National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
This was a spur of the moment visit. We live nearby but had never found time to visit. We decided to take the train around the site which was well worth the money. The commentary was excellent and we probably saw more than if we had walked. The "wall of names" was very moving and emotional. There is plenty of seating around the grounds. The chapel is also worth visiting as the carvings are amazing.certainly a place to visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a very poignant place to reflect and be absorbed into our heritage. Very emotional. Lovely facilities.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well laid out, and there are many more memorials here than just the huge memorial you see on television although the construction of a new Visitor Centre means there is noise from the construction machinery and the Lunch Room is in a marquee .Reasonable choice of hot food (although the only ice creams on sale are in the Lunch Room which is only open from 12-3) I have limited mobility and I found the distance from the entrance to the land train and the lunch room quite testing, although the path was flat, so its worth a phone call to gauge. Wheelchairs and mobility buggies are available for hire (£5 I believe). The land train is a definite must, takes approx an hour and costs £5 (the staff will help you on board if mobility is an issue) good to help you get your bearings around the site, and its large 150 acres. Do talk to the volunteers, they are interesting in their own right.
Again, if mobility is an issue, you will need a buggy or a wheelchair to get to the top of the "main" memorial. So emotive to see all the names inscribed. You could easily spend a day here..
Again, if mobility is an issue, you will need a buggy or a wheelchair to get to the top of the "main" memorial. So emotive to see all the names inscribed. You could easily spend a day here..
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited 26th September as we were in the area. Wow what an amazing experience, words are hard to find to try and explain how overwhelming it is. It is truly beautiful / devastating all in one. I urge you all to visit and pay your respects.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
When we visited this wonderful place we were very humbled and got quite emotional because of the terrific memorials there. The main memorial is on a man-made hill with magnificent bronzes and high curved stone walls with hundreds of names recorded on them of people who died in action since the Second World War. Then all around the vast memorial grounds are smaller memorials to particular groups or individuals. There are plantations of trees with specific individuals names labeled on each tree. It is bounded on one side by a lovely river. There are good tea rooms too in a marquee type setting. This site is also good for wheelchairs as there is a small Dotto type train that runs around the whole park and even the large hill in the centre has a spiral sloped path to enable disabled people to reach the main memorial. fFabulous.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Here you will find memorials, gardens and statues to various military units and other related organisations, all set in a vast area of parkland.
The highlight is the FEPOW (Far East Prisoner of War) Building dedicated to those who fought and suffered captivity, slave labour, starvation and brutality under the Japanese in World War 11.
The highlight is the FEPOW (Far East Prisoner of War) Building dedicated to those who fought and suffered captivity, slave labour, starvation and brutality under the Japanese in World War 11.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wonderful place to visit. A very humbling experience seeing the memorials to those who fought and died for peace.
Beautifully laid out and looked after.
Beautifully laid out and looked after.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went there in a group of friends 2 thirds ex military and we all want to return as there is so much to see
It's well worth attending the service in the morning and the book was very helpful on our way around
Would be great to picnic but the food in the cafe is so good I would buy from there to picnic with
It's well worth attending the service in the morning and the book was very helpful on our way around
Would be great to picnic but the food in the cafe is so good I would buy from there to picnic with
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My friends and I have been coming here for the past 6 years, it's a beautiful peaceful and tranquil place, we are veterans but it doesn't matter if you have served or not.
We make a weekend of it by staying in Litchfield a lovely city.
My only disappointment when going is not seeing many children.
We make a weekend of it by staying in Litchfield a lovely city.
My only disappointment when going is not seeing many children.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A must visit when in the area.
A fantastic tribute to everyone who has sacrificed their life for our beloved country.
My visit was to remember fallen colleagues.
Be prepared to be emotionally moved.
A fantastic tribute to everyone who has sacrificed their life for our beloved country.
My visit was to remember fallen colleagues.
Be prepared to be emotionally moved.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
As it was such a lovely day we decided to pay a long overdue visit the National Memorial Arboretum. its well advertised on the A38 and there are large car parks available and a disabled car park right next to the entrance. admission is free but there is a £5 donation suggestion made to help with the expansion and upkeep of the site which is well worth it. there is a large café area and the price of food is very reasonable. the whole site it huge and the monuments are very impressive and work is continually being carried out to improve and expand the site. There is a 'Land train' which tours the site every half hour at a cost of £5 per person which is well worth the money and gives an overall commentary on the site and pinpoints various area you can get to once the tour is over. the whole site has a very serene feel to it and I would imagine it is just as impressive in the summer with all the lovely flowers around as in the autumn with the trees changing their colours. beautiful place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This Memorial Arboretum is a place of peace and tranquility. Immaculate gardens dedicated to regiments of the armed forces and those who have fallen in the service of their country in the 20th century. The knowledgeable volunteer wardens are friendly and helpful and hold interesting talks throughout the day. The church service just before 11am is particularly moving. The Japanese Camp section explicitly explains the suffering and cruelty inflicted on POW's which are really beyond belief. A truly enjoyable day tinged with sad overtone.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Truly an awe inspiring location. A fitting tribute to those who died in wars defending/serving their country.
Words don't do it justice.
Words don't do it justice.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It really brings it home to you how many men and women gave their lives for our Country, the memorials are a fitting tribute to them all.
We have visited twice now and hope to visit again in the future.
The land train is needed I know, but thought it was rather out of keeping, looking more a seaside attraction!
We have visited twice now and hope to visit again in the future.
The land train is needed I know, but thought it was rather out of keeping, looking more a seaside attraction!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Excellent site, recommend booking on Land Train for a tour of site with commentary. Car park a fair distance from site, suggest take elderly to site before parking.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great fresh food obviously cooked on site - choice of restaurant in marquee or snack in visitor centre.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We arrived knowing virtually nothing about the Arboretum except what we'd seen on news reports. What an experience. The site is massive - 150 acres with over 300 major memorials, not just military but all sorts. We took a buggy tour rather than the train ride as you get a member of staff ( volunteer) who gives you a personal ride round the site. Our guide (Mark) was great fun, knew all sorts of interesting facts and anecdotes about the memorials and we saw things we hadn't expected. The cafe is excellent and the whole site is well tended and obviously respected by everyone who visits. Everyone should come here at least once in their life, but to see it all will take at least two days. The far east prisoner of war museum is a must. Brilliant day!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a lovely place to visit, a bit emotional at times.
Beautifully set out credit to the workers.Everyone helpful.
An eye opener as to how many people have actually lost there lives for this country.
Beautifully set out credit to the workers.Everyone helpful.
An eye opener as to how many people have actually lost there lives for this country.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited here as a group - some people walked around but because of limited mobility, my husband and I took the little train around the site. There is a good commentary and we learnt such a lot. The place is kept beautiful and deserves a full days visit. The eating facilities looked good but we have booked a pub lunch for the group later. Will definitely visit it again - so much to see.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A really moving Day out.The memorials are many and varied. A more fitting tribute to those that have died in all walks of life could not be found.
The extensive grounds can be walked or covered by land train or buggy tours for which there is a small charge.
Volunteers are on hand to help you make the most of your visit.
Entrance is free, but donations are welcomed.
A new visitor centre is being built, do not be put off that the restaurant is in a marquee
The food and the staff were both excellent.
Not to be missed are the children's poems on the polar bear memorial - really touching.
There is also trails for children to ensure they get the most out of the day, even if they cannot appreciate the meaning of the memorials.
The extensive grounds can be walked or covered by land train or buggy tours for which there is a small charge.
Volunteers are on hand to help you make the most of your visit.
Entrance is free, but donations are welcomed.
A new visitor centre is being built, do not be put off that the restaurant is in a marquee
The food and the staff were both excellent.
Not to be missed are the children's poems on the polar bear memorial - really touching.
There is also trails for children to ensure they get the most out of the day, even if they cannot appreciate the meaning of the memorials.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a really interesting and moving experience for all the family. The facilities are really good although at the time of our visit they are carrying out extensive refurbishments. The parking is by voluntary contributions and there is a decent walk from the main car park so sensible shoe / trainers for this day out, you do a lot of walking. The Arboretum is well laid out and memorials are growing here by the day so there's lots to see and reflect on. The main walls of remembrance are very moving and don't forget to find the gap where the sun falls through on the 11th Hour of the 11th Day. The best way to see the venue is via the land train which takes you round the Arboretum on a very enlightening commentary ride which takes around an hour cost is £5 for adults but well worth it. The cafe is good and is also reasonably priced we had hot chocolate and cream teas mid afternoon. There is a gift shop and again reasonably priced souvenirs of your visit we bought the Arboretum T shirts at £13. Id like to think you could see it all in one day but to be honest you could spend much longer there. Dont forget to visit the Burma Star exhibition and be at the Naval memorial last thing to get the sun setting on the red memorial glass, the place closes at 17:15 which is a shame because we would have stayed much longer
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Driving home from holiday and noticed National Memorial Arboratum was close by and decided to visit....so pleased we did!!! What am amazing place, no words can describe it. Peaceful, respectful .... so moving! So much to see, wanted to spend time at each memorial...What an amazing place acres and acres of different War Memorials set out in a beautiful location. Lots of ex-soldiers paying their respects all proudly wearing their medals. Old soldiers marching proudly with their flags (colours) fluttering in the wind. So very moving. Even a chapter of bikers also paying their respects. There were little gardens for lots of different things including one very special to me which was the SANDS one dedicated to those of us who have experienced still births.....still just as raw 37 years later. Such a special place. People have left stones...little rocks there with their baby's name on...so poignant....we didn't know and plan to make a stone memorial ourselves and take it sometime next year. When you have had a still born baby, especially all those years ago there wasn't anywhere we could have any memorial...except in our hearts. Such a special and unexpected visit.
One surprising thing was that there wasn't wheelchair access to The Wall and we saw two disappointed wheelchair users unable to get close.
One surprising thing was that there wasn't wheelchair access to The Wall and we saw two disappointed wheelchair users unable to get close.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautifully designed and fitting tribute to the hundreds of people who have contributed to this country's rich history in both war time and peace. Ancient and modern memorials set in admirably laid out parkland. Easy access for all visitors, with good facilities.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
They have made excellent alternative arrangements whilst the building is being demolished and rebuilt. Won't finish till autumn 2016. Huge marquee has small shop and coffee shop .. But better after 11 am is the lunch and tea marquee ... Walk through entrance past chapel ( still standing) and down need the little train that can take you around the 150 acres. Food is good ... Freshly prepared and proceeds to the arboretum.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful place, massive, serene and immaculately kept.
We had a coffee in the Cafe before we started our walk around the Arboretum, there were many elderly veterans around wearing their medals with pride and enjoying a chat with fellow comrades - lovely to see them re-living their memories.
We walked around the Arboretum for over two hours and were amazed at the large number of Memorials, various sizes, shapes and for regiments far and wide as well as UK.
The towering glory is of course the National Memorial, it takes your breath away to see the thousands of names carved into the surrounding walls, the Bronze statues are spectacular..
The area is bounded at the far end by the River Tame which is nice to walk alongside and observe the birds, butterflies and dragonflies.
As we were making our way back to the car park we were alerted to the sound of an aircraft and there coming over low was a magnificent Sptifire! The aircraft carried out six or seven swoops of the site in varying positions including some fast dives and pull-ups, we later learned that the Spitfire had been arranged by the Veterans Association who were holding a get-together on the day, we chose a good day to visit - including the weather!
Parking (£3 al day) is available on site, there is also a large car park just across the road.
Entry to the Arboretum is free but a suggested £5 per person is very reasonable for the experience.
We had a coffee in the Cafe before we started our walk around the Arboretum, there were many elderly veterans around wearing their medals with pride and enjoying a chat with fellow comrades - lovely to see them re-living their memories.
We walked around the Arboretum for over two hours and were amazed at the large number of Memorials, various sizes, shapes and for regiments far and wide as well as UK.
The towering glory is of course the National Memorial, it takes your breath away to see the thousands of names carved into the surrounding walls, the Bronze statues are spectacular..
The area is bounded at the far end by the River Tame which is nice to walk alongside and observe the birds, butterflies and dragonflies.
As we were making our way back to the car park we were alerted to the sound of an aircraft and there coming over low was a magnificent Sptifire! The aircraft carried out six or seven swoops of the site in varying positions including some fast dives and pull-ups, we later learned that the Spitfire had been arranged by the Veterans Association who were holding a get-together on the day, we chose a good day to visit - including the weather!
Parking (£3 al day) is available on site, there is also a large car park just across the road.
Entry to the Arboretum is free but a suggested £5 per person is very reasonable for the experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
