National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Really interesting place to visit -( not just for anyone interested in war memorials !) It’s still quite an open location at the moment until the trees mature, so be prepared with a coat on a windy day! Lots of individually commissioned memorials make it almost a sculpture park, and it’s very pleasant sitting on the bench by the river on the boundary. There are also some children’s activities. Sadly we can’t recommend either the tea or the paninis from this visit - but maybe it was just a bad food day 😳
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Everyone should visit this place. It really impresses the point of what individuals suffered during past wars. I found it so thought provoking and moving. So much to see, we spent 5 hours but could easily have spent more time. Will definitely recommend it to friends and relatives
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A really interesting day to pay tribute to many brave and gallant men. well laid out and very easy access.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My 1st trip out to a public space since restrictions have been lifted. Felt very reassured and safe from the moment I arrived. Good Covid protocols.
Staff were very helpful assisting me finding a particular memorial.
Staff ‘out on site’ again approachable and engaging.
Took refreshments bought indoors and ate out in The Square. Table was sanitised prior to me sitting down.
Drink & food were very good.
Overall an enjoyable experience.
Staff were very helpful assisting me finding a particular memorial.
Staff ‘out on site’ again approachable and engaging.
Took refreshments bought indoors and ate out in The Square. Table was sanitised prior to me sitting down.
Drink & food were very good.
Overall an enjoyable experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Attended 21 Sept. Beautiful day. Managed to attend the service in the Chapel at 11am. Even with Covid restriction, this was worth the early start.
Queue for coffee was a bit slow but OK. Seating outside was well spaced out, but i do wonder what they will do as it gets colder.
The train trip was worth every single penny. The tour gives you an idea of things to possibly go back to. Staff were very careful about the cleaning of the train and as each group has their own pod you didn't have to wear a face mask on it.
Staff in general were very helpful and full of knowledge. THANK YOU!
Queue for coffee was a bit slow but OK. Seating outside was well spaced out, but i do wonder what they will do as it gets colder.
The train trip was worth every single penny. The tour gives you an idea of things to possibly go back to. Staff were very careful about the cleaning of the train and as each group has their own pod you didn't have to wear a face mask on it.
Staff in general were very helpful and full of knowledge. THANK YOU!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a beautiful place excellent staff from car park attendants to guides inside would recommend a visit and advise to do talking guide information excellent
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well worth a visit. The memorials are set in acres of beautifully kept grounds. Walking is easy, but you can get a land train to take you round if the weather isn't great. Staff lovely, too. Very helpful and polite.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
No jubilation at war more respect for service and ultimate sacrifice. 3rd visit, getting better each time.
Beautiful sunny day.
Today especially moved by the Shot at dawn memorial to the 300 or so young men executed for "cowardice" in WW1...young guys epitomised by Private Herbert Morris, aged just 17, drafted from the West Indies to fight for the Empire. So sad.
Beautiful sunny day.
Today especially moved by the Shot at dawn memorial to the 300 or so young men executed for "cowardice" in WW1...young guys epitomised by Private Herbert Morris, aged just 17, drafted from the West Indies to fight for the Empire. So sad.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Powerful stuff on our first ever visit as a family even though we live quite nearby. 150 acres of monuments, statues and tributes. Marvellously kept gardens and lots of space to walk around and read about those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom as well as those who passed before they should have. Almost in tears sitting at a bench dedicated to two sisters that died aged 4 months and 4 years. Surprisingly child friendly with a sensory park a stepping park and a land train 🚂. The k look and train was a bit much for kids under 10 (slow and lots of audio) but for adults you learn a lot. I say visit and soak it all in. The staff here are fantastic and the groundskeepers deserve awards.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We'd been promising to visit here for many years to track down some memorials that had significance to our family and relatives. Its a vast place, beautifully and thoughtfully laid out. Staff on hand to help you find something particular, as it can be a bit overwhelming, were exceptionally friendly and helpful. I cannot praise the help enough, it was brilliant.
Despite inclement weather we explored for over 2 hours and I could imagine you could easily spend many more here!
During Covid restrictions you have to book a time slot in advance, if you don't you may be turned away, for info.
Despite inclement weather we explored for over 2 hours and I could imagine you could easily spend many more here!
During Covid restrictions you have to book a time slot in advance, if you don't you may be turned away, for info.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely peaceful place with some truly excellent exhibitions such as the Far East Prisoners of war exhibition, and shot at dawn memorial. We spent 5 hours here and could have spent longer, there are really beautiful memorials here. We took the little train orientation tour, and then went back on foot to take photos, or just stand and have a few quiet moments of reflection.
The area is huge and there are a lot of monuments to see. The walks through the trees are so peaceful and I found a few trees that seemed happy to be hugged!😀
Nice cafe, but leave extra time for queuing at busy times as it gets very busy. They are also happy for people to take a picnic, and there are plenty of benches around, and except in the memorials themselves, walking on the grass is positively encouraged. We have wanted to come here for a long time, and really enjoyed our day, it certainly lived up to expectations.
The area is huge and there are a lot of monuments to see. The walks through the trees are so peaceful and I found a few trees that seemed happy to be hugged!😀
Nice cafe, but leave extra time for queuing at busy times as it gets very busy. They are also happy for people to take a picnic, and there are plenty of benches around, and except in the memorials themselves, walking on the grass is positively encouraged. We have wanted to come here for a long time, and really enjoyed our day, it certainly lived up to expectations.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Came with my wife and two kids aged nearly 11 and nearly 12 - we did the spy trail and this kept us busy and engaged for 5 hours!! Although there were periods of rain, we had a brilliant day. We walked over 14,000 steps that day.
The shop was also great with lots of things I wanted to buy
Highly recommend!!
The shop was also great with lots of things I wanted to buy
Highly recommend!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful peaceful setting by the river, great memorials with some wonderful sculptures . We did the train tour and the guided walking tour, our tour guides were excellent as were all the staff throughout the site. We had a nice dinner in the restaurant. As well as the tours we think we managed to walk around all of the site, clocking up quite a few steps though. The far east area was interesting and very moving, especially seeing actual sections of railway track that POW's were made to work so hard on. A great place to visit for reflection & remembrance
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I finally visited this wonderful site in September 2020,having said we must go for years.It's a wonderfully peaceful place,much bigger than we imagined, with beautiful walks and lots of spaces between the memorials. At every turn there is another thought provoking area and you will see plenty to be moved by. It is very well run,very Covid Safe and is also very Dog Friendly.Only slight criticism would be there could do with being more toilets being around the grounds and perhaps a smaller cafe somewhere other than the maim building where you start out.A good tip is to take a picnic as many people who have visited previously obviously did.We will know next time. As with most places at the moment, you have to book in advance due to limited numbers being allowed in, but this is quick and easy to do.We will definitely return in the future and you need to spend a good half day there to get around properly.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Absolutely amazing place. My husband has dementia and it was so refreshing and rewarding to see him reminiscing about his dads memories and of course some of his own. Would like to give a huge thank you to Carol our tour guide who made our day extra special with entertaining and informative anecdotes.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful and serene and fitting environment to honour our fallen. Very moving and thought provoking place to pay your respects
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited on a sunny Saturday after pre-booking, spent several hours admiring all the various memorials around the the beautiful Arboretum, well worth a visit each year and make a donation, very helpful staff.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wonderful day out, so moving to be able to visit and reflect and remember all those who have defended us and especially those who died in conflict. So thought provoking done beautifully. A real jewel in the crown of the Country. Free entry but currently need to pre book parking. Very motivated kind and helpful volunteers. Particularly grateful to the volunteer who explained to us the statutes and significance of the position of the memorial wall. Good value coffee shop. Really excellent place for reflection and learning.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful place to visit.The place exudes peace and tranquility. Fine monuments to commemorate so many wonderful people. Guides are knowledgeable and helpful, restaurant staff superb and the food was pretty good as well. Enjoyed the Land Train experience, really good for the disabled. Will return again next year.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our second visit here and was just as impactful as the first. To find a place so tranquil and contemplative as this is completely mind blowing. Here you have complete freedom to wander in extensive and beautiful surroundings. This is a completely anxiety busting experience and if you can get here you really should
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful setting with lots more memorials than expected. Very peaceful, and extremely moving in places and thought provoking. Lots of walking, so much to see.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In my view everybody should visit this marvellous place at least once. They are doing everything within their power to be covid compliant and a prebooked time slot is required when visiting. Keep up the great work.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The arboretum is a little gem the monuments are spread out over a wide area with plenty of space for social distancing. I would recommend this place it is a beautiful location and really though provoking.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife had wanted to visit this for sometime so we went earlier in the week whilst on a staycation in the Peak District - we were not disappointed.
A must visit place to go - beautifully designed and maintained and the depth of the memorial truly humbling.
The Far East PoW area just very moving.
The various memorials to varying regiments police nursing depts etc just astonishing - all very moving indeed.
We were lucky with the weather.
The restaurant where we stopped for a drink clean with good service and value.
Given Covid 19 etc this was well organised hassle free and a pleasure to visit and spend time there.
It should be made mandatory for all to visit especially school children.
A must visit place to go - beautifully designed and maintained and the depth of the memorial truly humbling.
The Far East PoW area just very moving.
The various memorials to varying regiments police nursing depts etc just astonishing - all very moving indeed.
We were lucky with the weather.
The restaurant where we stopped for a drink clean with good service and value.
Given Covid 19 etc this was well organised hassle free and a pleasure to visit and spend time there.
It should be made mandatory for all to visit especially school children.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have visited the NMA many times and never tire of the opportunities it gives in every season to enjoy the beautifully maintained grounds and learn about the history behind the memorials which we all have a connection to. The VJ Walk which we went on today was excellently presented by a volunteer who really brought this less well known part of World War II to life and I would thoroughly recommend it. The Covid 19 procedures were well organised in the visitors centre with lots of hand-sanitiser everywhere and a high standard of cleanliness. We chose to sit in the restaurant for a meal and were escorted to and served at well spaced tables although the fish meal was disappointing and not up to the usual standard.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
