National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
We visited on a very rainy day but that did not spoil the visit. There are so many memorials to visit, that we shall definitely return. Entrance is free but car parking is £3 for all day and goes towards the arboretum. The restaurant was very busy, there was a good selection of food.
The exhibition indoors was free when we visited and was excellent
The exhibition indoors was free when we visited and was excellent
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you have not visited then now is not too soon The car park is £3 that's for the day and its a donation towards its upkeep
The staff are friendly pleasant and helpful
They ask for voluntary donations and there are places to deposit But why not make a donation at reception you can gift aid
There is a restaurant/cafeteria that provides good food at a reasonable price
The memorials are brilliant and moving
There is a road train for those less active it does a tour of the grounds and takes about 45mins a commentary is relayed to you as the tour progresses
We had a great time and recommend a great day out
The staff are friendly pleasant and helpful
They ask for voluntary donations and there are places to deposit But why not make a donation at reception you can gift aid
There is a restaurant/cafeteria that provides good food at a reasonable price
The memorials are brilliant and moving
There is a road train for those less active it does a tour of the grounds and takes about 45mins a commentary is relayed to you as the tour progresses
We had a great time and recommend a great day out
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is an amazing place to easily spend a couple of hours, or longer. Some beautiful thought inspiring memorials and monuments across the whole site, it's hard not to feel emotional. The Polish Forces Memorial and the Shot at Dawn memorials actually brought me to tears, and the Armed Forces Memorial was mesmerising in so many ways.
There are plenty of paths to walk around and although the car park was busy it wass easy not to see many people as everyone was doing their own thing and going their own way.
Really worth a visit and although entry is free I urge you to donate to such an amazing place.
There are plenty of paths to walk around and although the car park was busy it wass easy not to see many people as everyone was doing their own thing and going their own way.
Really worth a visit and although entry is free I urge you to donate to such an amazing place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
out standing day out here i have never seen so many memorials some of which are fantastic well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
we really enjoyed our visit plenty of things to the train to take you round well worth the money you pay you can get on &off when you want looking forward to our next trip
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The number of memorials is overwhelming. You'd need several visits to do them all justice. Many of them would be an attraction in their own right if placed in towns around the country. Loads of places to sit down, very welcome.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We spenthought a day at the arboretum and really enjoyed it. You do need to allow time as there are over 300 memorials
Entry is free but you can make a donation
Entry is free but you can make a donation
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have never been to such an extraordinary place. On more than one occasion I was moved to tears.
The grounds are clean, tidy and huge! All memorials are obviously treated with the respect they deserve.
All staff and volunteers are friendly and helpful, even the groundsmen.
I attended a talk on the Far East which was very interesting.
A train ride took us past many memorials giving information we may not have otherwise have heard.
To think that this is only possible because of donations is incredible.I was more than happy to give a donation on top of my parking.
A thought provoking visit which everyone should make.
The grounds are clean, tidy and huge! All memorials are obviously treated with the respect they deserve.
All staff and volunteers are friendly and helpful, even the groundsmen.
I attended a talk on the Far East which was very interesting.
A train ride took us past many memorials giving information we may not have otherwise have heard.
To think that this is only possible because of donations is incredible.I was more than happy to give a donation on top of my parking.
A thought provoking visit which everyone should make.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We arrived in the late morning, didn't stop for entire time we were there and by 16.00 still hadn't seen half of it. We'll definitely go back to see the rest.
It's a great day for disabled people because it's fairly flat other than the Armed Forces Monument and that has a gently sloping spiral ramp.
They Will lend you a wheelchair or hire you a power scooter for £5.
The staff and volunteers are incredibly helpful.
The grounds are impeccably kept and the monuments are striking.
Do yourself a favour Nd visit. Us the bonus that it's free to enter and parking is reasonably priced
It's a great day for disabled people because it's fairly flat other than the Armed Forces Monument and that has a gently sloping spiral ramp.
They Will lend you a wheelchair or hire you a power scooter for £5.
The staff and volunteers are incredibly helpful.
The grounds are impeccably kept and the monuments are striking.
Do yourself a favour Nd visit. Us the bonus that it's free to enter and parking is reasonably priced
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A total experience of all the senses. Dedicated to all who served. A beautifully laid out park with memorials and monuments to numerous military and civilian organisations.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really is a thought provoking visit. We took a buggy tour we'll worth the £6 each, certainly saw more memorial's than we would of done on foot. Definitely be visiting again. Next time we will take the land train to see other parts of the arboretum.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I came back again for a looksee and was not disappointed. Loads of people visiting the site and its so wonderful to see so many tributes to the forces. Well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very well present experience. It’s so nice to something in our country to remember the dead from so many wars.
I have visited, Normandy, France and Belgium a number of times to see the site of war and the memorials large and small to remember war dead.
The Arboretum is well worth a visit.
We will visit again I’m sure
I have visited, Normandy, France and Belgium a number of times to see the site of war and the memorials large and small to remember war dead.
The Arboretum is well worth a visit.
We will visit again I’m sure
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have wanted to go for ages and wasnt disappointed. This is a must visit venue for the uk. However, sort out yourselves in the following ways please; provide a map positioning the location of each memorial rather than vaguely pointing to the area within the 150 acres site. Sell train tickets at the station and at reception and tell the reception staff that if a visitor asks about the train at reception then sell them a ticket rather than tell them how to get to the train station only to be greeted with ' you need to buy your ticket at reception' after we have walked to the terminus in rain and we are limited ability walkers due to age and illness. That said, just awesome and Paul (a volunteer guide) was outstanding. Thank you.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My dads Uncle has a memorial garden here. It had to be relocated to another part of the garden and about 150 people attended a very moving day. We had lunch which was excellent and later we had a walk round and would definitely recommend a visit here. Brilliant place and kept perfectly.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An lovely day out to the national memorial museum in staffordshire. Easy to get to straight off the A5 just outside lichfield, plenty of parking. Very informative visit you can walk round or take a shuttle bus with commentary. Loads of memorials to different groups in the wars all over the world and groups from now, emergency services, lifeboats, twin towers. Every day theres a service at 11am with 2 minute silence very poignant. Very definatly recommend going. Will visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Established to provide a single location where those who had lost their lives by military of civilian causes, the NMA is simply wonderful. With over 300 different and varied memorials, sited in over 150 acres, you need more than one visit to do it justice.
I recommend taking the train ride when you first arrive, having had a tea or coffee first of course! This will allow you to understand the scope and extent of what is there. (You can also take a tour in a 'buggy' for the same price and achieves the same objective, but perhaps more personal?). You can then wander and view those memorials that may be of special interest to you.
There are also many, many benches to sit and contemplate, and also many quiet places to sit and eat a picnic.
Entrance is free but donations to help defray the £4000 per day cost are of course, very welcome. There is a wonderful exhibition, a beautiful chapel, excellent and well-priced catering facilities, and a gift shop.
We visited on a beautiful sunny day but it is of course, all 'open-air' so one needs to be prepared for inclement weather
We saw much on our visit but need to return!
I recommend taking the train ride when you first arrive, having had a tea or coffee first of course! This will allow you to understand the scope and extent of what is there. (You can also take a tour in a 'buggy' for the same price and achieves the same objective, but perhaps more personal?). You can then wander and view those memorials that may be of special interest to you.
There are also many, many benches to sit and contemplate, and also many quiet places to sit and eat a picnic.
Entrance is free but donations to help defray the £4000 per day cost are of course, very welcome. There is a wonderful exhibition, a beautiful chapel, excellent and well-priced catering facilities, and a gift shop.
We visited on a beautiful sunny day but it is of course, all 'open-air' so one needs to be prepared for inclement weather
We saw much on our visit but need to return!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Words fail me!..
You have to visit this wonderful and humble venue.
Take the land train. Brilliant.
Bought a tear to our eyes on departure. And buy a poppy from the shop for your garden too. We bought three and they take pride and place in our garden.....
You have to visit this wonderful and humble venue.
Take the land train. Brilliant.
Bought a tear to our eyes on departure. And buy a poppy from the shop for your garden too. We bought three and they take pride and place in our garden.....
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well worth the visit, have meant to go before, made it and wished we had gone before as it really does bring home the sacrifice that has been made over time. Amazing place and everyone should make the effort to go.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited today
Smashing place to visit , a very large site but plenty of benches to sit and rest , we were there for 6 hours and really only managed to visit the main areas.
On arrival paid £3 parking fee not bad for the whole day .
£3 for the map probably a bit too dear for what what info was in it.
£6 each for the land train 50 minute tour ( good for getting your bearings but if you disembarked at any point that’s your lot )driver was knowledgeable and good fun .
£6 each for a 45 minute secret service tour . Much better value the guide taking us to each monument and giving a very interesting and knowledgeable talk about each and every one . Highly recommended..
No. If you would like to join in the 11 am rememberance service in the chapel , arrive there early ,we turned up ar 10.50 All seats taken .. no standing .
Only real grumble was the cheese and ham toastie purchased in the coffee shop which was tasteless and not very appetising at all .
I will revisit in a couple of years time to see how The Arboretum has evolved ,and will be recommending that my friends visit.
Well worth the money spent .( apart from the toastie )
Smashing place to visit , a very large site but plenty of benches to sit and rest , we were there for 6 hours and really only managed to visit the main areas.
On arrival paid £3 parking fee not bad for the whole day .
£3 for the map probably a bit too dear for what what info was in it.
£6 each for the land train 50 minute tour ( good for getting your bearings but if you disembarked at any point that’s your lot )driver was knowledgeable and good fun .
£6 each for a 45 minute secret service tour . Much better value the guide taking us to each monument and giving a very interesting and knowledgeable talk about each and every one . Highly recommended..
No. If you would like to join in the 11 am rememberance service in the chapel , arrive there early ,we turned up ar 10.50 All seats taken .. no standing .
Only real grumble was the cheese and ham toastie purchased in the coffee shop which was tasteless and not very appetising at all .
I will revisit in a couple of years time to see how The Arboretum has evolved ,and will be recommending that my friends visit.
Well worth the money spent .( apart from the toastie )
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We met friends for the day, so this was a fantastic choice where we could have a leisurely wander and chat. There were loads of benches to rest, and of course, the restaurant and coffee shop for when we were flagging. We started by taking the land train tour, which gave us a good over view to start, then walked to other areas. We were impressed by the space, peace and the enthusiastic staff on hand to help. The grass and gardens were very impressive and well maintained. The memorials were full of interest, thought provoking and sad. What a waste of so many young lives is war. I found the most poignant was the Shot At Dawn area - so sad! None of them over 30 too. Everything was so thoughtfully and well presented, and the detail of the sculptures was amazing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went for the Memorial of the 75th Anniversary of the battle of Monte Casino. Stunning location, lovely helpful staff. Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited on a bank holiday weekend to enjoy the scheduled activities associated with the 1940 era. Have heard so many wonderful opinions that I was eager to experience and learn for myself. Yes it lived up to all the positive attributes of praise. It is truly a remarkable place. Considering the awful unlimited sadness and trajedies surrounding the act of war, it really is a moving tribute to all the many who we owe so much to. If someone were to talk about a war memorial, I myself might think it to be an area I should not visit, not being worthy of the honour or it would be a dry, barren place with old sad headstones. I must admit I have hesitated so often to visit, honestly because I didn't think I would be able to cope with the tremendous heartbreak surrounding these heroes and their personal stories. This is such a contemplative place, somehow it manages to celebrate all the heroes in an elegant, quiet and reflective way, so richly deserved, possitively enforcing how much we all owe them. The National Arboretum is so much more powerful and moving than any written words or film could ever possibly be. Everyone should visit, if only to remember the personal cost of war and its consequences but mostly to say from the very bottom of their heart 'thank you'.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have been here a couple of times and never been disappointed, I intend to visit again when the poppies are out. There is an excellent dogs walk. One thing it always brings to mind is how much has been given for our freedoms of today. It is also the only place I don't mind paying for parking
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I was slightly surprised by the retail activity going on as one enters - stalls selling all manner of goods, for the most part little to do with the business of remembrance. Still, I suppose money has to be raised for maintenance and upkeep.
There's a good walk to be had round the footpath which leads you round in a big circle, taking in a huge variety of information, memorials and personal remembrance along the way. Many of the memorials are deeply moving for the circumstances in which people fought and died, for their bravery, and in some cases for the statuary which illustrates the nature of the combatants' roles.
The centrepiece is the Remembrance wall with the names of those killed in action since the end of WW2 engraved. Some years are bigger than others - 1982 was one of the big ones, of course. Brave people all.
I'd been meaning to visit the Arboretum for years but for most of that time was living at the wrong end of the country. Rewarding to be able to do it now.
There's a good walk to be had round the footpath which leads you round in a big circle, taking in a huge variety of information, memorials and personal remembrance along the way. Many of the memorials are deeply moving for the circumstances in which people fought and died, for their bravery, and in some cases for the statuary which illustrates the nature of the combatants' roles.
The centrepiece is the Remembrance wall with the names of those killed in action since the end of WW2 engraved. Some years are bigger than others - 1982 was one of the big ones, of course. Brave people all.
I'd been meaning to visit the Arboretum for years but for most of that time was living at the wrong end of the country. Rewarding to be able to do it now.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
