National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
On arrival you are taken a back by the size of the place. The memorial stones are very thought provoking. The main war memorial is vast, so sad that so many have given their lives and even more thought provoking the empty memorial awaiting future names. I would recommend this place, its well kept, peaceful and deserves a visit. Parking is £3 for the day but there is not charge for entry just a recommendation to leave a donation
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Memorial Arboretum is such a credit to the donors, benefactors and volunteers that have created it.
Give it a few years and it will be beautifully matured.
The number of displays are constantly changing and the central memorial reminded me of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia. Names of the fallen are listed in date order.
The scope of the gardens covers a wide variety of community organisations not just he armed forces.
The volunteers are particularly helpful in locating the location of regimental memorials
Give it a few years and it will be beautifully matured.
The number of displays are constantly changing and the central memorial reminded me of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia. Names of the fallen are listed in date order.
The scope of the gardens covers a wide variety of community organisations not just he armed forces.
The volunteers are particularly helpful in locating the location of regimental memorials
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An excellent day out very humbling. To get the most out of your visit take one of the guide tours given by the magnificent volunteers the cost is not a lot for what you get from it.. The information is invaluable when you walk independently around the Arboretum seeing the various memorials which are not confined to only the Military. They have a lovely coffee shop and outdoor picnic areas and kiddies play area. What's more its free entry.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a brilliant inspirational place....well laid out, respectful, easy to access all memorials. Husband served in South Atlantic so was poignant to both of us. Only disappointment was on the memorial wall no distinction between serving Royal Marines and Navy personnel....we know Royal Marines do come under the banner of Navy but it was upsetting to my husband to see his colleagues not given the respect of being and dying as a Royal Marine, especially when calls / advertising to join The Royal Marines is not classed as being Navy.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It was our first visit here and I found it both beautiful and peaceful. The memorials are thought provoking and tear jerking at a time of unrest in the world. Funny how the conflict zones have remained the same for 209 years ...
Facilities are good and well maintained and all the staff we encountered were very friendly and helpful.
A powerful place and experience - highly recommended
Facilities are good and well maintained and all the staff we encountered were very friendly and helpful.
A powerful place and experience - highly recommended
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is an amazing place - just so well thought out and tasteful. There are memorials to so many diffierent aspects of the military but also to other groups of people who have suffered or had their lives cut short. Even if you have no connection with the military you cannot help to be moved when you consider how many thousands of lives are represented in all that stands here. It is a large site but there is a land train which goes round the site half-hourly (for a £5 fee but well worth it) with a commentary. We used this to get an overview and then walked back to the things we wanted to specifically see. There are also shorter buggy rides available. There is a reflective Chapel which holds a short memorial everyday - although we did not arrive in time to get to this - but the chapel itself is well worth a visit has some interesting features. The park is being added to all the time so there will always be new things to see.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the Arboritum with my mother and aunt - both elderly and infirm, and one suffering from dementia. Because of their difficulty in walking, we explored the idea of using the scooters available, but my aunt with dementia was quite worried about dealing with a new thing such as driving a scooter. So I spoke to the management at the Arboritum who advised that they have buggies for just this purpose, provided with a driver/guide (I understand that you can't drive one yourself) included in the rate is a two course lunch.
Well, we had a most wonderful driver/guide, who was kind to the two ladies, and explained the monuments clearly with lovely anecdotes, and gave us all time to stop and look at the monuments we were interested in. Because it was wet and windy on the day, we were zipped into the buggy and had fleecy blankets for our knees - which the two ladies LOVED!!!
They felt special and pampered all day -plus they enjoyed looking at the memorials and hearing the stories, and seeing the lovely autumn colours in the trees.
You may think that, because this is a memorial to people who have lost their lives in conflict, that it would be a solemn and grim place, but there is an air of peace and calm over the whole place.
I cannot recommend it highly enough.
There is no admission fee to this attraction, but you are asked for a donation, as it is all run on donations.
Well, we had a most wonderful driver/guide, who was kind to the two ladies, and explained the monuments clearly with lovely anecdotes, and gave us all time to stop and look at the monuments we were interested in. Because it was wet and windy on the day, we were zipped into the buggy and had fleecy blankets for our knees - which the two ladies LOVED!!!
They felt special and pampered all day -plus they enjoyed looking at the memorials and hearing the stories, and seeing the lovely autumn colours in the trees.
You may think that, because this is a memorial to people who have lost their lives in conflict, that it would be a solemn and grim place, but there is an air of peace and calm over the whole place.
I cannot recommend it highly enough.
There is no admission fee to this attraction, but you are asked for a donation, as it is all run on donations.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well, we drove the 85 miles or so down to the National Memorial Arboretum. I did not realise there were so many Memorials. Being a former Rifleman I was interested in The Royal Green Jackets & The Rifles & its constituent Regiments. A most enjoyable day in rather wet conditions but well worth the drive. Whoever thought of the idea in the first place is to be commended. I met an old soldier from the Durham Light Infantry, (what a superb regiment - now part of The Rifles) & shook his hand.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited on Sunday 21st September 2014, a nice sunny Autumnal day. Living quite close in Rugeley, but never visited before we thought that we'd give it a try. It's a very thought provoking place. You really need a site map to navigate round. I found the entire visit very very interesting. I felt sorry however for families who have assigned memorials to trees that are now in the centre of dark close plantations. I feel that several trees will have to be removed to allow the others to achieve maturity. The main stone memorial which is set up on a Mott has an interesting feature, inasmuch that the Sun passes through several apertures to illuminate the memorial names on the 11th day of the 11th Month. Highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lots of space to walk around and study the many memorials on the site, Pleasant cafe with outside seating if required. Pity about the noise from the adjacent quarry though.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have just had my 3rd visit to the NMA (2nd RTTW) & I'm always incredibly astounded by both the serenity & shear emotion of the setting. As an ex-member of the UK armed forces, I find this is undoubtedly a very special place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great experience - very moving. Great food outlets as well. The buggy tour was great for an overview. Allow plenty of time and check the weather forecast.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful memorial site. You could easily spend a whole afternoon here. Pity all the seats/benches throughout the site are situated across grass, away from the paths. This makes disabled access very difficult, and would be even worse if the grass was damp. Think it will look more impressive with age, once some of the younger trees have matured. A very tranquil place for the many memorials. Would only visit on a dry day, but certainly worth visiting. For the disabled, mobility scooters are available to rent on site.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Enjoyed the visit. Staff very helpful. Can recommend this for all ages. Sad at times for lives lost and terrible conditions the POWs endured.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband and I took a couple of friends to the Arboretum at Alrewas a few weeks ago. What a place - to remember, of wars that took place and are still taking place. We parked in the overflow car park, a tip for you is that if you have a wheelchair, as we did get dropped off at the main car park and the overflow one is shingle and very difficult to move across.
it is a very peaceful place where you can gather your thoughts and meandor through the different sections. Another tip is get a map, you will need it. we were only there a few hours, and it wasn't nearly enough. we will be going back. IT IS FREE which is a rarety these days, and I certainly didn't object to buying a map or paying £3.00 for the car park, which all proceeds go directly back to the arboretum.
We visited on a Saturday and we thought that being on the overflow car park it would be heaving with people. It is on such a large scale and beautifully laid out, that you feel as if you are the only ones there.
the refreshments were lovely from the cafe.
it is a very peaceful place where you can gather your thoughts and meandor through the different sections. Another tip is get a map, you will need it. we were only there a few hours, and it wasn't nearly enough. we will be going back. IT IS FREE which is a rarety these days, and I certainly didn't object to buying a map or paying £3.00 for the car park, which all proceeds go directly back to the arboretum.
We visited on a Saturday and we thought that being on the overflow car park it would be heaving with people. It is on such a large scale and beautifully laid out, that you feel as if you are the only ones there.
the refreshments were lovely from the cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We've meant to go to the NMA each time we travel south, and finally managed to get there at long last. This is a beautifully created site, with tributes and memorials to a wide range of people who have lost their lives. Some very poignant to us with people we have served with having their names inscribed on the armed services memorial.
We will return in the future to see the new memorials and take in the splendour of this beautiful place.
We will return in the future to see the new memorials and take in the splendour of this beautiful place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very moving and emotional experience. I feel that all schools should take their students to learn the sacrifice men and women have given for our safety.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the National Memorial Arboretum when it first opened some years ago, when it was established on a bare site. I have been several times since, but not for 2 years. We visited again recently on a sunny autumn morning at 9am (opening time) and it was one of the best visits I have had. Instead of going to specific locations we made the time to have a good walk round several areas that we had not seen before. There is so much to see and it can be a very moving experience. It certainly makes you think. Some people will enjoy visiting when it is quiet and others might like the busier times, when they might meet other like-minded people.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
As you walk towards the visitor centre having parked(£3 for the day) you can see some of the larger memorials. A volunteer approaches and immediately tells you location of the toilets(attention to detail:)), amongst other things. You can walk, buggy or take a train tour, but you have to get there early doors. We were there for hours and probably only covered about 30% of the whole complex. You dont need to agree with the politicians to come here, you just need compassion and respect for our armed forces. It took 90 minutes from Manchester,using Man City fans personal road to wembley(M6 toll), so i urge everybody to go and pay your respects. You wont regret it
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
You can not put into words your feelings for this place but it will leave it's mark on you. This is one place we should all visit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is well worth a visit wether your a pacifist or patriotic.
I brings home futility of war and also gives you an element of pride in the sacrifice these people gave for us all.
I unexpectedly spent the best part of a day here bring comfortable footwear
it's a big place!
Stone masons were putting more names on the wall there and the size of the blank wall ready for more names to be chiselled out is a little unnerving. Well worth a visit educational and left me feeling humble seeing the numbers that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. A nice shop and a reasonably priced restaurant too.
I brings home futility of war and also gives you an element of pride in the sacrifice these people gave for us all.
I unexpectedly spent the best part of a day here bring comfortable footwear
it's a big place!
Stone masons were putting more names on the wall there and the size of the blank wall ready for more names to be chiselled out is a little unnerving. Well worth a visit educational and left me feeling humble seeing the numbers that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. A nice shop and a reasonably priced restaurant too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have been to the NMA a few times as my Regiment has a memorial garden their.
I visited last weekend a glorious sunny day.
It has grown since the last time I visited in June 14.
The place itself is thought provoking and in a lovely tranquil setting with new memorials appearing on a regular basis.
What lets it down is the entrance and the restaurant in particular, all the tables were full by 1 o'clock, no trays, not enough staff, no one clearing tables. long queue for food and long wait for service.
I know that there is a plan to improve the entrance etc but when is it going to begin? It spoils the whole visit to a place if one aspect of it and an important one the restaurant is abysmal.
I visited last weekend a glorious sunny day.
It has grown since the last time I visited in June 14.
The place itself is thought provoking and in a lovely tranquil setting with new memorials appearing on a regular basis.
What lets it down is the entrance and the restaurant in particular, all the tables were full by 1 o'clock, no trays, not enough staff, no one clearing tables. long queue for food and long wait for service.
I know that there is a plan to improve the entrance etc but when is it going to begin? It spoils the whole visit to a place if one aspect of it and an important one the restaurant is abysmal.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was better than I could have imagined, such a moving but informative place. Lots of open space. The voluneers had lots of information. Well worth a visit - every one should go.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I enjoyed my first visit to the NMA but was disappointed with the restaurant and entrance to the site. The restaurant was very chaotic and I felt could have done with a manager in charge organising clearing of tables, having structures in place for the vast number of people with hot food trying to find seating. The seating and tables outside were in adequate and very tired looking.
I was also disappointed to note that no Union flags were flying on the memorial. I was constantly comparing the NMA with memorials in the USA or the war graves in Normandy and Belgium where the sites are pristine and so well looked after.
Having said that I was moved by the memorial and would return again but perhaps in a few years time when the trees and shrubs would be a little more established.
I was also disappointed to note that no Union flags were flying on the memorial. I was constantly comparing the NMA with memorials in the USA or the war graves in Normandy and Belgium where the sites are pristine and so well looked after.
Having said that I was moved by the memorial and would return again but perhaps in a few years time when the trees and shrubs would be a little more established.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went there with the local Royal Naval Association.
Didn't know what to expect but was surprised at the scale of the place.
If you have any military background or relations or any link at all to the forces you must go and see this place. Downside is the cost of things like a map (£3.00 for a sheet of paper) and the gift shop stock. If they reduced the cost of goods then more would buy and they would make more profit. (Supermarket style).
Overall it was a very good day out and made you really think.
Didn't know what to expect but was surprised at the scale of the place.
If you have any military background or relations or any link at all to the forces you must go and see this place. Downside is the cost of things like a map (£3.00 for a sheet of paper) and the gift shop stock. If they reduced the cost of goods then more would buy and they would make more profit. (Supermarket style).
Overall it was a very good day out and made you really think.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
