National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
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
I have been to hundreds of war commemoration sites in Britain and Europe and this far exceeded my expectations. The highlight for me was the Changi lychgate, built as an entrance to the cemetery at the Japanese PoW camp and brought to England in the 1970s. To be able to stand inside it made me feel closer to the men who had built and used it in such horrific circumstances.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
You must visit, it is so incredible.........I actually felt something very powerful! I just have no words to explain.....
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Having read some of the review - terrible, poor - I wonder if I was at the same place. Apart from parking £3 (who begrudges that) you do not have to spend any money, you can walk round at your leisure. A lot of families were sitting outside with their lunches and dogs.
We did the buggy tour not the train. It was brilliant as we saw the areas we asked for with our super knowledgeable driver - worth every penny of the £5. We had the lunch and although expensive it was excellent and the staff could not have been more helpful either in the restaurant or anywhere on the site.
You really do have to ask what people expect or why they went? The area is large - it needs to be and it is not just a memorial to our armed services but to many other aspects of our life including children who did not experience life.
Someone with a review who went this year said there are no trees..there are HUNDREDS of trees and in June/July the poppies will be blowing in the breeze.
Go for the right reason and enjoy, wear sensible shoes as there is a lot of walking if you want the true experience.
We did the buggy tour not the train. It was brilliant as we saw the areas we asked for with our super knowledgeable driver - worth every penny of the £5. We had the lunch and although expensive it was excellent and the staff could not have been more helpful either in the restaurant or anywhere on the site.
You really do have to ask what people expect or why they went? The area is large - it needs to be and it is not just a memorial to our armed services but to many other aspects of our life including children who did not experience life.
Someone with a review who went this year said there are no trees..there are HUNDREDS of trees and in June/July the poppies will be blowing in the breeze.
Go for the right reason and enjoy, wear sensible shoes as there is a lot of walking if you want the true experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited here today for the first time. It was lovely. Staff were very helpful and friendly. It's quite a big place so to see it all will take a few hours. Easy access for buggy's and wheelchair users. There's a land train that goes round the arboretum if u don't fancy walking around from one end to the other. They also do tours. So a good history lesson for the little ones
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I had been told that I must visit the National Memorial Arboretum for a long time, but never got round to going.
Sometimes it's just because a place is close by, and you ignore it for this reason.
Anyway we have now been. I'm not really sure what I expected, this was not it.
So many memorials to so many groups. Wrens, Sailors, Airmen and Soldiers. Civilians. Men and women. From all over the country and the world.
Peaceful and calm. I now wish we had planned to be there for longer.
We are planning to go again next weekend for the VE day event.
We worth a visit.
Sometimes it's just because a place is close by, and you ignore it for this reason.
Anyway we have now been. I'm not really sure what I expected, this was not it.
So many memorials to so many groups. Wrens, Sailors, Airmen and Soldiers. Civilians. Men and women. From all over the country and the world.
Peaceful and calm. I now wish we had planned to be there for longer.
We are planning to go again next weekend for the VE day event.
We worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Emotional and moving- difficult to take it all in- a sobering experience. The wind was blowing but on a warm day I'd have wanted to stay much longer
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the Arboretum on a beautiful, sunny but very cold day. It was a very sobering but interesting experience. The Arboretum is beautifully laid out and in a few years with more mature trees will look quite wonderful. We loved the thought and sometimes the humour that had gone into some of the memorials. Having visited Poland a few times over the years we especially liked it's memorial which was beautiful and very informative. The Gallipoli memorial was especially moving as we visited a few days after the 100 years anniversary. The only disapointment was that we couldn't find the REME Memorial (my father's regiment) but Googled later to find it was being repaired.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Does this come across as an attraction.
It is the most amazing poignant place I have ever visited,the staff were really helpful,polite,Nothing was too much trouble.Everybody should go and reflect on what it stands for
RECOMMEND IT AMAZING POIGNANT
It is the most amazing poignant place I have ever visited,the staff were really helpful,polite,Nothing was too much trouble.Everybody should go and reflect on what it stands for
RECOMMEND IT AMAZING POIGNANT
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
As a family we visit annually. A nice dry day is best , it does get busy but there are acres of grounds to wander in a look at the many memorials.
It is the calmness and the quietness that gets me every time we visit. There are plenty of benches to sit and have a minute.
I personally think everybody should visit at least once out of respect for our forces.
there are other memorials not just military.There is a visitor centre with a café and toilets and gift shop.
Love this place x
It is the calmness and the quietness that gets me every time we visit. There are plenty of benches to sit and have a minute.
I personally think everybody should visit at least once out of respect for our forces.
there are other memorials not just military.There is a visitor centre with a café and toilets and gift shop.
Love this place x
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the Arboretum with my wife and found the experience sobering yet uplifting. The staff and arrangements are 100% professional and I left the occasion both thoughtful and grateful to our fallen heroes.......I will be visiting this memorial again.....rest in peace to our gracious fallen......
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a place everyone should visit a place of peace and it is not just military everyone can find something that means something to them
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Try to go on a 'nice' day. If it is wet, windy or cold it is less pleasant. To see everything would take several days. As an 'ordinary' visitor, or one with walking difficulties, the tour by the 'road train' is recommended.
Whatever else, go and have a look at the walls of names at the main memorial.
And the food at the café is good and reasonably priced.
Whatever else, go and have a look at the walls of names at the main memorial.
And the food at the café is good and reasonably priced.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It would appear that everything within the area has been done with a purpose. The right trees, the correct wood, the interesting labels, stones and plaques. You really need a full day to appreciate the complete area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
As an ex Guardsman, of course I am interested in military history and the sacrifice of the many who gave their lives for us. The Arboretum is superb, the grounds are kept in immaculate condition and there is a site for just about every regiment and society that was involved in the wars. The site is well laid out with beautiful walks, and if you are not so nimble on your legs there are many other forms of transport to take you around the site. We had lunch in the restaurant on site and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food and drink. All the staff were helpful and the chapel services were very moving. We will return again to see the remaining parts which we had no more time to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This place is a must for anyone who has friends or family in the forces. Not only does it provide a superb area for walking (and flat for those less able) but it is also a great place just to sit and pay your respects.
In terms of maturity the area is relatively young but growing all the time with carefully considered trees and shrubs to match the many and varied memorials on show. In three years of visiting the National Memorial Arboretum we have witnessed a huge increase in the number of memorials and development of the area so repeated visits always offer something different.
Particularly recommended are the escorted walks and talks given by the guides and volunteers.
In terms of maturity the area is relatively young but growing all the time with carefully considered trees and shrubs to match the many and varied memorials on show. In three years of visiting the National Memorial Arboretum we have witnessed a huge increase in the number of memorials and development of the area so repeated visits always offer something different.
Particularly recommended are the escorted walks and talks given by the guides and volunteers.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
this place is a must for any old servicemen /women.its a place of stillness yet not sad.lovely walks down by the river and in the trees.i like all the different layouts of the memorials, some small some big, but all of them in good taste.brill place to sit and reflect on the past.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
