National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Was told by the owner of a cottage we rented this was a nice place to come and see and we were not disappointed. My partner was in a wheelchair at the time but we still managed to get around most of the grounds which was quite fascinating and very well presented. They also have a good restaurant and a charming little cafe which we found were not expensive. We would recommend it is very worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My first visit, took my family and young daughter (as part of her school homework is WW1/2). I myself is ex military.... And I was blown away by the place and history! I could have spent hrs at this place, a true place to reflect and appreciate all the sacrifices the men and women did for us. "LEST WE FORGET". I did find my old regiment...... Sadly it was just a tree, but still moving. Great place, and fantastic staff..... Thank you. ❤️
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful area covering many hundreds of memorials which are all well detailed. The centrepiece of the Arboretum is the magnificent memorial naming over 16000 fallen on stone tablets. The place is huge and is a tremendous, fitting tribute to all the men, women and animals who have served their country. The gardens and woodland areas are beautiful and I found the tributes on each tree to the fallen very moving. There are plenty of volunteers to give guidance and they are keen to assist if you are looking for a particular area. Buggy or land train are £6 and cover a large area if you don't want to walk too far. £3 to park, free entry but you can make voluntary donation- I was told it costs at least £4000 per day to maintain. We were there 3 hours - a privilege to visit and honour those who gave their today for our tomorrow.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Short visit but a very moving and enjoyable 2 hours
Travelled on The Land Train 45 mins what a special journey moving at 5mph allowing time to view everything and what a great commentary clear and audible what a pleasant experience
Travelled on The Land Train 45 mins what a special journey moving at 5mph allowing time to view everything and what a great commentary clear and audible what a pleasant experience
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We found the NMA by chance and we’re amazed that it is not more widely known about. It cost us £3 to park the car and entry is free. As the arboretum is spread over 150 acres we took the small train £6 per person with really good commentary. This helped get us orientated so we could then view areas which were personal to us. We enjoyed the day so much we decided to go back the following day. On this day we took the buggy tour with Keith Forster, a volunteer, who was so enthusiastic and informative. The buggy tour is also £6 per person but well worth it as you can go “off piste” and get to areas you may not have found walking. There are memorials to not just the Armed forces but to other people ie land army, fire services, townwomensguild ,scouts, nurses etc but the one that meant the most to me was the Bevan Boys memorial as my father applied to the marines during the war but one in ten men were sent to the mines and his numbers came up. The words on the memorial are“WE ALSO SERVED” . There is a building with an exhibition about the war in the Far East which was emotional. There is a restaurant and separate cafe which was good and of course the usual shop on exit.
The arboretum is geared up very well for disabled people with electric buggies and wheelchairs available and the train has spaces for wheelchair users. There are plenty of disabled toilets and around the 150 acres are portaloos which are wheelchair friendly.
Give it a visit.
The arboretum is geared up very well for disabled people with electric buggies and wheelchairs available and the train has spaces for wheelchair users. There are plenty of disabled toilets and around the 150 acres are portaloos which are wheelchair friendly.
Give it a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Amazing place, well worth a visit and peaceful free Admission, and only £3 to park and if you have a disability they have scooters to rent i will be returning soon
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Such a great place so many memorials to see use the land train to get to see it only thing is if you get off you can’t get back on the next one along
Well cared for to
Well cared for to
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went here one Saturday taking our dog, we parked up walked to the front of the building and was met by a volunteer who gave us a map and showed us the way to go round. What a brilliant place to look at and learn from and we loved that we could take the dog round with us. We visited the cafe and enjoyed a cake and drink . The gardens are lovely and you can even catch a train and go round the grounds on that.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a beautiful place! So well cared for and well laid out. There are guided tours or a land train or a buggy tour. Or as we did, you can just wander about by yourselves at your own pace.
We would need another visit as there just wasn't enough time with our coach trip to see everything. But it would be a pleasure to go again. We bought a map at £3 which wasn't terribly helpful. There are 3 coloured routes but we couldn't find them. An aerial map would be much more helpful.
We bought sandwiches in the restaurant and ate outside in the sunshine. Very fresh and reasonable value. There is also hot food at lunchtime and a coffee shop. An excellent gift shop, not cheap but quality products. I even bought a couple of Christmas gifts.
There is no charge at the Arboretum but donations are welcome. I would assume that profits from sales and food help the Royal British Legion to maintain it. Well worth a visit and something the whole country should be proud of.
We would need another visit as there just wasn't enough time with our coach trip to see everything. But it would be a pleasure to go again. We bought a map at £3 which wasn't terribly helpful. There are 3 coloured routes but we couldn't find them. An aerial map would be much more helpful.
We bought sandwiches in the restaurant and ate outside in the sunshine. Very fresh and reasonable value. There is also hot food at lunchtime and a coffee shop. An excellent gift shop, not cheap but quality products. I even bought a couple of Christmas gifts.
There is no charge at the Arboretum but donations are welcome. I would assume that profits from sales and food help the Royal British Legion to maintain it. Well worth a visit and something the whole country should be proud of.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have now visited the NMA on three occasions and each time it does not fail to move me to tears, no one is forgotten. I believe it is a place every single person should visit to honour the sacrifices made by so many for all of us.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went with a group for our first visit, the grounds are well laid out and have wide paths. We came by coach but they charge for parking a car. You can book a buggie if you have walking difficulties and there is also a train to take you round. We decided to walk round as the weather was lovely and it’s mostly on the level. The train costs £6 and our less nimble friends went on it. We had morning coffee and lunch later, all were fair prices and the lunch was good as you could help yourself to veg and have exactly what you wanted or liked. The shop has lots of choice but is quite expensive, we would have bought things had they been cheaper £2.70 for a small bag of sweets was a bit expensive. Be warned. Print yourself a map off the internet before you go. They sell one at £3 ( rip off price) not all the memorials are on it. An Ariel map with numbers and an index would have been far more useful than a coloured fold out ( and a bit too big on a windy day). Also the train does not cover all the monuments. We wanted to see the shot a dawn memorial and it was only visible through the trees for train riders.
An on off ticket would have been a good idea for people who wanted to stop and take photos, all in all a good day out but could have been better.
An on off ticket would have been a good idea for people who wanted to stop and take photos, all in all a good day out but could have been better.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited for the first time to plan outings for two different groups of retired folk. The manager for groups was extremely helpful, as were all the staff and volunteers we met. It is a vaste and excellent arboretum; well laid out and very accessible. There are some amazing sculptures. I really liked 'Blown Away' inspired by Eliot's Four Quartets, also the RAMC Memorial. The memorials to the Burma Railway and the Sumatra Railway are particularly thought provoking.
You need at least half a day. The facilities are excellent and you can get the train for a quick overview or a buggy for a more in-depth insight. We will be back.
You need at least half a day. The facilities are excellent and you can get the train for a quick overview or a buggy for a more in-depth insight. We will be back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our third visit to the NMA we have eaten there previously both on busy days Ride to the Wall and Remembrance Sunday. We went Monday 26th August and as usual looked forward to lunch in the restaurant unfortunately the printed information about what was on offer was limited, I asked a young man who was standing behind the counter in a NMA uniform what was meant by potatoes he told me he didn't work there another young man in a NMA uniform approached us so I asked him the same question, he said it means typically whatever is available on the day so I asked, what is available today ? his response, typically what is available today. I said does that mean chips ? he said how do I know ? So we left and went to a pub down the road. Which meant we cut short our visit and spent our money elsewhere. Perhaps a little more training we weren't being difficult but my husband is a diet controlled diabetic so doesn't eat chips or roast potatoes.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited on a hot sunny day (bring your hat if it's the same for you). Very welcoming place with staff on hand to guide you along. There is a buggy tour & a tram tour which is useful for an overview. There are so many monuments that you suddenly begin to understand just how big the effort of going to war is. All the monuments are beautifully made & kept. There are plenty of benches scattered around to sit & think about what it means for you. Very nice coffee shop & restaurant on site as well. We'll be going back to visit what we missed today. I'd recommend this for anyone, young or old - take your time & enjoy the beauty of it all.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
So touching and well kept. All good words could be used to describe. Would 100 recommend to anyone, there is tours and access for disabled and train tours for little children so a place to visit for any age range.
The only shame was the fact the volunteers continually told you their need for donations it was at the end of every talk which to mean seemed a little disrespectful other than that it was fabulous and the staff were always happy to help.
The only shame was the fact the volunteers continually told you their need for donations it was at the end of every talk which to mean seemed a little disrespectful other than that it was fabulous and the staff were always happy to help.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our first visit for Myself, Husband, Father-in-law and the Dog. We arrived at about 09.45 and we had previously been online and found out that dogs were allowed on the paths and we had printed off an online dog walking map. There were plenty of spaces in the car park, which was £3 all day.
We started following the dog walking route out of the car park and through a wooded area and then along the River. Along the route there are lots of Memorials to see and visit (dogs must be kept on leads and only assistance dogs are allowed on the memorials or grassed areas).
You don't realise when you see the Armed Forces Memorial on TV, just how large the Memorial or how big the arboretum is. The number of Memorials is humbling and moving.
The Armed Forces Memorial is quite stunning in its simplicity and recording of names, the view is also amazing.
The one memorial I personally will never forget is the "Shot At Dawn" Memorial, in memory of the British & Commonwealth soldiers executed for desertion and other offences during World War I.
A stone young soldier, blindfolded and with his hands tied behind his back. The statue faces 6 trees that represent the firing squad.
Behind the statue are posts each with the name of a Soldier who was executed. The youngest age we could find was 17.........
We stopped off for coffee at the cafe in Heroes' Square. Service was slow as there was only one person serving and making the coffee (it could do with one person at the till and another making coffee). As there was quite a queue for drinks, my Husband waited for around 15 minutes to be served. However, the coffee was very hot and strong just how We like it.
The Volunteers are very friendly, helpful and welcoming. We were here for over 4 hours, but didn't see all the Memorials, as our feet were hurting by this point. We will be back.
Do plan your day and allow for at least a whole day for the visit.
Everyone should visit and Remember.
We started following the dog walking route out of the car park and through a wooded area and then along the River. Along the route there are lots of Memorials to see and visit (dogs must be kept on leads and only assistance dogs are allowed on the memorials or grassed areas).
You don't realise when you see the Armed Forces Memorial on TV, just how large the Memorial or how big the arboretum is. The number of Memorials is humbling and moving.
The Armed Forces Memorial is quite stunning in its simplicity and recording of names, the view is also amazing.
The one memorial I personally will never forget is the "Shot At Dawn" Memorial, in memory of the British & Commonwealth soldiers executed for desertion and other offences during World War I.
A stone young soldier, blindfolded and with his hands tied behind his back. The statue faces 6 trees that represent the firing squad.
Behind the statue are posts each with the name of a Soldier who was executed. The youngest age we could find was 17.........
We stopped off for coffee at the cafe in Heroes' Square. Service was slow as there was only one person serving and making the coffee (it could do with one person at the till and another making coffee). As there was quite a queue for drinks, my Husband waited for around 15 minutes to be served. However, the coffee was very hot and strong just how We like it.
The Volunteers are very friendly, helpful and welcoming. We were here for over 4 hours, but didn't see all the Memorials, as our feet were hurting by this point. We will be back.
Do plan your day and allow for at least a whole day for the visit.
Everyone should visit and Remember.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had a day trip here with our veterans group plus friends. Brilliant day out, The visitors centre is well set out with many displays lots of which are interactive, there is a lovely cafe area with plenty of seating for lunch and brews.
The land train is ok but you miss so many memorials. It would be better to do the audio tour in our opinion.
A full day is needed to see everything and have time to take it all in.
The gift shop is really well stocked. The ladies we spoke to on reception couldn’t have been more friendly or helpful and all the volunteers were very friendly and helpful.
Well worth a visit and a good place for children to learn about our history and how we should try to prevent future conflicts.
The land train is ok but you miss so many memorials. It would be better to do the audio tour in our opinion.
A full day is needed to see everything and have time to take it all in.
The gift shop is really well stocked. The ladies we spoke to on reception couldn’t have been more friendly or helpful and all the volunteers were very friendly and helpful.
Well worth a visit and a good place for children to learn about our history and how we should try to prevent future conflicts.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was a lovely place to visit. The visitors centre is open and bright. The children loved the stick man trail and nothing plan areas. Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had a wonderful afternoon from the car park attendants at the gate to the shop at the end all the volunteers make you feel very welcome. We attended the welcome talk by Jean who was knowledgable & passionate about the Arboretum.
We had a great tour on the train, going back to places we’d seen to look again in more detail.
The whole place is amazing and a joy to visit, so peaceful we will be returning soon.
We had a great tour on the train, going back to places we’d seen to look again in more detail.
The whole place is amazing and a joy to visit, so peaceful we will be returning soon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I visited on a day of sun and showers. On entry all the staff friendly and helpful. We took the train tour which is well worth doing, as very informative. afterwards while walking around a heavy rain storm started. We took shelter behind the wall on the main Arboretum. A member of staff joined us who was really helpful, giving lots of information, showing photos etc while we waited fro the rain to clear. Give yourself 3-4 hours minimum for this place, we will definitely visit again!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our third visit, the last one about six years ago. The place remains as wonderful as ever, it's been upgraded with a much better receptions, restaurant etc, The staff remain as helpful as ever.
A slight criticism would be that the restaurant is a bit chaotic but is was very busy.
If you have never visited, go. It is one of the great attractions in the UK.
A slight criticism would be that the restaurant is a bit chaotic but is was very busy.
If you have never visited, go. It is one of the great attractions in the UK.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I (and our Labrador) went, and what a truly wonderful place this is. 150 acres of lovely grounds and, obviously trees. The number of memorials is utterly amazing, you could spend a whole day there and not read everything. Lovely walk around with our dog who could go almost anywhere with us. Obviously not allowed in the major memorials or main building, however there is a lovely patio area outside the main building/restaurant where we could all sit and have a drink (we didn’t have anything to eat, although the food looked lovely. The volunteer staff were incredibly helpful and informative. As a free place to visit (a charge of £3 for all day parking is made) it is truly a superb place for anyone to visit, especially families with kids. Next time we go we will take a picnic with us.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Came here with family and a couple of American friends. Car parking is £3 all day. Entrance to the grounds is free. Went to the 11 o'clock service in the chapel, that was quite poinient. Then went for a ride on the train to get an over view of the site. Saw most of the large monuments. The we had a picnic lunch outside the restaurant. After that we walked upto the main memorial in the centre and saw how many people died in just a year! The we tried to find the RAF Locking Apprentice Memorial and failed ;(, Still there is always next time.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My good friend and I went for the first time who are Veterans of the Falklands and Gulf Wars. We found it moving and inspiring being a very good Memorial to all Service Men and women who have lost their lives and all the people who serve their countries to make the World a better place for all. I will return many times now I've discovered it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited with family and friend. We had booked a tailor made tour for our party which included a blind man and two of us with mobility problems. We had the amazing services of our guide , Tony Matthews, who drove the 6 seat buggy and took us to so many wonderful memorials which he described in superb detail to our blind member.. As a retired gunner he also regaled us with personal stories of his years in the army. A brilliant thought provoking trip, recommended highly , and included a delicious two course lunch. A day of reflection, tears but also many light hearted moments.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
