National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
I first visited the National Memorial Arboretum in August 2016, alas heavy rain & didn't see a lot of the site, and at the time the main 43 metre circular 'National Memorial' was closed for maintenance work, so missed that as well.
This time that main memorial that has the names of 16,000 people on it that have been killed since the end of WWII was open - things can't be improving worldwide as it has room for a further 15,000 names. But as a nation, politicians get us involved in conflicts that have nothing whatsoever to do with us. This stone memorial has a slot on the southern side that allows a beam of sunlight to fall on a bronze wreath in the centre at 1100hrs on 11th November.
Another interesting memorial, out of over 350, is in memory of the pointless political killing of innocent military personal suffering from 'shell shock' during the First world war - it's now known as "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" not cowardice.
Of the many civilian memorials, the 'Showmans Guild' memorial adds a bit of colour.
Well kept grounds, regular garden maintenance going on, clean and tidy, free entry but three pounds to park.
This time that main memorial that has the names of 16,000 people on it that have been killed since the end of WWII was open - things can't be improving worldwide as it has room for a further 15,000 names. But as a nation, politicians get us involved in conflicts that have nothing whatsoever to do with us. This stone memorial has a slot on the southern side that allows a beam of sunlight to fall on a bronze wreath in the centre at 1100hrs on 11th November.
Another interesting memorial, out of over 350, is in memory of the pointless political killing of innocent military personal suffering from 'shell shock' during the First world war - it's now known as "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" not cowardice.
Of the many civilian memorials, the 'Showmans Guild' memorial adds a bit of colour.
Well kept grounds, regular garden maintenance going on, clean and tidy, free entry but three pounds to park.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It has been a visit that both my husband and l wanted to do for some time so we made a point of visiting. From the moment we arrived, from the car park attendant to the ladies in the gift shop everyone was so welcoming. I don’t know what l was expecting to see but for me the most striking part was the main memorial. We have visited the war graves of these dear brave men in France and Belgium and its very fitting we should have a memorial in our country. We will be going back and would recommend anyone to visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We regularly go to the arboretum we have seen many changes as it grows
This visit I took my grand daughter with us and she found it interesting
We took the road train around and even we saw parts we have not seen before
We are in the restaurant and food was good value
We will continue our visits as we grow old and hope grand daughter will want to re visit
This visit I took my grand daughter with us and she found it interesting
We took the road train around and even we saw parts we have not seen before
We are in the restaurant and food was good value
We will continue our visits as we grow old and hope grand daughter will want to re visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited with our 3 month old baby, pushchair and 2 dogs. It is only £3 to park for the day which is good.
The dog walk must be popular as they had run out of maps at the box outside the entrance, so we were given a photocopy at reception although we only saw one other dog while we were there.
The start of the dog route is a little vauge as you have to go over grass and through a staff car park which isnt clear (or easy with a pushchair vs kerb stones) luckily my husband spotted a dog route sign across the staff car park.
There are tables outside the cafe so presumably you could sit there with dogs and eat/drink although having not been inside with the dogs we found it had all closed up at 17:03 when we got back.
A slow wander round the route stopping to feed the baby and reading about 70% of the plaques (1 nervous dog so we couldnt stop near men she wasn’t comfortable with) took us about 2.5hrs which was just about right between naps.
It is very peaceful and a nice way to spend an afternoon.
The dog walk must be popular as they had run out of maps at the box outside the entrance, so we were given a photocopy at reception although we only saw one other dog while we were there.
The start of the dog route is a little vauge as you have to go over grass and through a staff car park which isnt clear (or easy with a pushchair vs kerb stones) luckily my husband spotted a dog route sign across the staff car park.
There are tables outside the cafe so presumably you could sit there with dogs and eat/drink although having not been inside with the dogs we found it had all closed up at 17:03 when we got back.
A slow wander round the route stopping to feed the baby and reading about 70% of the plaques (1 nervous dog so we couldnt stop near men she wasn’t comfortable with) took us about 2.5hrs which was just about right between naps.
It is very peaceful and a nice way to spend an afternoon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were staying close by and spotted the sign to this attraction on the motorway. Looked up the details and decided it was well worth a visit. You only have to pay £3 to park all day and then entrance to the Arboretum is free although there are other exhibitions within the centre that charge admission. It is obviously a work in progress and you have to accept that it is an Arboretum not a Museum. Lots of interesting memorials but you wneed to allow the whole day to explore all of the site.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and were surprised by the size of the site and variety of memorials. We didn't take the land train but made our own way around the site. A better map, with a list of the memorials with their grid coordinates would have helped and would have resulted in a 5 * rating. Having said that the staff were very helpful and were able to guide us to the specific sites we wanted to see. The main memorial is very impressive and some of the smaller exhibits/statues/memorials were equally well executed.
Entrance is free. Parking is £3. The land train was additional as were a few exhibits but we focussed on the main site where there was so much to see. We spent about 5 hours here. There is a nice reasonably priced cafe.
It is a large site, predominantly outside.
Entrance is free. Parking is £3. The land train was additional as were a few exhibits but we focussed on the main site where there was so much to see. We spent about 5 hours here. There is a nice reasonably priced cafe.
It is a large site, predominantly outside.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you can visit please do so. Its such a beautiful place. So quiet and sombre. You don't realise the loss of war sometimes but this really does open your eyes to the those who lost their lives for our country. Be it the army, police and many others they are all rembered here. I did break down at one point looking at the young ages of those in the 1st and 2nd world wars. Fighting for their country but never having lived their lives.
Please make some time to visit the auditorium it's well worth it.
Please make some time to visit the auditorium it's well worth it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went with the presumption that this was a military memorial, perhaps because of their publicity which shows only military, but it's much more than that. We were there soon after it opened on a Thursday morning, and had much of the site to ourselves for the first hour or so.
So much to see, and much to think about.
So much to see, and much to think about.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a well laid out and well looked after tribute to our service men & women from past to present.
We had been told how nice it was here and came to look for ourselves.
The whole place is lovely. The staff are friendly & knowledgeable. We spent a good few hours walking round and still didn't see everything.
Well worth a visit or 2!
We had been told how nice it was here and came to look for ourselves.
The whole place is lovely. The staff are friendly & knowledgeable. We spent a good few hours walking round and still didn't see everything.
Well worth a visit or 2!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our first visit to the National Memorial Arboretum, and I found the place to be an incredible tribute to the members of the British Armed services and other support services. The area is beautiful, moving and inspirational all at once. I was particularly moved by the Armed Forces Memorial which rises up on a mound near the middle of the arboretum with the names of some 16,000 men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty since the end of WWII in 1945, including the name of Fusilier Lee Rigby murdered in the line of service near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich. Please visit and support the National Memorial Arboretum as your duty to those men and women who paid the ultimate price carrying out their duty for all of us.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is an excellent well kept Memorial Ground.We took the little train around as there was so much to see .We landed on the day the Countess of Wessex was at an opening ceremony and it was great that we chose that day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Been meaning to visit the NMA for a while now, wished we had been before, free entrance but donation boxes are around so you can put well deserved donations in. We took the land train around which was excellent was shown many of the memorials, good for people with difficulty in getting around. NMA provide wheelchairs not sure of charge though. Friendly and very knowledgeable staff most of which are volunteers. This place is so worth a visit, 100% nothing negative to say.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We often visit the Arboretum, many of my old Comrades and some of our Friends sadly have their names on the Walls and Stone here, it is emotional sometimes for us. This is a place that was long over due for Great Britain, not just for its Armed Forces but so many other organisations including Charities, Police, Ambulance, Fire and hundreds of great groups and individuals. A visit here should be made by everyone at sometime in their lives, you won't be disappointed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We called here on a coach holiday and were not sure what to expect. it is a very special and moving place, some of the tributes almost reduced me to tears, lots of varied memorials and places to enjoy quiet reflection. Just sorry we didn't get time to go on the land train and learn a bit more. I would really like to go back. Very friendly and helpful staff too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had wanted to visit the NMA for a long time but were just never in the area. A visit for a long weekend to derby provided the idea opportunity, and what a memorable day it proved to be.
Plenty of parking, a restaurant, coffee shop, land train and a well stocked shop was just the beginning of 5 hours at this remarkable place.
The arboretum is laid out so all the memorials can be viewed with ease, from the small personal tributes to the massive armed forces centrepiece, and hundreds of others dotted all over the grounds. Plenty of benches mean there are plenty of opportunities to sit and reflect, admire the memorials, or just relax. the river Tame runs through the grounds and we found it a delight to sit on its banks and watch the wildlife.
It was humbling to watch so many veterans pay private tribute to fallen comrades during our visit.
Plenty of parking, a restaurant, coffee shop, land train and a well stocked shop was just the beginning of 5 hours at this remarkable place.
The arboretum is laid out so all the memorials can be viewed with ease, from the small personal tributes to the massive armed forces centrepiece, and hundreds of others dotted all over the grounds. Plenty of benches mean there are plenty of opportunities to sit and reflect, admire the memorials, or just relax. the river Tame runs through the grounds and we found it a delight to sit on its banks and watch the wildlife.
It was humbling to watch so many veterans pay private tribute to fallen comrades during our visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The staff, mostly volunteers were very pleasant and helpful. We got there in time for the 11.00am memorial service and then took the land train round the vast site. Most of the beautiful memorials are to various branches of the armed forces though some are to organisations such as Inner Wheel.
The exhibition is most interesting and we had an excellent snack in the cafe.
The exhibition is most interesting and we had an excellent snack in the cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It's amazing. Suggest arriving at 9.30, get 10am train round to get a feel, back in time for 2 minutes silence in chapel at 11, then explore. The restaurant is excellent. You will need at least 3-4 hours just to see the minimum
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Free entry into this fabulous place. You pay for private exhibitions and train and buggy rides. 150 acres of memorials for all. Plenty of seats and picnic areas. So beautiful. Dogs are allowed but must be kept to paths, they are not allowed on grass or the memorials. Overall we were very very impressed. All of this done with donations and charitable work, just brilliant. We were a mixed family group 6 1/2 to 71 and we all loved it , take 2 days if you want to absorb it all. We will be back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The NMA was somewhere we had wanted to visit for a long time, and we've now finally made it and will return in the future. It is a truly remarkable and moving commemoration of so many people who have lost their lives both in war and in other service. There are too many highlights to mention all, but I would recommend initially following the Blue Route (maps available from reception). This takes in, for instance, the Armed Forces Memorial which includes two wonderful sculptures by Ian Rank-Broadley, the Basra Memorial Wall, the Polish Armed Forces Memorial and the 'thought provoking' Shot at Dawn Memorial. We spent time in the area commemorating Police Officers who had died 'in the line of duty'. Who knew so many had died trying to protect us? Another moving area is the SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity) memorial garden where many hundreds of stones have been left to commemorate the loss of tiny loved ones. Around the arboretum, it is well worth engaging with the volunteers, especially at the Armed Forces Memorial. They have great knowledge and passion.
On a more mundane topic, there is an excellent, reasonably priced, cafe serving full lunches as well as snacks (and a separate coffee shop). For quiet contemplation there is a chapel which hosts talks each day (including a Daily Act of Remembrance at 10.50am) and contains some wonderful carvings. And then there are the trees! Around 30,000 of them!
Only one small niggle: the car parking spaces are narrow and some are at angles which, on the day we visited, had clearly confused some drivers who had parked across two spaces. It took us several minutes to find a space large enough for our (modest!) car and far enough from the car next door to exit without performing too many contortions. Overall though, the NMA is wonderful addition to our natural and spiritual landscapes, and requires at least a full day.
On a more mundane topic, there is an excellent, reasonably priced, cafe serving full lunches as well as snacks (and a separate coffee shop). For quiet contemplation there is a chapel which hosts talks each day (including a Daily Act of Remembrance at 10.50am) and contains some wonderful carvings. And then there are the trees! Around 30,000 of them!
Only one small niggle: the car parking spaces are narrow and some are at angles which, on the day we visited, had clearly confused some drivers who had parked across two spaces. It took us several minutes to find a space large enough for our (modest!) car and far enough from the car next door to exit without performing too many contortions. Overall though, the NMA is wonderful addition to our natural and spiritual landscapes, and requires at least a full day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
After 3 attempts to visit. We finally got round visiting. Very humbling & thought provoking. Although the car park was busy, you aren't bumping into everyone.
It's not just military based, civilians are also remembered.
Well worth a visit.
Oh, lovely coffee shop too.
It's not just military based, civilians are also remembered.
Well worth a visit.
Oh, lovely coffee shop too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Popped in for some fresh air and lunch. At first I thought we might be being fleeced as a young man stopped us to request £3 payment for parking as we drove in. There are parking machines in the car park hence my suspicion. Greeted by an elderly gentleman at the entrance door, who is a credit to the place. He explained the talks on offer, the land train and gave us plenty of information. Donation made and onward to the restaurant. Lunch was lovely home cooked food (a salmon dish, a baked potato, macaroni cheese & a ham & tomato sandwich). Cakes and sandwiches also on offer and a wide variety of hot and cold drinks. Our family of four were fed & watered for £30.
We certainly got some fresh air. I imagine even on a warm day there's a little breeze here up by the main memorial. An enjoyable walk around reading the plaques etc and thinking of the lives lost, sadly some of them so very young, barely adults.
Such a shame there's a quarry not to far away breaking the peace with the sound of heavy machines and plant equipment.
Will return again for another walk and to remember those we can no longer see or talk with.
We certainly got some fresh air. I imagine even on a warm day there's a little breeze here up by the main memorial. An enjoyable walk around reading the plaques etc and thinking of the lives lost, sadly some of them so very young, barely adults.
Such a shame there's a quarry not to far away breaking the peace with the sound of heavy machines and plant equipment.
Will return again for another walk and to remember those we can no longer see or talk with.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited again as on our last visit we witnessed ongoing improvements. We weren't disappointed.
We spent yet another 2 hours plus walking around and still didn't see anything we saw on our last visit, The café facility is much better and the outside seating area has been much improved.
We decided we could make another visit and still see things we hadn't seen before.
We walked up along the river area towards the railway line ; this area seems very popular with dog walkers.
Improved visitor information and facilities added attractions that are pay add-0ns.
Still £3 for all day parking - with donation places available and welcomed.
Wouldn't hesitate to go back again - we have been lucky with the weather on both our visits.
We spent yet another 2 hours plus walking around and still didn't see anything we saw on our last visit, The café facility is much better and the outside seating area has been much improved.
We decided we could make another visit and still see things we hadn't seen before.
We walked up along the river area towards the railway line ; this area seems very popular with dog walkers.
Improved visitor information and facilities added attractions that are pay add-0ns.
Still £3 for all day parking - with donation places available and welcomed.
Wouldn't hesitate to go back again - we have been lucky with the weather on both our visits.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited here on the way back from another trip. A very thought provoking place. Despite being busy it was a very tranquil place. You can take a land train round or hire a buggy and there is also a dog walk route. We intend to return for a day to walk round all the memorials. Very friendly, helpful staff. Great restaurant/coffee.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the National Memorial Arboretum on a Saturday morning, it costs £3 for parking all day and is free to get in but a donation is welcomed. The memorials are fantastic and there are so many to see, having visited so many WW1 & WW2 memorials abroad it is fantastic that we have a place at home to remember the fallen right up until the recent Iraq & Afghanistan conflicts, this place is a must see for all.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well what I can say about this place - it is absolutely awesome!
The sculptures were so detailed and life-like, it was unbelievable, the memorials were so interesting to see and to read the facts that are on display.
We took a trip on the buggy, which took us to some of the memorials in different areas, the member of staff who was driving, was full of amazing facts - so interesting!
Everywhere was immaculately clean and well maintained.
Staff were very polite, helpful and friendly.
Cafe sells lots of various types of meals - cater for everyone's tastes.
Entrance is free, car parking for the day was £3, there was a charge for the buggy ride and the land train which was very reasonable.
There were mobile scooters at hand if anyone wanted to use one.
Need I carry on? Cannot fault the place.
Please be aware that the site is absolutely huge and a lot of walking is involved, plus you cannot manage to see everything in one day. So be prepared to take a trip back to see things that you hadn't got time to see.
I would recommend to go early in the morning.
Such a relaxing atmosphere which made you feel at ease.
The sculptures were so detailed and life-like, it was unbelievable, the memorials were so interesting to see and to read the facts that are on display.
We took a trip on the buggy, which took us to some of the memorials in different areas, the member of staff who was driving, was full of amazing facts - so interesting!
Everywhere was immaculately clean and well maintained.
Staff were very polite, helpful and friendly.
Cafe sells lots of various types of meals - cater for everyone's tastes.
Entrance is free, car parking for the day was £3, there was a charge for the buggy ride and the land train which was very reasonable.
There were mobile scooters at hand if anyone wanted to use one.
Need I carry on? Cannot fault the place.
Please be aware that the site is absolutely huge and a lot of walking is involved, plus you cannot manage to see everything in one day. So be prepared to take a trip back to see things that you hadn't got time to see.
I would recommend to go early in the morning.
Such a relaxing atmosphere which made you feel at ease.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
