National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Was an amazing place to go it was tranquil and humbling, all of us had a great time, some brilliant sculptures and creations, it is well set out with a lot of thought and detail going into it. All the staff were there to help and very knowledgeable. I would suggest you buy the Guidebook, (£7.50)as this has a map of the arboretum, if you buy the map alone it is £3. Could I suggest that the map is made a bit more detailed for ease of walking round. Only downside was the the 3 jacket potatoes we had for lunch, stone cold!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had visited the National Memorial Arboretum once before, but just had to visit again as we were en-route to a holiday rental. A visit to the arboretum is great for peace and quiet and for reflection. Lots of pathways to follow and such a number of memorials - time to stop and think. As our visit was July 2020, it had not long re-opened after being closed for a few months because of the pandemic but the whole visit was well organised (had to book a entry slot in advance and although we arrived earlier, this wasn't a problem). Would highly recommend a visit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a fantastic way to spend a day. We had been meaning to pay a visit for some time to pay homage to my husband's former troop sergeant who had been killed in N. Ireland and little did we realise just how much there was to see.
My husband has limited mobility so we walked slowly in hope there would be a route up to the main memorial avoiding any steps. I wandered off looking for such a route but within seconds and without even a request he had been picked up in a small car by a guide. The guide also waited (no pressure at all on us to be quick) to take him back down again. Absolutely exceptional customer service .....oh for a higher rating than 5.
Naturally we also wanted to see more of the site so opted for the land train which again proved excellent vale for money and extremely informative.
The restaurant on the site was also first class with excellent customer service.
We really do hope to return one day as the experience was wonderful and we truly believe it is a place to visit in each season. We were there in March but the arboretum in June or September or December would be so different and again so beautiful that the experience would be a new one.
My husband has limited mobility so we walked slowly in hope there would be a route up to the main memorial avoiding any steps. I wandered off looking for such a route but within seconds and without even a request he had been picked up in a small car by a guide. The guide also waited (no pressure at all on us to be quick) to take him back down again. Absolutely exceptional customer service .....oh for a higher rating than 5.
Naturally we also wanted to see more of the site so opted for the land train which again proved excellent vale for money and extremely informative.
The restaurant on the site was also first class with excellent customer service.
We really do hope to return one day as the experience was wonderful and we truly believe it is a place to visit in each season. We were there in March but the arboretum in June or September or December would be so different and again so beautiful that the experience would be a new one.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have had two trips to the Arboretum since the Covid restrictions have been put in place, but before this year the Arboretum has always been a special place to us, somewhere that we like to go for peace and quiet.
No matter how many times we have been there are always new things to discover that are hiding away in places we never got round to exploring before. The staff/volunteers are friendly and welcoming and very informative about all of the memorials on site. We have never used the land train but think it is an amazing option in which they have in place.
Even with the Covid restrictions the Arboretum feels safe, socially distanced, clean and sanitised and the staff you can see them working hard to ensure the safety of the guests.
We visited yesterday and did the outdoor challenge which is a new event for VJ day. It costs £12 and there are an option of two challenges, we opted for the slightly more difficult operation locate challenge. Challenging is was! We did not manage to solve the case as we got 7 out of 10 but we had a really enjoyable time doing the challenges, they were really interested and thought out and it gave us a chance to explore parts of the arboretum in which we never even knew were there. We would highly recommend the outdoor challenges to everyone, we will definitely be going back to do the other challenge in which they have to offer.
We love the Arboretum and we definitely think everyone if they get a chance to visit to go, it is a lovely place, it will make you feel mixed emotions of sadness, happiness, peacefulness but most of all it will make you feel proud that there is such an amazing place out there making the memories of all those that have lost their lives last forever and to never be forgotten.
Keep up the amazing work.
No matter how many times we have been there are always new things to discover that are hiding away in places we never got round to exploring before. The staff/volunteers are friendly and welcoming and very informative about all of the memorials on site. We have never used the land train but think it is an amazing option in which they have in place.
Even with the Covid restrictions the Arboretum feels safe, socially distanced, clean and sanitised and the staff you can see them working hard to ensure the safety of the guests.
We visited yesterday and did the outdoor challenge which is a new event for VJ day. It costs £12 and there are an option of two challenges, we opted for the slightly more difficult operation locate challenge. Challenging is was! We did not manage to solve the case as we got 7 out of 10 but we had a really enjoyable time doing the challenges, they were really interested and thought out and it gave us a chance to explore parts of the arboretum in which we never even knew were there. We would highly recommend the outdoor challenges to everyone, we will definitely be going back to do the other challenge in which they have to offer.
We love the Arboretum and we definitely think everyone if they get a chance to visit to go, it is a lovely place, it will make you feel mixed emotions of sadness, happiness, peacefulness but most of all it will make you feel proud that there is such an amazing place out there making the memories of all those that have lost their lives last forever and to never be forgotten.
Keep up the amazing work.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It's hard to describe this place. There's a sense of peace and respect here, very similar to visiting some of the European war grave sites. However, the memorials also explain the history of individual regiments and the personal stories of civilians, resistance fighters and other people affected by war. The memorial to those soldiers executed for cowardice in World War I was particularly moving. The layout and size of the arboretum forces you to slow down and think.
Coronavirus measures have been well thought through. You have to pre-book for parking and a one way system has been implemented in the main buildings. We felt safe during our visit.
Coronavirus measures have been well thought through. You have to pre-book for parking and a one way system has been implemented in the main buildings. We felt safe during our visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Such a special place and so much to see and walk around. You need to book timed tickets to go and visit at the moment but it is well worth doing - we highly recommend it. We went on the first weekend they were opening up again and gradually more things are opening up e.g. the shop and the cafe etc. We had a lovely 3 hour walk around the whole site. Staff are incredibly friendly and well-versed in waht to do about Covid - felt very safe and secure there.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely day out at the Arboretum. Friendly welcome from really helpful staff who explained how things work there during COVID restrictions. Took advantage of the land train to see the site as you wouldn’t have time to walk the whole area. Very thought provoking, lots of interesting monuments and memorials.
Nice restaurant and BBQ and ate in the Heroes Square area due to social distancing.
Nice restaurant and BBQ and ate in the Heroes Square area due to social distancing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited with family found it AMAZING!! Saw some names of friends who sadly passed great walks as well!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Amazing place and had an amazing day. Also big thank you to the staff who helped us with wheelchairs (even thou they were not hiring out due to the circumstances) as we didn’t have any for relatives. Wonderful day made by a pleasant experience at the beginning.. can’t wait to return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spent a morning here on a drizzly day with the kids (7 & 9 yrs old). Wanted a break from Home Schooling and decided to book for a day before the end of term and it gets busy. Weather wasn’t exactly brilliant but we still had a nice time. Great to explore the different sections, all very interesting, even for the kids as they have both studied about the wars. Enjoyed the stick man trail and also the dipping pond and looking for the wildlife in the watersmeet. Such a beautiful place with all the plants and flowers. Social distancing was not a problem at all, plenty of staff around cleaning after people, plenty of hand sanitizer, really can’t recommend enough. Thanks for a great morning, even the rain didn’t ruin it!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
First visit after lockdown. It is very well organised. Clear direction signs in and out of the Remembrance Centre. Plenty of space to then enjoy the site and visit all the memorials.
Take away offerings in the cafe was limited but freshly prepared. Shop has been reorganised to give a one way system with good display.
All staff and volunteers very welcoming as always. You are doing a wonderful job. Thank you.
Take away offerings in the cafe was limited but freshly prepared. Shop has been reorganised to give a one way system with good display.
All staff and volunteers very welcoming as always. You are doing a wonderful job. Thank you.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
very moving place excellent staff most are volunteers and doing an excellent job .I was worried about visiting due to covid but I shouldn't have worried excellent procedures in place hand sanitiser to use. toilets spotless signs showing distance to keep apart when queuing. limited menu at the moment but had a bacon bap and latte delicious and excellent value. plenty of places to sit benches picnic tables shop is open they have everything under control. Have to book tickets cannot just turn up staff show you to your parking space. the memorials are beautiful spent 4 hours there very emotional moving place not only for the forces lovely garden for people who have lost their children babies well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We are regular visitors and live nearby. Met 2 sets of friends, as allowed, after the slight easing of lockdown.
Easy to book on the internet - £4 per car - and very well managed and signed as you walk through. Friendly staff and volunteers as ever. And a small section of the cafe is open with appropriate social distancing.
Easy to book on the internet - £4 per car - and very well managed and signed as you walk through. Friendly staff and volunteers as ever. And a small section of the cafe is open with appropriate social distancing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
First visit since lockdown, from the prebooked car parking which was easy, the staff very helpful and informative, plenty of cleaning stations clean toilets too , and very well organised, definitely a place to visit, all be it very moving.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited here today for the first time, wow what a treat . An amazing place, really thought provoking. Acres and acres of fabulous grounds, trees, plants, memorials and more. The toilets were spotless the cafe open but with a reduced menu, take away only due to COVID. Car parking was £4, booking online essential we shall definitely return... the weather was kind to us, plenty of benches to sit and think. Paths very well laid out, staff very helpful and friendly....comfy shoes are a must as there’s lots of walking
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited the National arboretum today for the first time and what a fantastic and moving place it just cost the price to park the car which was £4. There was many tributes to our fallen hero’s and will definitely pay a visit again
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had such a memorable day visiting the Arboretum. Despite the restrictions due to Covid-19 we received a warm welcome, all the staff were so friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. It is such a beautiful setting to commemorate the actions and bravery of so many amazing men and women. We left feeling truly humbled and grateful for their duty and service to our country.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It was a blistering hot day. Thank goodness for the beautiful shady tree and regularly placed benches. We booked a tour guide. This was an inexpensive option, but made the world of difference to our visit - what a fabulous man he was. We were so moved, it can be an emotional visit - beware, and be ready. Our guide was thoughtful and sensitive and so informative. The facilities are excellent, would return as I am sure we did not get to see everything.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had to visit the aboretum on the day the weather was atrocious but still visited ,staff we're friendlyand informative a lot to take in what all these people who died for us .I bet it a lovely place in the summer it a must to visit good on the British Legion.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A humbling experience. A level of calm takes over once you enter the grounds and move further away from the hustle of the cafe and restaurants. You truly feel akin with the reasoning for the creation of this magnificent memorial to all who suffered and sacrificed their souls for all. Several visits later and I still feel emotional and sad...but also so immensely proud of every single member of the Armed Forces that is remembered in this stunning place. Do not hesitate to pay your respects.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Me and my girlfriend came here on cold, wet and eventually sunny January day.
It was first time I been here for 5 years and still a wonderful place recognising the fallen from the armed services plus other emergency services.
The was a lot places flooded due to heavy rain such as the Polish momument but the arch was good.
It was emotional for my girlfriend as she was an ex Miltary wife and personally knew 2 people on the Basra Wall.
Afterwards we treated ourselves for Coffee and Cake which was lovely and didn't cost the earth.
This place is a must be visit and is become sacred to this nation
It was first time I been here for 5 years and still a wonderful place recognising the fallen from the armed services plus other emergency services.
The was a lot places flooded due to heavy rain such as the Polish momument but the arch was good.
It was emotional for my girlfriend as she was an ex Miltary wife and personally knew 2 people on the Basra Wall.
Afterwards we treated ourselves for Coffee and Cake which was lovely and didn't cost the earth.
This place is a must be visit and is become sacred to this nation
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our friends drove us there. I didn’t have any enthusiasm to see a load of trees! How wrong could I have been. This venue commemorates all who have served our country from prisoners of war, sub mariners to evacuees...at the central commemorative ...no I am not saying any more, just go there. You will feel humbled, grateful, proud, awed. It is the best most understated beautiful place I have ever been
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Second time I’ve visited. Being ex military and an Afghan veteran I have a personal connection to a few of the monuments. But even if you aren’t it’s still an amazing place to visit, enjoy a lovely walk, maybe even a cake and coffee at the end. We took our dog on this visit also. Even with all the rain in the past months they’ve done well at keeping the green areas looking well.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
National Memorial Arboretum is a brilliant place to Explore - Discover - Remember.
With over 330 memorials in over 150 acres this place is perfect for reflection.
Free entry but donation boxes scattered around.
Train and buggy rides around site available at a small cost.
Various talks and services take place throughout the day.
Fantastic indoor museum very informative. Lovely cafe and gift shop.
So much to explore.
With over 330 memorials in over 150 acres this place is perfect for reflection.
Free entry but donation boxes scattered around.
Train and buggy rides around site available at a small cost.
Various talks and services take place throughout the day.
Fantastic indoor museum very informative. Lovely cafe and gift shop.
So much to explore.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I went here during a Kirbys coach holiday, entrance is free. The site is large with may items to be seen, at the time I was there much flooding was evident. There is a cafe on site, prices were reasonable and the food good. A visit needs at least two hours to see everything, a visit is highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
