National Memorial Arboretum

4.9/5 based on 11737 reviews
Latest Reviews
Nothing to dislike here it is a must see place for everyone young and old everyone should see just how many people have died in conflicts since tWWII very frightening how many have lost lives
All this is free to enter
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This was the fourth visit for myself and my wife and so far every visit we have seen changes and are glad to see that we now have a lasting memorial to all those service personnel who gave their lives so that we may live. The ground staff and all who work here are to be commended for their hard work and dedication. Many, many thanks fro two veterans.
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As we were in Burton Upon Trent for the weekend my wife and I decided to visit the National Memorial Arboretum to place crosses in memory of departed loved ones. We were very pleasantly surprised to discover that the day of our visit coincided with National Service Day and there was a service to commemorate all those who were called up between 1939 and 1960. It made our visit to stop and chat with new friends and fellow veterans of Military Service.
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What an emotional and tranquil place of rest, more spectacular than we imagined. Fortunately the staff gave instructions of where we could find the names of colleagues in the Timber Corps or we could be looking all day as it is so vast.we stayed all afternoon and have planned another return visit in August.What a wonderful place.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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We've been a number of times and there is always something new to see. Great day but very thought provoking. Good pushchair assess around site. Cafe well stocked and the staff and volunteers very helpful and knowledgeable.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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The arboretum is a good day out if you are interested in the forces, there are many sections of the the Army, Air force, of different areas, it is possible to take a full day to see all the different sections and some very interesting reading about the men who gave their lives and the concentration camps and the Burma railway. it should be a must for the younger generation to see and learn what the armed forces had to suffer in the two world wars, you can also get a good meal there at a reasonable price. there is a car parking charge.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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This is one of the best places to visit. We are fortunate to have the Ardoretum on our door step and we are regular visitors.
There is something for everyone there. With no entry fee just £3 car parking for the day.
Places to eat and drink. Food is excellent, or take a picnic to eat outdoors in this beautiful setting.
There are also lots of special days with all sorts of things happening. Just check the website for what is on.
The Arboretum is for every one and is a charity run organisation.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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This place was an emotional eye-opener and had surprises all over its many acres. We knew about the major memorials but the individually dedicated trees were sometimes more powerful. We didn't come here to eat, but were very impressed with the quality of sandwiches and scones, and the presentation. Very nice gammon.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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This is a must! Give yourself at least a day to view as much of this great national monument as you can. And then book another day to come back to see all that you missed first time round. When arriving from the motorway, don't be confused by the disabled parking sign, the normal parking is still through the posted gate, otherwise you end up at the overflow car park (£3 per day - good value). Get there before 11.00 so you can take part in the 2 minute silence held every morning in the chapel. And that is the start of the visit as there are some beautiful carvings to be seen there. Buy a £6.50 guide to use both as a guide to what to do and later as a reminder of what you've seen. We did a roadtrain trip (£5 each) round the site and then selected 2 specific memorials: the imposing main memorial to all armed forces and then the 'Shot at Dawn'. Be ready for the beauty and calmness of the whole site. And remember those who are the reason for this parkland.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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Fantastic, wonderful, full of praise for the volunteers, beautiful setting an absolute credit to all who have a part in this National Monument. So much to see. This should be on everyone' bucket list. So many monuments to those who gave so much. My heartfelt thanks to all. Peter Bailey, ex C.P.O. Royal Navy
tripadvisor.co.uk
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I live locally and love visiting the arboretum.
It is free to enter (parking is £3.00 but since it is a charity and uses the money to keep the place running I don't mind paying it).
It is a beautiful place, peaceful and tranquil.
There is so much to see, you could easily send a day there (take a picnic and sit next to the river)
There are so many memorials for different things, there is something that will interest everyone.
I always take time to visit the memorial wall and "shot at dawn" and then take a nice stroll along the river.
Well worth a visit.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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I have been several times the first time was a dedication service about 10 years ago for a cousin that went down on a ship in WW11, and it has got better and better . It is such a beautiful place of rememberance, it is so nice to walk round although also a very emotional place to visit.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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For many years I never knew that this place existed but when I went for the first time a few years ago I was all in ore of the Staffordshire National Memorial. Not only is it a statement of our history in England it also shows our allies the Scots, Welsh, Irish, Gurkha's and many more.

The setting is a very peaceful location and it will be a full day out and there is lots to see and do. At times tearful and other times smiles I will guarantee you will keep coming back for years to come.

The National Memorial never keeps still there are more memorials being added all the time give you more to see, with a train available for young and old with guides or digital headsets you can take your time walking or being carried through this wonderful place.

You will not regret going and it only costs £3 per car that's it.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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We've wanted to visit for a while and the wait was worth it.
A very moving place even for those of us too young to remember many of the wars and conflicts.

Take the tour for information and then wander at your leisure.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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Took the train round the site which gave us a good overview and helped us decide which areas merited a closer look. It's beautifully laid out, rather reminiscent of a military cemetery but with trees and memorials in place of headstones. The restaurant offered good value meals and the staff were friendly and helpful. I went particularly to see a bronze statue to the Land Army and Timber Corps and I took an elderly aunt whose sister has a memorial tree in one of the areas of the park. That was easy to find and the staff provided instructions and reference number.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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I recently visited the National Memorial Arboretum for a Remembrance Service hosted by the Parachute Regiment. The staff met us at the entrance and were very helpful and friendly. Our service was being held at the Airborne monument and is situated some way from the main building, the staff explained that a shuttle buggy would be available to those unable to walk the distance. The grounds are kept immaculate with on going memorials being created all the time.
There are 150 acres to explore and appreciate.
There is a good restaurant serving everything from breakfast, snacks and meals to scones and hot drinks. There is a gift shop run by the British Legion.
Entry is free but car parking is £3.00 per day. Donations are welcomed towards the maintenance .
Check out their website for special events throughout the year.
There is so much to see and you can always take a picnic if you prefer.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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Very moving. You don't have to have a military background to appreciate what so many people did to give us freedom. I would recommend a visit by anyone.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lot to see and you need all day to appreciate the history and the memories and to pay your respects
Good provision for toilets and restaurants from snacks to full meals
The site has got better and better as the years pass and more memorials are put in, I live locally and have visited a number of times with visitors to my home and they are always impressed by the site
tripadvisor.co.uk
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Didn't know what to expect. Much larger than we anticipated and thankful for the little train to take us around the large site, complete with commentary. The place is lovely and well tended with lots of helpful volunteers. You are politely asked to pay to park and help contribute to the upkeep. This we did gladly, but we were disappointed to see a number of visitors who obviously avoided making any contribution. If they wish to spend time there, using toilet facilities and benches to eat the picnics they brought with them, the least they should do is give a donation. Thanks to all who look after this lovely place.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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I would highly recommend a visit here. The place is very well maintained and very moving. The self service cafe is great but we had booked a 3 course Sunday lunch which was served in a separate restaurant. The staff were amazing! Very professional and friendly. We got better service than in many good restaurants . The food was also delicious and well presented.
tripadvisor.co.uk
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I just love this place , so peaceful and very moving . We particularly came to view the recent addition of the Camp Bastion memorial . Nice to see how they've encouraged wildlife along the river too. Lovely grounds and well maintained .
tripadvisor.co.uk
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Amazing place. Huge and so well laid out. Not at all from a service background it is still marvellous to wander amongst the tremendous artwork and planting. Beautifully done and such a contrast to the carnage that the memorial sadly marks. I was particularly struck by the range of memorials including the 'shot at dawn' area. Flowers, trees, bird life and water, all beautifully tended. Worth a visit and if you have time worth a stop for a while to appreciate what you have.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I simply could not fault the organisation, the location or the facilities when we went. I recommend the short train ride around the site to get an overview of what is on site before making your own way to the areas that interest you.

The layout is thoughtful and the ambience quiet and reflective with lots of greenery, birds and, of course, a staggering number of memorials of all sorts.

There were people of all ages and nationalities and it is my view that everyone in the country should visit this location at some time in their lives.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Arboretum is a splendid memorial so peaceful and moving.
It was lovely to see visitors from such various age groups there, Veterans, Service personnel, school children and students.
The train ride around the Arboretum was very informative and detailed about the memorials on display
The Shot at Dawn memorial we found be so specially moving, reading the names and ages of the 306 soldiers on the posts was a privilege and so very sad
So many young men blindfolded and executed.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a perfect memorial to our fallen heroes from many conflicts and for those non military personnel who gave so much, it's quiet and peaceful and respectful place, it's a place that makes you think about love and loss and also pride rather than for a few minutes every November. Whilst there I was able to see my cousins name on the wall from the Falklands conflict and my sons friend on the Bastion memorial both very young men whose names will always be remembered nationally. There was the dedication of the new RAF memorial with a fly past by a spitfire which tipped its wing as it passed the memorial a beautiful sight. I think it's shameful that some reviewers give a poor review because they dont agree to pay £3 to park their car, aren't allowed to take their dogs up to the memorials and disabled people that they can't take their own mobility scooters in, this is a national memorial not a theme park, I for one don't want to be run into by a mobility scooter, have to watch where I walked because of irresponsible dog owners, I think it's a brave move to make those decisions but the right one for everyone to enjoy the peace and beauty of the site. Some complained the cafe prices were expensive and I thought it was incredibly cheap, clean and that the volunteers do an excellent job and obviously have to be firm with some visitors who think they have more rights than everyone else if they have a dog or disability!
tripadvisor.co.uk
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