National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Such a moving, yet relaxing, place. We'd highly recommend that you visit.
Source: google.com
It's free but it's not free. A new visitor centre was being built at the time of our visit (NYE 2015) and I can only imagine it will be spectacular. It's going to be a world leading remembrance centre. Fair enough but who is competing on these matters?! You pay £3 to park. Then it's free to enter if you can cope with the many personnel on who funnel you past donation boxes screaming at you. I did not donate again as it happens as I donated a reasonable sum in November to RBL and I did not feel guilty. Though the screaming signs made you think twice. There's also reasonably priced drinks and a shop that sells many poppy related goods. The arboretum is sparse in some respects in winter (a toilet somewhere in the.middle would have been great...) though it adds to the sense of losses. There's a land train that runs round the grounds. That's £5. Overall. It's a lovely place and a lot of work goes in to maintain it. It was a shame the main memorial was closed for works but they are planning for the future. I just wish they didn't constantly demand money for every step you take in the grounds. Detracts somewhat. If you can cope with eyes glaring at you for money, go. If not you should still visit but take a lot of cash.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I was surprised that some reviewers mentioned that a visit here is free. Far from it. The first charge is £3 to park - for an hour or for a full day. Inside the entrance is a rather insistent display asking for £5 per person as a donation followed by another with envelopes to allow donations be gift aided. Having now spent £23 we asked for a map of the site and were told that this would be £3. I don't mind paying but either everyone pays or no-one. I have visited many war memorials in Europe and beyond and I expected something similar but was surprised at the Arboretum. Maybe I should have bought a £5 guide book and this would have answered some of my questions. These include why there were memorials to the Freemasons, Fairground personnel, Bechuanaland Police, and the R.U.C. but not to Scottish forces. One tree bore a label 'Nurses and Doctors of Lichfield' with no other explanation. There were memorials to Regiments and Divisions but I wondered who determined which would be featured and which omitted. I was impressed with the range of 'services' covered i.e. not just Army, Air Force and Navy but to the 'Land Army', 'Bomb disposal' etc. I didn't like the structure that bore the legend 'funded by the national lottery' as this seems to cheapen the sacrifice of the fallen. My overall impression was positive but it didn't promote in me any great emotion unlike visits to St.Laurent, Oosterbeek or Thiepval - all of which are also unambiguously free.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We spent a number of hours here in October 2015. There is a large convenient car park. Lots to see so suggest you wear flat shoes and bring your camera. The volunteers we found to be most helpful. We enjoyed a hot meal of home cooking at lunchtime in the restaurant.
Thoroughly recommend a visit.
Thoroughly recommend a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
"Lest We Forget"; "We Will Remember Them".
Words often used and associated with war time memorials; but should also be used for the other services & organisations remembered here:- Police, Salvation Army, Women's Institute, etc.
Hundreds of memorials record & honour years of service and lives given around the world in recent history.
Allow half a day to do justice to the place, the events, and the people rembered here.
"We will remember them"
Words often used and associated with war time memorials; but should also be used for the other services & organisations remembered here:- Police, Salvation Army, Women's Institute, etc.
Hundreds of memorials record & honour years of service and lives given around the world in recent history.
Allow half a day to do justice to the place, the events, and the people rembered here.
"We will remember them"
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A visit to the Arboretum is a must when in the area, acres of Monuments set out in well kept grounds
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This has got to be one of the most moving of places to visit. I go at least twice a year, for RTTW and then alone, I always make sure I visit the Burma Star memorial, for personal reasons and it always brings a tear to my eye.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a wonderful place to visit, time to think and marvel at the fabulous memorials. Time to remember those who gave their today, for our tomorrow. And if you ride a motorcycle you must do "ride to the wall" on the first Saturday in October.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our 4th visit, each time there has been a new memorial or a change in layout. We always come away having learnt something new about our history. Always a sad and reflective visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Made a fabulous Christmas wreath. Fabulous morning and brilliant price. Will go again next year with friends
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
COST
The place is free to look round (donations are welcome though), currently the car park is free as well but will be charged once it is completed
SHOP & RESTAURANT
Good sized earring area and a half decent shop with a wide range of souvenirs
The place is free to look round (donations are welcome though), currently the car park is free as well but will be charged once it is completed
SHOP & RESTAURANT
Good sized earring area and a half decent shop with a wide range of souvenirs
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The main wall was closed as it was undergoing refurbishment. Still it did not spoil our visit.
This is certainly a place where you need an objective in mind (ie have an idea of which site to visit).
This is a must place to visit
This is certainly a place where you need an objective in mind (ie have an idea of which site to visit).
This is a must place to visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Amazing and thought provoking place. It really makes you think about how many people are involved in war, including thousands of civilians. The main monument is extremely sad, as I looked to see if there was a single year since 1945 when someone in the armed forces had not died in conflict, and there is not. At the time of visit there was some refurbishment so amenities should soon be back on track. Five of us went, and the walks we took stimulated lots of conversations that you would never normally have.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This place is a "must" to visit .The grounds are well laid out with a section for every regiment, the airforce ,and navy also section for animals and every helpful organisation at home and abroad. It is so tranquil and thought provoking . Events take place there and there are plenty of rest places where you can reflect . Best way is to take the road train that gives you a commentary of each place as you go along ,there are 3 stop off points as you go along if you wish to get off . Refreshments for lunches and drinks plus shops are available .There is some refurbishment going on to improve the facilities
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This venue is maturing nicely and the trees are now becoming well established.
Car parking excellent. Road access very good.
Purpose built reception building provides all the commercial facilities in one place without them spoiling the whole site - plenty of food outlets and shops of interest to those likely to want to investigate this venue.
The Arboretum grounds are well worthy of a half day trip although the ground off the paths can get boggy after heavy rain.
Its a great place to take someone out to who is new to the area - finish by entering the raised inner sanctum, the Main memorial - its really very special and atmospheric with its light coloured walls and bronze statues.
Car parking excellent. Road access very good.
Purpose built reception building provides all the commercial facilities in one place without them spoiling the whole site - plenty of food outlets and shops of interest to those likely to want to investigate this venue.
The Arboretum grounds are well worthy of a half day trip although the ground off the paths can get boggy after heavy rain.
Its a great place to take someone out to who is new to the area - finish by entering the raised inner sanctum, the Main memorial - its really very special and atmospheric with its light coloured walls and bronze statues.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is my second visit and do seem to have seen more on the second time. Huge disappointment that the main memorial is closed for repair. Shame in this day and age there was no way of keeping a part open
It is a well cared for solemn place. Great to walk round. Books and guides available but they are complicated and not particularly user friendly. In the map it's all by number - needs to be alphabetical
Need more easy to follow walks
Helpful guides. Interesting talk about 'shot at dawn' which is a somber place for reflection
It is a memorial to all those who served - civil, armed services, animals etc and does it well. Just could be a bit slicker.
Great restaurant
It is a well cared for solemn place. Great to walk round. Books and guides available but they are complicated and not particularly user friendly. In the map it's all by number - needs to be alphabetical
Need more easy to follow walks
Helpful guides. Interesting talk about 'shot at dawn' which is a somber place for reflection
It is a memorial to all those who served - civil, armed services, animals etc and does it well. Just could be a bit slicker.
Great restaurant
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Having last visited 5 years ago, it was amazing how quickly the Arboretum has changed. There is a feeling of space and peace with many remembrance gardens, plaques and spaces.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went while in area , site is being improved. Staff were very helpful and pleasant and must be asked the same questions all the time but replied were very thought provoking . Quite a few people walking around most of the area is flat or little gradients . the main memorial is closed but have reconstructed a smaller site to show all the names on special boards very clever.
A land rain can take you around site a a extra cost, donation for entry and car park. Cafes and food arrangements good and also includes a small shop. When all work is finished late 2016 , ( November) should be good to come back and look again . Went on a dry but windy day as you would expect not a lot of places to stay dry , was impressed with the amount of places just to sit down on benches and contemplate.
A land rain can take you around site a a extra cost, donation for entry and car park. Cafes and food arrangements good and also includes a small shop. When all work is finished late 2016 , ( November) should be good to come back and look again . Went on a dry but windy day as you would expect not a lot of places to stay dry , was impressed with the amount of places just to sit down on benches and contemplate.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have visited the Arboretum a few times over the past 7/8 years and always enjoyed my experience here.
There always appears to be something new to see each time I have visited and never seem to have enough time to walk round to see it all.
A real credit to all the people who are involved in planning the memorials and of course those who are continuously involved in maintaining the site.
Attention to detail is remarkable, it's really nice to visit somewhere that is well kept and pays tribute to those who gave their lives so that we can enjoy ours today.
There always appears to be something new to see each time I have visited and never seem to have enough time to walk round to see it all.
A real credit to all the people who are involved in planning the memorials and of course those who are continuously involved in maintaining the site.
Attention to detail is remarkable, it's really nice to visit somewhere that is well kept and pays tribute to those who gave their lives so that we can enjoy ours today.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Despite it being a fairly cool November day, we were really pleased we had visited. As it was our first time, we chose to take the train, which is an excellent way to view a large proportion of the site. The entrance fee is by donation, and I was more than happy to pay the suggested amount. The grounds are well maintained, which must be so important if you are visiting because you have lost someone close. The significance of the arboretum gradually builds whilst you tour round, and we were highly moved by the end of our visit. The catering facilities were acceptable/ but there is quite a lot of building work going on, so I expect improvements are on their way, so going later rather than sooner, might make sense. We said, we would like to visit again in a few years time, giving trees the time to grow some more.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were actually looking for a nice walk, and ended up at the national memorial arboretum in Staffordshire. Dog owners welcomed. Huge site, currently undergoing a refurb so some areas roped off. Free entry, and only £3 to park this is very reasonable. Café onsite was again clean and reasonably priced. With an interest in history and genealogy this was a great visit, but the layout was bewildering and difficult to follow. advice to buy the Map for £3, the Guide Book would be ok if you wanted a souvenir, but was £6.50 and just full of photos. OK for a group to share. An emotional and thought provoking day out
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had booked seats at a presentation hosted by the Arboretum on the explosion of bombs and ammunition at Fauld on 27 November 1944. Before taking our seats we visited as many of the memorials as possible and could not helped but be moved by what we saw and read. In addition to those commemorating various military and civilian organisation there were some very personal memorials. In one section children who had died at an early age or had been still born had been remembered and the messages from the parents were poignant and moving. This is a site which continually evolves and a return visit is planned to see the parts of the Arboretum that I had missed or were closed for renovation (The UK Armed Forces Memorial). This could be July 2016 - the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited here on the eve of Remembrance Sunday.
Not only is the place beautiful and well kept, you cannot help feel emotional whilst walking around - it is such a thought provoking place.
The car park was £3 and so was the map of the grounds, which is a small price to pay to help with the upkeep of such a wonderful place of commemoration to those who gave their lives in service to our country.
Not only is the place beautiful and well kept, you cannot help feel emotional whilst walking around - it is such a thought provoking place.
The car park was £3 and so was the map of the grounds, which is a small price to pay to help with the upkeep of such a wonderful place of commemoration to those who gave their lives in service to our country.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My first visit to the National Arboretum was on Remembrance Sunday. The car park was well organised with the attendants showing where to park. Well sign posted. The gift shop is well stocked with memorabilia and there is a cafe for refreshments but on this occasion was to busy to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our third visit and would rate it excellent previously but this time some of the staff were less than helpful - especially in the shop. We got the impression that we were second to their needs. There is a lot of building work going on at the moment which spoilled the experience although we realise that this has to be done. The temporary toilets were not very inviting with the gents not open at all.
The train ride was very good and informative and the lunch pavillion was very good.
Would recommend putting off a visit until alteration work is finished.
The train ride was very good and informative and the lunch pavillion was very good.
Would recommend putting off a visit until alteration work is finished.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
