National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
A pleasant, relaxing place to contemplate the folly of war and to remember the sacrifices so many have made over the decades. Recommend starting with the land-train tour which helps you understand the layout and plan any walking. Eating and drinking facilities OK but not cheap. All very thought-provoking and I recommend taking time over your visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Memorial Arboretum is a beautiful place, with a tranquillity that is unbelievable. The arboretum holds memorials to many friends, colleagues and those who have passed away. Enjoy the peace and a gentle walk. The Temporary Reception and Cafe area may not be up to the standard of the previous facilities but are better than could well be expected and the staff and volunteers are second to none in their customer service skills. The car parking is a little restricted whilst the building works continue, Disabled parking is close to the reception building, the general parking is now in what used to be the overflow car park.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spent a very pleasant afternoon here with the family. The place is huge. so many men and women have died for their country and what a lovely way to remember them buy planting thousands of trees in their honour to be remembered for eternity. You could visit this aboreteum as many times as you like and the scene will always be different.Bare trees to budding leaves to golden hues of the autumn. Each season will still take your breath away. With easy paths to follow or the land train for those with difficulties you will be taken through the different areas for the many forces that fought for us. The cafe at the entrance make a nice cup of tea and tasty cakes at a reasonable price. Alterations were underway when we visited but the inconvenience wasn't noticeable. Looking forward to going back soon
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our third visit, parts of the arboretum are under covers with expansion and additions going on at this time. supposed to reopen these parts in time for remembrance weekend in November. Shop and cafe reduced in size whilst work is carried out, most of the staff are volunteers and doing a great job.Lovely serene place, with time to reflect, lump in the throat moments & there are many. If you can make time for the shot at dawn memorial please do, & take a tissue. Makes you realize how lucky most of us are , go visit, pay your respects and donate please.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The memorials were varied from traditional to very modern. Each set in the gardens / forested areas and accessible on foot or by the road train. Interesting to wander and view but would be really compelling if you had a loved one honoured by one of the memorials.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A visit to the Arboretum should be on all school curriculums. It is very moving and evocative and also highly educational. I am not very mobile so visited in 2 sessions. However I will be returning as I still did not manage to see everything
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What an amazing place to visit. So much to see and so beautifully set out. Wish we had had longer to see it all. Felt emotional but very peaceful. A very relaxing Sunday afternoon. Will definately go back
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful place especially in summer , we visited as a family with quite a few small children but it's very child' friendly
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Be sure to visit in dry weather as most of the memorials are accessed over large expanses of grass. 2 hours about right to make the most of it and this fits in with the needs of visitors arriving by the Sunday only bus service from Lichfield (812). It only offers 3 journeys in each direction with 2 hours between drop off and pick up. I expect the new visitor centre will be a marked improvement on the current temporary one. Just have to hope staff in the new café clear the tables in a way that currently doesn't happen.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a very interesting place, with many moving memorials. I was particularly struck by the Shot at Dawn memorial to those shot for cowardice or desertion during WW1 and by the Burma Railway exhibit. I had not realised that there are also memorials unrelated to conflict, for example a garden dedicated to SANDS (Stillbirth and neonatal deaths) which was extremely moving. Much of the work here is undertaken by volunteers, and thanks go to them - their efforts are admirable, making the arboretum free to enter. There are things that could be improved - the land train is a great idea, but it lurches around rather, and is not too comfortable. I'd certainly pay more for a more comfortable ride. Some more signage would be helpful too. Nevertheless a really enriching experience, and I am glad to have visited.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
visited the memorial for a look at the Japanese prisoner of war memorial in memory of a relative which is a fitting tribute. There is much more to see here it the arboretum covers 150 acres+
there is a train which can take you around I would recommend on a first visit it lasts about 45mins and has a commentry
there is a train which can take you around I would recommend on a first visit it lasts about 45mins and has a commentry
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great place to visit and spend a couple of hours walking round to pay respects to the different regiments who fought and gave their lives in wars. It was a beautiful day on our visit so very pleasurable to walk round the lovely arboretum. It gets quite busy in the afternoons and there is a very nice cafe which sells snacks and food at reasonable prices. There are buses and buggies available if the weather isn't good or if someone has mobility difficulties. Admission is free but donations are requested to help maintain this very worthwhile and beautiful memorial. It is suitable for all ages and it helps to keep important memories alive and us extremely moving and educational.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was an extremely moving experience for both of us. My wife's Son was a Para in the Falklands and lost his life on mount Longdon in the dying hours of the war. We found his name on the temporary wall of rememberance. The Falklands Memorial is simple and telling, giving a good idea of the open and rugged land they fought for. In the words of one of the Volunteers " The Para Memorial is a superb memorial to the best of the best." For once, children were being kept under control and we could just wonder and marvel at man's inhumanity to man. The Shot at Dawn memorial should be compulsory viewing to all future Commanders.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited here again this afternoon. Beautiful sunny afternoon and so much added since we last visited. The children did a trail (£1) and enjoyed it all thoroughly, especially the woodland play area. Very sobering to read the children memorials. Great walks, historical information and a lovely tea room. Lots of events for families. Can't wait to see the leaves change in a few weeks.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wonderful place, very spacious with lots to see. The train ridewasgoodas it enables you to see it all with a commentary telling you about the exhibits.
New facilities are expected in November.
New facilities are expected in November.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Somewhere I think everyone should visit. Moving and thought provoking. Extremely well done. Lots of knowledgable and friendly staff on hand to answer your questions. Very disabled friendly.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited here with my son as my father had been a Far East Prisoner of War and this I one of the very few places they are honoured. My son was on crutches due to an accident but we had no need to worry as they had wheelchairs and mobility scooters you could borrow - at no extra cost but donations were welcome. The staff were very welcoming friendly and helpful and sort us out within minutes with a wheelchair and also helped get me a contact number for something I wanted to put on display. We had a lovely snack in the café - the food was limited but very fresh. The park itself was huge and it was a lovely sunny day when we went so it looked amazing. Beautifully kept. I hadn't realised it was so big and most of it was on the level so easy for a wheelchair. There was even a train you could take which had a commentary on all the areas visited. I paid my respects to the mean (and women) who wee FEPOWs and we did cover some of the other areas but because of our circumstances we didn't see it all. We will be back though as it really was an amazing place to spend the day. I would totally recommend a visit both for the beautiful setting and for the historical value.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We spent two days there - the first day we went around on the train and the second day we visited the areas we noted when on the train. Good idea if walking ability is limited. We did book a mobility scooter and that made the second day so much easier. Good standard of snacks, etc. available. Staff first class.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spent a day paying my respects to the men and women of our armed forces and civilian services that have given the ultimate sacrifice.
The arboretum is easily accessed and well laid out. Easy flat walking with mobility friendly access for those wheelchair bound. A landtrain is available with a recorded tour.
There's the obligatory souvenir shop on site and a cafeteria selling excellent food and drinks at reasonable prices.
The arboretum is easily accessed and well laid out. Easy flat walking with mobility friendly access for those wheelchair bound. A landtrain is available with a recorded tour.
There's the obligatory souvenir shop on site and a cafeteria selling excellent food and drinks at reasonable prices.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A peacefull and humbling experience looking at all the memorials to our armed forces, and civilian services.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The memorial centre is surprisingly interesting with many sculptures and works of art dotted around a green park area. The food is basic and a bit pricey for what it is. You donate around £5 per person to go in, and pay more if you want to go on the land train, but it is very moving reading about the different memorials
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Good visit except main part closed. Will be back as too much too see in one go an amazing place . They have scooters for the less able bodied to get around. We had a buggy tour well worth it to one part but you need the train to do the other half. Then you can pick which ones to visit by foot.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This place is a very moving to visit. It's big and its split into areas. You will need the map if you are looking for a special area. This place has a tranquil feel about it all the areas are clearly signed and the whole place is kepted spotless The gardens are planted with appropriate plants shrubs The volunteers do a superb job they are all very helpful The walls with all the names on is very moving. The church service is special and well worth going to they have a land train which will take you around the site. The food outlets are good and have a good choice of dishes This is one of the best places to visit you will need more than one visit to see this wonderful place
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The creation of the National Memorial Arboretum was a wonderful idea and the concept has been perfectly translated. But be prepared to get a little misty eyed and perhaps jerk a tear or two. It is a beautiful tribute which is being well managed & organised by very helpful volunteers. A Band played for a few hours on behalf of a Regiment and a service was held. Our visit was further enhanced, at nominal cost, by a comprehensive map of the site showing all the tributes. A wonderful day out, if I may use that term.
Only one small personal low point, for us - my wife and I have an affinity with New York, so we visited on Sunday 11th September. We found the 9/11 tribute ok but were sad to find the 15th anniversary of that terrible day appeared to have gone unnoticed, so we made our own acknowledgement by placing a big red apple at the foot of the beautiful tribute.
There is too much to take in in one visit so we will be back. By then I hope to have overcome my angst at the churlish comments on 'Trip Advisor' about the cost (£3) to park the car. These sites cost a lot of money to be run & organised this well. Our donation, the cost of the map, and the car park was worth every penny.
Den & Jan Strudwick
P.S. A visit to the National Memorial Arboretum should be on the compulsory of every school. It is an education.
Only one small personal low point, for us - my wife and I have an affinity with New York, so we visited on Sunday 11th September. We found the 9/11 tribute ok but were sad to find the 15th anniversary of that terrible day appeared to have gone unnoticed, so we made our own acknowledgement by placing a big red apple at the foot of the beautiful tribute.
There is too much to take in in one visit so we will be back. By then I hope to have overcome my angst at the churlish comments on 'Trip Advisor' about the cost (£3) to park the car. These sites cost a lot of money to be run & organised this well. Our donation, the cost of the map, and the car park was worth every penny.
Den & Jan Strudwick
P.S. A visit to the National Memorial Arboretum should be on the compulsory of every school. It is an education.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful place to visit. It is a great day out. There is a nice café with good affordable food and a little train that takes you round very useful if you are not very mobile. I would thoroughly recommend it for children especially as it is a good history lesson for them to learn about our recent history.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
