National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Such a tribute to such Brave people over the Years. It s run by the British Legion& and volunteers give there time freely. It s free to get in but £3 to park a Car, alot of walking as it s over 150 acres but with coffee breaks in the Cafe you can be on your way again. A sml land train can take you around the whole site as well, £5 return. We will be back again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited the Arboretum in July and,of course, it rained. Very interesting gardens but the layout appeared a bit haphazard. I expected one section for Army, one for Navy and one for RAF etc but the memorials were all intermingled. Free to enter but the voluntary donation of £5 each is suggested, which most people will willingly pay. If you intend to visit I would recommend that you study the online map of the Arboretum before you visit and note where the memorials are that you particularly want to see as the map you can purchase is not in alphabetical order. The "wall" was closed for refurbishment. Take good walking shoes as there is a lot of ground to cover
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have known this place since it started and seen it grow. Well worth a day of your life whatever part of the world your from
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I went here with a friend for the day, take comfortable walking shoes as theirs a lot to see. Entrance to the site is free and run by volunteers but we gave £5.00 each and a map £3.00 as you go in their is a lovely cafe, we had a coffee and cake each but they do serve meals and snacks which all looked very nice. They have modern very clean toilets which cater for the disabled. A lovely gift shop with helpful staff. As we started to walk around following a very detailed map there a different sections all around from The Normandy Veterans, Royal Air Force etc in all 431 sections with helpful staff answering any questions that you may have. They have a lovely land train that can take you around the site which is great if you can't walk to far. I especially liked the Sommes trench which gave just an idea of what it was like in the 1st world war, also the far east memorial building which gave educational recording and information of actually what went on in that part of the Second World War. I came away with a sense of how lucky we are, what lives were lost, that we must never forget those that gave so much. Would definitely recommend a visit here.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited the arboretum in the spring. So surprised there are memorials for allsorts of lost souls. From the memorials for firefighters, soldiers from every conflict you have heard of to ones well before I existed. I was really moved by the exhibit for the stillborn babies and spent some time reading the messages parents and family had written on large decorated stones. The aboretum is perfectly laid out so you can make your way into and out of each area without bumping into other visitors. There is also a open sided train which slowly takes less abled visitors on a tour down the main routes. We were lucky to have good weather when we visited and were grateful for the trees so we could shelter from the sun. We walked along the lakeside and again read the heartbreaking messages of family who had lost there children at a young age or to illness. Finally we visited the memory wall to look for my grandfathers name and my nans brother who both died in the second world war but alas were unable to find them. I found the day very emotional but I'm not sure it is so good for young children as my young daughter became tired and bored with the whole thing. She did however perk up a little at the childrens play area. At the main entrance there are basic refreshments and lots of memorabilia and collectable visitor guides. Will definately visit again but without children next time. Well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went with my daughter on Father's Day afternoon, will definitely have to return,didn't have much time to see everything.It's very moving to see the inscriptions, all the names over the years.There isn't a charge to enter, however, a request for £5 each person is made.There is also a small car park charge. There is a souvenir shop, snacks, drinks etc are available.It's very poignant to see all the memorials to the many people and services that have been placed, makes you think deeply about the sacrifices that have been made....
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Everyone should visit this at least once. We have been numerous times and each time there is something new to consider. The volunteers are brilliant, nothing is too much trouble and extremely knowledgeable .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Memorial Arboretum is a free (donations welcome) site. This was my second visit, the first a few years ago was on a nice sunny day and I explored the many memorials on foot. Today it rained and unfortunately the main building and the main memorial were closed for refurbishment, this was very disappointing but there is still a lot to see, because of the rain we took the land train a 45 minute trip (for £5) which was very informative. Lunches were served in a temporary marquee while the main building is refurbished. New memorials are being added so this is a growing site - well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our first visit will not be our last. So many memorials laid out so thoughtfully in beautiful grounds. It is free to enter and the train tour is worthwhile at £5 in order to get your bearings for a later stroll. Very thought provoking
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The UK National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, UK is simply stunning! I last visited the Memorial in 2001, when it was first established. Since then the Memorial has come on leaps and bounds, with a new £15 million Visitor Complex nearing completion. The WW1, WW2, WW3 / Cold War and (other human conflicts) cover over 300 exhibits / sculptures set in 150 acres of gardens and forested lands.
I would highly recommend the Arboretum; especially to those tracing back their family's WW1 / WW2 military history. The sculptures and memorials serve as effective marking points / reminders in World History and Discourse. They also clearly reflect back and remember those that have been lost in executing their military duties, and all should never be forgotten..... :/
Indeed, the Arboretum is fully supported by the UK Royal British Legion and the UK Ministry of Defence and many other esteemed Charities. :)
Thank-you for reading my review and I sincerely hope that you find it all as interesting and informative as me and my father did. It is just great and well worth a visit! :)
I would highly recommend the Arboretum; especially to those tracing back their family's WW1 / WW2 military history. The sculptures and memorials serve as effective marking points / reminders in World History and Discourse. They also clearly reflect back and remember those that have been lost in executing their military duties, and all should never be forgotten..... :/
Indeed, the Arboretum is fully supported by the UK Royal British Legion and the UK Ministry of Defence and many other esteemed Charities. :)
Thank-you for reading my review and I sincerely hope that you find it all as interesting and informative as me and my father did. It is just great and well worth a visit! :)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a fantastic place this is. A great idea to bring so many memorials to one place , no conflict or event in which people have made sacrifices have been forgotten. A ride on the land train lets you see the majority of the main monuments but if you are able to walk around theres much more to see. Lots of work going on at present but i would say this gives you the incentive to go back again if you get the chance. Emotional and thought provoking its a must see for all ages .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My first visit to NMA to visit memorial trees for members of 5th Regiment RA. A well looked after place. The main wall was closed for upgrading but this didn't really detract too much from overall experience. Many stunning and thought provoking memorials, especially poignant is the shot at dawn memorial.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I thought I knew what was at the arboretum but realise now it was totally based on what I had seen on tele ! Well how uninformed were we ! We thought there was 1 statue ! No ....158 acres of statues, walks, river, trees, birds - peace !!!
So humbling - I have to go back ! Not just for World War I or II - but 9/11, for the innocent children including Anne Franc and .... Dunblane! For Sands (children who were lost during pregnancy or still
Born ! ) this is a memorial in every sense of the word !
Interestingly the statue I thought I had gone to see was closed for maintenance - but I enjoyed focusing on everything else and I am Inspired to go again !
Please go - you would not be here but for the loss of others xx
So humbling - I have to go back ! Not just for World War I or II - but 9/11, for the innocent children including Anne Franc and .... Dunblane! For Sands (children who were lost during pregnancy or still
Born ! ) this is a memorial in every sense of the word !
Interestingly the statue I thought I had gone to see was closed for maintenance - but I enjoyed focusing on everything else and I am Inspired to go again !
Please go - you would not be here but for the loss of others xx
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited here yesterday with a few things in mind.One to visit the 320 memorials or at least a few of them.Two to take poignant photos .We managed both .What a great area to remember all those that gave their lives in wars.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We stopped here on our way to Derbyshire and stayed for two and a half hours. There are lots of memorials here and you can buy and inexpensive listing. We wanted to see the Royal Tank Regiment memorial (my brother was in the RTR) and the RNLI memorial (my nephew is a Lifeboat cox'n). We found it - as other have - a very moving experience. Apart from the memorials, the plants are a joy to see, especially the swathes of wildflowers.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this very peaceful place. We went early in the morning and took the land train first to give us an idea of the site. The hiring of a mobility scooter for £5 (book in advance) was excellent value and enabled my husband to visit the whole site, which is flat.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
They're undergoing some renovation work so some of the facilities are temporary. We were welcomed outside and directed on where to enter. We were greeted by a gentleman who was able to direct us straight to the place where a relative's name is shown. We spent the best part of the day just wandering and looking. It is a huge area and I suggest comfortable shoes. A lot of the memorials involve walking over grass but it was quite firm and my wife's wheelchair didn't have any problems negotiating anywhere.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The area is vast and we did not see it all, so we'll definitely visit again. They're current building a visitor centre which will greatly improve the visitor experience. The memorials we managed to see were very well thought out and poignant. There were several services taking place and many veterans in evidence. Highly recommended.
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Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
On are visit to national arboretum we found the setting and atmosphere was gorgeous the memorials are great. When you start reading names it brings it home to you. The walks round all the memorials are great if you are not very good at walking you can get a little train or a kart with full commentary for a small charge. The staff are very helpful knowledgeable and polite.shall be back to see the finished building works
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the National Memorial Aboretum this week and found it a moving experience.
The electric train took us for a tour around the whole area and gave us an idea of which memorial to spend more time visiting. Each area has been thoughtfully prepared and executed. I will certainly visit again to spend more time looking at the areas I neglected on my first visit. The gift shop has a wide range of lovely merchandise and well worth a second look.
The electric train took us for a tour around the whole area and gave us an idea of which memorial to spend more time visiting. Each area has been thoughtfully prepared and executed. I will certainly visit again to spend more time looking at the areas I neglected on my first visit. The gift shop has a wide range of lovely merchandise and well worth a second look.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a place which should be on the list of ' places I must visit'. The sense of calm & peace helps make the Arboretum an emotional place to visit, reading the numerous memorials that remember the people who 'gave without question' is very moving. All walks of life not just military are honoured here, just wandering between these memorials will take a full day to appreciate ( worth every minute of your time ), believe me. We have visited on two previous occasions and we have found something new each time, refurbishment, improvement & additional monuments are ongoing. The Trustees are to be congratulated for not only making this a Memorial to appreciate but also to enjoy a wonderful way to say thank you to those honoured here. I have included seven photos but I took 112 on this visit but you need to visit to see for yourself.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our visit was all too brief and although this is still obviously a work in progress the setting and atmosphere of the place makes for a moving and interesting experience. The members of staff who we met could not have been more helpful and polite to the e tent that one gentleman escorted us personally to a part of the arboretum which we particularly wanted to see and would never have found on our own. The exhibits are informative and well presented.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very serene and moving place. Very well organised from the car parking to the land train tour. No matter your age or mobility they are able to ensure a memorable visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
There is so much history there and alot of areas to walk. The whole place makes you think and see how lucky we are
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
this memorial brings home the lives lost and make you realise how our lives have got better through so many giving there young lives we should be so proud of them all and this site is amazing i even know people who have worked on this project well done all
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
