National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Very inspiring place to visit
Peaceful and tranquil and very thought provoking
The monument is lovely and incredibly clever how the sun rises between the walls throwing a shaft of sunlight across it
The gardens are wonderful and you could easily spend half a day here
Exhibitions and educational elements also make it interesting for young and old alike
Large cafe with good choice of food and drink
Good gift shop with wide selection of quality products
Wheelchair friendly
Peaceful and tranquil and very thought provoking
The monument is lovely and incredibly clever how the sun rises between the walls throwing a shaft of sunlight across it
The gardens are wonderful and you could easily spend half a day here
Exhibitions and educational elements also make it interesting for young and old alike
Large cafe with good choice of food and drink
Good gift shop with wide selection of quality products
Wheelchair friendly
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Considering how close this is, I've never taken the time to visit before today , and how much I've missed out,
Very easy to get to just off the a38,
Parking is £3 all day but free entrance .
Fantastic reception building with great facilities , lovely tea room and cafe, but nothing quite prepares you for the site itself .
Truly awe inspiring and very humbling.
It is a magnificent tribute to so many who have paid the ultimate sacrifice .
From the armed services , to the emergency services from around the world .
The monuments are fantastic and as you read the names and some of the stories , you can feel the welling up of emotion the place brings .
Fantastic day out, you will need to visit again as over 300 monuments set in 150 acres .
Land trains and buggies for those less able to walk round the site.
Very easy to get to just off the a38,
Parking is £3 all day but free entrance .
Fantastic reception building with great facilities , lovely tea room and cafe, but nothing quite prepares you for the site itself .
Truly awe inspiring and very humbling.
It is a magnificent tribute to so many who have paid the ultimate sacrifice .
From the armed services , to the emergency services from around the world .
The monuments are fantastic and as you read the names and some of the stories , you can feel the welling up of emotion the place brings .
Fantastic day out, you will need to visit again as over 300 monuments set in 150 acres .
Land trains and buggies for those less able to walk round the site.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Having been welcomed at the visitor centre the first thing to note about the NMA is the wonderful volunteers. I visited with a coach party over two days and the numerous volunteers we came in to contact with were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
Then there is the visitor centre itself which is great with a cafe / restaurant and a shop where you don't feel you are being conned or ripped off.
Outside first impressions don't begin to show the vastness of the site or give any real idea of the array of memorials to be found.
Your eyes are immediately drawn to the Armed Forces Memorial atop it's 'hill' rightly as a centerpiece but there is so much more.
The thought and care that has gone in to the various memorials is simply stunning. So many have incredible detail and information from conception to construction that we ran out of superlatives as we toured the site.
So many memorials moved us.
Respect, honour and love are on open display as they should be.
A day is not long enough to take everything in, there is a lot of ground to cover away from the land train route and please, please talk to the volunteers who have a wealth of information that you might otherwise miss.
Then there is the visitor centre itself which is great with a cafe / restaurant and a shop where you don't feel you are being conned or ripped off.
Outside first impressions don't begin to show the vastness of the site or give any real idea of the array of memorials to be found.
Your eyes are immediately drawn to the Armed Forces Memorial atop it's 'hill' rightly as a centerpiece but there is so much more.
The thought and care that has gone in to the various memorials is simply stunning. So many have incredible detail and information from conception to construction that we ran out of superlatives as we toured the site.
So many memorials moved us.
Respect, honour and love are on open display as they should be.
A day is not long enough to take everything in, there is a lot of ground to cover away from the land train route and please, please talk to the volunteers who have a wealth of information that you might otherwise miss.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited with a mixed group of adults and children (4,8,12). The weather was shocking and rained throughout. We however still had a wonderful visit. We had visited the first time during October half term when their were craft activities and volenteers dressed in uniform giving talks which the children found fascinating. on our last day there were no activities but this didn't matter. This is a beautiful and tranquil place which can't be lost by bad weather. The children liked the parks which they enjoyed. The cafe is also nice, though a little pricey. A moving place of reflection for all ages.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have visited the NMA a few times over the past few years, mostly with the Royal British Legion Riders and Ride To The Wall. It's always been very impressive but Saturday 6 May 2017 was the first time I'd visited since the new visitor centre opened.
A wonderful job has been done of the new centre, great cafe facility, shop and atrium area. The whole place copes very well with the large influx of bikers that is inevitable when we descend on the Arboretum for memorial commemorations.
A wonderful job has been done of the new centre, great cafe facility, shop and atrium area. The whole place copes very well with the large influx of bikers that is inevitable when we descend on the Arboretum for memorial commemorations.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The NMA was an incredible place. A great, enjoyable day out whilst still remaining peaceful and respectful, in-keeping with the reason it was first created.
The individual memorials are interesting, emotive and thought provoking to look at but maintain a sense of reverence and respect for all those people who have given there lives in many different ways.
In this cynical age it was grate to find somewhere that wasn't overly expensive or tacky, just designed to get as much money out of you as possible. I got a real sense that it is genuinely about memorial and not money.
The food in the restaurant was grate quality but not over priced. Also, as a wheelchair user, it was lovely to go somewhere where wheelchair access wasn't just a legal requirement or an afterthought. The paths were completely flat and smooth with at least 3 wheelchair accessible toilets that I saw.
The staff were nothing but friendly, helpful and passionate about the NMA. All in all a grate day out
The individual memorials are interesting, emotive and thought provoking to look at but maintain a sense of reverence and respect for all those people who have given there lives in many different ways.
In this cynical age it was grate to find somewhere that wasn't overly expensive or tacky, just designed to get as much money out of you as possible. I got a real sense that it is genuinely about memorial and not money.
The food in the restaurant was grate quality but not over priced. Also, as a wheelchair user, it was lovely to go somewhere where wheelchair access wasn't just a legal requirement or an afterthought. The paths were completely flat and smooth with at least 3 wheelchair accessible toilets that I saw.
The staff were nothing but friendly, helpful and passionate about the NMA. All in all a grate day out
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful and moving memorials to so much more than the armed forces. The train and buggy rides were informative and convenient though booking in advance is recommended...the buggy tour is especially good as you can ask your guide questions, the train ride is a recording. We were all moved to tears on several occasions...
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited on a sunny saturday in May.
£3 to park, and a suggested donation of £5 per person. Gift aid available.
Marvellous venue with many poignant memorials to our war dead.
Decent restaurant and cafe on site. Gift shop too. New kids play area beyond main buildings and chapel.
Guided tour and roadtrain also available. Huge 120 acre site (if I remember correctly?) is immaculately maintained and we spent a good few hours here. Paid my respects to a school friend who was killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
The main memorial is stunning, with a sobering number of names carved onto it's walls.
I shall certainly visit again.
£3 to park, and a suggested donation of £5 per person. Gift aid available.
Marvellous venue with many poignant memorials to our war dead.
Decent restaurant and cafe on site. Gift shop too. New kids play area beyond main buildings and chapel.
Guided tour and roadtrain also available. Huge 120 acre site (if I remember correctly?) is immaculately maintained and we spent a good few hours here. Paid my respects to a school friend who was killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
The main memorial is stunning, with a sobering number of names carved onto it's walls.
I shall certainly visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
First visit .Absolutely fantastic place. Staff very helpful. Very moving. Free entrance but you are asked to make a donation, £5 is suggested.Well worth it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Enjoyed a couple of hours walking around the grounds which are maintained to a high level. Definitely worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our second visit the first being 2 years ago.
The new reception area, restaurant and shop are a great improvement and very fitting. All the volunteer staff were very welcoming and friendly, the ones in reception helped us find a particular tree dedication site and others around the site often stopping to talk as we walked around. They obviously enjoy their role and were very knowledgeable, helpful and empathetic.
It is useful to take the train around the site early on as this gives you a good overview of what is there and also information about many of the memorials. However I do think that it would be even more useful if it was a hop-on-hop-off train.
On our last visit we realised that it is a lot more than just military memorials and we went this time to specifically visit the very moving SANDS garden and to find a tree, very recently dedicated to those from out local area who lost their lives in the 2 World Wars.
If you are able to get into the chapel for the 2 minutes silence at 11am it is well worthwhile.
We walked a lot in order to see the Far East Prisoner of War memorials, the Christmas Truce memorial and the Shot at Dawn memorial which is particularly poignant and discovered lots of others on the way. The centrepiece of the Armed Forces Memorial inscribed with over 16000 names of those who have died in service since the end of World War ll, and space for many more is very significant.
I am sure that we will visit again, more than once, as it is a very special place
The new reception area, restaurant and shop are a great improvement and very fitting. All the volunteer staff were very welcoming and friendly, the ones in reception helped us find a particular tree dedication site and others around the site often stopping to talk as we walked around. They obviously enjoy their role and were very knowledgeable, helpful and empathetic.
It is useful to take the train around the site early on as this gives you a good overview of what is there and also information about many of the memorials. However I do think that it would be even more useful if it was a hop-on-hop-off train.
On our last visit we realised that it is a lot more than just military memorials and we went this time to specifically visit the very moving SANDS garden and to find a tree, very recently dedicated to those from out local area who lost their lives in the 2 World Wars.
If you are able to get into the chapel for the 2 minutes silence at 11am it is well worthwhile.
We walked a lot in order to see the Far East Prisoner of War memorials, the Christmas Truce memorial and the Shot at Dawn memorial which is particularly poignant and discovered lots of others on the way. The centrepiece of the Armed Forces Memorial inscribed with over 16000 names of those who have died in service since the end of World War ll, and space for many more is very significant.
I am sure that we will visit again, more than once, as it is a very special place
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It is great that we have a place that recognises the service of all those people who have risked their lives to keep us safe. The place is laid out in zones that recognises the contributions of all our various armed services
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our second visit, never run out of things to see, very moving. Treated to a classic car show on the Sunday. Love visiting this place. Burma railway memorial very impactful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited here today and found it very interesting but also very humbling. Fabulous place with great restaurant and coffee shop. Lovely gift shop too. We really enjoyed it and the staff are very helpful and friendly . Definitely worth visiting. Makes me feel blessed to be alive thanks to all these very brave and special people who gave their lives for us.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Memorial Arboretum is a truly amazing place. Situated in the middle of the country it provides a peaceful and extensive area for the nation to honour those who made the extreme sacrifice. The facilities are first class and the whole experience was both very interesting and uplifting. Highly recommended
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited the National Memorial Arboretum and found it to be a humbling experience. So much to see and take in and so well well kept and respectful.
The grounds are so special and peaceful where we can take in the many aspects of memory not only from serving personnel but the organisations that also played a part in the lives of people
The grounds are so special and peaceful where we can take in the many aspects of memory not only from serving personnel but the organisations that also played a part in the lives of people
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the arboretum over the Bank Holiday. It was a beautiful day, extremely thought provoking and a lovely place to reflect. The grounds are beautiful and the memorials well marked and cared for. We only had time to visit half the memorials but we will be returning. The surroundings are peaceful and walking around reading the dedications was, in some cases quite saddening, the overriding feeling I had was pride, humility and thankfulness that individuals thought humanity was worth losing their lives for.
Facilities are excellent we had some lunch in a very busy restaurant and prices were reasonable. The shop was also reasonably priced and staff helpful. This is a wonderful place to spend a day, there is a children's play area and other activities on site. The site is free to enter and car parking just £3. Canine family members are more than welcome to join you. There is a small charge for some exhibitions and donations are very welcome. We hear and see the worst of humanity too often, these individuals are an inspiration and demonstrate the best that humanity has to offer. We will remember them.
Facilities are excellent we had some lunch in a very busy restaurant and prices were reasonable. The shop was also reasonably priced and staff helpful. This is a wonderful place to spend a day, there is a children's play area and other activities on site. The site is free to enter and car parking just £3. Canine family members are more than welcome to join you. There is a small charge for some exhibitions and donations are very welcome. We hear and see the worst of humanity too often, these individuals are an inspiration and demonstrate the best that humanity has to offer. We will remember them.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a great place to visit. Loads to see. The gardens are lovely. You can spend hours here. There is a nice café and shop. Only £3 to park all day. Spend time exploring it all and leave a donation to support it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wow this is an impressive place! There is a new visitor centre with cafe and gift shop as well as access to the main arboretum. The site covers a massive area with areas paying tribute to all sections of the services. It would take hours to walk the whole thing! There are also information places around we particularly were impressed by the Far East exhibition. Everywhere is well maintained. When we visited parking was £3 for however long you stayed but entrance was free (voluntary donation can be made). For those less mobile there's a land train and mobility scooters available at extra cost but the place is generally flat so ok to walk but it could be tiring trying to cover such a big area. Dogs are not allowed on the main site but there are special dog walking trails available close by. There's also a play area for children. So something for everyone. One last thing the ice creams are great!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The site is really well thought out with great staff and facilities. The grounds are so special and the kind of visit you have is really what you make it. The children's playground was welcome as our 4 year old needed something to encourage her to get round the rest of the site. A wonderful atmosphere.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
General:
I went today with family. I'm still speechless. There is such a silent, effortless national pride that radiates that it's actually quite overwhelming. It's free entry, with a well priced coffee shop and cafe.
Pros:
Inclusive - besides the crosses and rectangular wooden things you can write on and place beside your chosen regiment or monument, there are also Star of David's and Sikh symbols.
Staff are friendly, helpful and approachable.
The monuments are varied and breath-taking.
Cons:
None.
I went today with family. I'm still speechless. There is such a silent, effortless national pride that radiates that it's actually quite overwhelming. It's free entry, with a well priced coffee shop and cafe.
Pros:
Inclusive - besides the crosses and rectangular wooden things you can write on and place beside your chosen regiment or monument, there are also Star of David's and Sikh symbols.
Staff are friendly, helpful and approachable.
The monuments are varied and breath-taking.
Cons:
None.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A moving and wonderful place. Take the little train so that you see the whole site. Allow a day as it is large. So so moving to go around all the different memorials. Is a large coffee shop/ restaurant on site. There are buggies for the less mobile.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My third visit to the NMA and all for different reasons, this time it was as a visitor to a motoring event called "Drive it day".
I do believe that as well as the important core purpose of remembrance, the venue offers a superb outdoor space for displays and exhibitions, on this occasion, about 150 classic cars all parked in their own space in a beautiful setting with ample room to look around them, to sit and chat and to enjoy the venue and its participants.
We found the car parking charge of £3 to be entirely reasonable given that entry to the Arboretum is free and the car park is really well laid out and maintained. We enjoyed a coffee and cake in one of the cafes in the visitor centre at a very reasonable cost and again, the space is pleasant and welcoming.
The staff were most helpful, we found them all to be cheery about their work and keen to make you happy, I assume that some of them must be volunteers, they have that air of "happy to be involved" about them, well done guys, it does make a difference to the visitor.
This is a huge site, it has been made as wheelchair friendly as possible but you will still need to take your best "walking legs" with you, there are a few benches dotted around, not enough toilets, its not that the toilets they have can't cope with numbers, it is that many of the guests appeared to be "of age" and when you need to go, a 1/4 mile walk back to the loo can be a bit daunting.
The visitor centre is new, it's open and airy, smart and very usable as a conference centre, a display area or just a place to sit and reflect, the areas outside are superbly designed and on a sunny day it's worth a trip out there just to enjoy the sun and the outdoors.
I'd love to see the centre being used to its full potential, exhibitions, concerts, events, access from the road is superb, signage is excellent and this is a world class venue on our doorstep.
I do believe that as well as the important core purpose of remembrance, the venue offers a superb outdoor space for displays and exhibitions, on this occasion, about 150 classic cars all parked in their own space in a beautiful setting with ample room to look around them, to sit and chat and to enjoy the venue and its participants.
We found the car parking charge of £3 to be entirely reasonable given that entry to the Arboretum is free and the car park is really well laid out and maintained. We enjoyed a coffee and cake in one of the cafes in the visitor centre at a very reasonable cost and again, the space is pleasant and welcoming.
The staff were most helpful, we found them all to be cheery about their work and keen to make you happy, I assume that some of them must be volunteers, they have that air of "happy to be involved" about them, well done guys, it does make a difference to the visitor.
This is a huge site, it has been made as wheelchair friendly as possible but you will still need to take your best "walking legs" with you, there are a few benches dotted around, not enough toilets, its not that the toilets they have can't cope with numbers, it is that many of the guests appeared to be "of age" and when you need to go, a 1/4 mile walk back to the loo can be a bit daunting.
The visitor centre is new, it's open and airy, smart and very usable as a conference centre, a display area or just a place to sit and reflect, the areas outside are superbly designed and on a sunny day it's worth a trip out there just to enjoy the sun and the outdoors.
I'd love to see the centre being used to its full potential, exhibitions, concerts, events, access from the road is superb, signage is excellent and this is a world class venue on our doorstep.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Excellent memorial to many arms of the forces and particular Army Corps.
Very peaceful and easy to walk around. Excellent layout and very well kept
Everything is top quality and thought provoking. Free entry and £3 to park
Gift store is good with a large restaurant and coffee shop
Very peaceful and easy to walk around. Excellent layout and very well kept
Everything is top quality and thought provoking. Free entry and £3 to park
Gift store is good with a large restaurant and coffee shop
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited here and was very impressed.
Well worth making the journey.
We were advised to take the train round which is excellent value at £5.00 per person. Having complete the round trip you can then walk round to the sections that you wish to see more of. Without taking the train trip I am sure we would not have seen 25% of it.
Very well thought out and leaves you with lots of food for thought.
Well worth making the journey.
We were advised to take the train round which is excellent value at £5.00 per person. Having complete the round trip you can then walk round to the sections that you wish to see more of. Without taking the train trip I am sure we would not have seen 25% of it.
Very well thought out and leaves you with lots of food for thought.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
