National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
An amazing place that I am almost at a loss to find the words to describe just how moved I was by it. One thing is for sure, you need more than one visit to do it justice. No entry fee, reliant on donations and volunteers to help run it, this alone should shame our Government. It is a vast, but beautifully landscaped place, with many many tributes covering many conflicts and some not related to conflict such as the very moving garden dedicated to SANDS, the many pebbles decorated and left there in memory of babies who had died made me cry. There is a memorial to 9/11, small and alone but nonetheless extremely powerful, The small town in which I live lost a young man in Afghanistan and we were very able to find his name on the main war memorial and pay our respects. We took the train ride around at a cost of £5 and this took around 45 mins and was very informative and well worth the money, especially if walking any distance is a problem. There were also golf buggies that volunteers were driving some of the more elderly and infirm visitors around in, but the whole area is very accessible both to the fully able and those that need varying degrees of assistance. Refreshments are well priced and excellent quality, Sunday carvery was £7-95 and it was a pleasant surprise not to be ripped off which sadly is often the case when visiting some attractions. All the staff, mostly volunteers, were all, without exception, extremely friendly, knowledgeable and happy. We were lucky that we had such perfect weather for our visit which allowed us to fully explore the grounds. This is somewhere everyone should try and visit and one message on one memorial said it all " Freedom does not come free"
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
we must not forget those who fell for us a very reflective day out not sad but emotional .The land train very good takes about 1 hour and points out areas of interest that you can go back to ,NO cash machines at the venue cash is needed for donations and train.Lots walking good shoes required and coat on cold day.Well worth visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This our history and should be visited @ least once in your lifetime. These men, women, children and animals are the reason we are all here today. It is a wonderful, uplifting, inspiring place and a visit should be made mandatory in the school curriculum. It is easily accessible for everyone and is very humbling. Well set out with some wonderful views, plenty of seating to enable you to contemplate the view and the stories. Fabulous!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A most wonderful place we visit in rememberance of all our Naval friends through the years. Yesterday we visited to dedicate an Oak tree and bench for HMS Plymouth which served with honour in the Falklands war.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Brilliant day out for any age lots to take in and such a peaceful location.
Think that the staff here are full of information if you have any questions about anything. Just a wonderful way of reflecting on things and remembering .
Think that the staff here are full of information if you have any questions about anything. Just a wonderful way of reflecting on things and remembering .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited the Memorial after many months of having it on our wish list. Was pleased to find that the car park was free after reading that its was £3.00 to park. On enquiring was told that there was an honesty box for people to make a car park donation. Arrived in time for the 11 o'clock Last Post service in the Chapel when we given in insight into the best way to visit the various memorials. Purchased a guide book which was invaluable. Although being in our late 70's decided that we would walk rather than take the train and found no difficulty in getting around. Planned our tour so that we could be back to the restaurant for a bit of lunch, which was most enjoyable and reasonably priced. Continued our tour after lunch and following the guide book we found our way around. I particularly wanted to visit the memorial of the Regiment in which I served my National Service. I also wanted to find the name of a comrade who was later lost his life on active service. The Wall of Remembrance is impressive and very poignant and after a search found his name.
It is a place that I feel everybody should visit if only to see how so many people sacrificed their lives in order that we can live as we are today.
It is a place that I feel everybody should visit if only to see how so many people sacrificed their lives in order that we can live as we are today.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the Arboretum a number of years ago when it first opened, and saw that it was going to be a lovely place as the plants and trees settled in and grew. Visiting again it was interesting to see the way the place has progressed; there are many more monuments and it is a wonderful place to visit. The large monument to the members of the armed forces who have died since the end of WWII is very impressive, but I particularly liked some of the smaller monuments, such as the one to the Land Girls and to the merchants seamen. To someone who has never visited, I would describe it as a park that makes you reflect. A very inspiring place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a fantastic place to visit. Such a beautiful and well kept place and very very humbling. Just breathtaking.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I was surprised, so many memorials to so many people and not just the forces. The police, the fire brigade , SANDS, so many organisations and charities remembered, lots of work going on, lots of walking, but there is a 'train' to take you round the main areas, there is no fee to get in, car park is £3, and they suggest donations of £5 each .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It was on our list of places to visit, and we chose a Gray day to come which set the mood for the day. I am poorly sighted and lack mobility so had pre-ordered a scooter which served me well. I managed to get to most places but some memorials seemed a bit out of reach, but what I saw really moved me.
I think a better mapping system could help as this is a huge site and it is easy to miss things, perhaps a detailed map app would help. It was good to see a class from RAF Cranwell experiencing the venue and I spent some time chatting to one of their team. A great experience and we will return.
I think a better mapping system could help as this is a huge site and it is easy to miss things, perhaps a detailed map app would help. It was good to see a class from RAF Cranwell experiencing the venue and I spent some time chatting to one of their team. A great experience and we will return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautifully landscaped and sculpted area. The memorials cover a hugely wide spread of military and non military groups. There is a dedicated walking route for those who want to take dogs. Fantastically tended areas. Poignant, thought provoking, moving and inspiring all in equal measure. Simply a fantastic asset for every citizen of these isles paying respect to every man, woman and child that has contributed to this fabulous kingdoms history and future.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have not been for a visit this year but it is a very moving place and full of interest.
Shot at dawn not to be missed will be going back later in year
Shot at dawn not to be missed will be going back later in year
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A unique and important site that we should all visit and most will also enjoy. Poignant but also peaceful and beautifully laid out. This large site housing 100's of memorial - large & imposing through small but though provoking to those simply honouring an individual - is vast but flat and in addition to the countless paved walkways and grassy paths there is an excellent land-train tour (£5 - takes a full hour). Monuments, woods, river, displays - all wonderfully maintained by excellent staff & the site also ably supported by many volunteers. An entrance area cafe and a very good tented Pavilion lunch room also offer more than decent snacks and hot meals.
Allow a full day (even if you think you only have a passing interest the site will probably draw you in). Free entrance & car parking - donations welcomed but not demanded.
A very worthwhile site and visit. Recommended to fellow Tripadvisors - we should probably all visit at least once to honour & remember and, we suspect, enjoy thoroughly too.
Allow a full day (even if you think you only have a passing interest the site will probably draw you in). Free entrance & car parking - donations welcomed but not demanded.
A very worthwhile site and visit. Recommended to fellow Tripadvisors - we should probably all visit at least once to honour & remember and, we suspect, enjoy thoroughly too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I've visited the NMA on a number of occasions and I never miss the Rememberance Day Service every November. The faciilities are great. Lovely restaurent. Friendly and helpful staff and plenty of mobility aids for the elderly and infirm.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Set in 150 acres it is the most amazing tribute to everyone who has died in war conflict.The hundreds of memorials are spaced out in the 150 acres.Some are huge and spectacular,others small and simple but all have words of loving tributes.To wander around the grounds is a most humbling experience,an emotional roller coaster.Everyone involved in this creation deserves unreserved praise.A friend and I spent four and a half hours in admiration of all that we saw.I think it will take at least another two visits to cover all the tributes.I recomend that everyone should visit the memorial at least once in their life time.For those who do not or cannot walk around there is a train which goes around and there is a commontary.Or there are golf carts and mobility scooters.There is a cafe which serves excellent food and drinks.Admission is by voluntary contribution. Having talked about the memorial after the visit I was amazed at the number of people who had never heard of it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the NA in the autumn, just before the trees started to change colour, excellent. You could visit throughout the year and see the changing faces of the trees and flowers. We took a guided tour of the main parts of the NA and found this to,be most informative from a dedicated guide. We joined a group of riflemen and toured the site on foot. The most heart stopping monument was to the soldiers of the First World War who were shot for cowardice, a very dark day in the history of the armed forces. It was good to see smaller tributes to the GPO etc. A free car park and only donations asked for. We came away with a turmoil of thoughts, feeling humble and thankful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely day, albeit chilly. The most memorable bit was the museum area about Changi prison in Singapore. One soldier went in to the prison at 12 stone and came out in liberalization 4 stone. We owe such debt to our brave service people. The Parachute Regiment statues are stunning as is the RAF statue.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited here to visit a memorial of someone close to me, but found each memorial to feel like the whole place belonged to it. Such a special place and found it to be very peaceful in a beautiful surrounding. Signs around the place could have been clearer as we did struggle to find our way, but the staff were second to none in helping us on our way.
There is a lot of work going on around the area with construction vehicles etc but sure it is only short term. There is a car park next to the entrance for disabled, the rest is a short walk down the road. There is also facilities for food, toilets etc and a little gift shop too.
There is a lot of work going on around the area with construction vehicles etc but sure it is only short term. There is a car park next to the entrance for disabled, the rest is a short walk down the road. There is also facilities for food, toilets etc and a little gift shop too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We only had a quick snack, but the sandwiches were very nice and the cake even better! there was plenty of room for the disabled to sit at a table with good wheelchair / electric buggy access
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Memorial Arboretum is an amazing place, so much to see on a single trip, take the little train with an on board guide for the best results.
Impossible to see it all on foot, great memories of a great day.
They are in the process of building a new reception area with other facilities, cafeteria was nice for a quick snack, then back to the memorial park
Impossible to see it all on foot, great memories of a great day.
They are in the process of building a new reception area with other facilities, cafeteria was nice for a quick snack, then back to the memorial park
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We decided to visit the National Memorial Arboretum as we had heard so much about it and felt it was somewhere we had to go, even though we have no military connections. I did not realise that the Arboretum is national in every sense and includes memorials to many losses, not only the armed forces. It is a truly lovely place to visit and is very thought provoking. As it was our first visit, we took the train ride which was informative and was run by a very entertaining volunteer.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The national memorial arboretum is a brilliant place , you can take a ride on a train with a guide pointing out all about the statues and monuments , the food the serve in the carvery is outstanding and you get a lot . if you are disabled they have mobility scooters , the staff are always helpful , each memorial has a story why its been put in that particular place and the way its laid out , they have services dedicated to our fallen hero s through out the year , different regiments . there is the river tame with wild life on , they have activity for children . have been loads of times , went on armed forces day .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Awesome place to visit, takes a bit of time to see it all, we took a ride on the train to go round the Arboretum, & then walked to various Memorial's. Try to pick a nice day as rain cut our visit short, but we will be back to see it again
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The place is vast - think massive and you aren't even close! We covered maybe a quarter of it and looked at various memorials which are close to my heart. It is sad when you read names of people you knew who are no longer with us, but positive that they are not forgotten.
On a slightly negative note, why does the UK have such a tradition of shutting up shop at 5pm on the dot, surely a place such as this should be open into the early evening, allowing more people the oppertunity to visit?
On a slightly negative note, why does the UK have such a tradition of shutting up shop at 5pm on the dot, surely a place such as this should be open into the early evening, allowing more people the oppertunity to visit?
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very impressive all round - even in the temporary facilities that were there when we went.
No idea that there were so many monuments to so many institutions.
No idea that there were so many monuments to so many institutions.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
