National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
The NMA is our national centre for remembrance. It's not all about the military as many think it is. It's a place for all to visit - to remember and to think. it's truly wonderful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were not sure what to expect, but were very impressed by this Memorial. In fact this is not one memorial, but hundreds of all design, both traditional and modern. Some memorials refer to individuals, others represent regiments, armies and the many organisations who all played their part when the nation end needed them.
We were very moved throughout our visit. However, one unexpected area was that dedicated to the memory of unborn children.
Visiting on a grey day in December, with bare trees was an experience. However, as many of the memorials are on grassed areas, we would recommend going after dry weather.
We were very moved throughout our visit. However, one unexpected area was that dedicated to the memory of unborn children.
Visiting on a grey day in December, with bare trees was an experience. However, as many of the memorials are on grassed areas, we would recommend going after dry weather.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Thought provoking trip to The National Arboretum. Lots to cover as it is spread out over a big area. A very respectful memorial to the victims of war. Well worth a visit but wrap up warm as it is very open.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited on a very cold and foggy day which set the tone for what this quiet place is there to remind us of.
We will return in future during each season as the arboretum will clearly reflect the changing seasons and moods
We will return in future during each season as the arboretum will clearly reflect the changing seasons and moods
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Don't try to visit for just a couple of hours. This one needs a full day!! Absolutely awesome.
Very helpful staff. Electric wheelchairs if you need one, are only £5 for the full day, and if you need help with walking they are essential. The whole experience was absolutely mind blowing, and we are already planning a return visit.
Very helpful staff. Electric wheelchairs if you need one, are only £5 for the full day, and if you need help with walking they are essential. The whole experience was absolutely mind blowing, and we are already planning a return visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The scale and the vastness of the memorials was awesome. Information set out in informative and interesting displays. Free entry which encourages donations.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Helpful, cheerful staff.
Clean facilities with good disabled person access.
Beautifully well kept grounds. If a little water-logged in parts.
Extraordinary monuments....so very many.
Clean facilities with good disabled person access.
Beautifully well kept grounds. If a little water-logged in parts.
Extraordinary monuments....so very many.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Good, clean and efficient in the layout. Volunteer staff are very helpful. Road train, mobility scooters and buggies available to cover the many acres of ground. The memorials for various services that have had members lost in conflicts are well kept and well documented.The services are second to none. A must for ex service personal and families who have lost relatives. It is a days visit and very informative leaving one with saddened thoughts.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Not only will this place be great in 100 years when the trees are all grown but it has a number of gardens/memorials. From babies with SIDS to boys shot at dawn. The big walls are all for the services. I guess it makes you reflect on the joy of life and the pointlessness of death. So I choose joy and pleasure in those that are and those asleep.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very nice visit apart from the weather. Many memorials commemorating people who have died in all wars since the First World War to present day. Both large and small memorials set in hundreds of acres of land. Too many to see on a cold day but will go back. Very good restaurant serving a variety of food hot and cold. Nice gift shop.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have been here a number of times and I find it surprising how moved I am by each visit. We made a family visit on 11th November to take part in the memorial service. We left our poppies at the "Shot at Dawn" memorial. It is very sobering to see representation of how many people have given their lives for us.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Arboretum is somewhere you can always find a place for your own thoughts. A wonderful collection of memorials. Well worth a visit (or more).
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
OMG what an experience got to be seen to believe so moving well designed well organised vast and emotional glad we've been will go back again at different time off year a must to see !!!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Living in Alrewas we visit the Arboretum quite a lot and it has been wonderful watching it grow. It is a very peaceful place to visit and very important to support this wonderful space. Our children enjoy it and find learning about the history of our country very interesting and I feel very proud to have such a wonderful place on our doorstep.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the National Arboretum today and it is honestly so much more interesting than you could ever imagine. The shot at dawn memorial was really moving and upsetting. All of the plaques and names in the war are very inspirational. The gift shop is lovely and good value for the money. The staff and guides are very friendly and tell wonderful stories about the soldiers and the times in the war. A must visit. Beautiful day with a lot of mixed emotions.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went on Armistice's Sunday this year and were overwhelmed by the dignified memorial to all nationalities who have given their lives for this country, sadly the empty walls waiting for future victims of conflict are a chilling reminder of the world in which we live. Better signage would be helpful to those unfamiliar with the area and a warning - I have never seen as many speed cameras they seemed to be every five hundred yards.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Dear All, I thought that visitors to your site might be encouraged to take pictures of this fine Sun Dial dedicated to SAS Soldier Phil Currass who lost his life during the Falklands War 1982. Every time I look at it especially after rain it takes on a different aspect, often magnifying the detail. Hope that this is of interest. Have breakfast in the morning or the splendid lunch before or after your journey to the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited on Saturday, hired a buggy for the four of us to be taken around, and had a guide called Jo, she was fantastic, we had an absolutely wonderful, and quite sad at times, day! Jo has an absolute passion for the whole place, and told us lots of anecdotes, and all the facts she knew was amazing, and such a lovely lady,Nashe made our visit. We had lunch, which was in with the price of the buggy tour, it was lovely, and more than I'd envisaged, really moving. Everyone at the arboretum was helpful, and friendly, and the work that goes on, and the thought that has gone into the making of this place is astounding. We will return, as we still haven't seen it all, and we were ther all day, a wonderful place, and we will be visiting again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a must visit just to get a sense of the feelings and emotions that people who went through the war's,It is a fitting tribute well maintained and immaculate spread over a lot of acreage so be prepared for a lot of walking or you can get a guided tour on a train or buggies.The food is a decent standard in the cafe the oniy negatives on the day you have to exit through the gift shop which is chaotic and we had to park on the spill over car park and thats a little hike.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A must visit. I live next door, and having visited many times I still have not seen all of the memorials. A wonderful place....calm, peaceful and moving. The future investment and development will make this a national treasure.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have wanted to visit for a long time as there are regular items on our local BBC news about the NMA. Visiting on a misty November day just after Armistice Day gave an added poignancy as there were lots of poppies and wreaths, often dedicated to individuals. Despite the wet ground it was possible to view the major memorials at close quarters pushing a wheelchair even around the mound which rises so gradually it is hardly noticeable. However, we will definitely need to go back to see it all, without the wheelchair user. The most moving memorials were, in my opinion, to the men shot for cowardice and desertion in WW1, the Basra Wall and the main memorial naming those who died since the end of WW2.
It was very busy when we went and the main car park was full so we had to use the overflow car park which has deep gravel and not suitable for wheelchairs.
The cafe was packed at midday so we decided to wait...by that time there was no hot food left except one variety of soup.
If you want to have detailed information about the monuments the guidebook is over £6. A leaflet with a plan seemed very expensive at £3.50, especially as the key is by number of memorial and not alphabetical.
It was very busy when we went and the main car park was full so we had to use the overflow car park which has deep gravel and not suitable for wheelchairs.
The cafe was packed at midday so we decided to wait...by that time there was no hot food left except one variety of soup.
If you want to have detailed information about the monuments the guidebook is over £6. A leaflet with a plan seemed very expensive at £3.50, especially as the key is by number of memorial and not alphabetical.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband and I attended the Armistice Day Service this year, which was a moving experience.
Tickets were available free of charge (there is a suggested donation of £5 per person for anyone visiting the Arboretum as well as a £3 parking charge) and allocated to applicants from the website, I am not sure if it was first come, first served or on a lottery basis.
The aboretum is fairly large and many of the memorials are on grassed areas without paths leading to them so, because the weather was so wet when we were there, we did not see as much as we would have liked, the lawns were already getting very churned up and we dd not want to add to the damage being caused. We would have preferred there to be more pathways, which would also help wheelchair users to access more of the memorials.
The Armed Forces Memorial itself is striking, particularly the huge blank wall which sadly we know will eventually become filled with the names of those who die in service to our country.
We were very pleased to see the school groups who were visiting, it should be part of all schools visit plans.
Tickets were available free of charge (there is a suggested donation of £5 per person for anyone visiting the Arboretum as well as a £3 parking charge) and allocated to applicants from the website, I am not sure if it was first come, first served or on a lottery basis.
The aboretum is fairly large and many of the memorials are on grassed areas without paths leading to them so, because the weather was so wet when we were there, we did not see as much as we would have liked, the lawns were already getting very churned up and we dd not want to add to the damage being caused. We would have preferred there to be more pathways, which would also help wheelchair users to access more of the memorials.
The Armed Forces Memorial itself is striking, particularly the huge blank wall which sadly we know will eventually become filled with the names of those who die in service to our country.
We were very pleased to see the school groups who were visiting, it should be part of all schools visit plans.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
So much to see in 1 day the whole place is very well organised. The staff friendly and helpful i'm going to keep this short as the day could not be improved on. To the few people on here who rated it terrible / poor these people gave there live's for YOUR freedom. God bless them all.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Arboretum was designed to commemorate all those who have lost their lives in defence of our country and it's values. In addition to the three Armed Services there are memorials to those who served in the civilian services such as the Fire Brigades, Police, Land Army etc. it is a large site and you need to allow plenty of time for your visit. You may want to use the small train to enable you to see all the places of interest. There is a very good restaurant serving a full range of refreshments at reasonable prices. Most of the staff are volunteers. There is no charge for admission but you should make a donation to the Royal British Legion which maintains the site.each day there is a short service of Remembrance at 11.00am
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Because it was Remembrance Sunday the traffic to the Arboretum was very heavy but the parking was well organised.
After the service, which we attended, we strolled around comfortably despite the large numbers visiting.
We were very impressed with the layout and the staff in attendance were very helpful.
Well worth a visit........it is an outstanding memorial to those who have fought for freedom!!
After the service, which we attended, we strolled around comfortably despite the large numbers visiting.
We were very impressed with the layout and the staff in attendance were very helpful.
Well worth a visit........it is an outstanding memorial to those who have fought for freedom!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
