National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Everyone should visit here. I wonderful tribute to all those lost and fallen...A very emotional visit...There is an excellent Restaurant where the choice of Menu is good,and quality too,either to eat in or outside near the Sensory Garden..There is a fair amount of Walking, but Electric Scooters and Wheelchairs are available for those less able.There are several,Picnic Areas,my Personal Favourite is on the Riverbank...
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The staff are so patient and helpful, the cafe very good, the land train essential for anyone who can't walk well. The whole experience was very moving
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have been three times now and have consistently found it so moving. Make sure you have tissues for the tears that will inevitably fall. The church is a good place to start but there is so much to see and absorb. The Far East conflict area is particularly moving and is well worth the longish walk to the left of the church. Make sure that you wear comfortable shoes and have a warm item of clothing as the wind cuts across the area. The main memorial is so sad with so many names engraved of people killed since 1945. Even more moving in some ways are the walls waiting to be filled with names in the future. I hope that schools have this as a curriculum visit as this is so much more real than reading about the conflicts.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited on Bank Holiday Monday and were totally amazed by how many people were there! What an incredible place! A very moving experience. Beautiful gardens with very moving tributes! The memorial walls are a great tribute to the many fallen. We would like to have spent all day there, but just didn't have the time. There is a small train that takes you round the edge of the grounds and a commentary which explains all that you see. Very interesting, ideal for those that cannot cover this huge memorial by foot. There are lots of benches to sit and reflect. There is a nice gift shop and large cafe with good views over the Memorial.
If you are visiting, a whole day is recommended to see it all. It is totally amazing and moving.
If you are visiting, a whole day is recommended to see it all. It is totally amazing and moving.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What an amazing place. Not just a military memorial as I had imagined. One small enclosed garden was to remember babies who were stillborn or died shortly after birth. Decorated pebbled line the pathway. Such a lovely idea as many babies in the past were not given funerals as a matter of course. The "shot at dawn" memorial is very sad, the first memorial the sun reaches each day. The memorials vary from huge and impressive to small individual memorials. For a first visit, a trip on the train gives a good overview of the site before exploring at leisure. Definitely worth another visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Excellent place need a full day to cover the whole place .very interesting and very informative and meet different people some who had family members there well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have paid several visits to Alrewas and it continues to change as new trees are planted and young plants develop. Sadly, there are always more names on the memorial walls but you cannot fail to be touched by the sense of positivity, and pride, in this awesome arboretum. I am always impressed by just how many people, of all ages, visit this memorial. I plan to bring our grandson next year when he will be 8 as he now seems to understand the enormous sacrifices being made by so many for our country. If you haven't visited Alrewas before, plan a stay of several hours to allow the aura of this special place to affect all your senses.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visiting the National Arboretum is a very moving experience, and not to be rushed, so being able to have a rest in clean surroundings means you can make the most of your time here. The food on offer is not a spectacular culinary experience but should suit most tastes at a reasonable price.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We arrived in time for the 11am service on Sunday 10 May, the last day of VE 70 celebrations. The whole site was a mass of old and young who, it appeared, were as touched by the array of tributes as we were. I am so pleased the Shot at Dawn memorial is now part of the site as it was one of the unknown to many. I can't speak of normal weekends there but this one had a great party atmosphere of celebration after the solemnity earlier on.
Highly recommended, it is a full day to explore properly as some memorials are quite a way to go but dont let this put you off.
Highly recommended, it is a full day to explore properly as some memorials are quite a way to go but dont let this put you off.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Over 300 memorials set in 150 acres of tree lined avenues, woodlands and landscaped gardens. The friendly voluntary guides, are on hand to answer any questions. For the visitor there are Buggy Tours, Train Ride Tours or Mobility Scooter Hire. The memorials from The Great War to Present Times are a sight to behold. The atmosphere is so enhanced by the sounds of just the birds singing. There a plenty of seats to sit and reflect and soak in the atmosphere if you decide to go around
on foot, at your own pace. Don't hesitate, if you are thinking about making a visit - JUST GO ! You won't be disappointed.
on foot, at your own pace. Don't hesitate, if you are thinking about making a visit - JUST GO ! You won't be disappointed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My Mother in law was invited to a unveiling of a plaque by the "Old Dux" association for all that served at RAF Station Duxford 1917 - 1961. So we took the opportunity to view the tree we had planted 15 years age in honour of my father in law. He was a Royal Air Force Halton Apprentices.It's was the first time we seen it. The Memorial Arboretum is well worth a visit. The Memorial "Shot at Dawn" is very moving. There is a train which goes around the site, we walk around , which is disabled friendly. My mother in law was using her electric scooter, but you can not use a electric scooters in the visitors centre, café and shop. A wheelchair is provided to use inside. We had a lovely day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We stopped here on our way south. Cannot find enough words to describe what a wonderful place this is and how moving it is.
I cannot thank the staff enough for their help. I had slipped on the stairs at home before we went away and pulled the ligaments in my ankle and was unable to walk very far.
We took the bus round which was very interesting and they had organised for me to get a buggy by the the wall with the names of all the people who had died since 1945 and then take me back to the main building. There are wheelchairs and mobility scooters to hire for anyone with walking difficulties.
The whole site is beautifully kept and is divided into sections. It is certainly worth a second visit so that I can spend more time walking around.
Greatful thanks to all the staff who assisted me.
I cannot thank the staff enough for their help. I had slipped on the stairs at home before we went away and pulled the ligaments in my ankle and was unable to walk very far.
We took the bus round which was very interesting and they had organised for me to get a buggy by the the wall with the names of all the people who had died since 1945 and then take me back to the main building. There are wheelchairs and mobility scooters to hire for anyone with walking difficulties.
The whole site is beautifully kept and is divided into sections. It is certainly worth a second visit so that I can spend more time walking around.
Greatful thanks to all the staff who assisted me.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I am not a military minded person, but I always find this place an oasis of tranquility and reflection.Set on the banks of the river Trent, it spreads over many acres and there is always plenty of space. Many trees have been planted and, when fully grown, these will develop into woodland areas. There ar also many memorials and plaques to be found, providing an historical journey of past military activity. The central showpiece is a huge stone structure detailing the names of those who have given their lives.
There is a cafe that caters for all tastes from roast dinners to a salad bar. No entrance fee applies, although donations are encouraged. Well worth a visit.
There is a cafe that caters for all tastes from roast dinners to a salad bar. No entrance fee applies, although donations are encouraged. Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
1st time visit on what proved to be probably the busiest day at the National Arboretum this year.
Absolutely wonderful place - huge expanse covered with lovely memorials / thousands of trees with moving memorial plaques and of course the huge main memorial statues and walls. Tree of metal leaves dedicated to children is particularly heart wrenching. Have visited Ypres, Flanders and Menine Gate and although these are all emotive and well kept, in no way do they compare with NA. Beautifully kept grounds and friendly and helpful Staff. If you haven't been please put this on your list of Must Do's, to honour the fallen and have yourself a meaningful and very pleasant day.
Absolutely wonderful place - huge expanse covered with lovely memorials / thousands of trees with moving memorial plaques and of course the huge main memorial statues and walls. Tree of metal leaves dedicated to children is particularly heart wrenching. Have visited Ypres, Flanders and Menine Gate and although these are all emotive and well kept, in no way do they compare with NA. Beautifully kept grounds and friendly and helpful Staff. If you haven't been please put this on your list of Must Do's, to honour the fallen and have yourself a meaningful and very pleasant day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Absolutely brilliant place. Very big, we only had a few hours before the coaches left to go back to our Hotel, but we did what we could. The memorials are outstanding, especially the Armed Forces Memorial, the two sculptures were amazing. We would like to go back and have another walk round. We had lunch in one of the cafes and the food was very good, the staff happy with ready laughs. The gift shop was okay, but not enough actual Arboretum gifts. Most of the stuff you could get at any gift shop, so it made buying presents for family very difficult if not impossible.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well worth the long drive , took the land train which is a must if you want to see all the site, as its 150 acres. Helpful staff , good restaurant and parking.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a self-service restaurant for visitors to the National Memorial Arboretum and serves a good variety of food and drink. Staff are helpful and happy!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A oasis calm and tranquillity to remember those who lost their lives in conflict and serving the community. Access is easy and well signposted from the A38 just north of Lichfield. It is easy to navigate either on foot or on the 'road train' that tours the site. There is a good visitor centre with self-service restaurant.
Admission is free but there is charge for parking.
A small word of warning the area tends to be quite exposed on windy days so wrap up warm to enjoy your visit!!
Admission is free but there is charge for parking.
A small word of warning the area tends to be quite exposed on windy days so wrap up warm to enjoy your visit!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had not realised quite how much was at the National Arboretum. The staff are all extremely friendly, starting with the greeter standing outside as we approached from the car park. We started our day by taking the land train to familiarise ourselves with the layout and the various key monuments/memorials. We then walked around for a few hours exploring the corners the train couldn't get to and for a closer look at the monuments of interest having learned a little about them from the commentary on the train. Every member of staff we met were friendly, helpful and informative. Couldn't have asked for more.
The memorials are very humbling and thought provoking, none more so than the Shot at Dawn memorial. It is free entrance though of course they ask for donations, and you can of course support it additionally by purchasing tickets for the train or buggy tours and purchases in the cafe or shop.
The memorials are very humbling and thought provoking, none more so than the Shot at Dawn memorial. It is free entrance though of course they ask for donations, and you can of course support it additionally by purchasing tickets for the train or buggy tours and purchases in the cafe or shop.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had breakfast but I think the main draw of this place has to be the fantastic looking cakes and scones on offer - pity we were too early for those.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a well laid out set of individually presented tributes to our historical conflicts.
There are ample parking areas, well signed. Very good and reasonably priced restaurant (self service).
You can travel around the grounds on foot or use the motor train transport complete with commentary (pay).
A wonderful but poignant time spent viewing the commemorative zones.
Lest We Forget
There are ample parking areas, well signed. Very good and reasonably priced restaurant (self service).
You can travel around the grounds on foot or use the motor train transport complete with commentary (pay).
A wonderful but poignant time spent viewing the commemorative zones.
Lest We Forget
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautifully landscaped. I particularly liked the Naval area which as a stained glass panel with a statue of a sailor in front and at certain time of the day the sunlight reflects the shadow of the sailor through the stained glass - wonderful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Although the temperamental English weather prevented us from walking around this extensive site, we were able to view many of the commemorative gardens etc from inside the covered little trolley train, well worth the price of the ticket. A moving and very poignant day
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a truly remarkable arboretum and memorial. It is well laid out and has easy access for all, whatever your ability. The main memorial has to be seen (actually it would be difficult to miss) and is a very sobering experience. However, it was also an uplifting experience as the lay out and huge number of trees and sculptures are really beautiful, allowing you to pay your respects in a very appropriate setting. I recommend using the land train, as it gives you a full overview of the park with commentary, so you can return on foot to areas of particular interest to yourself. There are plenty of benches for resting or contemplation. The restaurant is ok, staff very helpful, loos have easy access and are clean. My only gripe, is that we opted for 'afternoon tea' and this is a misnomer as its only a very small cup of tea with floating tea bag and standard piece of cake and rather expensive at £4.95. We could have had a standard whole pot of tea and cake for £4.50 in the main restaurant. That aside I strongly recommend visiting this memorial.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a wonderful powerful place and well worth a visit. Apart from the £3 charge for all-day parking, the place is free to visit and it was well worth the long drive from home in Yorkshire.
It does seem a pity that the sole 'brown' sign on the A38 is located just a few yards before the turning to the A513. Apparently the cost of signange is prohibitive, but surely this should be borne by the nation rather than the charity!
It does seem a pity that the sole 'brown' sign on the A38 is located just a few yards before the turning to the A513. Apparently the cost of signange is prohibitive, but surely this should be borne by the nation rather than the charity!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
