National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
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
A very special place to visit. Lots of car parking & a very reasonable £3 charge which we were happy to pay. Lots of changes/improvements/building work being done - it will be amazing when finished. We walked around the site with no particular route in mind - it was lovely just to wander around, we walked just over 3 miles. We have no particular connection with any of the armed services, but that is certainly not a reason to not visit. Highly recommended outing, allow at least a half day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a wonderful inspirational place. A marvellous tribute to the nation's fallen. Land train trip is very good as are the restaurant.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I was on my motorbike all the staff were really friendly and helpful. The food and drink was very nice and the place amazing
Paul
Paul
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I write this review as a person training to be a volunteer at the site and having read some other reviews. I thought it important to let people know that the national memorial arboretum is not just a memorial to the armed forces, nor is it just an arboretum. The site has a tremendous variety of areas dedicated to military, civilian, voluntary and personal memorials as well as virtually every type of tree within the UK plus examples of trees from other areas of the world eg far east, Mediterranean etc. It is run as a charity and as such needs to collect revenues so do not be surprised when there are charges for parking, use of train etc? The c250 volunteers have differing skills and abilities but have one thing in common, they give their time to assist. Overall the visit is very much worth doing but do not expect a freebie or a theme park.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A marvellous day out. Great place to visit with all the war memorials. There is a train which takes visitors all round the site stopping at all the memorials and a lovely guide who explains all about them and answers any questions you may have. A lot of work is going on which should be finished soon to heighten ones enjoyment. A lovely meal - or snack - can be had in the restaurant which is clean and comfortable. The prices are very reasonable too. A visit to the large shop which has a lot of products and souvenirs rounds off the day. A must see attraction for all.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited on a Sunday. Surprised at the number of people there. Lots of memorials. The Burma Railway exhibit and Shot at Dawn thought provoking. The talk at the Shot at Dawn very informative.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This place sure makes you appreciate your life
And also appreciate all those service heroes that have lost there lives, very peaceful place, i didn't appreciate the mother allowing her two young children climbing a memorial so disrespectful i felt, i don't think this is a place for young children, some parents have no control over children and don't feel it is a place for children to run about.
It is a very tidy place , not too keen on cafe area come entrance but other wise a place to visit but you will need a full day .
And also appreciate all those service heroes that have lost there lives, very peaceful place, i didn't appreciate the mother allowing her two young children climbing a memorial so disrespectful i felt, i don't think this is a place for young children, some parents have no control over children and don't feel it is a place for children to run about.
It is a very tidy place , not too keen on cafe area come entrance but other wise a place to visit but you will need a full day .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited this attraction once again and sad in one sense to see it under refurbishment but on the other hand glad that money has been secured to maintain and upgrade a must visit place not only for ex services and family but should be a must visit place for the nation and most certainly its school children.
The WW1 exhibit first class and the FEPOW a brilliant exhibition. I read every word in this haunting place.
Will visit again after its makeover.
The WW1 exhibit first class and the FEPOW a brilliant exhibition. I read every word in this haunting place.
Will visit again after its makeover.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were granted a tree in the memorial garden for our son, aged 19 killed in a motorcycle accident. We visit often, and enjoy the walk around all of the arboretum and it's beautiful and informative displays/memorials.
Tea and coffee with a slice of cake in the cafe round the day off nicely
Tea and coffee with a slice of cake in the cafe round the day off nicely
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An amazing and humbling experience,proud to have taken part in this service.Definitely well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
