National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Fantastic, wonderful, full of praise for the volunteers, beautiful setting an absolute credit to all who have a part in this National Monument. So much to see. This should be on everyone' bucket list. So many monuments to those who gave so much. My heartfelt thanks to all. Peter Bailey, ex C.P.O. Royal Navy
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I live locally and love visiting the arboretum.
It is free to enter (parking is £3.00 but since it is a charity and uses the money to keep the place running I don't mind paying it).
It is a beautiful place, peaceful and tranquil.
There is so much to see, you could easily send a day there (take a picnic and sit next to the river)
There are so many memorials for different things, there is something that will interest everyone.
I always take time to visit the memorial wall and "shot at dawn" and then take a nice stroll along the river.
Well worth a visit.
It is free to enter (parking is £3.00 but since it is a charity and uses the money to keep the place running I don't mind paying it).
It is a beautiful place, peaceful and tranquil.
There is so much to see, you could easily send a day there (take a picnic and sit next to the river)
There are so many memorials for different things, there is something that will interest everyone.
I always take time to visit the memorial wall and "shot at dawn" and then take a nice stroll along the river.
Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have been several times the first time was a dedication service about 10 years ago for a cousin that went down on a ship in WW11, and it has got better and better . It is such a beautiful place of rememberance, it is so nice to walk round although also a very emotional place to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
For many years I never knew that this place existed but when I went for the first time a few years ago I was all in ore of the Staffordshire National Memorial. Not only is it a statement of our history in England it also shows our allies the Scots, Welsh, Irish, Gurkha's and many more.
The setting is a very peaceful location and it will be a full day out and there is lots to see and do. At times tearful and other times smiles I will guarantee you will keep coming back for years to come.
The National Memorial never keeps still there are more memorials being added all the time give you more to see, with a train available for young and old with guides or digital headsets you can take your time walking or being carried through this wonderful place.
You will not regret going and it only costs £3 per car that's it.
The setting is a very peaceful location and it will be a full day out and there is lots to see and do. At times tearful and other times smiles I will guarantee you will keep coming back for years to come.
The National Memorial never keeps still there are more memorials being added all the time give you more to see, with a train available for young and old with guides or digital headsets you can take your time walking or being carried through this wonderful place.
You will not regret going and it only costs £3 per car that's it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We've wanted to visit for a while and the wait was worth it.
A very moving place even for those of us too young to remember many of the wars and conflicts.
Take the tour for information and then wander at your leisure.
A very moving place even for those of us too young to remember many of the wars and conflicts.
Take the tour for information and then wander at your leisure.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Took the train round the site which gave us a good overview and helped us decide which areas merited a closer look. It's beautifully laid out, rather reminiscent of a military cemetery but with trees and memorials in place of headstones. The restaurant offered good value meals and the staff were friendly and helpful. I went particularly to see a bronze statue to the Land Army and Timber Corps and I took an elderly aunt whose sister has a memorial tree in one of the areas of the park. That was easy to find and the staff provided instructions and reference number.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I recently visited the National Memorial Arboretum for a Remembrance Service hosted by the Parachute Regiment. The staff met us at the entrance and were very helpful and friendly. Our service was being held at the Airborne monument and is situated some way from the main building, the staff explained that a shuttle buggy would be available to those unable to walk the distance. The grounds are kept immaculate with on going memorials being created all the time.
There are 150 acres to explore and appreciate.
There is a good restaurant serving everything from breakfast, snacks and meals to scones and hot drinks. There is a gift shop run by the British Legion.
Entry is free but car parking is £3.00 per day. Donations are welcomed towards the maintenance .
Check out their website for special events throughout the year.
There is so much to see and you can always take a picnic if you prefer.
There are 150 acres to explore and appreciate.
There is a good restaurant serving everything from breakfast, snacks and meals to scones and hot drinks. There is a gift shop run by the British Legion.
Entry is free but car parking is £3.00 per day. Donations are welcomed towards the maintenance .
Check out their website for special events throughout the year.
There is so much to see and you can always take a picnic if you prefer.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very moving. You don't have to have a military background to appreciate what so many people did to give us freedom. I would recommend a visit by anyone.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lot to see and you need all day to appreciate the history and the memories and to pay your respects
Good provision for toilets and restaurants from snacks to full meals
The site has got better and better as the years pass and more memorials are put in, I live locally and have visited a number of times with visitors to my home and they are always impressed by the site
Good provision for toilets and restaurants from snacks to full meals
The site has got better and better as the years pass and more memorials are put in, I live locally and have visited a number of times with visitors to my home and they are always impressed by the site
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Didn't know what to expect. Much larger than we anticipated and thankful for the little train to take us around the large site, complete with commentary. The place is lovely and well tended with lots of helpful volunteers. You are politely asked to pay to park and help contribute to the upkeep. This we did gladly, but we were disappointed to see a number of visitors who obviously avoided making any contribution. If they wish to spend time there, using toilet facilities and benches to eat the picnics they brought with them, the least they should do is give a donation. Thanks to all who look after this lovely place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I would highly recommend a visit here. The place is very well maintained and very moving. The self service cafe is great but we had booked a 3 course Sunday lunch which was served in a separate restaurant. The staff were amazing! Very professional and friendly. We got better service than in many good restaurants . The food was also delicious and well presented.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I just love this place , so peaceful and very moving . We particularly came to view the recent addition of the Camp Bastion memorial . Nice to see how they've encouraged wildlife along the river too. Lovely grounds and well maintained .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Amazing place. Huge and so well laid out. Not at all from a service background it is still marvellous to wander amongst the tremendous artwork and planting. Beautifully done and such a contrast to the carnage that the memorial sadly marks. I was particularly struck by the range of memorials including the 'shot at dawn' area. Flowers, trees, bird life and water, all beautifully tended. Worth a visit and if you have time worth a stop for a while to appreciate what you have.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I simply could not fault the organisation, the location or the facilities when we went. I recommend the short train ride around the site to get an overview of what is on site before making your own way to the areas that interest you.
The layout is thoughtful and the ambience quiet and reflective with lots of greenery, birds and, of course, a staggering number of memorials of all sorts.
There were people of all ages and nationalities and it is my view that everyone in the country should visit this location at some time in their lives.
The layout is thoughtful and the ambience quiet and reflective with lots of greenery, birds and, of course, a staggering number of memorials of all sorts.
There were people of all ages and nationalities and it is my view that everyone in the country should visit this location at some time in their lives.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Arboretum is a splendid memorial so peaceful and moving.
It was lovely to see visitors from such various age groups there, Veterans, Service personnel, school children and students.
The train ride around the Arboretum was very informative and detailed about the memorials on display
The Shot at Dawn memorial we found be so specially moving, reading the names and ages of the 306 soldiers on the posts was a privilege and so very sad
So many young men blindfolded and executed.
It was lovely to see visitors from such various age groups there, Veterans, Service personnel, school children and students.
The train ride around the Arboretum was very informative and detailed about the memorials on display
The Shot at Dawn memorial we found be so specially moving, reading the names and ages of the 306 soldiers on the posts was a privilege and so very sad
So many young men blindfolded and executed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a perfect memorial to our fallen heroes from many conflicts and for those non military personnel who gave so much, it's quiet and peaceful and respectful place, it's a place that makes you think about love and loss and also pride rather than for a few minutes every November. Whilst there I was able to see my cousins name on the wall from the Falklands conflict and my sons friend on the Bastion memorial both very young men whose names will always be remembered nationally. There was the dedication of the new RAF memorial with a fly past by a spitfire which tipped its wing as it passed the memorial a beautiful sight. I think it's shameful that some reviewers give a poor review because they dont agree to pay £3 to park their car, aren't allowed to take their dogs up to the memorials and disabled people that they can't take their own mobility scooters in, this is a national memorial not a theme park, I for one don't want to be run into by a mobility scooter, have to watch where I walked because of irresponsible dog owners, I think it's a brave move to make those decisions but the right one for everyone to enjoy the peace and beauty of the site. Some complained the cafe prices were expensive and I thought it was incredibly cheap, clean and that the volunteers do an excellent job and obviously have to be firm with some visitors who think they have more rights than everyone else if they have a dog or disability!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A thought provoking experience. It was a beautiful summer day when we visited. We didn't know what to expect as had only seen short clips on television. But we were overcome by the atmosphere of peace and calm. The individual memorial gardens are inspired, some complex and others quite simplistic. The most poignant in our view is The Shot at Dawn memorial. How much wiser we are now. It was the pefect time of year to see the Britsh Legion Poppy Field.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It is an amazing place paying tribute to all the services you could ever imagine. Its moving and thought provoking without being over the top to the point where you or the kids are not enjoying it. Its also a really nice walk to go around the perimeter and stop off at the various memorials. I will definitely go again, highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were treated like VIP's from the time we arrived to the time we left many hours later as we had a disabled lady with us, but feel that we would have been treated just the same had she not been there.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We attended the Service for the Dedication of the Camp Bastion Cross as my partner lost her son in Afghanistan in 2007 and had the opportunity to look around the memorial gardens. Well worth a visit and helps support the British Legion. Lots of history and a great place to reflect and remember various combats given the anniversary of World War One 1914-18 and recently VE Day celebrations its profile as a national memorial has risen.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I hadn't researched this place so was totally surprised at the size of it. We came to make a quick visit to one particular section thinking this was the main attraction.
Fortunately we used the internal train for the hour guided tour rather than just wander aimlessly. This was very informative and worth the £5 each.
Yes there are paper guides but didn't invest in this.
Was surprised by the honesty box for the £3 car park fee and were at first frustrated by no enterance fee but a request for a minimum £5 per person enterance fee as a donation! Clever ploy as gift aided more!
Be warned there's a huge space to walk round and see all the varying memorial areas.
Cafe area was nice with plenty of outside seats and the scones were very tasty.
Our only real problem was finding the carpark enterance which was labeled eventually as overspill, a couple of hundred yards past the main enterance and on opposite side.
Thought we would be maximum of an hour were more like 3 and could have spent longer.
Fortunately we used the internal train for the hour guided tour rather than just wander aimlessly. This was very informative and worth the £5 each.
Yes there are paper guides but didn't invest in this.
Was surprised by the honesty box for the £3 car park fee and were at first frustrated by no enterance fee but a request for a minimum £5 per person enterance fee as a donation! Clever ploy as gift aided more!
Be warned there's a huge space to walk round and see all the varying memorial areas.
Cafe area was nice with plenty of outside seats and the scones were very tasty.
Our only real problem was finding the carpark enterance which was labeled eventually as overspill, a couple of hundred yards past the main enterance and on opposite side.
Thought we would be maximum of an hour were more like 3 and could have spent longer.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wonderful place to visit, but I was very disappointed that most of the areas are out of bounds to people with dogs. There is a dog walking route, difficult to follow on the map, but this avoids just about all the points of interest. And taking the "train" is banned too. The carpark is unshaded so on a warm day, today!, one can't leave an animal in a car either. I was pursued and told off for straying from "the route" in order to take a photo of a memorial of significant family interest. Be warned. Of course guide dogs are permitted. Rec time-3hrs +- but only if you are dog free.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This visit to the Arboretum made me feel proud and humble, It honours all who paid the ultermate price for freedom and commemerates all the organisations who were involve.A beautiful settings,The tram around the site enabled us to see most of the memorials.We had a super lunch in a private room. The service was friendly.We will certainly re-visit , there is much more for us to see. (We were part of a coach party)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This should have been a peaceful and reflective afternoon. Spoiled by able people boldly parking in the disabled spots and then stalking through ignoring parking fees or even an entry donation.
The park itself is good and well worth seeing, perhaps not two days before a new Memorial was due to open! We had builders and machinery all around us which was off putting.
The park itself is good and well worth seeing, perhaps not two days before a new Memorial was due to open! We had builders and machinery all around us which was off putting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went here on a damp Saturday afternoon and we were very impressed by the knowledgeable volunteers who were more than helpful. It is well worth a visit and will fill you with great national pride and gratitude to all the brave people who have made the ultimate sacrifice. A humbling experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
