National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
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
It is a sobering tribute to those who laid down their lives for our freedom. The sheer size of the place puts it into perspective and it is a peaceful and tranquil setting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a must see place.
Being from the services I've visited several times, each time paying tribute to the many that have fallen along with memorials to all our services.
The grounds are immaculate and there is plenty to see and reflect on.
The staff are fantastic and nothing is too much trouble and their knowledge is excellent.
This place really makes you think and can be emotional.
Being from the services I've visited several times, each time paying tribute to the many that have fallen along with memorials to all our services.
The grounds are immaculate and there is plenty to see and reflect on.
The staff are fantastic and nothing is too much trouble and their knowledge is excellent.
This place really makes you think and can be emotional.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited today with my daughter, this very beautiful, moving and peaceful memorial. I was yet again moved and honoured to feel a part of something so very very special. Our main visits were to the FEPOW and ATS memorials but we also visited areas we missed last time.
We bought some very special poppies which will always be treasured.
An amazing, humbling place.
We bought some very special poppies which will always be treasured.
An amazing, humbling place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A fantastic and poigniant experience, so much respect from a diverse group of attendees, all with a common aim and purpose.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our group paid for a VIP tour with a 2 course meal. The tour was excellent our guide Margaret was very informative and made the trip really enjoyable. The food was delicious and all other staff and volunteers very friendly. Allow plenty of time for a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What an amazing place! We took our coach party here and shared in the daily Act of Remembrance before taking the land train around the site. The land train has a recorded commentary which points out many of the memorials as you go around. Even though this is £5 per head, it is the best way to see the site and appreciate all that is there. The volunteer staff are all extremely helpful, and make the experience somuch better
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had a fun and interesting day at the Arboretum, it was lovely to see all the different memorials.
Whilst I would recommend the memorial I wold avoid the cafe and restaurant, both were average to poor; the service was friendly but the food not good, the hot chocolate was weak, the sausage roll was horrible, and when i complained was told that people love them, well I did not.
The soup (Broccoli) was again of a poor quality, and my bread roll stale. All avoidable.
Whilst I would recommend the memorial I wold avoid the cafe and restaurant, both were average to poor; the service was friendly but the food not good, the hot chocolate was weak, the sausage roll was horrible, and when i complained was told that people love them, well I did not.
The soup (Broccoli) was again of a poor quality, and my bread roll stale. All avoidable.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A 'must place' to visit. Constantly developing and an inspirational place to spend at least a day. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and the land train is well worth the £5 fee.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We found this memorial not only an emotional experience but it's also very interesting. The memorial wall stops you in your tracks.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a very special place that has made a lot of progress in the last five years. The loud music in the cafeteria which disturbed a previous visit has been rectified, and all staff demonstrate real commitment to the memorial. Those with a personal reason for visiting will feel cared for. Highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the national arboretum for the first time today and it is truly an amazing place that the United Kingdom can be proud of.
Lovely staff who couldn't do enough for everyone and nice facilities.
Lovely place to celebrate and remember the people who died for the country.
Recommended.
Lovely staff who couldn't do enough for everyone and nice facilities.
Lovely place to celebrate and remember the people who died for the country.
Recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We loved our morning here. The highlight was the guided tour, available twice a day which cost £3 a head. The insights and knowledge of our guide really added to our understanding of the various monuments and much of the symbolism behind each one.
Unfortunately the visitor centre will be closing for a year after Remberance Day 2015 but a despite this I would highly recommend a visit
Unfortunately the visitor centre will be closing for a year after Remberance Day 2015 but a despite this I would highly recommend a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
On a recent narrow boat holiday on the Trent and Mersey Canal, we stopped at Alrewas. Both myself and my brother in law are ex service men and we decided to visit the National Memorial Arboretum. It was a truly fascinating and humbling experience to see all the memorials. The setting is superb with plenty of seating for quiet contemplation. The site is quite large and it is difficult to see it all in one day, so I would recommend. a couple of visits if you want to see it all.
Entrance is free, there is a large cafe marquee with a good choice of food and drinks. There is also a bus that takes you around the site, this is not free and can get quite full.
Entrance is free, there is a large cafe marquee with a good choice of food and drinks. There is also a bus that takes you around the site, this is not free and can get quite full.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It was raining when we arrived but it didn't spoil our visit. We had coffee in the lovely cafe and I bought several items from the gift shop. It's free to park but they ask for a donation. At 11 o'clock we went into the church where the last post sounded and then 2 minutes silence after a short talk on how the Arboretum came to be. Interesting. After we took the train for £ 5 each. It's about 50 minutes and takes you slowly around the area showing quite a lot of the memorials. It's huge so of course you can't see every thing in one day. But I have to say it was very interesting. Sorry but as from the 12 th November the main memorial will be closed for refurbishment but it's still very much worth a visit as there is so much to see.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A friend was keen to go. I had my doubts but I enjoyed it. The introductory train tour was useful. We saw an egret and a heron on the riverside walk.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The national memorial arboretum is a fantastic place to visit to appreciate all of the wonderful people who have served our country, not only that but we have a special place to visit for a precious little girl who was taken from us too soon as we have a memorial tree with a plaque. Staff are always friendly and they rely totally on donations. Please take the time to visit this magical place and pay your respects.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It is over 2 years since we were last here and there are many changes and additional memorials. The main car park is now 'off site' and parking was £3.00 for the day, and the car park had attendants taking the money; the original car park is for disabled car vehicles only. There is building work going on mainly around the visitors centre and as previously mentioned the main memorial is being moved to a temporary (for approx. 12 months) position. As it was half term the centre and grounds were very busy, but the further we walked away from the centre the more peaceful it was with lots of areas for reflection and thoughts on those no longer with us. We will go again but not until the building work has been completed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went with my hubby and our dog. Hubby and I went in first to see the main memorial and some other parts that I couldn't take the dog. We then went back to the car and got the dog, we had a lovely walk round the outside of the arboretum, we could hook him up to a dog tether to go in and see some memorials close to the edge. Very impressive, the memorials are stunning and very thought provoking. Would highly recommend a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had a day here last week. Thoroughly interesting and thought provoking day. Could not have got round the site (150 acres) without the help of the train which went round the site Very interesting and clear recorded commentary about the memorials. Would recommend as a day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The memorials themselves are varied in design and materials and are themselves simultaneously moving and beautiful. However, the landscaping and its maintenance are disappointing. There is currently (October 2015) work taking place on a new visitor centre and moving the main memorial to a temporary location for drainage works to be carried out on the real one. The catering is in two locations, a cafe / snack area and a Restraunt serving hot lunches in a very professional marquee. There is plenty of free parking on t.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
