National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Nothing but praise for this wonderful place. Beautiful, restful, moving in the extreme. Cant wait to go back. A fantastic tribute to our fallen and the fallen of the Empire/Commonwealth.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the national memorial arboretum with friends, there is a £3 (all day) car parking charge but, entrance is free. There is a large impression building, this houses the main entrance, cafe & shop, there are also a computer system that allows you to search for friends or relatives that are mentioned on the memorial wall.
The grounds are extensive and are clearly marked if you decide to walk round the area, there is also a “train” that drives around the site, there is a charcoal for this.
Reading the names on the main memorial or on the many smaller memorial, paying tribute to the fallen, is very humbling.
The site has memorial to not just the armed services but, to many organisation the have helped in many conflicts around the world.
Just a note: this is an outdoor memorial, so sensible shoes and waterproof clothes should be considered, most of the grounds are wheelchair friendly and easily accessible to disabled visitors.
Well worth a visit.
The grounds are extensive and are clearly marked if you decide to walk round the area, there is also a “train” that drives around the site, there is a charcoal for this.
Reading the names on the main memorial or on the many smaller memorial, paying tribute to the fallen, is very humbling.
The site has memorial to not just the armed services but, to many organisation the have helped in many conflicts around the world.
Just a note: this is an outdoor memorial, so sensible shoes and waterproof clothes should be considered, most of the grounds are wheelchair friendly and easily accessible to disabled visitors.
Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a lovely place to visit at any time of the year. Always plenty of interest and wonderful colour in the gardens and trees.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I was amazed at the scale of the site and so well cared for. Suggest you start at the Remembrance Centre where there are plenty of volunteers to help you plan your visit. We started with a guided walk which lasted about 45 minutes and provided an excellent background to the history and we were shown the main memorials including advice on any of personal interest.
Took us about 5 hours to cover the majority of the site including lunch which was good value.
Admittance is free with just a charge of £3 for parking.
Well worth the visit. I found the Far East Prisoners of War Exhibition very harrowing & moving.
Took us about 5 hours to cover the majority of the site including lunch which was good value.
Admittance is free with just a charge of £3 for parking.
Well worth the visit. I found the Far East Prisoners of War Exhibition very harrowing & moving.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were amazed at the scale of the Memorial with its 150 acres and many beautiful memorials.
You cannot help but be deeply humbled and moved by the experience and it is one place everyone should visit
You cannot help but be deeply humbled and moved by the experience and it is one place everyone should visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our second trip to the arboretum, and this time walked right round the whole area which took about four hours, beautiful memorials some very moving and it is a fitting tribute to all lives that have been lost due to conflict and it certainly makes you think.
The site is beautifully maintained and you can hire buggies or take the train round the site which we did on our first trip. Entry is free but you can make a donation should you wish.
Our only criticism is the cafe, particularly the serving area where staff seem to need further training.
The site is beautifully maintained and you can hire buggies or take the train round the site which we did on our first trip. Entry is free but you can make a donation should you wish.
Our only criticism is the cafe, particularly the serving area where staff seem to need further training.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went here on a very rainy day, so unfortunately didn't see everything. However what we did get round via the land train, was very poignant. I have to confess we did go to find a particular memorial as we had a friend who was killed on HMS Ardent. We found him listed there and also on the main memorial,which in the rain is an amazing sight but in the sunshine should be spectacular. Hope to visit again when the weather is better.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Stopped off here for a visit whilst on a garden tour.
Beautifully kept memorial garden, you can't help but being moved. There is a land train which tours the garden and you can get of and on as you please.
Beautifully kept memorial garden, you can't help but being moved. There is a land train which tours the garden and you can get of and on as you please.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a lovely place for reflection and to rember those that have fallen. Full of memorials big and small. You will not see all of it in one day. The land train and the buggy tour is recommended
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A moving and emotional experience, the most poignant being the shot at dawn memorial. Everyone should visit her at least once.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have wanted to visit here for some time.I managed to persuade my hubby to take me.It is a beautiful place..calming and serene.We walked all the way around..it took us a few hours because we took in all the enormity of it.My favourite was the memorial in remembrance of the Falklands conflict.The actual exhibit is an exact replica because my hubby actually built the original in Port Stanley..The central memorial with all the names of all those who have passed away is truly humbling and i saw men quietly crying whilst there.Certainly for my husband it was a sad moment as he searched out and found the names of some of his Royal Engineer friends who went to the Falkands and never returned.
There are a couple of nice restaurants and a fabulous gift shop.
There are a couple of nice restaurants and a fabulous gift shop.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Arrived with a 9 10 and 14 year old. They all enjoyed it. We went on the train, very informative. A vintage fair was on and had some great little stalls. Had ice cream very delicious. Well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had a lovely, interesting day out.
So much to see and take in, we needed all day.
The 'train' around the area, with voice over was perfect.
Everywhere was so clean and tidy, the staff were helpful
Enjoyed our lunch too.
I cannot rate it to high
So much to see and take in, we needed all day.
The 'train' around the area, with voice over was perfect.
Everywhere was so clean and tidy, the staff were helpful
Enjoyed our lunch too.
I cannot rate it to high
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Arboretum is easy to find just off the A38. We had no problems finding it and it was easy to park (we went on a weekday in September). There was ample disabled parking as well. It costs £3 to park but the entry costs are free. There was an exhibition there as well we didn't get time to visit it but normally you pay for that although it was free this month,
We gave ourselves 2 hours but that wasn't really enough time to see everything. If you have a connection to the forces I suspect you could easily spend a whole day there. I could probably spend a whole day there just walking around and learning.
All of the paths are flat and easy to work on. There were a few steps to the main monument but I think there is a path for wheelchairs as I saw some at the monument with the steps. If you have limited walking ability about 70% of the site can be seen via a 50 minute tram ride around the site. It stopped at monuments but I didn't see people getting out just looking from the tram. I personally preferred the walk.
The monuments are well kept along with the grounds. They looked really good to me considering the lack of water this summer.
We gave ourselves 2 hours but that wasn't really enough time to see everything. If you have a connection to the forces I suspect you could easily spend a whole day there. I could probably spend a whole day there just walking around and learning.
All of the paths are flat and easy to work on. There were a few steps to the main monument but I think there is a path for wheelchairs as I saw some at the monument with the steps. If you have limited walking ability about 70% of the site can be seen via a 50 minute tram ride around the site. It stopped at monuments but I didn't see people getting out just looking from the tram. I personally preferred the walk.
The monuments are well kept along with the grounds. They looked really good to me considering the lack of water this summer.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited in August 2018 on a very warm sunny day. The facilities at the Arboretum are exceptional, the guide book and grid plan are a must if you are looking for any particular memorials, although there is a touch screen and staff who are happy to help you find a memorial, however purchase of the book helps to maintain the place, which is free (you only pay to park) and run by volunteers. The guide book helped us to find the ones we visited to see, and also to explain more about others. We chose to walk, but only managed to cover a third and didn't have time to visit the indoor exhibition, even after two visits to the restaurant for a caffeine break! We will be coming back with my father at Easter 2019 as we have now read the guide book and there are so many more memorials we want to see, and I will be back again in June volunteering with RAFA. We were lucky to see the RAF100 display as well. The site is peaceful and a fitting tribute to lives lost in many different ways and we can't recommend it enough. Even my daughter who is 10 found it interesting. The whole site is inspiring and the restaurant a lovely place to sit and reflect over great coffee and food.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had visited the 'War graves' and thought that this may be similar, but no, entirely different. Beautiful surroundings, memorials well made and very interesting. The 11am short service in the chapel was well presented and all the staff were very helpful. We will have to go again to see more of it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I came on a rainy day but this did not really impact my visit. The car parking is £3 which is fair and they only ask for donations to enter. The restaurant serves good food at a reasonable price. I covered most of the site in about two hours and found the central memorial to be a very fitting tribute to all those who have passed on active service since 1945. The shot at dawn memorial was quite moving. Overall, a good half day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had a wonderful day here. It was bigger than I thought it would be. The memorials were something else, we did the train which took us all around the the place.with a running commentary saying all about the memorials. The drivers were fun as well.food was great there and so we're all the staff. I will definitely be paying this place another visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I went to the National Memorial Arboretum with my nan and her partner. Upon arrival the car park was presented very well and it was only £3 to park all day with the money going back into the up keep of the Arboretum. The entrance wasn’t far from where we parked and we was greeted by a lovely gentleman ready to tell us a little bit about the arboretum before we carried on through. We decided to go on the land train which was £6 per adult and was very good at allowing you to see where you needed to go for the main memorials you wanted to see. Each and every memorial is beautifully presented and are all special in their own ways. The arboretum is clean and also allows for nature to keep on growing, with beautiful rivers with swans and other such animals living around the arboretum. We was highly moved by this place and it was lovely to be in such a peaceful place remembering those that have passed away. I will be visiting again so i can see more there.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had always wanted to visit and wasn’t disappointed. We’d done our research so knew we had to pay for parking which didn’t seem unusual (I thought £3 for all day was reasonable), we were not harassed to make a donation rather the volunteer did give us advise on what may make a first time visit more informative e.g. opting for the land train rather than a buggy - we’d decided to do that anyway. Agree paying for the map seemed weird but wasn’t over the top, in fact most of the big memorials are signposted so you can get away without one and there is an interactive map in the visitor centre if you need advice or help. Visitor centre is big, clean and toilets are clean. We had soup and a cuppa - good - then headed of on the train. Nice way to get an overview but difficult to take photos but gave us an idea of what we’d go back to. So bought a map and headed out on a 2 hrs walk, plenty of seats and some shelters if the weather is bad. We enjoyed the memorials and the mix and those not just for the Services was unexpected and I think a good touch - it’s is a memorial garden not just an armed services remembrance site. Agree some info on the trees would be good if that’s what your after. Had another cuppa and a cake a look round the shop and left. We were there for about 5 hrs and would recommend it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went here for the first time and had a very humbling experience. Some great memorials around the site. We went on the land train which was a good way of getting round this large arbouretum. The audio on the land train was clear and well presented we didn't feel rushed and had at least 50mins on board. Great value at onky £6.00 per person. Going on the land train you get to see alot of the memorials and that way if you choose to walk back to spend more time at one you can.
Had lunch in the restaurant. Plenty of choice and good quality at reasonable prices. Only £3.00 to park your car for the day bargain!
All in all had a lovely day out here and it would be somewhere I would visit again. To all the staff volunteers and people that donate thank you for keeping this special place open for us all to visit.
Had lunch in the restaurant. Plenty of choice and good quality at reasonable prices. Only £3.00 to park your car for the day bargain!
All in all had a lovely day out here and it would be somewhere I would visit again. To all the staff volunteers and people that donate thank you for keeping this special place open for us all to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A place were all should go to see the sacrifice given to this country's freedom. Free entry to the site there is a car park charge of £3 for the day. However to small on site store inside is closed on a Monday the main shop is open. There is a tour by train but this is expensive.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Scott Vincent, an Amazing day out at Staffordshires National Memorial Arboretum.
Having some spare time on my hands ahead of the launch date for I.S War on the world I decided to visit the National Memorial Arboretum based just some 20 or miles from my home in Staffordshire.
I have to confess the reason behind the visit was my partner recently found some letters and medals which related to her Granddad who was unfortunate to have had died in the second world war.
Being in the RAF Edward S Williams L/AC was stationed in Singapore and apparently from our research he was captured by the Japanese and moved to a “Hell Ship” Suez Maru which was sunk by friendly fire on 29th November 1943. The far east war is something we never hear much about everything seems to centre around Europe and the second world war.
3700 prisoners died on that tragic day when the USS Bonefish Torpedoed the unfortunate prisoner of war ship.
Putting aside our personal reasons for visiting I have to say it was the most poignant day I have had since visiting the war graves in Ypres some years earlier.
From the moment we stepped into the information centre the organisation was amazing with all the staff conversed on the Arboretum grounds and displays within the 150 Acre site.
My only regret was I didn’t spend the whole day there but I will certainly be going back.
Scott Vincent
Having some spare time on my hands ahead of the launch date for I.S War on the world I decided to visit the National Memorial Arboretum based just some 20 or miles from my home in Staffordshire.
I have to confess the reason behind the visit was my partner recently found some letters and medals which related to her Granddad who was unfortunate to have had died in the second world war.
Being in the RAF Edward S Williams L/AC was stationed in Singapore and apparently from our research he was captured by the Japanese and moved to a “Hell Ship” Suez Maru which was sunk by friendly fire on 29th November 1943. The far east war is something we never hear much about everything seems to centre around Europe and the second world war.
3700 prisoners died on that tragic day when the USS Bonefish Torpedoed the unfortunate prisoner of war ship.
Putting aside our personal reasons for visiting I have to say it was the most poignant day I have had since visiting the war graves in Ypres some years earlier.
From the moment we stepped into the information centre the organisation was amazing with all the staff conversed on the Arboretum grounds and displays within the 150 Acre site.
My only regret was I didn’t spend the whole day there but I will certainly be going back.
Scott Vincent
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I had wanted to go here for such a long time. This place is so much more than mere words can express. It's amazing, humbling, emotional and inspiring. I could go on and on but you must go for yourselves. I found memorials from all of my familys Regiments and paid my respects. You need a full day, don't go for an hour, we were there for 7 hours and we didn't see everything. A good pair of walking shoes and a back pack of water will do you just fine. There's a good restaurant and a coffee bar if you wish to eat. Go to the exhibition too not to be missed if just for the leaves and poppies on the floor..... you'll see. Just go....
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My fifth visit since this venue was opened. It just gets better each time. Food was o.k altho' very busy but help yourself salad fresh and palatable. Staff friendly and atmosphere great today on RAF 100th commemoration.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
