National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
AS, I am an ex air dispatcher R,A,S,C 1960 n/s who lost some fellow mate's in a air crash in 1961, I found this place where you can come and pay your respect's and leave you with ease that they are not forgotten .And that I recomened that it is well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful place to visit.Laid out well and lots of interesting information boards and displays.Shed a fair few tears l must admit.Very friendly helpful staff.Good cafe and gift shop.Would visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We spent quite a few hours here at the National Arboretum. What a beautiful and peaceful place set aside in loving memory to those brave souls who have died in service for us.
Everything was immaculately clean and respectful. The staff were, without exception, very polite and clearly very proud of working there.
We spent about 4 hours at the Arboretum, which quite simply was not long enough. We will return again one day.
A must do is the little train that takes you around the highlights of the Arboretum with a full commentary. Do visit the 'shot at dawn' memorial.
Everything was immaculately clean and respectful. The staff were, without exception, very polite and clearly very proud of working there.
We spent about 4 hours at the Arboretum, which quite simply was not long enough. We will return again one day.
A must do is the little train that takes you around the highlights of the Arboretum with a full commentary. Do visit the 'shot at dawn' memorial.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I had wanted to visit this Memorial for quite some time and, being in the area for a weekend, we finally made it and so very, very pleased that we did. It is very well signposted so easy to find and, however long you stay, parking costs £3, all of which goes to the Charity. Similarly, entry to the Arboretum is free, though a donation is requested. Prior to arrival, I had no idea what to expect so was totally amazed at the absolutely wonderful and grand vista that met my eyes as I walked out of the Reception building and into the open air. Being a former very long service member of the Armed Forces, my anticipation and excitement at what lay before me was immense. The memorial to those fallen in battles, over the years, is quite simply stunning. The scope and variety of the very large number (300+) memorials are amazing and very beautiful. Really thought provoking are the memorials to the great number of organisations that supported and served both the Armed Forces and the civilian population. My wife and I were only able to spend 3 hours at the venue but only scratched the surface of what is there to see and experience so, without doubt, we shall go again but for a full day. It is a beautiful place and not in the least depressing but most uplifting of the spirits. The facilities are superb, the staff are extremely friendly/smiley and it was good to see many young people around. We were fortunate that it was a lovely day and we would recommend good quality shoes to ensure personal comfort for walking around the 150 acre site. Can't wait to go back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We drove up from London to spend Sunday here, very glad we did. The venue was easy to find and I think well signposted. You pay three pound to park the car, but that is for all day. Entry is free but a donation is asked for. To get an overall view of the venue we took the land train , which last for about fifty minutes, cost £6.00 each, you get the tickets at reception and it goes about every 30 minutes. You can use it if in a wheelchair as well. The commentary was very good and informative, gave us what we needed. Afterward we walked the circuit in reverse route the train went.
I thought the parachute regiment memorial was excellent, as was Shot at dawn. They had surprising memories well, to those from the performing arts, GCHQ, lifeboats. It made you think beyond the armed forces. Although thought provoking the venue is not sad or depressing. There were people from all ages there as well. What was nice to see was the young air cadets going around.
We spent 5 hours there. The restaurant was very good, reasonably priced as well. Good selection of gluten free food . Go!
Staff very helpful, friendly place for those in need of mobility assistance.
I thought the parachute regiment memorial was excellent, as was Shot at dawn. They had surprising memories well, to those from the performing arts, GCHQ, lifeboats. It made you think beyond the armed forces. Although thought provoking the venue is not sad or depressing. There were people from all ages there as well. What was nice to see was the young air cadets going around.
We spent 5 hours there. The restaurant was very good, reasonably priced as well. Good selection of gluten free food . Go!
Staff very helpful, friendly place for those in need of mobility assistance.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We took our 13 year old Granddaughter with us for a visit her first but not ours. As always we were impressed by new memorials & how well everything is looked after. Our Granddaughter was fascinated by it all she is very interested in history & particularly liked the WW1 trench.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spent a wonderful Sunday here a unique and moving place everyone should visit here but better to visit in good weather our weather was perfect and make sure you wear comfortable shoes
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Another visit as there is so much to see. Much food for thought whilst looking at the various individual memorials.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our second visit and it didn't disappoint. Fabulous setting. Amazing tributes to the fallen. Highly recommend it.
However, it's really hard to find the monuments of interest....almost impossible. Map cost £3 and was pretty useless. Map recommends looking up grid references online but the monuments online were just a list of names. Wasn't just us struggling.....2 people asked us where specific monuments were. This needs to be improved. When you are exploring with elderly or infirm there's a danger you will not find what you are looking for!!!
Finally....can I suggest selfie posts so you can take photos on your own or of your whole group in front of monuments/tributes?
However, it's really hard to find the monuments of interest....almost impossible. Map cost £3 and was pretty useless. Map recommends looking up grid references online but the monuments online were just a list of names. Wasn't just us struggling.....2 people asked us where specific monuments were. This needs to be improved. When you are exploring with elderly or infirm there's a danger you will not find what you are looking for!!!
Finally....can I suggest selfie posts so you can take photos on your own or of your whole group in front of monuments/tributes?
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the arboretum with an elderly family member & was delighted to find there is a road train - with an informative commentary - which was ecellent value. Then we were taken in a buggy up to the central memorial which had looked like too far to walk. It really was so easy. No one should worry about taking an older person to visit 0 the staff were very helpful & made us welcome.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I'm extremely proud and humbled by the people that have worked and do work here to give us a beautiful and peaceful place to remember our fallen. I was able to pay my respects to friends and at the same time walk my family through wars they knew and didn't know about. I did find it difficult at the Bastion wall as the last time I seen it was at Bastion but you've done a superb job in placing it in a place that is prominent but again peaceful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It's a vast site and you definitely need a few days to see it all. We only managed to see a small area because we only had two hours but what we saw was humbling, I think all children above 13 years of age should visit and be told about the sacrifices that were made so that they can live the lives they do.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a very moving but interesting place to visit, with ever-increasing exhibits. The site is set in pleasant countryside, with memorials spaced out well among trees and bushes, surrounded by grassy spaces. To see everything requires more than one visi as a lot of walking is involved. Transport around the site can be arranged. There is a well-stocked shop and a cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had wanted to visit for some while, we choose to make the long journey when August was at its wettest. But somehow this added to the atmosphere of this place. So many emotional sights. It's hard to explain the feelings, a visit is essential. The volunteers are fantastic, ready to guide and explain whenever needed. The service at eleven was beautiful and very well attended as I'm sure it always is. The restaurant is clean and bright and the food very good. Again such lovely volunteers. One day we will return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited for the first time as part of a longer journey. This is a magnificent and poignant place. Tranquil location, wonderful and thought provoking memorials. You can walk around or take the land train (for £6 each -adults). Admission is free. A place that everyone should visit. "Lest we forget"
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have been several times since it first opened and it gets more impressive each time . It is beautifully kept and there is so much to see that we still haven't seen it all ! A very interesting and moving place if you have any interest in history at all . It has very easy access which is essential for us as my husband has a mobility scooter . The wall with all the names of those that died in conflict is something everyone should see - the empty wall waiting for more names is very poignant .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is our fourth visit and as its a 133 miles from home, it says something. I agree with all comments made on here but I wanted to recommend the golf cart tour we have now done on two occasions. We hired the cart for four of us, complete with the lovely and very informative Jo. who with her VAST knowledge, guided us effortlessly around the site. We stopped for a two course lunch, which was delicious, all for the inclusive fee of £125 and then Jo continued her guided tour. You can walk
around the site or hire the use of a wheelchair or scooter, which we have done on two previous visits but we only managed a small part of this ever expanding site. Jo's knowledge of the memorials, the flora and fauna is immense , as are ALL the guides. We covered much more ground and learnt so much more. We can not recommend this service or the NMA enough. A real treat for all ages. We will be back.
around the site or hire the use of a wheelchair or scooter, which we have done on two previous visits but we only managed a small part of this ever expanding site. Jo's knowledge of the memorials, the flora and fauna is immense , as are ALL the guides. We covered much more ground and learnt so much more. We can not recommend this service or the NMA enough. A real treat for all ages. We will be back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful place, calming and emotive. The volunteers do a splendid job and present the place in an excellent light. A place all British people should visit and support.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited for the second time. Much more added since our previous visit. There was a reunion on with a marquee set up for lunch. The whole place is very moving and we spent several hours visiting as many areas we could. We visited the shop which, as these places are, rather expensive. We did buy a map of the layout which could have been less baffling! We did purchase a book too.
It would be helpful on the walls if the conflict in which the armed forces lost their lives was displayed as well as the year and which service the people served. This would be helpful for school children visiting. Obviously too late for this information to be added.
It would be helpful on the walls if the conflict in which the armed forces lost their lives was displayed as well as the year and which service the people served. This would be helpful for school children visiting. Obviously too late for this information to be added.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited today. Entrance is free but you pay for the exhibitions and land train. As one of our party is unable to walk far we needed to get the land train which cost £27 for our group. It would be better if it ran on a loop and you could get on and off at various points around the venue as you couldn't see close up and it was too far for them to walk and see the memorials close up. There are motorised scooters available but this wasn't an option sadly.
It is immaculate and well kept and interesting to see.
The cafe was a little on the expensive side and hard to work out what to get and where! It advertised some items but then they weren't available that day but the food was hot and tasty.
We spent over £70 on lunch and the land train so be prepared. We didn't visit the exhibition but in the FEPOW section we could look up a relative but sadly the projector wasn't working to project their name onto the wall. It was an interesting section of the park though.
Worth a visit but be prepared for the vast area covered and the walking required.
It is immaculate and well kept and interesting to see.
The cafe was a little on the expensive side and hard to work out what to get and where! It advertised some items but then they weren't available that day but the food was hot and tasty.
We spent over £70 on lunch and the land train so be prepared. We didn't visit the exhibition but in the FEPOW section we could look up a relative but sadly the projector wasn't working to project their name onto the wall. It was an interesting section of the park though.
Worth a visit but be prepared for the vast area covered and the walking required.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This place brings home the people that have lost their lives serving the Country. You can have time to reflect. It a peaceful and beautiful area that is changing each time you visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
So we planned to go to the national memorial arboretum on our way back from a few days away. We checked the website, it was open so off we set. When we were arrived, there was a major event on, not mentioned on the website and parts of the arboretum was closed. There were also problems with parking and the card machines at the entrance. Finally though we navagated through these problems and had a really lovely day. Spent hours walking around the grounds, a sombering yet peaceful and relaxing place. Worth taking the twin to orientate yourself to the garden lay out. The cafe was really high quality and cheap so well done !
It's free to enter, but we felt moved to leave a proper donation!
It's free to enter, but we felt moved to leave a proper donation!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The most concise, accurate and memorable day for a long time! The most educational day that we have ever been a part of.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was my 14th visit to the NMA and what an improvement this year with the new extention to the reception area. Could do with a larger Chapel now as many of our Memorial Svc could not sit inside. If you have never visited the NMA then please take a day out and go and see the Memorial to our Military hero's.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I cannot praise the Arboretum enough. In my opinion, it should be top of everyones must visit list. Beautifully set out , many interesting and beautifully constructed memorials. Staff/ Volunteers took me back in time, they were all friendly , knowledgeable and enthusiastic, what a treat. Take the buggy tour and/or the land train as some of the memorials are quite a distance and you don't want to miss anything.
A fantastic place to visit
A fantastic place to visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
