National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
i just wish you lot would try and keep it tidy and use the toilets properly - its not hard
Source: google.com
I agree with a couple of other visiters about the site not being disabled friendly my wife and i are not disabled but we found we could not get round all the memorials as we both have arthritis and find it hard to walk to far .
The train just goes round with no stops,so you are unable to get off to view the memorials.
The train just goes round with no stops,so you are unable to get off to view the memorials.
Source: google.com
A very moving visit. Well worth the effort. The guide was super. Thanks.
Source: google.com
Having been to the memorial many times since it first opened with its one pence 100year lease it is for me a place to remember forces comrades that made the ultimate sacrifice and never returned home. Although those of us that did make it through terrorist action at home and abroad and service in the Falklands, Belize, Germany and Middle East to name just some locations, I and some of my comrades when looking at our regiment memorial garden have spoken about how we would be better off having our names on the big white wall rather than suffering with gulf war syndrome in the various ways in which we do all suffer through no fault of ours as mere service personnel. May all rest in peace some day.
Source: google.com
Wonderful place
Source: google.com
visit every couple of months from tyne side staff great .parade with R.A..standard
local rbl club 1st..class the place makes one think .
local rbl club 1st..class the place makes one think .
Source: google.com
Magnificent and meaningful
Source: google.com
A very touching experience
Source: google.com
Wonderful place,well worth a visit! Enjoyed the day with sad overtone
Source: google.com
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
