National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Excellent place to visit. 20 minute drive from Lichfield. I believe you can also get there by bus.
Beautiful grounds and lots of memorials for past wars and conflicts. There is a nice restaurant there also.
It is not designed for the young. Anyone under 30 will probably be bored.
There is a trolley bus that does a guided tour of the grounds. This helps if you have mobility problems.
Allow at least 2-3 hours to do the place justice.
Beautiful grounds and lots of memorials for past wars and conflicts. There is a nice restaurant there also.
It is not designed for the young. Anyone under 30 will probably be bored.
There is a trolley bus that does a guided tour of the grounds. This helps if you have mobility problems.
Allow at least 2-3 hours to do the place justice.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Brilliantly planned where the Light enters at the 11th hour on 11/11 in the wall of memory
well planned and stunningly well kept and maintained a place for quiet reflection and respect well worth a visit
well planned and stunningly well kept and maintained a place for quiet reflection and respect well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
No visit to Lichfield would be complete without visiting the nearby National Memorial Arboretum. Even if you don't have any family or friends who served in the forces you can't fail to be impressed by the shear scale of the place and the quality of the memorials. Entry is free of charge although donations to the charity are always welcome. A visit on the 11th of November is particularly memorable because the sun, if there is any, shines through the main memorial at 11 o'clock!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a must see for visitors from the area, the region, nationally and internationally. The Arboretum is laid out in a way whereby tribute is given to many nations who lost servicemen post 1945. The main memorial is just wonderfully designed with every serviceman's name carved on the marble. It is designed in such a way that there are two splits in either side through which the sun will shine through only at 11O'clock on the 11th of the 11th. It is a truly magnificent site and well worth a day out. It is a fitting reminder to the many people who have fought for this country and is both moving and at the same time a beautiful site. No less than they deserve.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well worth a visit, easily accessible and brilliantly maintained.
A vast amount of memorials dedicated to many groups who have served their country and experienced loss.
The main memorial is stunning. Make sure you leave time to walk round carefully.
A vast amount of memorials dedicated to many groups who have served their country and experienced loss.
The main memorial is stunning. Make sure you leave time to walk round carefully.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The feeling of peace and tranquility at the National Arboretum cannot be equalled. It is truly amazing and humbling. Walking down the tree avenues where each tree is dedicated to a man that won the VC for valour is beyond words. I absolutely recommend this to anyone, of any age. The wall of names is a sight to behold. I cannot use enough superlatives for this arboretum, just visit and see for yourself. Walk down by the River Trent and soak up the calming atmosphere. As the trees mature if can only get better and better.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a very well kept place with lots of differant memorials for differant services some very moving especially the burma railway one
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have been to the arboretum on a number of occasions. Free entry, you just pay for parking. There are donation boxes there for you to give a contribution towards the up keep etc. It is beautiful to walk around especially when the sun is out. You can't help but feel admiration for all of the soldiers who served for their countries. There is alot of information available about the soldiers and regiments and also the wars that were fought. There is a park, cafe and shop on sight. It is lovely although sad when you see how many soldiers have died for their country.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A most splendid place to visit. The whole layout has been well planned. Done tastefully and with such respect. Very peaceful. Coverage on all areas since World War 1 to the present day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Probably the most important place in the British Isles, along side Whitehall London, to remember and reflect, all those who have given all in the service of their country. This is a magnificent memorial and educational site.
I attended the Dedication Service for the Queens Royal Lancers (myself a former member of 16th/5th The Queens Royal Lancers)
I attended the Dedication Service for the Queens Royal Lancers (myself a former member of 16th/5th The Queens Royal Lancers)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I went thinking it would be a really morbid place but I was wrong. A fantastic place to see the gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
this is a place that is truly amazing very close to Lichfield you could spend many hours in the most beautiful area of remembrance that i have ever visited and each time i visit it is different and is still changing
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Service of Remembrance at 10.50 and 2 minute silence at 11am.
'Shot at Dawn' memorial on most Eastern point where sunrise first touches the Arboretum.
The marble walls inscribed with the names of those who gave their today for our tomorrow's. Took a moment to mourn for those names yet to be inscribed on the empty marble walls - their future will also be cut short as they pay the ultimate sacrifice.
'Shot at Dawn' memorial on most Eastern point where sunrise first touches the Arboretum.
The marble walls inscribed with the names of those who gave their today for our tomorrow's. Took a moment to mourn for those names yet to be inscribed on the empty marble walls - their future will also be cut short as they pay the ultimate sacrifice.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The national Memorial Arboretum is a landscaped area that homes over 300 different memorials within it's grounds. The memorial honours those service personnel who have died in conflicts around the world up until the present day.
My personal highlight was the memorial to the 306 young men who were 'Shot at Dawn' for so called desertion during the First World war, although I think the memorial could be improved by telling more of their moving individual stories.
I was also surprised to learn just how big a part Poland, particularly the underground and Polish Intelligence, played in the successful outcome to WWII.
My personal highlight was the memorial to the 306 young men who were 'Shot at Dawn' for so called desertion during the First World war, although I think the memorial could be improved by telling more of their moving individual stories.
I was also surprised to learn just how big a part Poland, particularly the underground and Polish Intelligence, played in the successful outcome to WWII.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is an amazing place and can move you to tears in a heart beat. I found the name of a cousin who was killed in Malaya. I didn't really expect to find his name but when I did the reaction was instant. It took me right back to when I was 4 and watched the young women in our family completely desolated at his passing. Suddenly all that emotion hit me and I burst into tears. When this site is mature it will be wonderful. It's pretty amazing now.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a beautiful and moving place to visit So much thought must have been put into the various individual memorials and the artwork is stunning. The central memorial is a masterpiece with the names engraved on it. We took the train which moved very slowly around most of the memorials identifying each one. The commentary was very informative but the delivery was a bit twee in places! Put this on your bucket list what ever your age!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautifully maintained place. Have been a number of times, different memorials put up all of the time so it never gets boring, beautiful memorials, not graves. It's a huge place and due to get bigger I understand. I think it should be part of school curriculum for children to visit, so that they understand what people have done and how many have died because of war. The central huge memorial is stunning, the names engraved on it and even more thought provoking are the names not yet engraved on it, of those who will die in future for their country.
The shop and cafe area are fine, usual stuff. They don't detract from the place or make it tacky.
As for people moaning about paying £3 to park. You pay more than that to park at a shopping centre and don't moan.... How can you moan when you have free entry to the arboretum? the £3 is just a contribution, a tiny tiny one.
The volunteers are great too by the way, we asked one where the 'shot at dawn' memorial was and he told us and chatted about stuff too, very interesting gentleman.
Will be visiting again at Easter when I have more time as only had 4 hrs today. Brilliant place, def recommend.
The shop and cafe area are fine, usual stuff. They don't detract from the place or make it tacky.
As for people moaning about paying £3 to park. You pay more than that to park at a shopping centre and don't moan.... How can you moan when you have free entry to the arboretum? the £3 is just a contribution, a tiny tiny one.
The volunteers are great too by the way, we asked one where the 'shot at dawn' memorial was and he told us and chatted about stuff too, very interesting gentleman.
Will be visiting again at Easter when I have more time as only had 4 hrs today. Brilliant place, def recommend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
For anyone with friends, family or ancestors from any of the Armed Forces, or simply an interest in military history the Memorial is worth visiting. That said it also has memorials to civilians as well, but as my interest was in family history I mainly spent time in the military areas.
A £3 charge for parking is fair and the car park well kept, entry is 'free' but a donation is suggested (and personally recommended) and a map or guide book is needed t make sense of the 150 acre site.
The entire site is immaculately kept, peaceful and thought provoking, memorials, plaques and statues mark and honour many regiments, countries and services from the UK and Commonwealth as well as the incredibly moving Japanese section dedicated to the British and Japanese veterans who have become friends.
With this year marking the centenary of the onset of the First World War, for me, there was nothing more meaningful than the poppy field.
A £3 charge for parking is fair and the car park well kept, entry is 'free' but a donation is suggested (and personally recommended) and a map or guide book is needed t make sense of the 150 acre site.
The entire site is immaculately kept, peaceful and thought provoking, memorials, plaques and statues mark and honour many regiments, countries and services from the UK and Commonwealth as well as the incredibly moving Japanese section dedicated to the British and Japanese veterans who have become friends.
With this year marking the centenary of the onset of the First World War, for me, there was nothing more meaningful than the poppy field.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely, relaxed walk round. Very quiet and peaceful. There is always a quiet spot to stop and take your thoughts.
Then there is a small restaurant serving some lovely food and a gift shop to take home memories of your visit.
Then there is a small restaurant serving some lovely food and a gift shop to take home memories of your visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Far too much to see and absorb in the first visit! Beautifully maintained and "manicured" gardens and lawns. I will be taking more than one additional visits in the future and I will use the little road train in order to give me a grand introduction into the places I wish to visit. There is no entrance fee but voluntary personal donations are requested although there is a £3 per day car parking fee. Even though I live only ten miles away, this was the very first time that I had been there and will certainly be returning in the near future.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Immaculate, amazing and has to be experienced. Very moving and hard to describe the feeling. Lovely staff. Nothing to dislike.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My second visit, the first not long after the Arboretum opened. This visit was unplanned, but as I was travelling back from the North East, it is not much of a detour. Personally, I prefer to visit places like this than the Motorway Services . Well signposted, with good car parking, £3 for a day. Entry is free, but a Map is useful. As it costs £3, it is a better option to purchase the informative guide book for £5, that also has a map included. There are plenty of staff at reception, more than happy to help. Entry is free to the Arboretum, with car parking, guides, maps etc being used to help finance the project.
At the entrance, you can purchase poppy crosses, if you want to place one at a memorial. The material the crosses are made from, can be difficult to write on with some pens, so I would take a fine nibbed marker. In the entrance/ reception area is a cafe, shop and toilets.
The 150 acre site, is pathed, but with so muc planted /grassed areas it can get muddy in places. I normally take a pair of walking boots and change before going back to the car. Plenty of benches, to sit on and reflect. Take into consideration the weather because pretty exposed if raining. Some new memorials, I haven't seen before, particularly liked the Airborne forces one. Also researching WW1 Soldiers Shot at Dawn, (SAD) , so revisted to get some new photos. Very emotive, especially as the statue is based on 17 year old H. Burden who was shot. Have a look at his fingers , behind his back, gripping in fear.
The main Memorial is very moving with so many names, that have found a fitting place to be remembered. Will return soon. Staff are excellent.
At the entrance, you can purchase poppy crosses, if you want to place one at a memorial. The material the crosses are made from, can be difficult to write on with some pens, so I would take a fine nibbed marker. In the entrance/ reception area is a cafe, shop and toilets.
The 150 acre site, is pathed, but with so muc planted /grassed areas it can get muddy in places. I normally take a pair of walking boots and change before going back to the car. Plenty of benches, to sit on and reflect. Take into consideration the weather because pretty exposed if raining. Some new memorials, I haven't seen before, particularly liked the Airborne forces one. Also researching WW1 Soldiers Shot at Dawn, (SAD) , so revisted to get some new photos. Very emotive, especially as the statue is based on 17 year old H. Burden who was shot. Have a look at his fingers , behind his back, gripping in fear.
The main Memorial is very moving with so many names, that have found a fitting place to be remembered. Will return soon. Staff are excellent.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful time very moving and respectful. The staff were very knowledgeable and helpful. I could have spent all day wondering about but the weather was too windy. Wrap up well. All in all a great time and I will be returning on a regular basis
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have wanted to visit this memorial for years and was finally in Lichfield on a nice enough day to properly appreciate it. This really is a beautiful memorial in lovely surroundings. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the Lichfield area. All of the staff were really friendly too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went to see the pow memorial essentially which was excellent. The whole place was a credit to its founders.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
