National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
I've been visiting the arboretum for several years now as I live 10 minutes down the road in Fradley. Having undergone a recent renovation, the arboretum is looking even better than it did before! The reception desk, museum area, food hall and gift shop are first up upon entry. The staff are always so lovely and helpful. What I really like is that my young son thoroughly enjoys the space of the outdoor areas of the arboretum, and spends many a happy hour running from monument to monument spotting different animals in the sculptures and all of the other interesting articles around. The food area is well stocked with plenty of choice (pick and mix lunch boxes are available for little ones too). A baby and toddler sensory group (Little Saplings) has started the first Friday of each month which is lovely and only £1.50 per child. The centre piece of the arboretum is beautiful, thought provoking and a must see. Naturally there is lots of interesting information around on wars, soldiers, animals in war, many different aspects demonstrating the courage and bravery of so many who have fought for our country and who continue to do so too. A really lovely venue and perfect for a family day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a great place to visit, peaceful and thought-provoking yet involving and easy going. I would recommend a visit to everyone, even if you have no direct connection to anyone in the armed forces or public service.
All the staff and volunteers were all very helpful and pleasent, including the grounds keepers who were going about there business in a very professional manner. That is except for the road-train driver, who was a bit abrupt and a jobsworth! He didn't appear to have any humour and with his scripted quips delivered in such a deadpan and unemotional manner just left us colder than the weather!
The site is BIG - so expect to do a lot of walking!
The road-train is a good way to get an overview and the edited highlights of the whole place but the on-board audio guide was getting tired, being a bit scratchy, quiet and missing in places. Also the noise of the train and smell of diesel was a quite intrusive. That being said these are minor niggles and wouldn't normally spoil the day. However, I have one suggestion which could significantly improve the experience, which is to make the road-train a constant service, where you buy a ticket for the day and are able to get on and off as many times of you like, so that you can explore the whole site without the the long walks?
Notwithstanding the above, I will visit again, hopefully in better weather, and get to see the memorials I missed this time.
All the staff and volunteers were all very helpful and pleasent, including the grounds keepers who were going about there business in a very professional manner. That is except for the road-train driver, who was a bit abrupt and a jobsworth! He didn't appear to have any humour and with his scripted quips delivered in such a deadpan and unemotional manner just left us colder than the weather!
The site is BIG - so expect to do a lot of walking!
The road-train is a good way to get an overview and the edited highlights of the whole place but the on-board audio guide was getting tired, being a bit scratchy, quiet and missing in places. Also the noise of the train and smell of diesel was a quite intrusive. That being said these are minor niggles and wouldn't normally spoil the day. However, I have one suggestion which could significantly improve the experience, which is to make the road-train a constant service, where you buy a ticket for the day and are able to get on and off as many times of you like, so that you can explore the whole site without the the long walks?
Notwithstanding the above, I will visit again, hopefully in better weather, and get to see the memorials I missed this time.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A truly thought provoking and emotional experience. Would definitely recommend and will be back again in the future.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband and I visited after many years of wanting to go. We chose a Beautiful day. We spent about 4 hours walking round the whole of the arboretum. The ages and walking abilities are varied but all taken care of. For a small fee you can use the land train to take you around with a commentary to guide you. There's plenty of seats to rest upon and have a picnic if you did not want to use the cafeteria. It is a beautiful place that we shall visit again. Everyone should visit out of respect and pride that our country can honour the people whole gave everything so we can benefit today.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A thought provoking and peaceful place to visit. The arboretum has grown considerably in two years since our first visit and on a sunny spring day is a great place to visit and pay respect to the many armed forces and organisations that are remembered here.
The shot at dawn memorial is one of the saddest things I've ever seen and shows just how sick and stupid mankind can be.
The shot at dawn memorial is one of the saddest things I've ever seen and shows just how sick and stupid mankind can be.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited with my partner and we began the day with a trip on the land train. The commentary pointed out a lot of the memorials and explained the significance of the shapes, colours and plants used. We later did the guided walk where we learnt even more about these memorials. All of the staff were friendly and helpful and they had the biggest range of gluten free sandwiches and cakes I have ever seen.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I spent a sunny afternoon with my two sons walking round the beautifully laid out and maintained gardens. This is such a fitting and proper memorial. Also very nice facilities. It is very much worth taking the time to visit and reflect.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I visited the National Memorial Arboretum with some friends who live in Stafford. It was not our first time but since our previous visit a few years ago there have been some substantial improvements, notably a large new visitors’ centre.
The 150-acre site is planted with over 30,000 trees amongst which are over 300 thought-provoking memorials, each with its own story. The memorials represent a broad range of military associations, charitable organisations, emergency services, fraternity groups and individuals.
Entry is free, which is pretty amazing when you consider the quality of the memorials and grounds. We decided to take the land train. This takes a 50-minute journey around the site and provides passengers with an informative running commentary on most of the main memorials. Well worth the £5 ticket.
A thought-provoking location and a “must see” if you are in the area.
The 150-acre site is planted with over 30,000 trees amongst which are over 300 thought-provoking memorials, each with its own story. The memorials represent a broad range of military associations, charitable organisations, emergency services, fraternity groups and individuals.
Entry is free, which is pretty amazing when you consider the quality of the memorials and grounds. We decided to take the land train. This takes a 50-minute journey around the site and provides passengers with an informative running commentary on most of the main memorials. Well worth the £5 ticket.
A thought-provoking location and a “must see” if you are in the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very pretty place. We took the train, which meant less walking and gave a nice explanation of the various memorials. Very worth a donation to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our 11th visit and always an inspirational place.
The 'volunteer' staff are very good, the Memorials, facilities and layout are all very good.
Will be back again and again.
The 'volunteer' staff are very good, the Memorials, facilities and layout are all very good.
Will be back again and again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited on a dry sunny day. We paid £3 for parking and entry was free. Inside the main entrance you can purchase guided tours, exhibition tickets etc, there are also toilets, a shop and a cafe. Outside there is a coffee shop and chapel. There are steps and ramps down to the main memorial and steps leading straight up to it or a sweeping path.
The memorial is a lovely tribute to all fallen heroes, its very clean and tidy.
Around the grounds are numerous other memorials and trees everywhere.
We had a lovely few hours walking around the beautiful grounds and will return in the summer when it's a little warmer.
Well worth a visit.
The memorial is a lovely tribute to all fallen heroes, its very clean and tidy.
Around the grounds are numerous other memorials and trees everywhere.
We had a lovely few hours walking around the beautiful grounds and will return in the summer when it's a little warmer.
Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An opportunity to pay your respects to those servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The site is beautifully landscaped with the trees progressively maturing.
It is a place which must be visited.
It is a place which must be visited.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Arboretum is a fantastic site honouring all disciplined services who have over the wars and in civil times have given their lives in the pursuit of the UK's freedom from tyranny. The grounds are very well kept, my interest being my fallen colleagues in the Police Service
All the staff and volunteers are very friendly and helpful - There is a memorabilia shop and excellent catering facilities for simple food, all of which is reasonably priced
All the staff and volunteers are very friendly and helpful - There is a memorabilia shop and excellent catering facilities for simple food, all of which is reasonably priced
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An excellent morning was spent walking around the beautiful grounds of the arboretum, viewing the many memorials, sculpture and touching dedications. This is a large site and it needs good weather really to be enjoyed to the full. The land train is helpful to travel around the site. Entry is free but the exhibition attracts and entry charge. The onsight restuarant is an attractive and welcome feature
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited on recommendation from a friend and I have to say it was a very good and humbling day out. If you are not up to walking all round they do have a land train with commentary as well as guided buggy tours. You will need to go on a dry day as there is no shelter apart from gift shop, restaurant and tea room. It is very well laid out and the paths are very accessible. We were here for 4 hours and did not get to see everything. You can park all day for £3.00 and it is free to get in although you do pay for tours and train. Plenty of benches where you can sit and rest.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went to see the memorial as it is on our door step and have been meaning to go for some time, we went to have a look around all of the memorials. We saw the big memorial to all those who have fallen and we found it quite moving that there are memorials for individual regiments for those who have fallen.
It was quite busy when we were there.
It is worth a visit.
It was quite busy when we were there.
It is worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely day out. Would highly recommend. 4 yr old and 6 yr old also enjoyed it as activities for children too. All the staff we spoke to were very friendly.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our first visit to this place, easy to find using sat nat and plently of sign posts near the attraction. Plently of parking £3 for the day and Free entry to Arboretum. Plently of information on hand when you arrive. Don't bother with the Map at £3 it was a waste of money. Train and buggy tours available if you don't want to walk the vast area. We were looking for particular memorials which we found on site. Would have liked more information about dedication own memorial ie tree or plaque. The memorials are amazing and a must for all age groups.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An interesting and humbling day out. Very modern, clean facilities, good restaurant and very friendly, helpful staff. I would recommend taking the Land Train and at £5 gives you value for money in seeing a lot of the site - after which you may wish to revisit some of the memorials at your own leisure.
£3 gives you all day parking with no entrance fee, but a donation will help keep this site open.
£3 gives you all day parking with no entrance fee, but a donation will help keep this site open.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We really enjoyed our visit to the NMA and walked around in order to see as much as possible. It was very well cared for and thoughtfully laid out, the memorials were very moving.
Our only worry is that we were told it's set to double in size in the future - might this make it slightly less meaningful?
Our only worry is that we were told it's set to double in size in the future - might this make it slightly less meaningful?
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our second visit; several years and there are more memorials. We took the land train which enabled us to see many of the original and new memorials and learn a bit more from the excellent commentary as we travelled slowly around. We later spent time in the chapel and chatting in the main entrance and plan to visit again, hopefully this hear, taing the opportunity to book a buggy and guide for the whole day so that we can see the entire site in comfort - the current fee for up to 5 people is £125 which is magnificent. The National Memorial Arborerum is a truly "MUST-see"
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had no idea how massive this site was and had only allowed ourselves an afternoon for a visit. I certainly would recommend a little longer if you want to explore all of the different memorials here. We certainly didnt have time to do so while we were here.
One of the things i loved about the Arboretum was the range of different memorials for all aspects of the armed services as well as some others.
It certainly makes you think and reflect on the sacrifices given so we can live as we live today.
One of the things i loved about the Arboretum was the range of different memorials for all aspects of the armed services as well as some others.
It certainly makes you think and reflect on the sacrifices given so we can live as we live today.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Enjoyed a lovely walk around the grounds
Very humbling place. Well kept grounds, some monuments could do with a clean some are green with moss etc
Volunteers were extremely helpful and polite
Parking £3 all day and free entry although a voluntary contribution is asked for of £5 per person
Didn't eat in the restaurant but ordered hot drinks which we thought we pretty expensive for £5 two drinks out of a hot drinks machine not freshly made. Restaurant looked lovely and clean food did look nice with what other people were consuming
Over all a very enjoyable trip out
Very humbling place. Well kept grounds, some monuments could do with a clean some are green with moss etc
Volunteers were extremely helpful and polite
Parking £3 all day and free entry although a voluntary contribution is asked for of £5 per person
Didn't eat in the restaurant but ordered hot drinks which we thought we pretty expensive for £5 two drinks out of a hot drinks machine not freshly made. Restaurant looked lovely and clean food did look nice with what other people were consuming
Over all a very enjoyable trip out
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Whether Military, ex Military or just curious, this is one place you should visit. The new car park is spacious and is a fixed price for the day. The main building has been vastly improved and immediately staff are on hand to advise or direct you as necessary. There is a gift shop and good toilet facilities. The restaurant has a selection of hot and cold food an a selection of beverages at a reasonable price. The 'piazza' has been remodelled and incorporates inlaid stone cap badges and a water feature. The central wall is of course the main feature and is still being redesigned. All areas are disability friendly with a land train available to access the further reaches. Individual memorials are laid out and you may need to enquire at the main building before setting off to find your particular Corps or Arm. It is hard not to think of this as a cemetery even though no-one is buried here. The peace and serenity of the area allows you to reflect and pay respects to those that gave service to this great Country in whatever capacity their job entailed. Vast areas of trees representing individuals surround sculptures and icons. The directing team are always trying ideas from Ride to the Wall, photo studies etc to ensure that future generations will always remember those that have helped shape and defend this Country. The volunteer staff are courteous and friendly and always prepared to assist. I will say again, one not to be missed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really pleased we called here following an overnight stay at Swinfen Hall. Didn't realise it covered such a vast area. Really well laid out, and a must to visit. Absolutely loved the tall round trees, awesome. £3 for all day parking makes it very good value too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
