National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Huge site, with an incredible amount of different memorials, all well looked after and could easily spend a full day there
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Traveled as part of a coach party leaving home early morning. Arrived in time for a breakfast, highly commended, before participating in the daily remembrance service. Purchased a highly informative guide book containing a wealth of information on the site. A choice of land train tour or golf buggy tour, each covering a different route, and both priced at £5. Opted for the golf buggy, complete with incredibly knowledgeable volunteer guide.
Laid out with an incredible amount of forethought, the site has many memorials that stop you in your tracks. Historical events that have slipped from the memory banks, and some that you have participated in are all here. Well worth a visit, and in my opinion, a visit should be included as part of the national curriculum. The cafe is well stocked and busy. Worthy of note is the incredibly helpful lady from the kitchen, ready with advice and assistance. I did overhear pricing policy being discussed by a couple of other visitors. Please remember there is no admission charge, and funds generated within the cafe go to meet the running costs of the arboretum.
All in all an excellent day out, which we used as a taster for a future visit on our own.
Laid out with an incredible amount of forethought, the site has many memorials that stop you in your tracks. Historical events that have slipped from the memory banks, and some that you have participated in are all here. Well worth a visit, and in my opinion, a visit should be included as part of the national curriculum. The cafe is well stocked and busy. Worthy of note is the incredibly helpful lady from the kitchen, ready with advice and assistance. I did overhear pricing policy being discussed by a couple of other visitors. Please remember there is no admission charge, and funds generated within the cafe go to meet the running costs of the arboretum.
All in all an excellent day out, which we used as a taster for a future visit on our own.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
As a family we have been meaning to visit and finally got chance to on the 1st weekend in July, the main memorial is very stunning as are the grounds,
There is a unique feel in the different parts of the grounds, with a vast array of memorials and monuments. Some celebrating weddings and anniversary's nestled amongst memorials of fallen service men and women. Not a sombre place but thought provoking and worth a visit, we spent several hours there and still didn't see it all, plenty of memories though
There is a unique feel in the different parts of the grounds, with a vast array of memorials and monuments. Some celebrating weddings and anniversary's nestled amongst memorials of fallen service men and women. Not a sombre place but thought provoking and worth a visit, we spent several hours there and still didn't see it all, plenty of memories though
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The people that put this place together have been rightly lauded for their vision and persistence. The whole atmosphere from when you walk in until you leave is so peaceful and evocative of respect. We got there early, just in time for the daily service of remembrance and used the train to find our bearings. We then walked the rest. The cafe is awesome, the gift shop is superb and the staff (all volunteers) are amongst the best I've had the privilege to listen to.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went along to this arboretum on the recommendation of our daughter. We went on the 2nd July 2015 during the "heatwave" we travelled from South Wales and it took us about 2hrs to get there on arrival we were met by a volunteer who welcomed us and gave us a map. We entered via a reception area and on into a cafe where we had a coffee before going out into the arboretum, a quiet start to our visit as the emotions that assail you as you wander around are overwhelming I found my self moved by the memorials on many occasions. We all know about the wars that have taken place in past years but to see all the names of people who have given there all for our freedom is very humbling. There is a lot of walking involved but if you have problems walking there is a land train this costs £5 per adult but it is worth every penny as the commentary is well worth the charge. There are volunteers all around the site ready to give you help and directions if you need it. We will be going again it was an eye opening experience. All this and there is no entry charge we left a donation in an envelope provided for this purpose.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited June 6, at a D-day commemoration, very moving and thought provoking in particular the Far East military tribute to the prisoners of war. Fantastic visit should be part of the school curriculum.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I had seen the big wall thingy featured on the TV and wanted to go and have a look for myself. So when we had to visit Liverpool for a wedding we decided to break the journey halfway at the Memorial to take a look.
Well I was gob-smacked! It's not just ONE memorial - It's LOADS of them. And it's not just for military folk either - there are memorials to Still birth victims and limbless, etc.
The gardens are all restful and welcoming. It's not a sad place to be but more a thought-provoking one. It really does make you remember - but in a good way.
The place is run by the British Legion so there are lots of Poppy volunteer types who are only too keen to help and advise. There's a little train to take you all the way round and if you want to go back anywhere afterwards they can take you on a buggy if you cant walk that far!
Please make the effort to call in on your way somewhere - or go there especially. You wont regret it, I promise you.
Well I was gob-smacked! It's not just ONE memorial - It's LOADS of them. And it's not just for military folk either - there are memorials to Still birth victims and limbless, etc.
The gardens are all restful and welcoming. It's not a sad place to be but more a thought-provoking one. It really does make you remember - but in a good way.
The place is run by the British Legion so there are lots of Poppy volunteer types who are only too keen to help and advise. There's a little train to take you all the way round and if you want to go back anywhere afterwards they can take you on a buggy if you cant walk that far!
Please make the effort to call in on your way somewhere - or go there especially. You wont regret it, I promise you.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a great place to visit and so peaceful. It really opens your eyes to all of the conflicts that have happened around the world. Good place to take children to educate them about conflict. We would definitely go again
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
we went to the national memorial arboretum yesterday for the 3rd time it just gets better and better. there is some wonderful memorials to all our brave lads that gave their lives in conflicts all around the world. you can walk round or take a land train and have a guided tour, either is just as good, there is a café restaurant a gift shop and a small church its all very touching. its free to go in as they rely on donations, its £3.00 to park all day and £5.00 to go round on the train. this place is well worth a visit for young and old alike.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Even having read previous reviews I was overwhelmed by the memorials, particularly the Armed Forces Memorial standing high over the rest of the site.
From a personal persepective I know that my mother and her younger sister, now sadly both no longer with us, would have been impressed by the memorials to both the ATS in general and their work on the anti-aircraft (ACK-ACK) batteries. It's an often forgotten service that did great work and took casualties during WWII.
This site is staffed mainly by volunteers and to all of them my sincere thanks.
From a personal persepective I know that my mother and her younger sister, now sadly both no longer with us, would have been impressed by the memorials to both the ATS in general and their work on the anti-aircraft (ACK-ACK) batteries. It's an often forgotten service that did great work and took casualties during WWII.
This site is staffed mainly by volunteers and to all of them my sincere thanks.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a most beautiful place to visit, peaceful and tranquil. My husband and I spent the full day there but still didn't manage to see everything. There is so much to see, so interesting yet very emotional. Will make certain to visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A moving site to visit. It is a huge area, over 150 acres. It has amble parking and a nice restaurant. Well worth visiting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited here last year. It poured with rain but was still a special visit. We arrived this year in beautiful sunshine and the atmosphere here was just the same. You can sit anywhere on the grounds and reflect on whatever you wish. The serenity and mostly blissful surroundings you would ever want. The Royal Artillery Veterans were there today in considerable numbers. The old comrades reminisced and swapped stories of their lives since retirement. It was an privilege to be alongside these men and listen to their stories. I am absolutely enhanced by the tranquility of the place. How they have achieved such a pleasant place I fail to understand, but they have.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is the most moving visit we have ever made . Just strolling around the various memorials makes you realise the sacrifices made to enable us to live the life we do in this country . I think everyone should make at least one visit here in their life .The setting is beautiful and everyone respects the tranquility .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really lovely place well worth a visit lots to see you will need plenty of time to see everything and good pair of walking shoes but there is a train to transort you round the aboretum at a price of £5.00 pp
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a wonderful place for reflection and admiration. Everyone should visit at least once to realise how so many have given so much for us to try and live in peace. The Armed Soldiers Memorial is breathtaking - so many names of men and women who have given their lives since the end of World War 2. The statues are very poignant and the attention to detail is stunning.
There are too many memorials to see in one day and the walk along the river is wonderful.
Amazingly there is no charge for entry and staff are helpful and willing to share their knowledge with you at any time. Try to arrive for the two minute silence at 11 am every day which is followed by a short but interesting talk by one of the guides. One poignant fact was that the memorial 'Shot at Dawn' is placed in the eastern corner of the gardens as that is where the sunrises first every morning......all those shot during the First World War have since been pardoned by the British Government.
There are too many memorials to see in one day and the walk along the river is wonderful.
Amazingly there is no charge for entry and staff are helpful and willing to share their knowledge with you at any time. Try to arrive for the two minute silence at 11 am every day which is followed by a short but interesting talk by one of the guides. One poignant fact was that the memorial 'Shot at Dawn' is placed in the eastern corner of the gardens as that is where the sunrises first every morning......all those shot during the First World War have since been pardoned by the British Government.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband n son are army background. This is a lovely memorable place to visit walk and contemplate.Every possible group of people who should be remembered is done so sensitively here...it doesnt matter if u were fighting front line or important support services everyone is considered here.Brillant memorial ...i am proud to walk around it and remember why i have the freedom to do so ! Thankyou.x
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We spent a day and a half looking around this Arboretum, looking at the memorials, reading the plaques, listening to the very knowledgable guides and watching the wildlife, it was for us an unforgettable experience.
You are faced with the horrors of war and at the same time reminded of the great heroism shown by our servicemen and women throughout the world.
The site is huge and is great in good weather because the walking is flat and varied with woods of different trees breaking up the distances and hiding memorials around every corner and not just to our Armed Forces but to all manner of organisations.
We would not hesitate to visit again.
There is a very good cafe area with reasonable prices from which you can see on a mound the Armed Services Memorial a truly fitting tribute to those who have died in the service of our country since 1945.
You are faced with the horrors of war and at the same time reminded of the great heroism shown by our servicemen and women throughout the world.
The site is huge and is great in good weather because the walking is flat and varied with woods of different trees breaking up the distances and hiding memorials around every corner and not just to our Armed Forces but to all manner of organisations.
We would not hesitate to visit again.
There is a very good cafe area with reasonable prices from which you can see on a mound the Armed Services Memorial a truly fitting tribute to those who have died in the service of our country since 1945.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A fitting memorial and tribute to the brave souls of our arm, security and police forces. Worth taking the guided walk around the grounds to the various memorials. Particularly like the Yorkshire, RAF and Parachute Regiments. Read the two poems written by the same girl at age 9 and 11 beneath the Polar bear sculpture at the Yorkshire Regiment. We owe them so much. Everyone should visit once in their lifetime.
The arboretum is evolving and needs constant replanting as it is prone to flooding in this ex quarry.
The arboretum is evolving and needs constant replanting as it is prone to flooding in this ex quarry.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
food is good and tasty but can become busy when a lot of people turn up to visit the Arboretum. toilets clean and in working order
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We always stop off on put way to family for a bit of quiet reflections as we wander through the gardens
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I paid a visit today and found it to be an excellent day out. The staff were most helpful and nothing was too much trouble. We will certainly return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Absolutely fabulous ..... the staff are full of info too ! Sol much to see and take time to remember and reflect
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fabulous place ,very emotional day out,
They fought and died for use
The grounds are very well looked after, lost for words really well worth a visit
They fought and died for use
The grounds are very well looked after, lost for words really well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have visited several times and it is a place to remember those we have lost so peaceful and beautifully tended .New memorials every time I visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
