus Perthshire & Fife Festival of Remembrance

Dundee

If you’re in Dundee on Saturday 4 November, you can catch the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland performing at Dundee’s historic Caird Hall for their evening Festival of Remembrance(external link, opens in a new tab).

In the daytime, head to Dundee’s Victoria Dock where you can step onboard HMS Unicorn, Scotland’s oldest ship, and discover her 200-year Naval history. For more Dundee war stories, visit Broughty Castle Museum(external link, opens in a new tab).

Nearest station: Dundee

Remembrance Evening at The Black Watch Castle and Museum

Perth, Perthshire

Wear your best evening wear for a special evening of food and remembrance at The Black Watch Castle and Museum(external link, opens in a new tab) in Perth on Thursday 9 November.

Arrive for a welcome drinks reception at Balhousie Castle, the ancestral home of Scotland’s oldest Highland Regiment, then enjoy a three-course meal with poetry, archive readings and musical performances throughout the night. Tickets are £45 each.

Nearest station: Perth

Remembrance Day in Wales

Cardiff Field of Remembrance

Cardiff

With Cardiff Castle as an impressive backdrop, walk along the rows of crosses in the Cardiff Field of Remembrance planted in the castle grounds. It’s free to visit until Wednesday 15 November.

The castle also has gripping war stories to uncover. Go into the hidden tunnels used as air-raid shelters in the Second World War and visit the interactive Firing Line museum(external link, opens in a new tab), which documents and explores stories of Welsh soldiers over the last 300 years.

Nearest station: Cardiff Central

The War to End All Wars film screening at the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum

Caernarfon, Gwynedd

For something a little different, see a screening of The War To End All Wars at The Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum in Caernarfon Castle(external link, opens in a new tab). This family-friendly animated film is showing at 14:00 on Saturday 11 November and tells the story of the Great War.

Don’t leave without checking out the rest of this museum though. There’s a wealth of First World War and Second World War exhibits revealing the history of the oldest infantry regiment.

Nearest station: Bangor (Gwynedd)

Race of Remembrance Weekend, Anglesey Circuit Trac Môn

Anglesey

If you’re a motorsports fan, the Race of Remembrance is a special 12-hour endurance race at Anglesey Circuit Trac Môn supporting the forces charity Mission Motorsport.

Visit as a spectator to watch the weekend racing and join the pit lane service alongside the racing teams and military community on Remembrance Sunday at 10:30 during a pause in the race.

Nearest station: Holyhead

Swansea Festival of Remembrance, Brangwyn Hall

Swansea

Join veterans for this year’s Swansea Festival of Remembrance at Brangwyn Hall on Saturday 11 November from 18:00. It’s an evening ceremony of music, readings and prayer – and free to attend. Just pop along on the day.

We also recommend the War Time exhibit at Swansea Museum(external link, opens in a new tab) where you can learn about the devastating impact of the 1941 Swansea Blitz.

Nearest station: Swansea