National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
I went here on a beautiful sunny weekday afternoon, a lovely peaceful place, having recently left the armed forces it was a ideal location for reflection and contemplation, there a lot of memorials, the main central one was being renovated and was out of bounds. A worthwhile visit for anyone
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have driven pass the Arboretum many times on our way south on the M6 toll and can't believe it has taken us so long to visit. We had certain areas we particularly wanted to visit, the Aden Protectorate memorial, the Kenya Mau Mau, the Suez 1956 and World Wars I and II. We started on Milleniun Avenue and instead of following the map to find our particular interest we just walked for almost four hours completely lost in the beautifully kept gardens and walkways and moving tributes to brave men and women of all walks of life. For anyone who hasn't visited this beautiful memorial please do, for the volunteers who are so helpful and interesting, for the history and to pay homage to the heroes remembered.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The short service in the chapel at 11.00am highly recommend. Also take the train or hire a private buggy with guide. They offer VIP and will take that next time visiting. Excellent guides everywhere.
The café was alos fine and popular.
The café was alos fine and popular.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a truly wonderful place. This place focuses on celebrating the people who lost their lives, there is so much more here then I could ever have imagined.
The wonderful volunteers are on hand to tell you all about each and every memorial and the stories behind them..... truly special
The wonderful volunteers are on hand to tell you all about each and every memorial and the stories behind them..... truly special
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful place to visit full of history. Mainly all outside and plenty to see. You can either walk, take the motorised train or 4 seater golf buggies. Well worth a visit as we would definitely recommend to anyone.
If your there for lunch there is an indoor cafe or larger outdoor marquee. We went to the marquee and had a Sunday roast on the carvery . Choice of beef or turkey all of which was carved lovely and thick. Lovely
If your there for lunch there is an indoor cafe or larger outdoor marquee. We went to the marquee and had a Sunday roast on the carvery . Choice of beef or turkey all of which was carved lovely and thick. Lovely
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Memorial Arboretum is a 'must' place to visit. It takes a full day. Start with the chapel service, where you will be given the history of the site. As you go round take your time to absorb the emotions that will be aroused. In the South East Asia memorial building look very closely at the stained glass window, an identical replica of the real one. There is something there that would have meant the death of many prisoners had their guards noticed it. I won't spoil it by telling you what it is .... The restaurant is fair priced and serves good food. I wholeheartedly recommend this to people of all ages, a very moving and informative day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Love visiting here and everytime a new different experiance. Great idea to have civilian memorials too. Plenty to see and do for any age regardless of the weather.
Certainly lovely to remember but also to say thanks and never forget. Very uplifting spiritual place to visit.
Staff very helpfull and knowlegable. Looking forward to coming back to see new visitors centre which is opening soon.
Certainly lovely to remember but also to say thanks and never forget. Very uplifting spiritual place to visit.
Staff very helpfull and knowlegable. Looking forward to coming back to see new visitors centre which is opening soon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It is being remodelled/extended again, but remains open. Hard to imagine that all those poor people have died, serving their country.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Thought provoking when you stop to realise that every name on the wall is a lost sole since the end of World War2.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I went here with my partner it was beautifully kept but it made so sad to see so many of our boys that did not return home.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I've visited a few times but it was the first time for my wife, a daughter of an ex Navy officer.
Imagine our surprise when we arrived to find that the armed forces memorial was out of bounds owing to maintenance work, and yes, a retrospective visit to their website did find a single sentence to this effect. However the same paragraph did say that no other memorials were affected. Strange then that the bear was shrouded in plastic and scaffold.
Further, the obvious works are needed to facilitate the opening of the new visitor centre which looks amazing. But I was disappointed to see that they hadn't bothered to make notes or signs to move the disabled parking. Outside the new building but the furthest spaces away from the temporary entrance?
There were plenty of signs asking for support and donations, just no thought applied to the visitors. In fact the level of appeals literature, posters and banners is in my humble opinion, quite vulgar.
As an ex soldier, I'll visit again, it's in my DNA, but the laurels the management sit on might need a grass roots review.
Imagine our surprise when we arrived to find that the armed forces memorial was out of bounds owing to maintenance work, and yes, a retrospective visit to their website did find a single sentence to this effect. However the same paragraph did say that no other memorials were affected. Strange then that the bear was shrouded in plastic and scaffold.
Further, the obvious works are needed to facilitate the opening of the new visitor centre which looks amazing. But I was disappointed to see that they hadn't bothered to make notes or signs to move the disabled parking. Outside the new building but the furthest spaces away from the temporary entrance?
There were plenty of signs asking for support and donations, just no thought applied to the visitors. In fact the level of appeals literature, posters and banners is in my humble opinion, quite vulgar.
As an ex soldier, I'll visit again, it's in my DNA, but the laurels the management sit on might need a grass roots review.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband and I visited for the first time today (16th October) not really knowing what to expect.
What I did enjoy was the £5pp buggy tour (you can also do the land train tour which has running commentary for the same price which does a slightly different route). This gave us a good idea about the Arboretum and Daventry guide was fantastic!
I thought that this was a memorial area just for the Armed Services but I was so wrong. (Only 30% is) There is a woodland dedicated to children who have died which is very moving - as well as other areas including one for the RNLI
I can't wait to revisit again to go into the new Remembrance Centre which sounds as though it's going to be a great experience and will be interactive, brand new cafe as well as exhibitions (it opens on 21st October). The main Armed Services memorial will be opened in time for Remembrance Day.
We had such a great time we will return next Summer
What I did enjoy was the £5pp buggy tour (you can also do the land train tour which has running commentary for the same price which does a slightly different route). This gave us a good idea about the Arboretum and Daventry guide was fantastic!
I thought that this was a memorial area just for the Armed Services but I was so wrong. (Only 30% is) There is a woodland dedicated to children who have died which is very moving - as well as other areas including one for the RNLI
I can't wait to revisit again to go into the new Remembrance Centre which sounds as though it's going to be a great experience and will be interactive, brand new cafe as well as exhibitions (it opens on 21st October). The main Armed Services memorial will be opened in time for Remembrance Day.
We had such a great time we will return next Summer
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very memorable and emotionable. Vast any visitor will need decent walking shoes or boots. Some areas can be boggy off path. There are disabled motorised buggys. The area is currently being rennovated so the new visitor centre will be a great addition. The catering staff were amazing attentive and professional. The volunteers enthusiastic and very informative on various areas, monuments and memorials.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
You can travel on the land train or just wander at will. We did the latter and were amazed to discover more and more memorials dotted about among the very beautiful trees. Every so often we were pulled up short by pictures of a young soldier killed in a recent conflict.
We ended in the Far Eastern museum which whilst excellent was very challenging but not to be missed.
The quarry at the far end of the site continues to work which shows that life goes on... In a different way for so many families. Everyone should visit at some point. We were surprised at how many were there on a midweek day and the volunteers who seem to be everywhere were excellent.
We ended in the Far Eastern museum which whilst excellent was very challenging but not to be missed.
The quarry at the far end of the site continues to work which shows that life goes on... In a different way for so many families. Everyone should visit at some point. We were surprised at how many were there on a midweek day and the volunteers who seem to be everywhere were excellent.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A much overdue visit was enjoyed by all, we started with the service in the chapel and a brief talk before touring the gardens on foot and by land train with commentary that was an added bonus.
An ever changing site, new monuments, refurbishments and a real tribute to all those people that have touched and shaped so many lives. Simply wander alone with your thoughts, visit in groups or with family and friends. Finish with great value refreshments or full meals at great value or take a cup of tea to set you up for the journey home.
A must visit, thank youth all the volunteers and workers, fabulous.
An ever changing site, new monuments, refurbishments and a real tribute to all those people that have touched and shaped so many lives. Simply wander alone with your thoughts, visit in groups or with family and friends. Finish with great value refreshments or full meals at great value or take a cup of tea to set you up for the journey home.
A must visit, thank youth all the volunteers and workers, fabulous.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very rewarding with memorials for both military to civilian individuals. Ample parking. Leaves a lump in your throat. Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Arboretum proved to be a memorable place to visit. We took the train round which we recommend as it was possible to see many of the memorials this way. After our tour there was time for a reflective visit to other memorials. We were sorry that disabilty scooters were not allows in the restaurant and we hope this will be rectified in the new building. The staff were helpful and apart from this problem the visit was excellent.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had a good day in the gardens ,we only had 3 hours here as we were on a coach trip . It is a very large place and you need good shoes as there is a lot of walking to do but also plenty of seating.Part of it was closed for rebuilding and refurbishment but when the new Visitor centre is completed it will be really sensational to visit. A good day out but you do need at least a whole day or maybe two to see it all.Very emotional in places and interesting in others.All in all well worth visiting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the National Memorial Arboretum thinking that this would have listings of those who did in the World Wars and hoping to find our ancestors; this is not the case. The only name listing memorials are to those who have died since the second world war and this main exhibit is closed until November 2016. The arboretum has a lot of memorials to the respective services and many other organisations.
The arboretum covers a very large area and we hired a ride on scooter for £5 for the day which is an essential for anyone with walking difficulties. Although we got this on the day it would be worth calling and reserving in advance.
We also did the Land train ride which lasts about 50 minutes and includes a very informative narrative of the memorials and helps get a good feel of where specific memorials are located. The time of your trip does need to be booked in advance on the day and costs £5 per adult.
We arrived in advance of the 11am service and spent a full day here.
The arboretum covers a very large area and we hired a ride on scooter for £5 for the day which is an essential for anyone with walking difficulties. Although we got this on the day it would be worth calling and reserving in advance.
We also did the Land train ride which lasts about 50 minutes and includes a very informative narrative of the memorials and helps get a good feel of where specific memorials are located. The time of your trip does need to be booked in advance on the day and costs £5 per adult.
We arrived in advance of the 11am service and spent a full day here.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Cannot speak highly enough of this place. Everyone should pay a visit but allow a whole day as there's lots to see. New visitor centre and restaurant about to open which will make the facilities even better. So many memorials to see which include some marvellous sculptures. The most moving was Shot at Dawn.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very interesting, moving place not to be missed. I took the tour bus and glad I did. It is huge and touring first gives an over view which allows you to orientate yourself then walk or take a golf buggy tour to the memorials you want to visit. I learned a lot and will go back.
Only negative was the coffee shop closed sharp. I would have liked a coffee and time to absorb the visit before going out. 30 minutes after closing would be enough. The staff were amazing and very knowlegable. I would recommend this as a must do and I will go back.
Only negative was the coffee shop closed sharp. I would have liked a coffee and time to absorb the visit before going out. 30 minutes after closing would be enough. The staff were amazing and very knowlegable. I would recommend this as a must do and I will go back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
So much, well tended, space for children to run around in. So many striking memorials. So much emotion.
I cannot wait to visit again soon (we live five minutes away, luckily) and see the new memorial building when it opens. It looks so impressive from the outside.
If you are passing and can only spare half hour for coffee and cake (or a full lunch) do pop in as the cafe is very near the entrance.
I cannot wait to visit again soon (we live five minutes away, luckily) and see the new memorial building when it opens. It looks so impressive from the outside.
If you are passing and can only spare half hour for coffee and cake (or a full lunch) do pop in as the cafe is very near the entrance.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We loved our visit here,so interesting looking at all of the memorials. Amazing designs & thought provoking in some cases. Good access paths & good maps for getting around. We stopped for coffee & cake at the cafe which was great & well priced. The chapel is worth a visit on its own almost with a volunteer giving lots of interesting information. Definitely visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our first visit and found the memorials to be very moving , my Hubby is ex Royal Signals so he really wanted to see their memorial, unfortunately they are doing work on the Armed forces memorial so its closed off but we will be going back for another visit as we didn't manage to see all of the memorials. It really is nicely and respectfully done, very moving to read the names and stories , highly recommend visiting.
£3 to park your car and free entry to the Arboretum with donation boxes as you go inside.
£3 to park your car and free entry to the Arboretum with donation boxes as you go inside.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have watched this place grow from when it first opened to present, The gardens are maturing and the buildings are expanding to cater for the increasing flow of people visiting the place. There are some magnificent memorials to those who laid down their lives for others. You can get food and refreshments and can spend a good few hours looking around
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
