National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Over 300 memorials did not have time to see them all but will go again amazing place morning service is a must gift shop amazing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a great place to visit. It's free entry but there is a £3 parking charge ( which also applies to Blue Badge Holders ). The facilities were very clean and the cafe had a good range of food at reasonable prices. The staff are all very friendly and knowledgeable.
There is a "land train" which takes you round the very large site. This costs £5 each and slowly travels round parts of the site with a very good recorded commentary.
There is a "land train" which takes you round the very large site. This costs £5 each and slowly travels round parts of the site with a very good recorded commentary.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The arboretum is undergoing extensive building expansion.I'd visit next year when it may be finished
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our third visit but we have not been for three years. We were surprised at how much all the trees had grown especially around the Armed Forces Memorial which is the picture everyone sees when the Arboretum is advertised. It is no so visible as it used to be. At the moment it is closed to visitors but will be open by 11th November. We took an hour long journey through a large part of the arboretum on the land train £5 per person and excellent value with good commentary. We then walked to other areas. There are 300 memorials on this site and not all are military. The volunteers are enthusiastic and keen to answer any questions. There is a new visitor centre nearing completion and that will offer new eating facilities, shop and entrance area. The car park is a short walk away although parking for disabled is outside the entrance. Parking is £3 per day and entrance to the Arboretum is by donation. This place is thought provoking and a wonderful place for remembrance. My Uncle has a dedicated seat there amongst the trees. The Guidebook is an excellent source of information at £6.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Clear directions, easy parking very friendly helpful staff. Sun shone on a lovely service dedicating a new memorial to soldiers who served in Italy during WW2. Attended by several veterans, standard bearers, a piper and the Rural Dean of Chichester Cathedral. Train tour afterwards well worth doing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the Arboretum with a friend, and we were both very impressed with the quality and standard of the various memorials.
In addition, the site is laid out in such a way that you never feel as though you among crowds of people; rather that you can take your time to contemplate and remember fallen colleagues in quiet solitude.
Each of the elements and branches of our armed forces are represented there in an extremely tasteful and honourable manner.
Finally, any visit to the site should include a walk to the "Shot at Dawn" Memorial, this is one of the most emotional places I have been to. Very moving.
A full day is required, and it will be one that is long remembered.
In addition, the site is laid out in such a way that you never feel as though you among crowds of people; rather that you can take your time to contemplate and remember fallen colleagues in quiet solitude.
Each of the elements and branches of our armed forces are represented there in an extremely tasteful and honourable manner.
Finally, any visit to the site should include a walk to the "Shot at Dawn" Memorial, this is one of the most emotional places I have been to. Very moving.
A full day is required, and it will be one that is long remembered.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I took my 94 year old dad who had spent many years in the services. Great place however as he is unable to walk unaided we were intending to get a motor scooter. Upon arrival we found that there were non available. As the site has many acres of site we had to resort to a wheel chair and guess who pushed!!! Such a shame as we could have seen so much more.
So if you have difficulties you can pre book a motor scooter.
So if you have difficulties you can pre book a motor scooter.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited with my husband + 8yr old daughter. The Arboretum is huge so you possibly won't see everything in one go. I thought we had done pretty well but when I looked at the brochure we missed so much. However we had 5 or 6 hours strolling in the fresh air + the walks are flat. Some memorials, not too many though, are off the path but I'm sure they would be accessible still but please check if you have a wheelchair. I had looked online before I went + identified some of the memorials I wanted to see + we did see them. The Shot at Dawn memorial made me cry, then a couple of minutes later my daughter is making me smile at the Showmans Guild memorial. Emotions will be mixed. Sadly when we visited the main memorial to those who died in combat from WW 2 on was closed for maintenance, but they had thoughtfully made a mock up so the names could still be seen on the display so all was not lost. I will go back + visit to find the memorials I missed. Entrance is free, you buy a guide book or trail if you want to. Well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a wonderful place to reflect and remember the fallen in beautiful setting, not just from the wars but other atrocities. There is a land train which is well worth the £5 for a trip around with interesting commentary. It is free entry and any donations are used to upkeep and improve the Arboretum.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Poignant but unmissable. Too much to take in on one day. Best to take the "train" for a good overvue and go from there. A lot of walking but you can take the golf carts. The internal transport seems a bit disorganised but the staff are marvellous.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Easy to access from A38, lovely day out walking around the large area of memorials, that are dedicated to service men and women from Army to Fire, also lots of other more personal memorials. Each memorial has been lovingly made or planted and include plaques that tell you about them. We took a picnic and sat on one of the many benches within the grounds. It is the best cemetery that has ever been, makes you proud to be British.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
There's a eerie silence when you walk around this memorial. Pay to park, but all money goes for the upkeep of the Arboretum. Visited by many. This is the perfect place to reflect on people's losses of loved ones. Everyone should visit this place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very busy on arrival as 4 coaches had just turned up. However, once past that were able to grab a coffee and then walk round the memorials. Some very helpful and knowledgeable guides in the grounds. Amazing memorials with poignant stories to tell. Would definitely recommend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were here for a rededication to cadets who served on the officer training ships during the 1st and 2nd world wars. During the outdoor service we had a deluged of rain which only went to remind us what those poor soldiers would have suffered in the trenches.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Moving place to pay respect and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Tastefully laid out while maintaining a sense of reverence.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you are able to spend the whole day here, I recommend taking first of all the train (fee), which will take you all around the park. This way you will get a good idea of where you would like to return to. The park is vast and depending on your mobility and time available you may not have the oportunity to cover all in one visit. At 11am there is a small service in the chapel followed by an informative talk. There are volunteers on hand from the moment you step into reception until the time you leave. They are all over the park and will answer your queries especially if you are looking for something specific.
The restaurant is well recommended and not expensive. Good home-syle food and well served.
Definitely a place one should visit.
The restaurant is well recommended and not expensive. Good home-syle food and well served.
Definitely a place one should visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very informative. Lots of things to look at but it needs a nice day as all the monuments are outdoors. Cafe expensive but food good. Very nice gift shop which is reasonably priced. Family friendly and lots to do and see. Will take more than one visit to see it all
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful place. Thought the train was rather expensive on top of the entry. Especially when I can't walk far so it was essential. If I'm honest I found most of the staff rude! We were leaving near 5pm and were aware it closed shortly. I thought a member of staff was walking to tell us this. However when I said sorry we are on our way to the exit! The man didn't say a word and just kept on walking? So rude. Then in the shop we wanted to buy some souvenirs and we were rushing and to my horror lights started going out (not 5pm quite) I paid for the couple of items our older Sons had chosen giving the lady the odd in change with a note (thought just having to give a couple of £1 coins would make it easier) I was out of view but still by gift shop while Husband and sons went to loo. To my horror I heard the man behind till comment on all the change (not quite as polite as that either!) The lady saw I was still near and she went shhhh to the male worker. So I believe it was aimed at me! Such a shame all the respect we had shown whilst on our visit only for a disrespectful member of staff to ruin the whole visit. Left feeling very hurt....All the memorials were excellent however I've had to knock off 2 for the awful experience and the price of the land train (you can't get on and off it either!)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We drove 5 hours to get to the pis place but it was nothing compared to all the lives lost defending our country. It is such a peaceful and thought provoking place. Plenty of car parking available for £3 and admission is free although they do ask for a donation. We were met outside the entrance and made welcome. After a short talk about the place in the chapel, we took a ride for £5pp on the road train with a pre recorded talk on the memorials we passed which was very good. Sadly we were not able to see the main memorial as work is being carried out, a good reason to visit another time! There is a lovely cafeteria with reasonable charges.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An amazing place to visit. Took the land train around the main site, that gave a running commentary on the largest of the memorials and the good weather allowed to walk other parts of the site to see the smaller memorials. The site is expanding and building work was taking place on the new visitor centre and main central memorial
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Never tire of visiting this magnificent monument, a very special place,not going to add a lot more,suffice to say that I can and do recommend a visit, don't think once you've been that's it as there is ALWAYS something new.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
On arrival on site met by meet & greet staff o/s reception who gave a brief history of site & asked if we were there to see any special Memorial. They polite & informative.
We entered reception & then went to the road train as it was our first visit we thought it best to get an outline of the site.After train tour we went to the Chapel for the 2 minute silence & talk about site history.We enjoyed a very nice lunch in the Pavilion restaurant.
I would recommend the road train trip for anyone with walking problems Or on first visit to site.
Admission to site is by CASH Donation.
We entered reception & then went to the road train as it was our first visit we thought it best to get an outline of the site.After train tour we went to the Chapel for the 2 minute silence & talk about site history.We enjoyed a very nice lunch in the Pavilion restaurant.
I would recommend the road train trip for anyone with walking problems Or on first visit to site.
Admission to site is by CASH Donation.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very nice place with exceptionally helpful staff. Long walks surrounded by memorials to services charity organisations individual groups. With stories and poetry which serve to paint the picture of the group or event the memorial has been placed for. There is a land train to help people get around an see the whole memorial. We tried to walk it all but never managed it. However it is definitely a place we will revisit.
BRILLIANT
BRILLIANT
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spent the day here with my good mate. We made a point of visiting as many memorials as we could. This is certainly a place showing respect for the many lives lost in protecting this great country we freely live in. A worthy place to visit which starts in the chapel with a short introduction followed by a 2 minute silence. The army of volunteers working here do a fantastic job and are extremely helpful. The grounds are kept in perfect condition and the site is well signposted. It has a cafe on site which serves freshly cooked food at a reasonable price.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a beautiful place & although it's sometimes very busy, there's always quiet areas & there are new memorials added nearly every year. It is a lovely place in which to contemplate those who have given their lives for their country.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
