Local Reviews
In October 2021, James A said about National Memorial Arboretum
We spent a lovely day here. We arrived at 10:30 and went tot he chapel for the 2 minute silence and then had pre booked the train. The train is great as it gives you an idea of the scale and where to go. We then had a volunteer guide who took us around the site for an hour and a half. This was booked at reception. It was just the two of us and was very interesting. All the staff are great, very knowledgably and very friendly. After that we walked around ourselves with no real plan moving left and right forward and back depending on what we saw. We eat at the restaurant food was good and clean and spent some time in the shop. A really great day out a place to contemplate and remember
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In December 2015, thestoad said about National Memorial Arboretum
This is my second visit and do seem to have seen more on the second time. Huge disappointment that the main memorial is closed for repair. Shame in this day and age there was no way of keeping a part open
It is a well cared for solemn place. Great to walk round. Books and guides available but they are complicated and not particularly user friendly. In the map it's all by number - needs to be alphabetical
Need more easy to follow walks
Helpful guides. Interesting talk about 'shot at dawn' which is a somber place for reflection
It is a memorial to all those who served - civil, armed services, animals etc and does it well. Just could be a bit slicker.
Great restaurant
It is a well cared for solemn place. Great to walk round. Books and guides available but they are complicated and not particularly user friendly. In the map it's all by number - needs to be alphabetical
Need more easy to follow walks
Helpful guides. Interesting talk about 'shot at dawn' which is a somber place for reflection
It is a memorial to all those who served - civil, armed services, animals etc and does it well. Just could be a bit slicker.
Great restaurant
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In April 2019, WestonNewgirl said about National Memorial Arboretum
Greeted at way in by volunteer who explains about the place. Free to go in and although they ask for donations, no pressure to give. A wide variety of memorials and types. Lovely well kept large open spaces. It says on the website about picnic areas, but I wasn't sure where to go so asked a volunteer who said you could use any of the benches. I thought they might not like that as it seemed a little disrespectful, but they said it was fine. It was a bit cold though. We had a drink and cake in the restaurant. Bit pricey, but nice. We went on the land train (£6 each). Well worth doing to get to see most of it, with a recorded commentary, especially if you are not that mobile. Nice shop as well.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In March 2013, joecassandra said about National Memorial Arboretum
What a wonderful place, good to see the National Lottery doing something for our troops more than one could say about the government. A really lovely place and would have been there much longer if the weather had been kinder. Very muddy in places but cant blame the attraction for that
As a bonus a really nice clean reasonable restaurant on site. Will return in the summer and see and learn even more. Am told that the attraction is going to increase in size when the excavating for gravel next door runs out. A must for not only ex servicemen but also the general public to see what our troops have done for us in past wars and conflicts.
As a bonus a really nice clean reasonable restaurant on site. Will return in the summer and see and learn even more. Am told that the attraction is going to increase in size when the excavating for gravel next door runs out. A must for not only ex servicemen but also the general public to see what our troops have done for us in past wars and conflicts.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2013, Keri J said about National Memorial Arboretum
We spent a beautiful day walking around the peaceful gardens with hundreds of memorials and stories of those who have lost their lives in pursuit of peace and freedom. There is a land train and a buggy ride (both payable) which take you around the extensive gardens telling the story of the arboretum. There is a relaxing lakeside area and a restaurant, tea rooms and a gift shop. It is a thought provoking reminder of the cost of freedom and it is well worth taking children to help them understand our military history. It is also a wonderful celebration of first class horticultural skills in tending a vast, perfectly nurtured and manicured garden which provides a fitting tribute for the families affects by loss and the public in general.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2017, Jon B said about National Memorial Arboretum
A very thoughtfully constructed site with a myriad of memorials ranging from the headline armed forces monument, through to individual servicemen and women.
The land train is a useful way to see the main elements (charge applies), but the best way is to walk the grounds, taking time to think and reflect on the sacrifices made.
Especially worth visiting is the far east section, which includes sections of the railways POWs were forced to build, plus a mini-museum covering the wider treatment of captives under the (mainly) Japanese during WW2.
No-one can fail to be moved by a visit here.
Good café and restaurant also on site.
The land train is a useful way to see the main elements (charge applies), but the best way is to walk the grounds, taking time to think and reflect on the sacrifices made.
Especially worth visiting is the far east section, which includes sections of the railways POWs were forced to build, plus a mini-museum covering the wider treatment of captives under the (mainly) Japanese during WW2.
No-one can fail to be moved by a visit here.
Good café and restaurant also on site.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2017, dinki1960 said about National Memorial Arboretum
This is a wonderful place of remembrance and is a peaceful place to visit with fantastic memorials. My husband took some very poignant photographs particularly of the shot at dawn and evacuees memorials. Well organised with fantastic volunteers who are friendly and helpful. Can book tours, buggy rides and road trains (at a cost). Entrance is free for all and when we visited all age groups were there. £3 for daily parking. Restaurant serves a wide range of meals/snacks/drinks. Would particularly recommend the afternoon tea served after 1:30 sandwiches, cakes and scones with cream and jam and potfuls of tea/coffee, very good value and wonderfully fresh.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2014, Judith D said about National Memorial Arboretum
I enjoyed my first visit to the NMA but was disappointed with the restaurant and entrance to the site. The restaurant was very chaotic and I felt could have done with a manager in charge organising clearing of tables, having structures in place for the vast number of people with hot food trying to find seating. The seating and tables outside were in adequate and very tired looking.
I was also disappointed to note that no Union flags were flying on the memorial. I was constantly comparing the NMA with memorials in the USA or the war graves in Normandy and Belgium where the sites are pristine and so well looked after.
Having said that I was moved by the memorial and would return again but perhaps in a few years time when the trees and shrubs would be a little more established.
I was also disappointed to note that no Union flags were flying on the memorial. I was constantly comparing the NMA with memorials in the USA or the war graves in Normandy and Belgium where the sites are pristine and so well looked after.
Having said that I was moved by the memorial and would return again but perhaps in a few years time when the trees and shrubs would be a little more established.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2014, ColinWoolDorset said about National Memorial Arboretum
I have been to the NMA a few times as my Regiment has a memorial garden their.
I visited last weekend a glorious sunny day.
It has grown since the last time I visited in June 14.
The place itself is thought provoking and in a lovely tranquil setting with new memorials appearing on a regular basis.
What lets it down is the entrance and the restaurant in particular, all the tables were full by 1 o'clock, no trays, not enough staff, no one clearing tables. long queue for food and long wait for service.
I know that there is a plan to improve the entrance etc but when is it going to begin? It spoils the whole visit to a place if one aspect of it and an important one the restaurant is abysmal.
I visited last weekend a glorious sunny day.
It has grown since the last time I visited in June 14.
The place itself is thought provoking and in a lovely tranquil setting with new memorials appearing on a regular basis.
What lets it down is the entrance and the restaurant in particular, all the tables were full by 1 o'clock, no trays, not enough staff, no one clearing tables. long queue for food and long wait for service.
I know that there is a plan to improve the entrance etc but when is it going to begin? It spoils the whole visit to a place if one aspect of it and an important one the restaurant is abysmal.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In April 2015, Susan W said about National Memorial Arboretum
We visited with friends from the Walsall branch of NHS Retirement Fellowship. We attended the introductory talk in the chapel by Martin, he was very knowledgable and gave us some pointers for our visit.
We joined the Land a Train trip around the site, listening to the commentary was well worth the £5 fee. Next time we'd like to try a guided buggy tour for the same cost.
We then had afternoon tea in the Arbour Restaurant before enjoying a trip into the gift shop, they have a lovely selection of poppy focussed gifts.
I can recommend following the "brown signs" off the A38 and paying the £3 car parking fee, it's well worth a visit
We joined the Land a Train trip around the site, listening to the commentary was well worth the £5 fee. Next time we'd like to try a guided buggy tour for the same cost.
We then had afternoon tea in the Arbour Restaurant before enjoying a trip into the gift shop, they have a lovely selection of poppy focussed gifts.
I can recommend following the "brown signs" off the A38 and paying the £3 car parking fee, it's well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk