National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
As pointed out before, unless you are on an organised trip you really do need you own transport to get here but parking is more than adequate even if you have to park in one of the not too distant overflows. The site is extensive and very well put together with a good instinct for what bushes shrubs and trees go well together, and non plant aspects included in some of the memorials are tastefully integrated. All the memorials are well labelled and impressive, from the smallest to the sobering circles on the mound which record every fallen serviceman since 1945. The obvious "peaks"- Korea, Suez, Northern Ireland, the Falklands and Afghanistan were expected but it was instructive to notice the numbers even in less prominent years. The train is a boon to those of restricted mobility but it may be a good idea to go and book your time as soon as you get there, especially in Summer and at weekends. The commentary is respectful but not over solemn. It is not a fun theme park, but when we were there everyone - even potentially boisterous children, seemed to get the ideal which it tries successfully to convey. We recommend giving it the best part of a day but you can do it in less without losing too much if you are pushes for time Donations are voluntary. The guides and the guide books are first class.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited due to the children studying the war at school. The kids loved the place and found it so interesting, my wife and I felt there was a fantastic spiritual and calm feeling, we will go again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were a party of 5 adults and 5 children (7-11). 2 were ex-soldiers so for them, it was a very special experience. They were able to see memorial stones of comrades and pay their respects.
However, for non- military, it is also a very special day out. The surroundings are beautiful. The children understood the need for respect, but there were also places for them to run and roll down hills.
We were very lucky and the February weather was glorious so we were able to sit in the gardens.
We had lunch in the cafe and it was a reasonable price.
I would definitely recommend it as we spent the whole day there for a donation.I think there was a small car park charge- about £3 but definitely worth it.
However, for non- military, it is also a very special day out. The surroundings are beautiful. The children understood the need for respect, but there were also places for them to run and roll down hills.
We were very lucky and the February weather was glorious so we were able to sit in the gardens.
We had lunch in the cafe and it was a reasonable price.
I would definitely recommend it as we spent the whole day there for a donation.I think there was a small car park charge- about £3 but definitely worth it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a fantastic place to visit. A remarkable memorial to all the gallant men and women who gave their lives to protect and defend their country and give us the free world to live in.
It is a great attraction , so interesting for all ages and far too much to see in one visit.
The car park is extensive and the charge is £3 for all day. Entry is free although a donation is recommended from visitors if they wish.
With plenty of space for everyone and so many paths, garden areas and memorials to wander round it is a really special place. Very humbling yet uplifting at times.
You will not regret visiting I assure you.
It is a great attraction , so interesting for all ages and far too much to see in one visit.
The car park is extensive and the charge is £3 for all day. Entry is free although a donation is recommended from visitors if they wish.
With plenty of space for everyone and so many paths, garden areas and memorials to wander round it is a really special place. Very humbling yet uplifting at times.
You will not regret visiting I assure you.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Moving experience. Good guides( people) and booklets. Mini train with commentary available for those who do not want to walk too far. Beautiful setting which can only improve as the trees grow. The only church built during the year 2000 is here and well worth seeing. The only drawback is no public transport as far as I know. Very good cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A Very moving and humbling experience, but also interesting and engaging. I took my Sister and Brother in Law on a spur of the moment trip. Both were surprised and pleased to have visited the Arboritum. I would recommend a visit to anyone, of all ages. Don't expect to see everything in one one visit!! It is large and I will be visiting again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Arboretum is near near middle England & some 10 miles north of Lichfield along the A38. The site is vast ideally located in a rural area. Parking is plentiful as are amenities & many stories depicted of gallantry. A site that is quite sombre & respectful to those who paid the ultimate price in defence of our values. The actual elevated memorial area records those who died & to be there at the 11th hour of the 11day of the 11 month is deeply moving. All parts of the Armed services are there together with those who provided valuable support in which was their theatre of the war is represented. A truly awesome but uplifting location for our heroes.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a beautiful memorial to all of those who gave their lives. But it is more than that, it is a living memorial. Set in impressive countryside with fine walks and that in itself is worth a visit. Personally I always feel humbled at any memorial site, standing still in our busy lives seeing all those names of those who gave their live so that I can be free.
Living in Lichfield, which is not far from the Arboretum, I have seen it being build and now this site has become such a part of Staffordshire. Many in our area have visited many times, as have many dignitaries.
It might not be the first thing you think about when visiting our county, but if you take the time to visit I promise you that you will leave happy that you did so.
Living in Lichfield, which is not far from the Arboretum, I have seen it being build and now this site has become such a part of Staffordshire. Many in our area have visited many times, as have many dignitaries.
It might not be the first thing you think about when visiting our county, but if you take the time to visit I promise you that you will leave happy that you did so.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This memorial is a must see,everyone who can should visit.It is beautifully laid out and the thought that has gone into each and every memorial is breathtaking.It is very spacious so you can wander around and not feel rushed to move on.There is ample parking and a very good restaurant and lots of places to eat if you want to take a picnic.
There is also a land train for visitors who have mobility problems,very useful indeed.
The main memorial is stunning but also sadly poignant.
There is also a land train for visitors who have mobility problems,very useful indeed.
The main memorial is stunning but also sadly poignant.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Amazing place... Calm picturesque and a must visit. Excellent cafe full of lovely good and snacks to warm you on a cold day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A great venue to come together to remember friends, colleagues & family. This is not a morbid reminder of ancient wars, but a relevant location for reflection and thinking of the future whether you are a member of the armed forces or not.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We live only a couple of miles away and I am ashamed to say we only visited for the first time last August. It's just beautiful. The car parking was only £3.00 for the whole day. When we arrived we could see people had picnics - we were surprised at this until we actually got 'inside'. You could easily spend a day there. The grounds are kept immaculately. You can even walk along the river. Worth a visit if you live in the area - even worth travelling to. (There are a couple of coffee shop/restaurants too.)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
what an excellent place, a lovely and humbling place to visit. Outdoors for most of the visit so lovely if its a sunny day
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a beautiful memorial which everyone should visit. It is very thought provoking and makes you realise how many lives were lost to protect our freedom.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A fantastic memorial. Everyone should go. Entrance is free, car parking charges apply, but do make a generous donation. Really well laid out. Very humbling.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
New Years Eve was a bright, clear day, perfect for a walk, so we decided to visit the National Memorial Arboretum. It was our first time here and we were so impressed. We only spent a few hour, but you could easily occupy a couple of days. The memorials are varied - some very impressive, some thought provoking and all poignant. The volunteer guides are so knowledgable, interested and interesting, and clearly have passion for the place and what it stands for. There are numerous memorials both big and small, spread over a large landscaped area, and they are always adding new memorials, so there is always something new to look at. We found the Shot At Dawn memorial particularly compelling.Wonderful for a pleasant but thoughtful and moving day out, and it felt particularly meaningful on a special day of the year. We will definitely be making a return visit - maybe next New Years Eve.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Staff were very knowledgeable and helpful. Recommend the buggy ride as you get a personal commentary (land train is pre-recorded). Walking footwear recommended as large areas to cover and can get a bit boggy after rain. Restaurant food very good. Will come back in a different season to see the trees in full leaf.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our visit on a freezing cold February day was very moving. What a great job has been done to honour all those lost in maintaining our peace and freedom. It is possible to visit the large area honouring the memorials to all the deserving men and women who have served and, serve our country. Buggies, wheelchairs ans road train give us all the ability to see the whole area. Very well organised and maintained.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Absolutely wonderful place. Stunning memorials of which there are dozens dotted around the entire site, varying in size and detail but all very moving. Plenty of benches to sit and take it all in, sheltered areas for picnics or to escape the rain with wooden carved animals and information boards inside. The main memorial is stunning and the way it has been designed to allow the light through on 11/11 is breathtaking. Free entry but a donation is suggested, cafe is lovely and quite reasonably priced, great gift shop, maps and tours available, extremely helpful and friendly staff. All in all a lovely and very humbling visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very lovely place to go for a walk with added history. It was clean and well maintained. Will be returning in the summer for a longer day out!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Why we chose to go on such a cold day is beyond me. The place is amazing and extremely moving. There is a special atmostphere there, hard to describe really. Perhaps one is just aware of what the area represents. We spent about 3/4 of an hour there but became too cold to continue. However once the warmer weather comes we'll go back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Try to go in dry weather, with sun better still. Overcast, in the rain, and with a cold wind, the National Memorial Arobretum would be a bleak place. When we visited in December, arriving at the 9am opening time, we were kitted out for freezing weather, which was a good job! We had booked an electric scooter for me, as well as a golf-cart (for eight people) guided tour. Excellent reception staff gave a large scooter, because, well, I am large. But I saw someone huge going round on one. The golf-cart tour, the first of the day at 10.30am, just had the two of us on it. It was excellent, and the driver very friendly, informative and responsive to questions. The arboretum is enormous and the tour gave us a good idea of the layout of almost the entire site. We had already had an excellent breakfast in the smart cafeteria. My wife went off on foot to the particular memorials she wanted to see (plan ahead, the online information is thorough!), and I scooted off to the ones I wanted to see. We then regrouped for a really enjoyable lunch. The Sunday roasts looked great. By this time the cafeteria was pretty full.. We had to leave by two pm, but had managed to spend three hours sightseeing, and two hours eating good food. It is a very moving place to visit. The poignant blank walls on the main elevated memorial, for deaths yet to come, giving especial cause for sad thought. The guidebook is well-worth purchasing, and the memorials are impressive in their variability.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
With two teenage children its often difficult to get them to see the merit of a good walk, so we often like to take a walk that has a purpose, something to look at or find, this place fit the bill perfectly. There is lots of memorials to see, some interesting, some sculpturally beautiful, some thought provoking and others extremely moving. I doubt that we saw half of the site as despite it being a nic day there was a bitter wind. We left having enjoyed our visit knowing that with more to see we would have an excuse to return again, probably in the summer. No complaints from the teens either !
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the arboretum last week while in the area for my birthday. We had a lovely morning out taking in all of the fantastic monuments. It is truly an beautiful place. We are looking forward to re-visit during the summer. We had a nice coffee in the cafe to warm us up from being out in the cold.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is an amazing place, very thought provoking and well worth a visit. We spent hours there and apparently still missed a chunk of it, my advise, get a map!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
