National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
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
Visited for the annual RAFA memorial service. Amazed at the area covered by the site.
Stunning memorials, each with a story set in countryside adjacent to the river Trent.
Due to the horrendous rain in recent weeks lots of the memorials were waterlogged.
Reasonably priced food and a great gift shop.
Entry if free with a £3 charge for parking.
Stunning memorials, each with a story set in countryside adjacent to the river Trent.
Due to the horrendous rain in recent weeks lots of the memorials were waterlogged.
Reasonably priced food and a great gift shop.
Entry if free with a £3 charge for parking.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a moving experience to visit this Arboretum nothing depressing about the place it is not a graveyard! You can spend a day there and probably still not see it all.
It was also a personal visit for us as my husbands brother has his name on the Memorial wall. Although it is really busy with visitors you can still have quiet time as it is such a big place. You can take children and not be afraid of letting them touch the memorials as if you tell them about it they are learning, which keeps the next generation interested. Take a picnic plenty of places to sit or there is a cafe/restaurant. I would highly recommend a visit.
It was also a personal visit for us as my husbands brother has his name on the Memorial wall. Although it is really busy with visitors you can still have quiet time as it is such a big place. You can take children and not be afraid of letting them touch the memorials as if you tell them about it they are learning, which keeps the next generation interested. Take a picnic plenty of places to sit or there is a cafe/restaurant. I would highly recommend a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Called on Saturday 02 July with the centenary of the start of the battle of the Somme in the news.
Building work to the main memorial meant we couldn't see tgat - but there was a WW1 trench which was interesting for us all.
Tranquil place - much bigger than we'd imagined. Definitely worth a visit.
Building work to the main memorial meant we couldn't see tgat - but there was a WW1 trench which was interesting for us all.
Tranquil place - much bigger than we'd imagined. Definitely worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is somewhere everyone should visit. The memorials are stunning, the setting superb and the staff great.
Just spend a couple of hours wondering around and remember those that gave all.
Just spend a couple of hours wondering around and remember those that gave all.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a wonderful memorial to all our brave service personell who fought with us and alongside very humbling.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Found our trip very thought provoking and shed a couple of tears particularly when visited the forgotten army memorial for those who fought in Burma as my dad had. Recommend doing the train tour to get your bearings so not to miss those you particularly want to see. Also worth wandering and enjoying the fauna and flora. The volunteers doing a wonderful job and are only to happy to help with directions or questions. If arrive early can park at the main gate rather than the overflow car park. Costs £3 for day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
lovely place and surroundings
had a service here for tunisia terrorist attack 2015
went with other survivors loads of different forces marching about was lovely to see and hear
well worth a visit
had a service here for tunisia terrorist attack 2015
went with other survivors loads of different forces marching about was lovely to see and hear
well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited on armed forces day didn't know about building work going on till October which spoilt it a bit for us.plenty of stalls and other activities happening which we enjoyed. But one thing we where looking forward to was the ride by of the motorcycles which didn't happen for health and safety reasons.Which is usually very good and very well attended. But despite that the day was a great spectacle for armed forces well done everyone involved.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Even though the weather was awful we had a great time wandering around this wonderful place and will definitely be returning
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This place simply helps those who have lost loved ones with dignity and grace.
It has solace and serenity that is needed sometimes.
The staff are superb and all one can say is "thank you".
God be with our heroes.
It has solace and serenity that is needed sometimes.
The staff are superb and all one can say is "thank you".
God be with our heroes.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Even if you have no family members involved in any conflicts, this place is a peaceful and interesting . A gentle stroll around gives you time to reflect and think your own thoughts of past and present wars.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the Arboretum after staying locally for one night before we continued heading south. There is abundant parking for £3 per day, although the car park is a short walk across a fairly busy road which might not suit elderly visitors. There is however lots of disabled parking right at the entrance! The permanent Visitors Centre is still being built, however the current prefabricated one is excellent with a nice little cafe that does a delicious toastie. I would also like to mention that the staff (who I believe are mostly volunteers) were all very nice and very helpful, and the manager was very nice in allowing us to donate and book land train tickets by card (which they don't usually take) as we were unable to locate a bank machine locally. I would like to say that the arboretum is lovely, and a worthy tribute to those service personnel and also a number of civilian organisations who have served our country faithfully and in many cases have made the ultimate sacrifice. We chose to go round on the land train (£5 each) which visits a large part of the grounds over the course of an hour, as it is very large and would probably take several hours to see everything on foot and would involve a lot of walking. Overall a very good visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited here while staying in Lichfield before going to Bruges. I had seen details about it online and seeing as we were so close I wanted to visit.
Unfortunatley the weather was not on our side and it started raining when we arrived, so we decided to have a cuppa in the cafe and see if it subsided but it didn't. At is is free to visit we decided to leave and return later if the weather got better.
When we eventually got back later in the day we only had about 2 hours to look round so I made a whistle stop tour of the monuments with my camera while my better half went into the Far East Prisoners of War exhibition.
There are so many to look at that I just didn't have time. Some are just small monuments - including one to the victims of the 9/11 tragedy which is two small columns, while some are huge like the Armed Forces Memorial. The shot at dawn memorial for those shot for cowadice or desertion is very moving.
There are far too many to mention individually and most are very impressive and all are poignant.
It is a lovely peaceful place to spend the day and look around them all. My husband spent most of his time in the Far East exhibition and so didn't look round much as it was so interesting. I had a quick look in myself however it was very upsetting. I did however manage to find my great uncle's name on the list of soilders who had died there and I intend to send a picture of him to them so that they can add it to there collection. It was nice to think that he will be remembered and is there for people to see as he is buried overseas where he died - he was only in his early 20's like so many others who gave there lives, and continue to do so in conflicts overseas.
I would recommend everyone to visit this beautiful place of peace and tranquility to reflect on the courage of others.
Unfortunatley the weather was not on our side and it started raining when we arrived, so we decided to have a cuppa in the cafe and see if it subsided but it didn't. At is is free to visit we decided to leave and return later if the weather got better.
When we eventually got back later in the day we only had about 2 hours to look round so I made a whistle stop tour of the monuments with my camera while my better half went into the Far East Prisoners of War exhibition.
There are so many to look at that I just didn't have time. Some are just small monuments - including one to the victims of the 9/11 tragedy which is two small columns, while some are huge like the Armed Forces Memorial. The shot at dawn memorial for those shot for cowadice or desertion is very moving.
There are far too many to mention individually and most are very impressive and all are poignant.
It is a lovely peaceful place to spend the day and look around them all. My husband spent most of his time in the Far East exhibition and so didn't look round much as it was so interesting. I had a quick look in myself however it was very upsetting. I did however manage to find my great uncle's name on the list of soilders who had died there and I intend to send a picture of him to them so that they can add it to there collection. It was nice to think that he will be remembered and is there for people to see as he is buried overseas where he died - he was only in his early 20's like so many others who gave there lives, and continue to do so in conflicts overseas.
I would recommend everyone to visit this beautiful place of peace and tranquility to reflect on the courage of others.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful tributes set in a beautiful riverside location.So peaceful and thought provoking.Alot is out in the open so not good on a rainy day.New memorials being added all the time some are stunning beautiful artwork.A great place for reflection
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I would strongly advise everyone to visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. It is an amazing place which contains memorials from many conflicts in various parts of the globe.
The site is large and you really need hours to walk around the memorials to the different services. All are remembered here from those in the Royal Navy, Air Force and Army to the Merchant Navy and the Land Girls. There are too many to mention but all share the same ability to touch the hearts and minds of those who read the stories.
We visited on June 6th which is the anniversary of D Day and there was a service held whilst we were there and veterans of the action attended. It was incredibly touching and, indeed, the whole visit served to make us grateful for the sacrifices of others who enabled us to enjoy our visit to this green and pleasant place.
The site is large and you really need hours to walk around the memorials to the different services. All are remembered here from those in the Royal Navy, Air Force and Army to the Merchant Navy and the Land Girls. There are too many to mention but all share the same ability to touch the hearts and minds of those who read the stories.
We visited on June 6th which is the anniversary of D Day and there was a service held whilst we were there and veterans of the action attended. It was incredibly touching and, indeed, the whole visit served to make us grateful for the sacrifices of others who enabled us to enjoy our visit to this green and pleasant place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Attended a private service in the Chapel, excellent facilities, fantastic grounds and a surprise at every turn....you could spend a lot of time here...
Accessibility was fantastic allowing people of all levels of mobility ease of viewing the park. Nice cafe with indoor and outdoor seating and prices that did not break the bank.
Some staff seemed a little stressed which could be down to it being very busy that day although most seemed to able to remain in good humour.
One member of staff operating the sightseeing train however, thought it was acceptable to berate my wife and I for boarding the train without first buying a ticket...no signs were visible so we didn't know...he demanded we got off, no small feat with a recent double knee replacement...told us off and then demanded that we pay £5 each...something we were willing to do but his attitude put us off....we didn't bother going and neither did our six friend who were following us....the train left a little later with two empty carriages and £40 less takings....
The Arboretum is still a five star place....a pity one of the staff isn't...
Accessibility was fantastic allowing people of all levels of mobility ease of viewing the park. Nice cafe with indoor and outdoor seating and prices that did not break the bank.
Some staff seemed a little stressed which could be down to it being very busy that day although most seemed to able to remain in good humour.
One member of staff operating the sightseeing train however, thought it was acceptable to berate my wife and I for boarding the train without first buying a ticket...no signs were visible so we didn't know...he demanded we got off, no small feat with a recent double knee replacement...told us off and then demanded that we pay £5 each...something we were willing to do but his attitude put us off....we didn't bother going and neither did our six friend who were following us....the train left a little later with two empty carriages and £40 less takings....
The Arboretum is still a five star place....a pity one of the staff isn't...
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Don't think it's only interesting to the a armed forces. Very atmospheric and such beautiful grounds to walk round, well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very interesting and peaceful place and to see the people who died for us all .I went to find my dads regiment The Welsh Guards ,my dad was injured in the Second World War and lost his arm.We also found my friends dads regiment,there was a service on for the Military Police which was very nice to watch ,We could not go up to the main center has they where putting more names on,I will go back I found it very interesting and peaceful
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Arboretum just keeps growing, memorials to so many to see, a lovely place to walk around on any day. Look out for special events and Regular Royal visits. You will not be disappointed, new visitor centre and restaurant currently underway.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very special place everyone should visit at least once. You can't help but be moved by the atmosphere especially when reading the names on central monument.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
