National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
What a wonderful concept this place is. It really does make you stop and think about all of the awful conflicts that have happened where our people have been involved. The memorials are exceptional and the whole area has a kind of stillness about is where it makes you contemplate life and to be thankful for what we have. There was a service taking place on the day I visited and it was truly inspirational and made one think about the injustices that have been levelled at the Royal Ulster Constablery by the last labour government and how they have sold them down the line just to gain some sort of credence.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spur of the moment trip and I'm glad we went. Set in lovely parkland we found that just wondering around was the best way to explore. All of the monuments were in excellent condition and the grounds were very well maintained. Good use of technology by the use of QR readers.
All the staff we interacted with were pleasant and informative.
All the staff we interacted with were pleasant and informative.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had the opportunity to visit the Arboretum for the second time recently,this time at the Dedication of the Western Front memorial stone with members of the Mercian regiment and Cadets.
The first time we visited i had no idea what to expect,so we had a guided tour & this is probably the best was to find your way around on the first visit , then , just wander,it would be impossible to see every thing in one go,but that to me is just what it is all about,to return another day,to see changes,and to remember , it is not all about war , it is as much about today as yesterday.
Refreshments are available but if the weather is good take your own , there are plenty of places to sit & reflect.
We will be going back , soon.
The first time we visited i had no idea what to expect,so we had a guided tour & this is probably the best was to find your way around on the first visit , then , just wander,it would be impossible to see every thing in one go,but that to me is just what it is all about,to return another day,to see changes,and to remember , it is not all about war , it is as much about today as yesterday.
Refreshments are available but if the weather is good take your own , there are plenty of places to sit & reflect.
We will be going back , soon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is truly a wonderful place of peace, remembrance and beauty. The site has over 300 memorials, both military and civilian, and over 40000 trees. The volunteer staff we encountered were knowledgeable and friendly. A "must visit" place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very peaceful, thought provoking, emotional experience. Very well thought out and amazing structures.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visted 5th August, 2014 and well worth the long journey. Was not sure what to expect initially, but it really is a fascinating place to visit and remember the war dead. Went on the train that gave excellent informative commentary and would recommend anybody to use it. The shop was well stocked, places to eat very good and friendly staff.
I am so glad I visited. It certainly is a place not to be missed.
I am so glad I visited. It certainly is a place not to be missed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the Nqtional Memorial Arboretum a couple of weeks ago with my Mum. We went on a day trip with Lodge Coaches of Chelmsford who looked after us very well. Everybody was very kind and the volunteers were so helpful and very knowledgeable. An amazing, humbling experience, I would recommend a visit here to anyone, but allow plenty of time there is so much to see. We went on the train ride which was very informative.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful place to visit, run by volunteers. The grounds easy to walk on or wheelchair,etc. so much to see. Take land train first, £5 each last an hour, but well worth it, so much information and things to look out for. An amazing day. Would definitely go back as didn't see everything.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful, well presented, peaceful place to visit and see over 300 memorials that honour those who have served, and continue to serve, our nation in many different ways. Free admission and free hire of mobility scooters/motorised scooters too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful, well presented, peaceful place to visit and see over 300 memorials that honour those who have served, and continue to serve, our nation in many different ways. Free admission and free hire of mobility scooters/motorised scooters too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I was drawn to the National Memorial Arboretum on 4th August 2014 (WW1 Centenary) to remember my Grandad and Uncle... and I'm glad I did. Apart from a small cost for parking my car everything else was free. In the short time I was there I dedicated a leaf for the 'Memory Tree', joined a guided walk, had a quiet lone ramble and attended the wonderful candlelit evening service put on in the glorious Armed Forces Memorial. The Visitors Centre is modern with a reception area, café, gift shop and toilets; there are plenty of picnic tables if you take your own food. Disabled access appeared good. I found all the staff and volunteers helpful and very cheerful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful memorial which is well thought out. Each tribute is well planned and dignified for those not with us any more. A wonderful place to say a silent goodbye to those we have lost. I especially was moved by the Far East memorial that contained many artefacts and records of that period, it was the only place to acknowledge my father who was a prisoner of war in Japan, it was on the roll call of prisoners he was listed and from there was able to trace what had happened to him during the war. A fitting tribute to the past and a wonderful place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I along with My wife have been looking forward to going to The Arboretum, for many weeks, were we disappointed, No, as an Ex soldier I could appreciate the sacrifice many of our young men made to protect our Land.
Parking is £3 per day, food is available at a reasonable price, and fresh.
A visit to the Church is a must, but, be there for 1100 o'clock, everyday there is a two minute silence. Take the train ride from just behind the Church [£5.00 each] journey time 50 minutes well worth the cash, you will see more of this vast space, and will give you more time to look around.
Would We go again ? A resounding YES.
Parking is £3 per day, food is available at a reasonable price, and fresh.
A visit to the Church is a must, but, be there for 1100 o'clock, everyday there is a two minute silence. Take the train ride from just behind the Church [£5.00 each] journey time 50 minutes well worth the cash, you will see more of this vast space, and will give you more time to look around.
Would We go again ? A resounding YES.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Memorial Arboretum is a 150-acre site dedicated to remembrance in Staffordshire, near Alrewas. The Arboretum’s landscaped grounds contain many reflections on the First World War, from the poignant tribute to the shell-shocked soldiers who refused to return to the trenches and were ‘shot at dawn’ to the senseless slaughter at Gallipoli.
Currently, to mark the centenary, the Arboretum is hosting a series of special events like poetry and music recitals, as well as First World War trails around the site.
Currently, to mark the centenary, the Arboretum is hosting a series of special events like poetry and music recitals, as well as First World War trails around the site.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very beautiful arboretum, thoughtfully and beautifully planted. Space for reflection and thoughts on the sadness of war. Lots of time required to walk through the whole area....so will be back, and of course it will change as the trees and gardens mature ......
Facilities re food and toilet facilities good.
Facilities re food and toilet facilities good.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a lovely, tranquil place and a credit to the country. There are some beautiful memorials and trees. Very moving for military families and for people who have lost loved ones. You pay to park (£3.00 in July 2014) and then its free entry. Guide book £6.50 which is well worth it. Very nice restaurant and gift shop.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful and thought provoking site with lots of information. We went there specifically to look at RN/QARNNS and RAMC memorials.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a memorable visit. Beautiful & Peaceful we all really enjoyed the day. A day isn't long enough to fit everything in. So we will be returning.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband and I visited the arboureteum yesterday it is well worth going so much to see and photograph .we were at 11am for the service in the chapel followed by a very informative talk about the history .the volunteers are also very friendly and helpful .the resturant excellent .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Full of history and very moving so much to see, we spent over five hours exploring and came away having discovered much that we didn't know.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The central memorial space is impressive and well executed. Great expanses of Portland Stone with beautifully carved script and a few strong bronze statues. Clever use of light and sonorous echoes as one walks around. It really helps one begin to understand the enormity of loss in conflict.
However, the rest of the arboretum seems to me to lack any coherent structure with a bewildering assortment of memorials dotted about in a fairly haphazard parkland setting. A plethora of park benches everywhere adds to a sense of being in a municipal park rather than a memorial arboretum.
I was particularly saddened to see a collection of war memorials, presumably taken from buildings now demolished or "regenerated" put up on a fence to the side of the restaurant with a load of mobility scooters in front of them.
Its great that the arboretum has been created and I think the centre piece is excellent and moving. I think the rest of the site needs a re-think, with a little more thought given to overall structure and coherence.
I hope that the problems, as I see them, are a result of this still being quite a new site and that all will be resolved over time. After all, there seems no end to people dying in wars, so this is going to be a long term project.
However, the rest of the arboretum seems to me to lack any coherent structure with a bewildering assortment of memorials dotted about in a fairly haphazard parkland setting. A plethora of park benches everywhere adds to a sense of being in a municipal park rather than a memorial arboretum.
I was particularly saddened to see a collection of war memorials, presumably taken from buildings now demolished or "regenerated" put up on a fence to the side of the restaurant with a load of mobility scooters in front of them.
Its great that the arboretum has been created and I think the centre piece is excellent and moving. I think the rest of the site needs a re-think, with a little more thought given to overall structure and coherence.
I hope that the problems, as I see them, are a result of this still being quite a new site and that all will be resolved over time. After all, there seems no end to people dying in wars, so this is going to be a long term project.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went not really knowing what to expect but what a remarkable place. The memorial monuments to many different people are set out in beautiful landscaped grounds. We took the road train ride so that we could see as much as possible and the £5 charge was well worth it as we learnt far more than if we had wandered round on our own although there is plenty of friendly staff who will put you on the right track if you're looking for any particular monument.
The main monument in the centre was particularly thought provoking, to see all those names of people who have been killed and then see the blank spaces yet to be filled makes you realise just how many lives have been lost.
There is so much to see it is hard to do it all in one day so I hope to go back soon.
The food in the cafe was lovely and reasonably priced. The gift shop has plenty of momentos to help you remember a wonderful day out.
The main monument in the centre was particularly thought provoking, to see all those names of people who have been killed and then see the blank spaces yet to be filled makes you realise just how many lives have been lost.
There is so much to see it is hard to do it all in one day so I hope to go back soon.
The food in the cafe was lovely and reasonably priced. The gift shop has plenty of momentos to help you remember a wonderful day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
As most do, we arrived by car. It was well signposted and the car park was reasonably priced, £3 all day. No admission charge but suggested donation £5 per head.
It is a lovely place to be, and a fitting location for the many and varied memorials.
We took the road-train ride to get an overview. Cost £5 per person for about 3/4 hours.
We also visited the post 1945 memorial, the biggest of the memorials.
So many names, and the list still continues.
A chance to reflect on the true cost of war, in human terms.
It is a lovely place to be, and a fitting location for the many and varied memorials.
We took the road-train ride to get an overview. Cost £5 per person for about 3/4 hours.
We also visited the post 1945 memorial, the biggest of the memorials.
So many names, and the list still continues.
A chance to reflect on the true cost of war, in human terms.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Memorial Arboretum is a good place to visit to pay tribute to the men and women that have given their lives in defence of our country. There are memorial monuments to many different individual units, and it's worth picking up a copy of the guide book to get full details of all of them. The only problem is that it is now impossible to get to the NMA by public transport except for on a Sunday.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
And I mean everyone, as it not only remembers those lost in conflict, but other innocent lives lost, 9/11, still births, everyone is remembered in a unique special way. The whole experience was more than I could have imagined. The staff were all very helpful, cheery and welcoming nothing was to much trouble. Food lovely and reasonable in cafe, shop very well stocked for all ages.
Can recommend the land train, although at £5 each thought it was expensive but so glad we did as we saw and learnt so much more than you would on foot, worth every penny! We jumped off at the shot at Dawn(very moving) approx 1/2 way round and walked back.
Just a wonderful day out, such a tranquil,beatuifully kept, peaceful place, highly recommended, hope to visit again. Thank you! :)
Can recommend the land train, although at £5 each thought it was expensive but so glad we did as we saw and learnt so much more than you would on foot, worth every penny! We jumped off at the shot at Dawn(very moving) approx 1/2 way round and walked back.
Just a wonderful day out, such a tranquil,beatuifully kept, peaceful place, highly recommended, hope to visit again. Thank you! :)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
