National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
I came to the Arboretum whilst they were building their huge new cafe and exhibition centre. Now that it has opened, we came back to see what it is now like, and it is so much better.
We visited following the Manchester bombing, and so armed police were present, which was a sad sign of the times, but did make us feel more secure. The memorials are all so well looked after and maintained, and you really can lose yourself in them.
The Arboretum is bizarre - the car park is almost always full, and the visitor centre has lots of people milling about, but as soon as you head outside to visit the memorials, you can feel like the only person there. It is so tranquil and peaceful, a great place either to reflect or to visit with friends and family for a social get-together or picnic on the grass.
I can't recommend coming here enough, whatever your background is and wherever you're from. There is no religious influences at the memorial, it truly is open for all.
We visited following the Manchester bombing, and so armed police were present, which was a sad sign of the times, but did make us feel more secure. The memorials are all so well looked after and maintained, and you really can lose yourself in them.
The Arboretum is bizarre - the car park is almost always full, and the visitor centre has lots of people milling about, but as soon as you head outside to visit the memorials, you can feel like the only person there. It is so tranquil and peaceful, a great place either to reflect or to visit with friends and family for a social get-together or picnic on the grass.
I can't recommend coming here enough, whatever your background is and wherever you're from. There is no religious influences at the memorial, it truly is open for all.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My girlfriend and I stumbled upon this beautiful arboretum. Such a lovely memorial for the fallen soldiers. We had a nice coffee and cake here and walked around and it was beautiful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Memorial Arboretum is the national site for remembrance and is dedicated to the people who have served this country in the many wars and conflicts over the last century or so.
The main focus of the memorials and tributes is for the military, but there are also areas of tribute to the police, fire and ambulance services that have also played a major part whenever conflict arises.
Set in over 100 acres of grounds, the memorials and gardens are set out in areas that are easily accessed by footpaths and roads, with the additional option of a buggy-hire service (with driver/tour guide) for small groups and also a road train that can take many more passengers around the site.
Also on site is a well-managed, large restaurant and also coffee shops for a quick break. there is also a shop with many gifts and souvenirs for those who wish to purchase them.
Our main aim was to find the memorial to my late uncle who was killed aboard HMS Barham in November 1941, which we did, and were able to purchase a poppy from the on-site Royal British Legion area and place it at the memorial.
An easy to use, interactive screen in the main building allows visitors to search the many memorials that are dotted around the grounds and this also lists the locations of where they are to be found.
We spent the day walking around the site and viewing not only the various memorials, gardens and displays, but also the surrounding landscape (the Rivers Tame and Trent run nearby) and the abundance of wildlife that is also noted on informative boards placed around the pathways at convenient point (making them an ideal educational tool for young children).
Whilst being a very attractive place to visit, it also makes one realise the sacrifices that have been made over the years for our country by so many people of all nationalities and the fact that we must never, ever forget them.
The main focus of the memorials and tributes is for the military, but there are also areas of tribute to the police, fire and ambulance services that have also played a major part whenever conflict arises.
Set in over 100 acres of grounds, the memorials and gardens are set out in areas that are easily accessed by footpaths and roads, with the additional option of a buggy-hire service (with driver/tour guide) for small groups and also a road train that can take many more passengers around the site.
Also on site is a well-managed, large restaurant and also coffee shops for a quick break. there is also a shop with many gifts and souvenirs for those who wish to purchase them.
Our main aim was to find the memorial to my late uncle who was killed aboard HMS Barham in November 1941, which we did, and were able to purchase a poppy from the on-site Royal British Legion area and place it at the memorial.
An easy to use, interactive screen in the main building allows visitors to search the many memorials that are dotted around the grounds and this also lists the locations of where they are to be found.
We spent the day walking around the site and viewing not only the various memorials, gardens and displays, but also the surrounding landscape (the Rivers Tame and Trent run nearby) and the abundance of wildlife that is also noted on informative boards placed around the pathways at convenient point (making them an ideal educational tool for young children).
Whilst being a very attractive place to visit, it also makes one realise the sacrifices that have been made over the years for our country by so many people of all nationalities and the fact that we must never, ever forget them.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Been wanting to visit for a while. So glad we went. Lovely peaceful grounds , thought provoking memorials. friendly staff who answered all our questions. Flat and easy to walk around, road train for anyone who has difficulty walking any distance.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very interesting and inspiring place, with stunning memorials, beautiful trees and gardens and thought provoking pieces.
Must visit this free entry site.
Must visit this free entry site.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Memorial Arboretum is a collection of over 300 (predominantly military) sculptures and memorials to military groupings ranging from a single ship's crew to the Armed Forces Memorial, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Memorials. Some memorials have been moved here from other locations as barracks and former HQs have been sold off. The memorials are not all military and there are sculptures and gardens dedicated to cot deaths, scouting etc.
All these are laid our in over 100 acres of park and 10 year old woodland forming part of the National Forest. Most things are outside so best to pick good weather. Sensible shoes also required.
For a first visit the land train tour would be a good investment to get to grips with the site layout - particularly since the map does not relate to the ground as well as it might and the all singing all dancing IT guide does not have grid references (despite the paper map having labelled grid squares and space to write the references of individual memorials down (not helpful when planning a route to take in several sites).
All these are laid our in over 100 acres of park and 10 year old woodland forming part of the National Forest. Most things are outside so best to pick good weather. Sensible shoes also required.
For a first visit the land train tour would be a good investment to get to grips with the site layout - particularly since the map does not relate to the ground as well as it might and the all singing all dancing IT guide does not have grid references (despite the paper map having labelled grid squares and space to write the references of individual memorials down (not helpful when planning a route to take in several sites).
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Absolutely amazing place, spent all day here, too much to take in, easily accessible for wheelchair, pushchair, visually impaired , land train available for those who are unable to walk but would like to see the whole arboretum. Lovely coffee shop and restaurant at reasonable prices, I can recommend the scones 😀
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Although we had visited the arboretum many times, we decided to treat my 93yr old father in law to one of the golf buggy tours & were joined by a friend who had never visited before. We all enjoyed the tour, especially going to places we had never walked to, & the guide was very knowledgeable. Had a lovely lunch in the new café, staff & volunteers were all helpful & our friend will definitely be going back for a second visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I was stunned at the atmosphere in this beautiful place. Extremely moving and a must do for anyone. Land train commentary very interesting, food good value and price. Two minute silence in chapel every day. All volunteers and staff very helpful. Lovely day out and will return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you are office bound and need to escape to peace and tranquillity I can highly recommend a visit. The volunteers were very helpful and obviously enjoyed their work here. The slow land train is a must and helps plan your walk around afterwards. A perfect place to visit when you are doing a "staycation".
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An outstanding experience, very moving and emotional . Learned lots and loved the land train tour. Good food and good value in the restaurant- will definitely be back!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An incredibly moving experience. The arboretum is extremely well planned out. There are memorial from just about all military and civilian organisations that have been involved with action overseas and at home. The centre piece is the memorial mount which lists all service personnel who have given lost their lives since WW II. It's a beautiful place, with access to all. They have a land train that tours the arboretum. Mobility scooters and wheel chairs are available to book in advance (for a small fee). There is a coffee shop and a restaurant. A chapel for those wishing to observe religious practice. Plenty of parking and easy to get to, well sign posted from all directions. As veteran, I found it quite an emotional experience. Allow a full day if you wish to see it all and at least 3 hours just to see a lot of it. There areas for children too and activities for them, as I would imaging otherwise that it would be a bit boring for youngsters.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have visited here twice this wk while we have been away as so much to see here.
Very enjoyable yet moving place to visit.
Kids loved pond dipping and being archaeologists looking for items in a large sand pit, parks were lovely, plenty for the children to see and do here.
Do take the guided tour and the train ride tour as we e saw so many more memorials that we had not come across when walking around along with so much information and history.
The tour guide was lovely and made it enjoyable for our children to (ages 8 and 15)
Considering the guided tour lasted 40 minutes our youngest daughter enjoyed and learnt so much along with our eldest.
Cafes, tours, train rides all so very reasonably priced..
Enjoyed it so much that we are making plans to return later in the year.
Very enjoyable yet moving place to visit.
Kids loved pond dipping and being archaeologists looking for items in a large sand pit, parks were lovely, plenty for the children to see and do here.
Do take the guided tour and the train ride tour as we e saw so many more memorials that we had not come across when walking around along with so much information and history.
The tour guide was lovely and made it enjoyable for our children to (ages 8 and 15)
Considering the guided tour lasted 40 minutes our youngest daughter enjoyed and learnt so much along with our eldest.
Cafes, tours, train rides all so very reasonably priced..
Enjoyed it so much that we are making plans to return later in the year.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited two years ago, and had noticed that so much more has been added to this lovely setting. This time we have had an overnight stay in Lichfield as it is impossible to cover all of the area in one visit.
We took the advantage of a buggy ride with a volunteer who was very knowledgable of all of the memorials. Our trip the next day was to cover a few more of the areas.
Very poignant memorials and grounds so well tended by volunteers.
Any time of year would create a lovely setting with the changing colours of about 25,000 trees, representing different nations and services. A 'must' to visit.
Excellent facilities and extremely helpful volunteer staff.
We took the advantage of a buggy ride with a volunteer who was very knowledgable of all of the memorials. Our trip the next day was to cover a few more of the areas.
Very poignant memorials and grounds so well tended by volunteers.
Any time of year would create a lovely setting with the changing colours of about 25,000 trees, representing different nations and services. A 'must' to visit.
Excellent facilities and extremely helpful volunteer staff.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A must see place to visit in the UK for everyone of all ages. A well planned-out & beautifully planted arboretum encompassing the stunning memorials of which there are thousands to see, all shapes & sizes. Not just for the Armed Services, but with memorials of ordinary & extraordinary men & women. A peaceful & thought provoking place. A great visitor centre too with interactive sections, a Gift shop, Café & Coffee shop & plenty of clean loos too! There is a 'train' which you can take which goes all around the arboretum for the less mobile (no chance to hop on & off though) but we just walked & walked & walked for 5 hours, so best to plan for a full day of a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We did not set out to visit the Arboretum, we had gone to the midlands to visit another event, and discovered that it was close to the Arboretum so decided to pay a visit. I am slightly biased as I am an Army veteran and had heard of this memorial, but it's not just a memorial to the services, to to lots of organisations, a visit is highly recommended and should be on the national curriculum for every school child to visit.
It's worth paying for a tour as there is lots to see and many stories about the memorials that you won't get to know about if you go it alone
It's worth paying for a tour as there is lots to see and many stories about the memorials that you won't get to know about if you go it alone
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful, peaceful place. We took our three little children (aged 6, 4 and 6 months) and were a little concerned that it may be not suitable for them but they found it really interesting and particularly enjoyed the land train. We will definitely return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A place I've wanted to visit for some time. Truly an amazing, humbling place to visit not just for an ex squaddie but for anyone to see. To read some of the plaques, not all military, does bring a lump to the throat.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited one week day morning,plenty of carparking and stewards,entrance is free with acres of land to explore and monuments etc to reflect on,plenty of seating with fast serve cafes,a very thought provoking experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful day weatherwise and we couldn't have chosen a better place to visit. It is amazing! Beautifully kept, the staff we encountered were polite, friendly, knowledgable and helpful. Too large to do it justice on one visit, we enjoyed that non-military were recognised. We used the land train which at £5 a head is excellent value. The cafe and coffee shop offer a good range of food and it is not expensive. Armed Police were there following bombing in Manchester. They were friendly and happy to chat too! No charge for admission, car park £3, if you took your own food/drink it would be a very inexpensive day out. You leave feeling very humble and grateful to those who sacrified their lives so we have freedom. Whoever thought of this should feel extremely proud of themselves. We will return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is doubtless a lovely place. However, they are rather paranoid about dogs. We are constantly asked if we know about the 'dog walk' etc. Yet we do know that children climb on the monuments because a volunteer told us. Dogs were also sacrificed in war and for a lot of people they are a wonderful companion. I admit my husband walked off this time when a volunteer quizzed him about the dog. Then a volunteer was very rude to me about booking a ticket for a talk. Sadly I have complained about him.
Will we go again? we have been several times but are becoming more hesitant because of the attitude of some of the volunteers. One or two are just no good at dealing with the general public.
Will we go again? we have been several times but are becoming more hesitant because of the attitude of some of the volunteers. One or two are just no good at dealing with the general public.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Tour guides knowledgeable and grounds amazing. The arboretum is thought provoking and beautiful. A train takes you around the vast grounds and also adds interest for younger visitors. Also lovely to simply walk around with the dog and quietly remember those that served our queen and country.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Blessed with a sunny day this was a super place to visit.Whoever thought this out deserves unreserved praise it is a wonderful place.I only scraped the surface but will return to spend more time in some of the smaller areas. For an overview the little train is a great i
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Arboretum is getting better and better. The maturity of the trees and floral gardens give a sense of quality and care to the memories of the fallen.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went today with a partially disabled friend the staff are excellent and very helpful enabling us to visit the memorials. Food very good and moderately priced. We will go back soon as site is so large needs lots of visits to see and appreciate them. Thank you for helping us give a friend a visit which he loved
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
