National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
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
We stayed close to the national memorial arboretum and thought it would be worth a visit as it is free entry but I'm very glad we did a very interesting place to see and the 4 of us learned a lot and wished we had more time to spend lookin around all the memorials.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a lovely place to visit. November is not the best month for the gardens but the autumn colour magnificent this year. The national memorial is now closed for a year of repair work but all the names are being photographed and displayed on a site near to the visitor centre. The gardens and arboretum are still open and there is lots to see. The memorial services are extremely moving.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Oh my goodness what a place! Just fabulous, amazing, moving there just aren't enough superlatives to describe this place. I took a group of year 8 students to lay a wreath on behalf of our school, it was such a proud beautiful moment for us. This attraction is totally free only asking for you to pay for your parking. It is huge but the walking is easy with loads of benches scattered everywhere so you can sit and rest or contemplate. It's all totally amazing but please please make sure you see Shot at Dawn, it's the most moving thing I've ever seen. To be honest one day really isn't enough to fit everything in. You really do have to go, trust me!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I'm lucky enough to live very close to this, so visit at least once a month. There are some great events that take place here, most recently the ride to the wall and armistice day. Spectacular flyovers from the red arrows who often parachute down to the crowd . This is an all day visit as it is very large. It can be a bit tricky underfoot in places as it is a boggy area but there are gravelly paths. The entrance is free but a donation would be lovely and there are donation barrels in reception. There is a bus device, but only runs right to it on a Sunday. Otherwise there are regular no 7 buses to alrewas from Lichfield and burton on Trent and it's a 1 mile walk from there
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We planned to visit on Remembrance Sunday 2015. It is 100 years since my husband's father entered the Army (KOYLI) and the first WW although thankfully he survived, and my husband and I have subsequently had a memorable 56 years together. Unfortunately, our arrival was delayed as my husband was taken ill and admitted to Burton hospital on the Saturday evening. However discharged after 14 hours we managed to take the 'geriatric tour' (our name!!) on the Monday (9th Nov). We were MOST GRATEFUL for the land train and it's clear commentary and a little later (on the advice of a volunteer) we took a booked trip around a different route on a buggy. This time with the undivided attention of a volunteer driver with superb knowledge of many points of interest.(1.30pm slot) We are most grateful for the help and support on our visit, especially as the weekend had started off so badly and we were still some what apprehensive. We shall come back, but for now we REMEMBER and are grateful for our lives because of the sacrifice of others. We also wish you all well for the transitional year ahead.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Four of us booked a buggy tour including 2 course lunch for the incredibly cheap price of £100. As our guests can't walk very far this was perfect.
We were met at reception by our very friendly guide Jo at 10am, and she spent some time checking that our elderly guests understood about the Arboretum, and asking what they particularly wanted to see. We then attended the morning service before an incredibly informative tour. We saw roughly half of the Arboretum before lunch, and the rest after.
Lunch was very good, with plenty of choice, and the service was exceptionally quick.
Although the weather was initially wet and windy, we could see clearly through the buggy windows, and blankets were supplied for those who wanted them. A nice touch.
Jo our guide was a mine of interesting stories and information, and didn't have to look anything up which added greatly to our enjoyment. She was able to pitch the information at a level which suited all of us. Although 2 of us have visited before, we learned much much more on this trip.
The tour ended at 4pm, so a full day is needed. Incredibly good value for money; definitely worth every penny.
We were met at reception by our very friendly guide Jo at 10am, and she spent some time checking that our elderly guests understood about the Arboretum, and asking what they particularly wanted to see. We then attended the morning service before an incredibly informative tour. We saw roughly half of the Arboretum before lunch, and the rest after.
Lunch was very good, with plenty of choice, and the service was exceptionally quick.
Although the weather was initially wet and windy, we could see clearly through the buggy windows, and blankets were supplied for those who wanted them. A nice touch.
Jo our guide was a mine of interesting stories and information, and didn't have to look anything up which added greatly to our enjoyment. She was able to pitch the information at a level which suited all of us. Although 2 of us have visited before, we learned much much more on this trip.
The tour ended at 4pm, so a full day is needed. Incredibly good value for money; definitely worth every penny.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Everything good you read about this arboretum is true. Take the little train and get a detailed explanation from the recording of a large number of memorials. At te central memorial there are always guides to help explain the significance of various aspects of the design, how the sun shines through a small gap in the wall at 11 am on 11 Nov each year to fall on the central sculpture.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had 2 visits over this weekend, one negative is that it's not very well sign posted from the surrounding area especially when traveling via a motorway to it.
However it is a very well thought out & planned. A tribute to the people it is in memory of!
Free entry but parking is on honesty! Prices are on a high side for the family pocket, example is the land train costs £5.00 per person, but considering that it needs to expand the area & this costs, the money needs to come from somewhere!
However it is a very well thought out & planned. A tribute to the people it is in memory of!
Free entry but parking is on honesty! Prices are on a high side for the family pocket, example is the land train costs £5.00 per person, but considering that it needs to expand the area & this costs, the money needs to come from somewhere!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well worth a visit. This is an excellent memorial to all who served in the military and civilian forces, quite moving especially coming up to Remembrance Day. There's still quite a lot of construction going on and it'll take a while for the trees to establish properly but still worth a visit and a couple of hours of your time in contemplation for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spent the whole day, would recommend that everybody should visit at least once, we didn't get to see absolutely everything, but you can go back the next day to see anything you have missed. I cried my way round the big wall, very very moving.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Myself and my 2 daughters went it's a great attraction,I paid for the children's tour guide it was very well thought out and explained what they were looking at.
The restaurant was lovely it had a great selection of food it was very expensive though.
The restaurant was lovely it had a great selection of food it was very expensive though.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely place to visit. More monuments added all the time, several since our last visit.
many monuments to visit
many monuments to visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Just a must place to go,take your children,they need to see these places to appreciate what it took to be where we are today!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband and I visited the Arboretum and had a really good experience.
Even though the weather was awful the memorials were all thought provoking and we enjoyed the land train, which shows one around the main areas. We attended the service in the Chapel, but were a bit disturbed by the fact that the volunteer took the opportunity to ask for donations - I think there is a bit too much emphasis on this aspect-everywhere!! We all know that places like these do need our support, so please respect that, especially if we already had to pay to park.
We felt that despite the building works going on everyone tried to make the experience memorable. However I do wonder how anyone in a wheelchair or scooter would be able to negotiate the roads and pathways.
We will definitely return- hopefully the construction will be done and one can visit in peace and quiet which is what this experience should be.
Even though the weather was awful the memorials were all thought provoking and we enjoyed the land train, which shows one around the main areas. We attended the service in the Chapel, but were a bit disturbed by the fact that the volunteer took the opportunity to ask for donations - I think there is a bit too much emphasis on this aspect-everywhere!! We all know that places like these do need our support, so please respect that, especially if we already had to pay to park.
We felt that despite the building works going on everyone tried to make the experience memorable. However I do wonder how anyone in a wheelchair or scooter would be able to negotiate the roads and pathways.
We will definitely return- hopefully the construction will be done and one can visit in peace and quiet which is what this experience should be.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
fantastic place to learn about the unselfishness of others to provide us with our life style today. the memorials are great and the range of different services that their members gave their lives for ours
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A must visit when in the area.
Whether you have connections or not. Fit for all capabilities. Excellent all round. There is a little train to take the strain! The facilities are very good.
Facilities
Whether you have connections or not. Fit for all capabilities. Excellent all round. There is a little train to take the strain! The facilities are very good.
Facilities
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
