National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
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
Spent a day at the memorial but could easily have spent a second and still not have visited all the memorials The 11am service was very poignant and put into perspective the reason behind the memorial. Knowledgeable and friendly staff
Good value restaurant that was priced to encourage visitors to use it rather that exploit them
Good value restaurant that was priced to encourage visitors to use it rather that exploit them
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Due to my father being a FEPOW and working on the Burma railway found the FEPOW section of the memorial site particularly interesting. A bit windswept on the day I visited
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I visited here with my Dad who like me is ex forces and full of memories of friends, hardship and great times. The Arboretum is amazing. Every stone, tree and monument is so well looked after and reflects those who gave everything so we can live in our proud country without fear or hardship. I recommend the train trip that took about an hour and gave us a foundation to plan our day so my Dad could get to see and do everything we'd planned. So well run and totally brilliant, you simply must go.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
All I can say is Beautiful and to bring home what our armed forces do for us.We spent all day there and it is huge but there is open small carriges to take you around for a small fee .lovely day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have been here on a few occasions with my husband who was in the services, for various memorials. Beautifully kept and a reminder of all the men and women who fought for our country. Lovely to walk around, or you can take the small train which runs around the Arboretum with commentary as you go. They have a good café/restaurant and there are now buses which run to and from the Arboretum into Tamworth, Burton and Lichfield. I was able to leave my husband for a few hours with his comrades, whilst I took a bus to Burton for a couple of hours.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Moving and at times harrowing. very well worth visiting. Many more memorials than I had anticipated.
Good café at very reasonable prices
Good café at very reasonable prices
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A great place to visit, we have been a few times both as a family and on our own and will be back. Fantastic setting, I could spend the whole day there
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited on 17th April with four children aged from 3 to 11 years. I had seen the activity for children to come and make a felt poppy advertised on Facebook and we joined Jean, a wonderfully patient and instructive volunteer, who taught the children how to do this craft. The children all really enjoyed themselves and were very proud of their poppies. We coloured in cardboard triangles to be used in the bunting which will decorate the NMA on VE70 weekend in May. After I explained what all the tea-lights burning were for, one boy (6y) asked if he could light a candle to remember his great-uncle who died in August 1945; this was a very moving moment for us. We visited the main memorial and I explained how the sunlight shines through the slits in the walls and lights up the wreath at 11am on 11th November every year. I was here last November with different children and we saw this ourselves. We visited a few other memorials and had a picnic by the play area. A thought-provoking day out.
Visited April 2015
Visited April 2015
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful site that pays tribute to those members of our Armed Forces who made the ultimate scarfice. There is a lot to see so I would allow a full day to walk around the site. The cafe on site is good and all the staff and volunteers are very helpful. Will be returning for another visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It is a very moving and interesting place. Reading about the japanese prisoners of war was the most moving.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wonderful day, grounds are beautifully kept, and will go back in the Summer when all the roses are in bloom. The memorials are so well kept, Shot at Dawn bought tears to my eyes. The volunteers were very helpful and knowledgeable. Can't believe it was only £3.00 to park, and free to get in. Everyone should go and pay their respects, I learned so much.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Took two elderly friends for a surprise to be told that they did not like anything like this on arrival. After the wonderful service in the memorial Chapel at 10.50 a slow walk round stopping frequently at the ever so many benches everywhere as they have walking difficulties. They managed the well planned steps to the main memorial walking back down the winding path. Picnic lunch and then the land train. Stupendous! Verdict? The best day out they had had in years and could we do it again next time they visit!! We will be back. Thank you RBL for such a moving thought provoking experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have visited the NMA many times, and plan to do so many more. It is a fantastic place whether you wish to remember someone specific, or if you have an interest in history, or just as a good place to have a walk.
Facilities are good, but due to be improved.
A highlight in memories of the NMA is my visit for Armistice Day last year. An incredibly moving experience.
You will not regret visiting as there is actually too much to see in one visit. That is why I have been many times. Every visit there has been something that I've not noticed before.
Facilities are good, but due to be improved.
A highlight in memories of the NMA is my visit for Armistice Day last year. An incredibly moving experience.
You will not regret visiting as there is actually too much to see in one visit. That is why I have been many times. Every visit there has been something that I've not noticed before.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fantastic day and very moving and I am touched at this tribute to our fallen. Suspect I will return at the next opportunity.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We held a service and dedicated a memorial for the Type 21 frigates of the Royal Navy, and remembered the ships company of those who went down in the Falklands in 1982 on board HMS Ardent and HMS Antelope.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Memorial Arboretum has long been on our list of places to visit. This is truly a lovely and thought provoking place, and we really enjoyed our visit. Beautifully arranged memorials on a huge site, and done in a very respectful manner. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that the memorials are not all military based (though that was our main reason for visiting), and some of these are very moving. More memorials are will be added, so it will be well worth further visits.
The staff were all very helpful, and there is a really nice cafeteria with a good choice of hot & cold meals on offer. I can thoroughly recommend a visit here.
The staff were all very helpful, and there is a really nice cafeteria with a good choice of hot & cold meals on offer. I can thoroughly recommend a visit here.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Everyone should visit the arboretum, especially those with teens and children. It gives a sense of perspective. Well worth visiting
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
if you have never visited the NMA you have missed a rare treat. Not only is it very poignant and thought provoking, it is a beautiful place to just wander and lose yourself for a couple of hours.
If you like bikes be sure to visit on the RTTW (Ride To The Wall) day in October and you will see 1000's of bikers all drawn together to honour the armed services. I have had the pleasure of riding it 3 times and I was honoured to be amongst these amazing people, both military and non military come together to remember and celebrate.
If you like bikes be sure to visit on the RTTW (Ride To The Wall) day in October and you will see 1000's of bikers all drawn together to honour the armed services. I have had the pleasure of riding it 3 times and I was honoured to be amongst these amazing people, both military and non military come together to remember and celebrate.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
