National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
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
A place of remembrance to all our fallen forces men and women who served for us, i salute every name on the plaques and say thank you to all and bless you all
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have visited 3 times, and each time found it very interesting yet sad has well for those who have died in war.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Everyone should visit, totally fabulous memorial. The events held here are amazing as well. Also brilliant place for a school trip. Brings it to reality for the children x
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a must visit. It brings home all those
who gave so we may live in freedom. There is a small train that takes you around pointing out the main points of interest.
who gave so we may live in freedom. There is a small train that takes you around pointing out the main points of interest.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a fantastic place. A very nice place to visit for families whether it be the general public, families of the fallen or current service families paying their respects. The layout is excellent, the staff are very helpful and the cafeteria is very good. You can take your own picnics. There is a short walk from the car park to the venue but disabled parking can be arranged prior to the visit to park at the venue itself. It was a very emotional visit for us, as with most people but the kindred spirit amongst the old and young, families and strangers are united at this memorial. There are many events/commemorations held here so best to check in advance if you do not like crowds. The arboretum is huge but there is a little 'train' that can take you from A-B for a small fee.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very thoughtful place to visit, memorials to all services including foreign servicemen that gave their lives for world peace. Peaceful to walk around and you leave with a feeling of pride in our servicemen and women and the sacrifice made in the pursuit of world peace.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is such a special place that makes any visit so worthwhile. It makes you think of the sacrifice that men and women serving in the armed services have made for their family, friends and country.
Reading the names of those who have fallen since 1945 was very emotive, there are just so many names. Everything has been so well thought out and well laid out with great attention to detail.
The memorials are all so different and well designed.
Everywhere was clean and tidy and all the visitors were respectful of this special place.
The food available was good quality and we enjoyed the meal.
It is sad that such a place is needed but so glad that the service of the fallen has been recognised.
Reading the names of those who have fallen since 1945 was very emotive, there are just so many names. Everything has been so well thought out and well laid out with great attention to detail.
The memorials are all so different and well designed.
Everywhere was clean and tidy and all the visitors were respectful of this special place.
The food available was good quality and we enjoyed the meal.
It is sad that such a place is needed but so glad that the service of the fallen has been recognised.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My first visit to this beautiful place.....it is very moving with over 300 memorials set in a lovely landscaped area, not all these are for the Armed Forces, though the main one is impressive, but some smaller areas dedicated to W.I. ,Boys' Brigade Bevin Boys etc.....well worth a visit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It's a brilliant place to go it has a peaceful air about it .Its perfect for anyone who is disabled they have small trains that take you around looking at all the memorials which can carry wheelchairs .It is beautifully kept and really makes you realise how many people have risked their lives so we can be free
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went on the land train all around the Arboretum and then wandered around taking in all the wonderful sculptures and memorials. It is a lovely peaceful place and I found my late fathers regiments garden and then in the POW exhibition I discovered my uncles name listed as one of the men who died in a Japanese POW camp. It was a very special day for me and thought the Shot at Dawn memorial was incredible and very thought provoking.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Every visit shows improvements with even more memorials.The trees are now starting to flourish and spread.The main building is undergoing extensive refurbishment which will enhance the experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have just visited this fantastic place . Thought we would be there for about an hour, 4 hours later we left and still had not seen everything. I know it is a memorial park but it is not a morbid place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a truly beautiful place to remember and reflect on all those fallen. The train is an excellent way to see all the different memorials and to learn about them. We had coffee and cake in the cafe and it was delicious.
A wonderful place.
A wonderful place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Such a lovely place. Perfect memorial nice and relaxed.close to the a38 but not close enough that noise disrupts the peaceful surroundings.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A truly moving experience. Was busy when we went but going around it felt as though we were in a church really wonderful. Would recommend it to anyone. After being recently to Pearl Harbour the Arboretum is so much more.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
During a fortnight in the Peak District, we visited the National Memorial Arboretum and were impressed by the size and extent of the grounds, and the number of memorials.
The magnitude of everything is impressive, whilst also being presented in a very respectful manner, given who are being remembered, and the reasons for doing so.
We visited with our chocolate labrador, and four legged friends are catered for with their own walk and a number of "hitching posts" where they can be safely attached while their human owners visit individual memorials.
As there is a café on-site, it is very easy to spend a full day for a visit, which is what we did, before being almost the last to leave.
The magnitude of everything is impressive, whilst also being presented in a very respectful manner, given who are being remembered, and the reasons for doing so.
We visited with our chocolate labrador, and four legged friends are catered for with their own walk and a number of "hitching posts" where they can be safely attached while their human owners visit individual memorials.
As there is a café on-site, it is very easy to spend a full day for a visit, which is what we did, before being almost the last to leave.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We spent four hours touring the site on our third visit over a number of years. New memorials appear regularly and they now have a land train that takes you around the site with a commentary explaining some of the memorials you can see. Entrance is free but there is a request for donations to keep the site running. A beautiful site dedicated mainly to military remembrance but also has many other memorials which are peaceful and thought provoking. The cafe serves basic coffee but lovely cakes and is well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Although we have no close relatives that have been killed in action, we do have close family links to WW1 and WW2. We visited here on a nice summer day and enjoyed the experience. Although a memorial to those that have given all, it is very much a place to be enjoyed, as well as to be deeply moved at times. It is hard to move among the wooden posts, one for each of those shot at dawn, without feeling pain and loss yourself. This is but one of many, many memorials in this vaste arboretum. A forest, where each tree is a convoy ship lost. Real track from the Burma Railway. It makes our daily troubles seem very small. It really brings home what was given for our today. On a practical note - good signage and parking. Good catering - use the meal service in the Pavilion - much better than the cafe at the entrance. Very helpful voluntary guides. Get there for the 11am 2 minute silence ceremony in the chapel if you can. It is well worth reading up on everything on the website before you go. The £6.50 guide book is a very good buy. Allow most of the day to get the best out of your visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were lucky enough to have a guided tour, as our host had been a trustee of the arboretum. It is beautifully maintained and the memorial on the mound is extremely moving. Some of the statuary is amazing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We started our visit with a 30 minute presentation by a guide who explained the history and layout of the site. We then got on the visitor train to have a guided trip around the site with each memorial being introduced and described. At various locations you could get off the tour train to have a look round and then get on the next train when it arrived. After the conducted tour we went to the restaurant area where we had an afternoon cream tea, which was excellent quality and value.
We were there for half a day, we will be going back for a further visit as there is so much to see.
We were there for half a day, we will be going back for a further visit as there is so much to see.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
