National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
This will be amazing when the trees are fully grown
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
So poignant. A truly fitting memorial to all those brave men and women. It is very sobering to see how many names have been engraved there in the last few years.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely day out, in fact a day is not enough. Such a peaceful place, a lovely memorial to the forces around the world. And the beautiful Armed Forces Memorial is a fantastic tribute to the United Kingdom Armed Forces who have served and fallen since the Second World War . Appropriate clothing is needed as the site is quite open, good cafe and vistor centre
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Another place that I go to quite frequently, it makes you sad but proud and also angry that statesmen still use force to make a point.
Three memorials especially have that effect, Shot at dawn tucked away in a corner , apparently the site is the first to get the sun at dawn; the other is the Burma railway memorial. But Most of all is the Armed Forces Memorial set high above the arboretum, name after name along those white walls such a waste.
There's a nice cafe with excellent scones and drinkable coffee.For those with mobility problems there is a fleet of battery scooters, a nice touch.
Three memorials especially have that effect, Shot at dawn tucked away in a corner , apparently the site is the first to get the sun at dawn; the other is the Burma railway memorial. But Most of all is the Armed Forces Memorial set high above the arboretum, name after name along those white walls such a waste.
There's a nice cafe with excellent scones and drinkable coffee.For those with mobility problems there is a fleet of battery scooters, a nice touch.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a wonderful place to commemorate all those who have served and died with the armed forces. I was particularly moved by the "Shot at Dawn" memorial to those poor lads who were shot for cowardice and desertion in the Great War - what a waste!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Crisp clear blue skies made this first visit to the cafe even welcoming after exploring the vast grounds.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fairly local to us, but only visited the once so far. Nicely laid out gardens and memorials, plenty of things to make you think about the past, present and the future.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A great place to reflect and think. Not a place for children who don't understand it and can just distress others.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
went with my pensioner mother, very moving thoughtful day out, lovely cafe, lovely volunteers
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Then this is a must. We went with our grandson, home on leave from the army to visit his particular memorial. All of the site is so thought provoking, beautiful and tranquil. Every school should have an opportunity to take their pupils on a visit there
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It was still under development when I visited but once the grounds and trees etc have matured it will be even better. The memorial is very tastefully done
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Whilst staying with friends they took us here for an outing, and we had a very thoughtprovoking day. On arriving we bought the guidebook rather than the map, and were amazed at how big the place was! It is huge, and you need a good 3 or 4 hours to get round it all, we didn't sadly. The main memorial on the mound is very humbling, and it was great to see staff up there to quietly explain any questions we had, they were all very knowledgeable. The different memorials, styles and approaches around the site were very interesting, and we spent a long time in the FEPOW building, which was really fascinating. The one thing to consider when visiting is the weather, it is an outdoor site, and the day we went it was horrendously windy and showery, not the best weather for sure. The trees themselves are obviously still very small, so not much protection around the site from the elements, we probably would have stayed longer had we come on a better day. As a result though, we also ended up eating in the restaurant to get a bit of shelter, which was a plus, as the food was fantastic! Entrance to the site is free, but you do have to pay for parking and the guide/map (one of which you will need).
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The minute you step into the grounds you start to feel "at peace". You begin to realise what so many gave up for us. The memorials are fitting tributes and the grounds are laid out beautifully. Every one ought to make at least one visit to the Arboretum.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A visit to the arboretum is a must the staff are helpful and if you require specific information about the site or a particular section they will gladly oblige. The whole place is a tribute to all those men and women who gave their lives for our country.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very fitting memorial to our armed services. I have made four visits in total and each time have found the time spent there informative, thought provoking and very moving. There are good facilities on site - shop, cafe, etc all accessible to the elderly and less mobile.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
As a permenant memorial to all those who have lost their lives in service of this country, it is an emotional day out which leaves you in awe of what people of this country have done to keep us free - please visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were keen to visit the Arboretum as we have seen it ofteen on television. The whole place is so impressive with so much to see. We could only spend a couple of hours which was far too little. You need a whole day to do the place justice. There is so much to see and absorb. I found it so amazing how many service personnel had lost their lives since the end of the Second World War. I would recommend that everyone should take time to visit this place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a very moving place and well worth giving a day to
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wow, what a great job they have done on this place, unfortunately I didn't have a lot of time here, you could spend the whole day wandering around the numerous statues/monuments. Plenty of history here, just amazing. Hope to visit it again one day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I visited the National Memorial Arboretum on November 12th this year. It seems inappropriate to review a place like this. I would feel more comfortable simply describing the experience to help others who may visit. The first point to make is about the scale of the place. It is very large, over 150 acres, with over 200 memorials and over 15,000 trees, so we would advise comfortable footwear. There is an overwhelming sense of respect and care about the site and the people who work there. The level of sensitivity which clearly went into the planning and execution is evident everywhere. The Armed Forces Memorial is given pride of place and is, in my view, the most wonderfully realised memorial I've ever seen, including Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C. The siting of the memorial is inspired, with gaps in the walls to let the light come through precisely at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh Month, slanting in across the central memorial. There are too many powerfully moving and splendid memorials to mention. If you have any interest in the sacrifices made, you will come to this place. It is very personal for us as our son is about to go out to Afghanistan for his 5th Tour of Duty.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A huge 150 acre site with a central memorial, which was opened last year and has the names of 16,000 members of the armed forces who have died in the service of their country since 1945. Sadly the list will get bigger as time goes on.
The rest of the site is well laid out and visitors would find a map (available from the entrance shop) very useful as there are over 150 memorials to visit. The armed services memorial (centrpiece) is built in such a way that on 11 November every year a shaft of sunlight (weather permitting) falls across the centrpiece where wreaths are laid. Amongst the memorials is one to Simon the ships cat from HMS Amethyst, which took part in the yangtse incident in 1949.
A poignant memorial is the "Shot at Dawn" which is tucked away at the far end of the gardens and comprises of a series of poles each of which represents one of the 306 soldiers executed for "Cowardice" in WW1. The memorial portrays a young British soldier blindfolded and tied to a stake ready to be shot by a firing squad. The memorial was modelled on the likeness of 17-year-old Private Herbert Burden, who lied about his age to enlist in the armed forces and was later shot for desertion. It is surrounded by a semicircle of stakes on which are listed the names of every soldier executed in this fashion.
Far too much to say about a truly magnificent place to visit. It is a bit off the beaten track but taxis run from Litchfield station. a journey costa around £10.00
Well worth a visit and highly praised by those in our party.
The rest of the site is well laid out and visitors would find a map (available from the entrance shop) very useful as there are over 150 memorials to visit. The armed services memorial (centrpiece) is built in such a way that on 11 November every year a shaft of sunlight (weather permitting) falls across the centrpiece where wreaths are laid. Amongst the memorials is one to Simon the ships cat from HMS Amethyst, which took part in the yangtse incident in 1949.
A poignant memorial is the "Shot at Dawn" which is tucked away at the far end of the gardens and comprises of a series of poles each of which represents one of the 306 soldiers executed for "Cowardice" in WW1. The memorial portrays a young British soldier blindfolded and tied to a stake ready to be shot by a firing squad. The memorial was modelled on the likeness of 17-year-old Private Herbert Burden, who lied about his age to enlist in the armed forces and was later shot for desertion. It is surrounded by a semicircle of stakes on which are listed the names of every soldier executed in this fashion.
Far too much to say about a truly magnificent place to visit. It is a bit off the beaten track but taxis run from Litchfield station. a journey costa around £10.00
Well worth a visit and highly praised by those in our party.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Attended with our children ages 9 and 6. We did not pay an admission fee on this day. To see so many on such a day, made me so proud to be there remembering so many with memorials here. A new parking meadow was used this year with walking only five minutes away and a donation was the parking fee. Great idea! We arrived at 9:45 am for the 10:30 start time of the service. Very busy but orderly. Tickets for seating in the central memorial are very limited - you must apply months in advance to even be considered for such an honor. To accommodate the amount of people who attend, a big screen tv (the length of a tractor trailor) is outside where there are chairs arranged for more people to sit and watch the service on-going inside the circular perimeter of the central memorial. Programs were given to all who attended. The staff and volunteers of the National Memorial Arboretum were very kind and helpful. Very moving and highly recommend it. For restaurants (as the cafe was very busy), go to Lichfield which has many nice choices and parking lots close to town centre (just a 10 minute drive away).
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Just got back from a visit to the Arboretum, and what a wonderful visit it was. Shame the weather was so cold!!!
Set in 150 acres all the memorials are set in different coloured zones. The best way to find your way around is to buy a map. They cost £3.50 but the guidebook is a better option at £6.50, as you get a map, and a description of all the memorials. Parking was £3, but it is all day. There is a land train which costs £2.50 per person.
In the centre is a large memorial, engraved with every military persons name, who has lost their life since the second world war, it is very humbling to see. The view from the top of here is breathtaking.
It isn't just for military, we came across the SANDS memorial garden, which was very peaceful.
There is a gift shop and a cafe with loads of places to picnic in the summer. The volunteers we came into contact with were very helpful.
We had a fantastic time, but really you need a full day to appreciate this place, we were here for 3 hours max, as it was so cold, but we shall return in Summer 2012.
Set in 150 acres all the memorials are set in different coloured zones. The best way to find your way around is to buy a map. They cost £3.50 but the guidebook is a better option at £6.50, as you get a map, and a description of all the memorials. Parking was £3, but it is all day. There is a land train which costs £2.50 per person.
In the centre is a large memorial, engraved with every military persons name, who has lost their life since the second world war, it is very humbling to see. The view from the top of here is breathtaking.
It isn't just for military, we came across the SANDS memorial garden, which was very peaceful.
There is a gift shop and a cafe with loads of places to picnic in the summer. The volunteers we came into contact with were very helpful.
We had a fantastic time, but really you need a full day to appreciate this place, we were here for 3 hours max, as it was so cold, but we shall return in Summer 2012.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
To be able to give personal thanks to our fallen and for our free country.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Although we only live a 25 minute drive away, this was our first visit to the National Memorial Arboretum and we are so glad to have finally made the first of what will, hopefully, be the first of many.
The easily accessible 150 acre site, which is situated conveniently just off the A38 and can be reached by local bus services, has a large car park which is really the only thing you HAVE to pay for. £3 will cover the all day fee (from December through till end of March £1.50...I think) and is excellent value.
The visitor centre is warm and welcoming and caters for all. A modern building, serving a lovely hot lunch time menu (greatfully appreciated by us both) and all the information about the Memorial can be bought there also. Displays of photographs and paintings are on view and the staff are extremely kind and helpful. There is also a gift shop that you have to go through on your way to the exit and a donation box as you actually go out.
The site is really quite huge and on a first visit it is jaw dropping. With over 200 memorials and 50,000 trees to walk round it would probably be beneficial if you could time your arrival as early as possible. We arrived just before lunch not realising the enormity of the site but will time forthcoming visits a little better.
Visiting the memorials will always have differenf effects on whoever you are and the experiences and memories you bring with you. We had no specific agenda, just to come and pay our respects, but it was plain to see the pain and grief of others. It is indeed a sombre and poignant place - "Shot at Dawn" - in particular was heart-rending.
Our next visit will coincide with some warmer weather (hopefully) so we can avail ourselves with one of the hundreds of donated seats dotted across the whole site to have a picnic on and to pay our respects at the memorials we didn't have time to visit this time.
A very special place indeed.
The easily accessible 150 acre site, which is situated conveniently just off the A38 and can be reached by local bus services, has a large car park which is really the only thing you HAVE to pay for. £3 will cover the all day fee (from December through till end of March £1.50...I think) and is excellent value.
The visitor centre is warm and welcoming and caters for all. A modern building, serving a lovely hot lunch time menu (greatfully appreciated by us both) and all the information about the Memorial can be bought there also. Displays of photographs and paintings are on view and the staff are extremely kind and helpful. There is also a gift shop that you have to go through on your way to the exit and a donation box as you actually go out.
The site is really quite huge and on a first visit it is jaw dropping. With over 200 memorials and 50,000 trees to walk round it would probably be beneficial if you could time your arrival as early as possible. We arrived just before lunch not realising the enormity of the site but will time forthcoming visits a little better.
Visiting the memorials will always have differenf effects on whoever you are and the experiences and memories you bring with you. We had no specific agenda, just to come and pay our respects, but it was plain to see the pain and grief of others. It is indeed a sombre and poignant place - "Shot at Dawn" - in particular was heart-rending.
Our next visit will coincide with some warmer weather (hopefully) so we can avail ourselves with one of the hundreds of donated seats dotted across the whole site to have a picnic on and to pay our respects at the memorials we didn't have time to visit this time.
A very special place indeed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
