National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Great place right on the doorstep which we often forget is fun & enjoyable for the kids too.
There are kids activities during half term week and my two (7&9) loved walking through the woodland areas to see the different memorials in the clearings. They also enjoyed the mini wooden assault course on site (right by a tree of remembrance for children) and the promise of an ice-cream after a good (educational) stroll!
Parking was £3 but entrance is free with the option of a donation.
There are kids activities during half term week and my two (7&9) loved walking through the woodland areas to see the different memorials in the clearings. They also enjoyed the mini wooden assault course on site (right by a tree of remembrance for children) and the promise of an ice-cream after a good (educational) stroll!
Parking was £3 but entrance is free with the option of a donation.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I loved going here, it is a calm and beautiful place and I advise all to go. It has small nature areas which are nice, and trees which all resemble a fallen soldior or another important meaning. Such a fantastic place
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We attended the dedication of the HMS Ardent Anchor Memorial. A very well organised event in the presence of HRH The Duchess of Gloucester.
This was our first visit to the NMA and would thoroughly recommend a visit to everyone. Covering 150 acres with hundreds of memorials to all the fallen since World War 1 it makes you realize just how many have given their lives in defence of our Country.
This was our first visit to the NMA and would thoroughly recommend a visit to everyone. Covering 150 acres with hundreds of memorials to all the fallen since World War 1 it makes you realize just how many have given their lives in defence of our Country.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful and very moving place to visit. Over three hundred memorials to our brave men and women, to whom we owe so much. The lovely riverside walk is an added bonus.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This our second visit here we came back to see the new statue of the Land Amy girls my mum is 94 and she was one of these girl see meet and married my Dad in 1942 she was in her uniform and my dad was in his fire fighting uniform I was so happy to tell my mum how lovely it was
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had a lovely day at the arboretum, lots of walking but worth spending the day, very quiet and peaceful place, nothing to dislike.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is one of the very few places you really can't describe, you must visit, one of the most moving and powerfully emotional places I've been in my life.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lunch was excellent. Meeting in chapel informative and reverential. Even though it was November still appreciated how beautiful it must look in spring-summer. Mini train useful except when I wanted to find a specific memorial in the middle - muddy
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was the first time we had been and was well worth it.we attended the Monti Cassino reunion as my late father in law was there during the war.We were well look after and spent a pleasant day looking round.i think everyone young and old should visit at least once.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Absolutely fantastic place to visit. If this place does,nt stir your emotions and make you think about the sacrifices made for us, you would be a cold cold person indeed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited to attend a Royal Navy service but would definitely return when we have longer as there is so much to see. Volunteers were excellent
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the Arboretum with friends, every body should visit the Arboretum. This place is run by volunteers and their is no charge to visit you can leave a donation if you wish. There is a train which costs £5 and it takes you round it's worth going on the train because you get a cometary as you go round, and the Armed Forces Memorial is very moving. There is a nice cafe and gift shop a must to visit enjoy
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Called with a coach trip on Sunday 17th May What a wonderful place. I could say so much about it but I think it is somewhere you should experience and draw your own conclusions, but it is definitely somewhere everyone should visit. A truly memorable experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
this arboretum is wonderful yet very moving place. I was lost for words. Cannot recommend this place enough!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Planted a tree to my mum 10 years ago and just wanted a quiet few minutes and look around. Wonderful place. Plant Fair an added extra. Just go.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
So many memorials in an amazing space. Walked for over 5 hrs and still didn't see everything. Take a picnic loads of beautiful spots to sit and rest a while. Shot at Dawn extremely poignant.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Arrived mid morning on a rainy day, good foot ware essential and that's just the car park (don't think it's finished), they charge £3 to park.
Do buy a map I think they are £3, we wandered around not actually looking for anything in particular but it covers a vast area and I think they are expanding a lot more. There is a land train if you are less mobile but most of the memorials and badges are in grass areas not on footpaths or roads, you really will need to walk a lot.
They could do with a few more shelters for when it rains, you can see it coming but it's quite a trek to the nearest one.
The restaurant/cafe was very busy, lots of coaches in the car park and I think most people are there for a long day and had taken up residence. We couldn't find a table so didn't have anything to eat or drink there. They either need to expand or politely ask people to move on once they have finished. On a fine day it's probably not a problem with out side seating.
Do buy a map I think they are £3, we wandered around not actually looking for anything in particular but it covers a vast area and I think they are expanding a lot more. There is a land train if you are less mobile but most of the memorials and badges are in grass areas not on footpaths or roads, you really will need to walk a lot.
They could do with a few more shelters for when it rains, you can see it coming but it's quite a trek to the nearest one.
The restaurant/cafe was very busy, lots of coaches in the car park and I think most people are there for a long day and had taken up residence. We couldn't find a table so didn't have anything to eat or drink there. They either need to expand or politely ask people to move on once they have finished. On a fine day it's probably not a problem with out side seating.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Memorial Arboretum has been transformed over the years and is a place of contemplation and peace. Visiting and placing a cross at the foot of a loved ones name brings tears and also thoughtful memories. The staff and volunteers are doing their very best. In time I pray the Restaurant could be made a more cosy retreat rather than the 'battleground' it is at present. Do realise many many people to serve. Still will return I hope.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have wanted to visit the National Memorial Arboretum for a while but have not been able to until last week. It was a very moving experience.
It is worthwhile taking the tour on the land train to get an overview of the whole place and then going back to memorials to take a closer look. There are so many different memorials, not just war or military ones, but also for organisations such as SANDS and The Boy's Brigade. The National Memorial Arboretum is not a static memorial but is evolving and changing all the time as the trees are growing and new memorials being added all the time. While obviously such a place can be very emotional it is not morbid and is well worth a visit.
It is worthwhile taking the tour on the land train to get an overview of the whole place and then going back to memorials to take a closer look. There are so many different memorials, not just war or military ones, but also for organisations such as SANDS and The Boy's Brigade. The National Memorial Arboretum is not a static memorial but is evolving and changing all the time as the trees are growing and new memorials being added all the time. While obviously such a place can be very emotional it is not morbid and is well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great place and we didn’t expect it to be so big. Plenty of space for a quiet wander around and beautifully laid –out. Some areas were very regimented & formal with others left to nature; some memorials old-fashioned with others modern coloured glass sculptures. Nice contrasts.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a special place peaceful and calming .It is perfect for any age young or old there are activities for children and peaceful walks it is mostly flat so if disabled can get about . There is a restaurant and outdoor cafe and the memorials are really thoughtfully set out and looked after with the respect they deserve it is well worth a visit and admission is free
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I had not heard of this place until the review of the new exhibit last year of "Shot at Dawn". We arrived on a very wet day but it did not deter us from walking round the site. There are a few places to shelter around the well laid out grounds as well as the chapel, the vast cafe and the Japanese prisoner of war building. Also I thought it made it more poignant especially relating to the First World War when our troops were fighting in wet and soggy conditions! There is also a train which you can board to drive you round to avoid the rain too. I knew it would move me to see the statue of the blind folded lad but I just sobbed as I have a 21 year old son and my heart went out to all those mims of the young lads who were shot because they had what is now a recognised medical condition called shell shock or Post Traumatic Stress. An 80 year old man told me recently that he didn't think the youngsters need to know about the horrors of the two world wars but in my opinion I think they do to make them realise that these brave heroes gave up their tomorrows for our todays! The are areas dedicated to various regiments of the two wars in beautifully woodland surroundings. The staff in both the cafe and shops are all very friendly - one in the shop seeing my soaking wet and ripped bag holding my guide offering to replace it for me! I hope that coach companies from all over the country offer day trips to bring people here. Although it is free to enter there is a suggested £3 donation car park charge and £5 entrance fee which most people are more than happy to pay. Thank you for providing such a fitting war memorial in the middle of the country so that there is somewhere in the UK for us to visit if we can't get to places like Ypres. The site is totally accessible for all.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Peace and quiet was lovely, but there were just too many memorials for individuals. Trees were planted too close together.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This tribute to those who were part of the war is truly poignant. The actual monuments range from the simple to the breath-taking. It's a work in progress and will get better and better every year. It deserves all our support and repays it with pleasure.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Excellent in many ways.
The car park was full but the extended one was just a few mins from the entrance.
We took our 5 year old grandson to see the 150 memorials and participate in one of the ceremonial VE events. There was a train ride too which cost £5 but was worth it as it takes 50mins to circumnavigate around the place. I was fascinated by the amount of memorials and that more and more are being added each year. There is a decent restaurant indoors which had a range of meals and also great Bloomer Sandwiches. We had a delicious cake and tea in one of the tents too while a jazz player was serenading the audience. No fee to enter but £3 for parking so a great deal really considering everything.
The car park was full but the extended one was just a few mins from the entrance.
We took our 5 year old grandson to see the 150 memorials and participate in one of the ceremonial VE events. There was a train ride too which cost £5 but was worth it as it takes 50mins to circumnavigate around the place. I was fascinated by the amount of memorials and that more and more are being added each year. There is a decent restaurant indoors which had a range of meals and also great Bloomer Sandwiches. We had a delicious cake and tea in one of the tents too while a jazz player was serenading the audience. No fee to enter but £3 for parking so a great deal really considering everything.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
