National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
The NMA at Lichfield is easy to find straight off the A38/A513.
We have intended to visit for a couple of years now and the opportunity arrived during our trip home from The Yorkshire Dales, The Lake District and Southport.
It would be recommended to set aside in excess of 3 hours for a visit as there is so much to see and the memorials are spread over a large area. The parking is £3.00 for a full day and this is the only fixed fee as visitors are invited to make suitable donations to the Royal British Legion that are used towards the upkeep and general running costs of the stie.
We were pleasantly surprised to see the number of visitors during our visit as we were not expecting anywhere near as many. The various memorial gardens a laid out around the central main memorial circle and connecting pathways allows for a leisurely stroll around the site which is completely flat and easy going. We were blessed with excellent bright, warm and sunny weather which enhanced our enjoyment.
This is a well worth destination to visit to reflect and remember all those heroes from past and present conflicts.
We have intended to visit for a couple of years now and the opportunity arrived during our trip home from The Yorkshire Dales, The Lake District and Southport.
It would be recommended to set aside in excess of 3 hours for a visit as there is so much to see and the memorials are spread over a large area. The parking is £3.00 for a full day and this is the only fixed fee as visitors are invited to make suitable donations to the Royal British Legion that are used towards the upkeep and general running costs of the stie.
We were pleasantly surprised to see the number of visitors during our visit as we were not expecting anywhere near as many. The various memorial gardens a laid out around the central main memorial circle and connecting pathways allows for a leisurely stroll around the site which is completely flat and easy going. We were blessed with excellent bright, warm and sunny weather which enhanced our enjoyment.
This is a well worth destination to visit to reflect and remember all those heroes from past and present conflicts.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Attended a Memorial Service and was overwhelmed by the tranquilty of gardens. Would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone - old or young!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had visited three years ago but more memorials had been added. It is always a humbling
experience and the whole area is so well maintained. The volunteers are very helpful and give
plenty of information.
There is no charge for admission but you pay £3 for car parking
experience and the whole area is so well maintained. The volunteers are very helpful and give
plenty of information.
There is no charge for admission but you pay £3 for car parking
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful tranquil well organised place to visit. A superb place to spend some quality time paying respect to those that gave their lives in World conflicts. A trip on the road train is ideal and all the volunteers are so helpful and knowledgable.
A credit to all those that give their time to volunteer.
A credit to all those that give their time to volunteer.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited on a wet and windy Saturday in May, must get there before 11.00 so you can give 2 minutes silence in the Chapel. We joined Peter our guide for a walk around the area visiting most of the arboretum, memorials of interest for the ex-service personnel amongst us, were pointed out so that you could revisit them at your leisure during the day.
Time available for a coffee or a meal in the restaurant was a welcome break during the day.
Excellent peaceful area with knowledgeable staff, keep up the good work
fee of £3.00 for car parking
Time available for a coffee or a meal in the restaurant was a welcome break during the day.
Excellent peaceful area with knowledgeable staff, keep up the good work
fee of £3.00 for car parking
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fantastic place to visit. Very humbling. Grounds are gorgeous, best on a clear dry day. Parking is £3 but all money goes to keeping it free to enter. Allow plenty of time and make sure you read at least some of the information available. Big thank you to all the people who work so hard to make it such a special place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We lived close to the Arboretum when it was being developed 15 years ago and our children actually planted trees there. We went back this weekend to see the whole development and were left stunned by the layout and beauty of the place. It truly is a fitting tribute to our fallen heroes. Beautifully maintained it is a great place to walk and observe the many memorials to all the services. Our visit was enhanced by Royal Marines past and present re-dedicating their own memorial - a truly moving service with the Band of the Royal Marines adding to the atmosphere of this exceptional place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Having read about the Arboretum I have been wanting to visit here for some time. Its about a 2.5 hour drive for us but we made a detour on our way to somewhere else and I am so pleased we did.
This is an incredibly well thought out, serene place, the planting and setting is outstanding and I felt very privileged to be able to wander in such a beautiful moving place. We spent three hours and could have spent longer. The overflow car park was in use yet this place is so vast that you never felt that it was crowded or spoiled in any way.
The staff, many of them volunteers were welcoming and informative. The guide book was excellent and the toilets and restaurant were very clean and the food was good. The gift shop was nice and suitably priced.
Access for the less mobile seemed very well provided for, because by its very nature there are many older people who visit. We actually had the pleasure to get talking to an 87 year old wonderful lady who had been in the land army, she was fascinating!
There is a train that runs around the whole site and when I visit again, which I will with my elderly parents, I expect this will be very useful.
I was overwhelmed by the place, everyone should visit if they can, its free entry (donations welcome) and all day parking is only £3
This is an incredibly well thought out, serene place, the planting and setting is outstanding and I felt very privileged to be able to wander in such a beautiful moving place. We spent three hours and could have spent longer. The overflow car park was in use yet this place is so vast that you never felt that it was crowded or spoiled in any way.
The staff, many of them volunteers were welcoming and informative. The guide book was excellent and the toilets and restaurant were very clean and the food was good. The gift shop was nice and suitably priced.
Access for the less mobile seemed very well provided for, because by its very nature there are many older people who visit. We actually had the pleasure to get talking to an 87 year old wonderful lady who had been in the land army, she was fascinating!
There is a train that runs around the whole site and when I visit again, which I will with my elderly parents, I expect this will be very useful.
I was overwhelmed by the place, everyone should visit if they can, its free entry (donations welcome) and all day parking is only £3
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
There are distinct areas here.Some,at the back of the'mound',are ill-defined and lack -lustre.However, move towards the river and the front of the site andit all changes.Each unit of the services has their own special themed memorial garden -each is individual, moving and generates gratitude for the sacrifices made on our behalf
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Absolutely brilliant how this place has been designed to pay respects to all our armed forces and more. It is kept in immaculate condition. This is a must to see place if you have never been.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Memorial Arboretum is a beautiful and solemn place. The memorial itself draws you to it. Names of individuals who have loss their lives in the line of duty while serving their country is listed on the memorial by year and branch of military service. In addition to that there are trees that are planted that represent police departments across the country that have loss officers in the line of duty. There are two magnificent sculptures in the center of the memorial. You must walk up the stairs (or use the ramps) to see these. They cannot be seen from the ground level. There is a restaurant and gift store on the premises. It is worthy of a visit, especially if you are in the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very moving to visit and see the range of memorials. Parking easy and good cafe/restaurant on the site.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had the privilege to sing at a memorial service here. Wonderful place to contemplate the asymmetry of the madness that sends people to die and the sense of paradoxical peace here.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
nice day out that is set in beautiful countryside. Lovely cafe to eat in. Full of information and history but so peaceful
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very emotive,uplifting in a tranquil setting, will be even more so in a few years time when trees are more mature.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What an amazing place. Was a little concerned it may be a bit morbid (went for a birthday day out) but it has been created so skilfully and brilliantly it never felt so. Some of the areas esp the Wall of Remembrance were shocking in the scale and the number of names/lives lost but it was beautiful in its simplicity and reflection that all lives lost are equal. Every memorial had been carefully thought out whether in tress used, design or shape. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to see everything in a day but will certainly go back. A must see for everyone.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Despite the walk from the back-up car park, we thoroughly enjoyed our brief visit to the Arboretum. On a beautifully warm Sunny day, it looked a treat with manicured lawns and tended gardens all around. The Wall of Remembrance is an astonishing and shocking jolt to the everyday comforts of life we all enjoy and the sight of so many lost and largely very young lives hits home hard. Given its' central location, all English schools should visit this perfect place. Most guides and helpers are volunteers and many are not even ex-servicemen or women but they help because they so enjoy the peace and atmosphere of what is a truly remarkable spot to visit. It is still growing and sadly, new names are constantly being added to the wall and the memorials dotted around the grounds. There is a car park fee, and I feel that this should be upped to £5.00 for the day and include the provision of a free site map. If a visit here does not grip your emotions, then you are either too young, too senile or too stupid to appreciate what many have done for you at such a cost.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Travelled with friends one of who was a Falklands veteran so the visit had particular relevance for him. However being ex military is not a prerequisite to enjoy this moving and enthralling facility. The site is free to visit and maintained purely by donations. We spent several hours there and could have easily extended that to a full day, will definitely revisit in the future.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What really shocked me was the amount of names everywhere and this place does a great job to make those who fought for us look heroic! the place is massive, but it is easy to get around. Truly amazing!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
this arboretum ,in my opinion is up there amongst the best in the world ,i defy any one who says not ,if anyone has lost a loved one ,weather first or second world wars ,also OTHER wars ,this is a must ,it is a history lesson ,everywhere you look on this mass arboretum ,shows us who did not experience those terrible things that had happened ,we must never forget the men and women who gave there lives so we still hear can live in peace [god bless them all ] it s sad when you stand next to someone who was there ,remembering there friends who they lost while in battle with the enemy ,you can see the hurt in there tearful eyes [mine too] just remember there were millions
i dont know how i would handle it ,but as one such man said you had no choice ,.
you need more than a day to get round ,i will be going back
i dont know how i would handle it ,but as one such man said you had no choice ,.
you need more than a day to get round ,i will be going back
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you like pleasant reflective walks in a nice calm environment then this is the place to go. It also gives you a chance to realise what price has been paid by the service men and women of this country in some of the more recent and ongoing conflicts around the globe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
this is well worth a visit. The arboretum is a place where you can reflect on what is past in a place that is tranquil but not somber. the gardens and memorials are thought provoking. this place is where each generation can learn about the sacrifice that many have made throughout the 20th century
the arboretum is set in 150 acres so those who have mobility problems need to hire a mobility scooter or take a wheelchair.
all staff are friendly and knowledgeable. a lovely place to take a picnic and spend some quality time with those who are important to you.
car parking is £3 entry is free
the arboretum is set in 150 acres so those who have mobility problems need to hire a mobility scooter or take a wheelchair.
all staff are friendly and knowledgeable. a lovely place to take a picnic and spend some quality time with those who are important to you.
car parking is £3 entry is free
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A Memorial in its infancy and still subject to development and upgrading.. Some lovely and historic areas yet not sure what the criteria is for inclusion on the site. Seems to rely on voluntary workers and donations. With the amount of visitors to the site I would have expected more from Central Government. You need more than a day to see all areas. I don't want to sound critical but maintenance not to same standard as Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Free admission suggested donation £5. Car parking £3. Helpful staff, a must visit and will go again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The arboretum is well with a visit- very thought provoking and poignant- really makes you think of the amazing sacrifices that our armed forces have made. Good parking and had lunch in the restaurant which was excellent..
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautifully maintained site with plenty of room for more trees and memorials. The little train gives you a good tour of the site. It was very windy when we were there and we could have done with more protection on the train - it takes an hour and moves very slowly and so we got very cold. Some rugs for our legs would have been very welcome. The memorials are well worth the visit and are very poignant, emotional and thought provoking.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
