National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Have wanted to visit for a long time, finally got there and was taken aback at the space and the arras y of monuments. Tranquility reigned, even with children around. It was interesting learning about the different organisations that have allowed us British people to live in peace and relative safety.
Found the name of a family friend who died in the Falk lands. Quite unexpected. Extremely poinent. Loved learning more about the railways - Burma and Singapore, as both my grandads had been interned there.
The grounds are extensive and beautifully maintrained. We spent 5 hours there and will need to revisit as we did not see all the memorials.
Would definitely recommend. Whether you are interested in the wars/particular armed force.
Found the name of a family friend who died in the Falk lands. Quite unexpected. Extremely poinent. Loved learning more about the railways - Burma and Singapore, as both my grandads had been interned there.
The grounds are extensive and beautifully maintrained. We spent 5 hours there and will need to revisit as we did not see all the memorials.
Would definitely recommend. Whether you are interested in the wars/particular armed force.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Four friends, all ex-military, visited the arboretum and spent a wonderful six hours wandering around the memorials and beautifully kept gardens and woodland. There were a lot of people visiting on this particular day, but the place is so huge that you can be a long distance from others, and also still feel a quiet solitude. The memorials are spectacular, and it brings a tinge of sadness when you read some of the names and information on them, that so many young people have lost their lives defending the freedoms that this country of ours holds so dear. It was even more poignant by what is happening in Afghanistan at this particular moment in history. We booked an afternoon tea in the restaurant on arrival for four o’clock, and this rounded of an excellent day of remembrance for all four of us.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our first visit and we were blown away. So many memorials and so many stories. We saw a Spitfire flypast too which was unexpected. Wear comfy shoes if you want to walk but there is a little train to take you around if you prefer. It is free, although they charge for parking, but it is well worth the visit. We will be back as we only saw half of it!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the Arboretum for the third time, bringing my husband for his first visit. I cannot fault anything about our visit, even with the inevitable COVID restrictions. Every single member of staff was helpful and friendly, ensuring that we felt welcome, both on site and in the restaurant.
We took the land train tour (£7 each but well worth the cost), which enabled us to get an idea of the layout of the Arboretum and the location of several key monuments. The gentleman who managed the boarding of the land train exhibited a great sense of humour and a high level of customer care.
In the restaurant, we enjoyed soup and a roll and a hot drink each (just over £11 in total), it was delicious and just what we needed on a chilly May day. The staff here were also very helpful and friendly.
The grounds are stunning and so well tended, the whole place is a fitting memorial for the nation.
Thank you!
We took the land train tour (£7 each but well worth the cost), which enabled us to get an idea of the layout of the Arboretum and the location of several key monuments. The gentleman who managed the boarding of the land train exhibited a great sense of humour and a high level of customer care.
In the restaurant, we enjoyed soup and a roll and a hot drink each (just over £11 in total), it was delicious and just what we needed on a chilly May day. The staff here were also very helpful and friendly.
The grounds are stunning and so well tended, the whole place is a fitting memorial for the nation.
Thank you!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We always enjoy our visits to the Arboretum, it is a very calming place and just what we needed. The cafe is great and helpful for me as it offers gluten free food. We'll be back again very soon I'm sure, we hate to rush round it all in a day so visit a different area each time.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Today I visited the National arboretum, it was a nice place to visit, I felt emotional walking around the memorials
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An amazing place to visit . We spent 4 hours here wandering around and looking at the beautiful memorials. . Everything is easily accessible and well cared for . Very knowledgeable volunteers.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Another fabulous day at the Arboretum. I was showing 2 friends around who were visiting from Brighton. They both really enjoyed it. Our day was enhanced by Paul Hughes who was our guide on the private buggy tour. & we also caught up with him at Shot at Dawn & The Far East memorials where he also shared his extensive knowledge with us. Thanks again Paul.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very special place in a lovely setting. Highly recommended, the memorials are stunning and thoughtful with the surrounding environment a pleasure
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I wasn't expecting this amazing place. It's very moving and uplifting as well as being vast! We were lucky enough to have a volunteer explain the monument to the fallen in all wars after 1945 and the sculptures ,us and it was invaluable. We spend a couple of hours walking round although could have stayed a lot longer. A very moving place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely day here and I think I only scratched the surface. So many memorials, wooded walks and along the river. Dogs are welcome just not allowed in the main memorials. Play areas for children and a cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
On Monday 2nd August 2021, We visited the National Memorial Arboretum as part of a Coach Holiday we were on.
We arrived at approx 945am & the staff allowed us in before it opened to the public at 10am so that they could get all 21 passengers processed through. We all decided to pay £7 each to take a trip on their land train which is a 45 minute journey with recorded commentary.
The journey round the gardens was extremely moving & they told you everything about each area we stopped at along the route. The only disappointing thing, they don't take you to the newly opened section which is dedicated to those who lost their lives in our Police Forces.
After the journey, 5 of us had a coffee in their lovely restaurant area, prices are very reasonable & we also visited their excellent gift shop, where we purchased some fab gifts for friends & family.
This isn't somewhere we would have thought to visit if it hadn't been for the 'industrial heritage tour' we were on. We are glad it was part of our tour as its definitely a place everyone needs to visit.
Highly recommend. 10/10
We arrived at approx 945am & the staff allowed us in before it opened to the public at 10am so that they could get all 21 passengers processed through. We all decided to pay £7 each to take a trip on their land train which is a 45 minute journey with recorded commentary.
The journey round the gardens was extremely moving & they told you everything about each area we stopped at along the route. The only disappointing thing, they don't take you to the newly opened section which is dedicated to those who lost their lives in our Police Forces.
After the journey, 5 of us had a coffee in their lovely restaurant area, prices are very reasonable & we also visited their excellent gift shop, where we purchased some fab gifts for friends & family.
This isn't somewhere we would have thought to visit if it hadn't been for the 'industrial heritage tour' we were on. We are glad it was part of our tour as its definitely a place everyone needs to visit.
Highly recommend. 10/10
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had visited twice before, this time we had more time to spend here. A lot had changed in 5 years. First we had a ride on the land train to get our bearings excellent value for money. Didn't realise how large the area covered. It is so moving and interesting. We had a sandwich in the restaurant which was lovely and the best coffee we had had in ages. Arrived at 10am and left at 4.15pm.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful peaceful surroundings very well laid out. Very accessible. So much attention to detail in every monument and memorial. Our guide Trevor was so knowledgeable and friendly. We learnt so much. Highly suitable for families and children.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I had no idea what to expect having only seen TV News clips but the whole area is most impressive from the large airy visitor centre with restaurant, meeting rooms and chapel to the vast and amazing gardens. So many people paying their own personal tributes to loved ones and others who have given their lives in service. The land train was well worth the money and had a running commentary pointing out important features. I would feel honoured to go there again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went see luna cinema. Such a lovely place with nice gardens and friendly staff. Will be returning
Source: google.com
A very thought provoking experience.
Source: google.com
I did not realise it was as big as it was so it might take more than one visit. It was a great place though to visit and learn and look.
Source: google.com
This is a Magnificent place to visit. Spotlessly clean and beautifully kept it is a place that honours the people who served their country, men, women, children and animals both at home and away in service.
It is a beautiful memorial to all if them. It is free to get in, where you can buy a map at £3 to find what you want to see. There is also a book at £7.50 which is a bargain and wealth of information to read through later.
This place is huge to walk around and even with a full day hard to stop and take everything in. There is a train that runs round at £7 each with a reduction for very young children, with a commentary running telling you about each area. There are also sort of large golf carts that take about 7 passengers which include a guide, tea and coffee and lunch.
The staff are amazing, open friendly and very informative.
I can't recommend this enough but a tremendous amount of walking. Dogs allowed too on leads.
It is a beautiful memorial to all if them. It is free to get in, where you can buy a map at £3 to find what you want to see. There is also a book at £7.50 which is a bargain and wealth of information to read through later.
This place is huge to walk around and even with a full day hard to stop and take everything in. There is a train that runs round at £7 each with a reduction for very young children, with a commentary running telling you about each area. There are also sort of large golf carts that take about 7 passengers which include a guide, tea and coffee and lunch.
The staff are amazing, open friendly and very informative.
I can't recommend this enough but a tremendous amount of walking. Dogs allowed too on leads.
Source: google.com
Well worth a visit, emotional evocative memorials in beautiful peaceful settings. The Shot at Dawn sculpture, behind which each upright wooden post (of which there were many, on which each plaque remembers a soldier of WW1), & facing the 6 trees representive of the firing squad is heartbreaking, mind-blowing, beyond words. Incomprehensible in this day and age.
Source: google.com
Well worth a visit, lest we forget
Source: google.com
Beautiful and large arboretum with so many interesting memorials to wander around and read. There's a gorgeous walk by the river. Definitely worth a visit, and will take a good few hours to fully explore.
Source: google.com
A very moving and memorable experience. All staff were so helpful and friendly: from our parking experience, train ride, ice cream and refreshments. We would love to come back as the seasons change to witness more of the thought that has gone into the design and planning. A very special day. Thank you to everyone.
Source: google.com
Great day and very emotional seeing all the memorials particularly the POW cabin and shot at dawn, some so young but now have the pardon they absolutely deserve.
Source: google.com
Amazing memorial to those who have served their countries in so many ways. Not a depressing place but rather uplifting. Lovely staff, great cafe. Great place.
Source: google.com
