National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Wonderfull,interesting very pleasant walks.really lovely day out with my husband. It as a very nice restaurant with yummy food. Will definitely no again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What an amazing place this is, its unfortunate that the reasons its here in the first place was due to loss of life.
its peaceful, tranquil and you need as much time as you can give to just wander around a day just isnt enough to pay respect to all those remebered here
its peaceful, tranquil and you need as much time as you can give to just wander around a day just isnt enough to pay respect to all those remebered here
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Amazing day, such a tranquil place grounds that are well maintained, facilities great and so much to see - we will be returning
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Despite a lot of building and restoration work going on, there was still loads to see and do. All the work should be finished by November 2016 if you wish for the best experience. You'll be invited to give a fiver on entry (officially entrance is free but you'd need to be spectacularly tight to give nothing). Then £3 for a map (essential), £3 for a 45 minute guided walk (which took well over an hour) but was brilliant, and £5 for the land train which was also excellent and good value and took about an hour. You'll need a couple of hours to wander alone to see anything of particular interest to you. One thing I hadn't appreciated was that the memorials are not all military ones. For example one garden was dedicated to still-born and neo-natal death charity SANDS. All very moving stuff and a lot of it a testament to the idiocy of war. If you go early April the millions daffodils will be at their best but every season will have its own special offering. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It was so peaceful to walk around and be able to pay respect to all those who have died ,throu conflict or road accidents
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This has to be one of Englands finest memorial sites to the people who have given their all for our freedom and safety.It has well thought out memorial sites for every regiment and service Its breath taking Set in beautiful peaceful grounds with river walks and a train ride round the complex.Its wheelchair friendly everywhere.We spent a day there but three days would be needed to see everything and give it its due respect A MUST VISIT for anyone.The history of each memorial is explained fully.Guide book is brilliant and the Staff and volunteers are amazing.Plenty for everyone of ALL ages and abilities.Cafes coffee and gift shops.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is not the kind of place that you can rush. We spent hours there looking at the various memorials to a wide variety of people and organisations. Military and civilian.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very fortunate to live very close by, have visited many times since its opening.
Can still go round and find new things we hadn't seen before.
You can walk out away from the centre and find some lovely quiet spots in very nice surroundings, just beware don't come in your best shoes as some of the parts need you to walk on grass.
Looking forward to the new visitor centre opening, looks like it could be special.
Can still go round and find new things we hadn't seen before.
You can walk out away from the centre and find some lovely quiet spots in very nice surroundings, just beware don't come in your best shoes as some of the parts need you to walk on grass.
Looking forward to the new visitor centre opening, looks like it could be special.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Tranquil and peaceful. Plenty of time to stroll around and absorb the atmosphere with lots of seating areas for peaceful reflection. The 11 o'clock Last post, 2 minutes silence and Reveille in the chapel was very emotive. Still a lot of construction in place at present with the armed forces Memorial closed so would definitely visit again when fully open. Staff and volunteers were all very friendly and helpful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
When you think of the national Aboretum you think of memorials but it is much more than that, it a place to hold in wonder and amazement of the size and expanse of the sole site and how well it is looked after, the land scape is wonderful and when the new visitors centre is completed it will offer a new attraction as well, we thought it was just for military but lots of public organisations are remembered and depicted there, but the tranquil settings are superb, either on foot or by the road train the guides, who are all volunteers are very knowledgable ,
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The family have visited the National Memorial Arboretum on several occasions and it never fails to leave a lasting, sobering, thought provoking memory and is a fitting tribute to our fallen service personnel and emergency/support services.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We took an elderly uncle to the arboretum as he was in the arctic convoys and had recently received a medal from President Gorbachov.
Since, at 92, our uncle is not up for walking long distances, we took a trip on the train around the site. The train trip is well worth the charge, however, it was a great disappointment that many of the displays and memorials couldn't be seen properly because the hedges were too high. Maybe someone from the arboretum should board the train and make a critical journey around the site to see what actually CAN be seen from the train!
Since, at 92, our uncle is not up for walking long distances, we took a trip on the train around the site. The train trip is well worth the charge, however, it was a great disappointment that many of the displays and memorials couldn't be seen properly because the hedges were too high. Maybe someone from the arboretum should board the train and make a critical journey around the site to see what actually CAN be seen from the train!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very moving place with a peaceful atmosphere. Have been twice and want to go again. One cannot take it all in at once, so much to see and learn.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We spent at least two hours walking quietly and thoughtfully around this memorial park viewing the many varied monuments and reading many of the tributes to those gone before us. A visit to the cafe and shop topped it off.
We would be keen to visit again once the exciting new development currently under construction is open. There is no charge but as the place is run by many volunteers and by the Royal British Legion charity a good donation is gratefully received. Also don't miss the memorial chapel, this is another place for prayer or quiet contemplation as are many of the quiet corners you can find on site. We also enjoyed our walk down by the River Tame with it's wildlife and serenity.
My only observations are go sooner rather than later as there are so many trees planted so close together, unless they are thinned out, which seems unlikely as they are mostly 'in memorium' the forest will become very dense and the views available now will be lost in a few years. And I do query why non native species have been planted? Eucalyptus don't belong here but maybe because of Empirical connexions?
We would be keen to visit again once the exciting new development currently under construction is open. There is no charge but as the place is run by many volunteers and by the Royal British Legion charity a good donation is gratefully received. Also don't miss the memorial chapel, this is another place for prayer or quiet contemplation as are many of the quiet corners you can find on site. We also enjoyed our walk down by the River Tame with it's wildlife and serenity.
My only observations are go sooner rather than later as there are so many trees planted so close together, unless they are thinned out, which seems unlikely as they are mostly 'in memorium' the forest will become very dense and the views available now will be lost in a few years. And I do query why non native species have been planted? Eucalyptus don't belong here but maybe because of Empirical connexions?
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Down the A38 from Derby to Lichfield you'll see a brown sign to the National Memorial Arboretum. I'd never heard of the National Memorial Arboretum before my first visit and talking with friends further up north where I live, neither had they. It's almost as if it doesn't court publicity and, nationally, it isn't given much as far as I can judge. It deserves better as the place in this country where the sacrifices of people who have past served this nation in many ways receive due and respectful recognition.
The memorials are many, including those for men and women from foreign lands who have stood with us in struggles over time. So it saddens me that, beyond the odd news item when a new memorial is dedicated in its large landscape of trees and lawns that it seems ever to be tucked away off the A38 without much recognition for itself as the Nation's prime site for bearing testimony to the many who have served and fought for us.
I must have been to the arboretum at least three times now. It is ever changing as it adds to its number of commemorations, both large and small. It is ever informative of the bravery and dedication of the souls it seeks to remind us of. And it is not just for adults. The young will draw from the place a sense of how we've come to be where we are today. Of personal interest was the memorial to the Bevan Boys, with my family steeped in the mining industry. The bookshop provided their story in a purchased paperback - 'Called Up, Sent Down' - which taught me more than I ever knew, more than my Father ever told me about his working life and the working lives of my two mining Grandfathers underground.
You'll be pleased you visited the National Memorial Arboretum, and visit it time and again as its stories evolve with each new commemoration unveiled. Visiting should be compulsory. The open often windswept lawns and trees of the National Memorial Arboretum stand well with many poignant memorials I've seen in other lands.
The memorials are many, including those for men and women from foreign lands who have stood with us in struggles over time. So it saddens me that, beyond the odd news item when a new memorial is dedicated in its large landscape of trees and lawns that it seems ever to be tucked away off the A38 without much recognition for itself as the Nation's prime site for bearing testimony to the many who have served and fought for us.
I must have been to the arboretum at least three times now. It is ever changing as it adds to its number of commemorations, both large and small. It is ever informative of the bravery and dedication of the souls it seeks to remind us of. And it is not just for adults. The young will draw from the place a sense of how we've come to be where we are today. Of personal interest was the memorial to the Bevan Boys, with my family steeped in the mining industry. The bookshop provided their story in a purchased paperback - 'Called Up, Sent Down' - which taught me more than I ever knew, more than my Father ever told me about his working life and the working lives of my two mining Grandfathers underground.
You'll be pleased you visited the National Memorial Arboretum, and visit it time and again as its stories evolve with each new commemoration unveiled. Visiting should be compulsory. The open often windswept lawns and trees of the National Memorial Arboretum stand well with many poignant memorials I've seen in other lands.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited on a cold damp November day, which I felt made the day much more poignant. wasn't expecting such a variety of monuments to so many causes, Give another five year when the trees have grown, and the partitions grown it will be a truly reflective environment, Don't want to say I had a good day that's just not right, although it was very moving.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I think everyone should visit the National Memorial Arboretum at least once in their lives and bring along their children. The reality of war and what it does to society is of paramount importance and needs to be conveyed to each new generation. The arboretum itself has a very nice cafe area, a bus/train that takes visitors on a guided tour of the various services areas. There is a hut and piece of the railway from the Burma Railway which I think is particularly poignant.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It was very moving to walk around. Unfortunately the main memorial is being repaired/refurbished whilst we were there so we could not go up to it. There is a vast array or art/sculptures/plaques and many more honouring the lives of people lost in the service of our country. Some of the visual representations (such as the trees planted to represent loss of life) really makes you think and understand the sheer scale of sacrifice. A thought provoking visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I'm certain it will be a 5 out of 5 attraction when the rebuilding is complete. Even with the muddy car park and closed Armed Forces Memorial, it was still a worthwhile visit. My own wish, to visit the Far East POW site, was achieved. Thank you to the volunteers who acted as guides and provided the 1200 talk about the FEPOWs.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is an incredible place - it really makes you think, reflect and get some perspective.
The National Memorial Arboretum oozes calm and tranquility - the memorials are all so very different and so well though through. It is a place that cannot fail to touch your heart and put some of one's more mundane worries into perspective.
We visited on a blustery day over Easter - it was our first visit but will not be our last. We look forward to returning and to seeing the Armed Forces Memorial in the future (it is closed at present).
The National Memorial Arboretum oozes calm and tranquility - the memorials are all so very different and so well though through. It is a place that cannot fail to touch your heart and put some of one's more mundane worries into perspective.
We visited on a blustery day over Easter - it was our first visit but will not be our last. We look forward to returning and to seeing the Armed Forces Memorial in the future (it is closed at present).
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited today by coach,purposely for my husband to pay his respect to comrades,our thanks to all the volunteers who guided us to specific sites, it's a beautiful site, we will return when building works are completed,and look forward to seeing all the changes.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a truly epic undertaking - over 50,000 trees have been planted on this 150 acre site. There are over 300 memorials which have been wonderfully executed. We will be back again as we didn't manage to see everything in one visit. An amazing experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Arrived about 10.30am so that we could go to the chapel for the Remembrance Service ,which is held every day at 11.00am.Very moving and then a volunteer told us how the idea of the arboretum came to be.We then got the land train at 11.30am for a 50 minutes guide to some of the memorials,well worth the £5.cost
After lunch we then walked around and enjoyed the tranquility of this place.Brilliant day,go and see it.
After lunch we then walked around and enjoyed the tranquility of this place.Brilliant day,go and see it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited the National Memorial Arboretum on an organised coachtrip. A Remembrance service was held with a Marine bugler, padre and British Legion flagbearers. We then went exploring the numerous memorials on the site commemorating different Military units and events such as the Falklands and 9/11. Many memorials are to units of the British Commonwealth, so it is international in it's scope. I found it an inspiring and moving experience and was very glad I went.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fantastic place to visit. Very moving. Cried all the way round!! Would go again. Huge place - had to visit twice to see it all.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
