Local Reviews
In September 2022, Janice Murphy said about National Memorial Arboretum
We booked tickets a couple of weeks ago as they were offering a chance to try out archery, axe throwing etc however due to the death of the queen these were not going ahead which is understandable. We did have a great day anyway. The feeling around the arboretum was very respectful and we signed the book of condolences and laid a rose under the tree the queen had planted many years ago. The arboretum is absolutely beautiful I would recommend it to anyone. The staff are so friendly and helpful. They have a restaurant and a coffee shop and the food was lovely. You can take a train around the park if you find it a bit daunting walking, and this is a guided tour to the memorials. It's so interesting and thought provoking. There is a lovely gift shop with beautiful things to purchase too.
Source: google.com
In October 2021, Al-Shumba said about National Memorial Arboretum
Having heard so much about this location, we felt it was somewhere we wanted to experience for ourselves and we were not disappointed. It is a memorial worthy of all those it represents. It is not just a war memorial, but so much more, as it represents many individual group memorials in one place. It was well worth the train tour of the site as there was so much information to absorb. The tour also explained the significance of the memorabilia used in the construction of various memorials. It was also encouraging to see memorials from colonial countries who contributed to the British empires ear effort.
The site has ample car parking, and good facilities in the way of toilets and restaurants. Whilst we were there we had several fly pasts from the RAF of both Hercules aircraft And two Chinook helicopters. This is a must see for all generations as part of people's education.
The site has ample car parking, and good facilities in the way of toilets and restaurants. Whilst we were there we had several fly pasts from the RAF of both Hercules aircraft And two Chinook helicopters. This is a must see for all generations as part of people's education.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2012, Carol E said about National Memorial Arboretum
I recently paid a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum on a beautiful warm sunny day, my second visit to this amazing place, my first visit was two years ago and I was very surprised to see how many new memorials have been added since my first visit. I took a trip on the land train this time, as this is a good way to see most of the memorials and to learn more about each individual memorial, well worth the 4.50 for the ticket. There are many memorials to our armed forces, but many others to organisations who have done so much good work tthroughout our country, so all in all something to interest most visitors. There is a very good restaurant on site with very reasonably priced food and a gift shop well stocked with interesting merchandise. If you are intending to visit the Arboretum, please allow a full day to make sure that you see all that it has to offer.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2021, AlexTheJock said about National Memorial Arboretum
Four friends, all ex-military, visited the arboretum and spent a wonderful six hours wandering around the memorials and beautifully kept gardens and woodland. There were a lot of people visiting on this particular day, but the place is so huge that you can be a long distance from others, and also still feel a quiet solitude. The memorials are spectacular, and it brings a tinge of sadness when you read some of the names and information on them, that so many young people have lost their lives defending the freedoms that this country of ours holds so dear. It was even more poignant by what is happening in Afghanistan at this particular moment in history. We booked an afternoon tea in the restaurant on arrival for four o’clock, and this rounded of an excellent day of remembrance for all four of us.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In April 2013, mansell1992 said about National Memorial Arboretum
This is a powerful memorial to our troops. How can we ever pay the debt we owe to them for our freedom? I was hit by a wave of emotion when I first stepped out of the visitors centre. We spent 6 hours walking around the grounds and we still did not see it all. Well worth a visit. Disabled should not be put off as there are electric scooters for hire to get around the site as well as road trains. Good selection of food and drink. The grounds are immaculate and a credit to the horticultural staff. All the staff in the visitors centre, shop and restaurant were lovely. Plenty of places to sit for a time of reflection and solitude. My Dad as an ex KOYLI would have loved this place. More memorials being added all the time so well worth a return visit. All for free...but please do give a donation.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2017, gary s said about National Memorial Arboretum
Visited on a sunny saturday in May.
£3 to park, and a suggested donation of £5 per person. Gift aid available.
Marvellous venue with many poignant memorials to our war dead.
Decent restaurant and cafe on site. Gift shop too. New kids play area beyond main buildings and chapel.
Guided tour and roadtrain also available. Huge 120 acre site (if I remember correctly?) is immaculately maintained and we spent a good few hours here. Paid my respects to a school friend who was killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
The main memorial is stunning, with a sobering number of names carved onto it's walls.
I shall certainly visit again.
£3 to park, and a suggested donation of £5 per person. Gift aid available.
Marvellous venue with many poignant memorials to our war dead.
Decent restaurant and cafe on site. Gift shop too. New kids play area beyond main buildings and chapel.
Guided tour and roadtrain also available. Huge 120 acre site (if I remember correctly?) is immaculately maintained and we spent a good few hours here. Paid my respects to a school friend who was killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
The main memorial is stunning, with a sobering number of names carved onto it's walls.
I shall certainly visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, John R said about National Memorial Arboretum
We came here first two years ago when it was starting up. Now it is a fantastic place. I defy anyone not to feel some emotion with regard to all the memorials to the dead. The train trip around the site is well worth while as you get a lot of information en route and it is a fair old walk right round the park. The grounds are beautifully maintained and the new reception building is excellent. I personally delighted to see that two of the RAF stations where I served as a National Servicemen are commemorated. Overall I felt quite emotional. Everyone should come here.
The restaurant and coffee shops were first class. The staff, who are mostly volunteers, are so friendly and helpful.
The restaurant and coffee shops were first class. The staff, who are mostly volunteers, are so friendly and helpful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Juliet W said about National Memorial Arboretum
Went here with my husband, it's a great place to visit the staff are friendly and very knowledgeable. They have a little train to travel on with onboard commentary and it stops at various points of interest so it's a brilliant way to see the place even if like my husband you're not too spritely - it takes around 50 minutes to complete. There are lots of other areas where the train doesn't go to which can be walked to, it obviously comes with the obligatory gift shop which actually isn't too pricey. There's also a coffee shop and a restaurant. It has been very well designed and offers a perfect way in which we can support and appreciate all our armed forces and other services such as the police and fire services. It is a beautiful and very peaceful way to spend a day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Kingfisher100 said about National Memorial Arboretum
Just got back been wanting to go for years..didn't disappoint
Very emotional and thought provoking and very good buggy tour by Richard.
we were lucky there were only 2 of us so asked questions to our hearts content, accompanied too by a trainee called Pam who was really sweet and welcomed us on arrival
Beautiful landscaped area and so much bigger didnt have time to see it all so going to return
The large centre piece of the armed forces memorial was our highlight plus the memorials for Basra camp bastion and and Falkland Islands
This place is a must
Only downside some of the restaurant staff were not friendly or helpful ..not sure if they are volunteers or not..but nowhere near as welcome and friendly as all the volunteers in the green t shirts
Very emotional and thought provoking and very good buggy tour by Richard.
we were lucky there were only 2 of us so asked questions to our hearts content, accompanied too by a trainee called Pam who was really sweet and welcomed us on arrival
Beautiful landscaped area and so much bigger didnt have time to see it all so going to return
The large centre piece of the armed forces memorial was our highlight plus the memorials for Basra camp bastion and and Falkland Islands
This place is a must
Only downside some of the restaurant staff were not friendly or helpful ..not sure if they are volunteers or not..but nowhere near as welcome and friendly as all the volunteers in the green t shirts
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Mabeltherat said about National Memorial Arboretum
We primarily visited this site to see the armed forces memorial.
Entrance is free but parking is £3.
The map of the site is also £3
The toilets were clean and tidy
The cafe/ restaurant had a good selection of food and drinks. I can recommend the carrot cake!
There are a lot of differing memorials but the largest is the Armed Forces Memorial. The area was quite busy and it was difficult to find a little quiet time for remembrance of loved ones named on the memorial.
The walks around the grounds took you to many other memorials including the shot at dawn memorial to service men shot for various reasons, following courts marshal, at dawn. There are plenty of trees and seats and the gardens near the centre are beautiful.
It's worth a visit and is thought provoking.
Entrance is free but parking is £3.
The map of the site is also £3
The toilets were clean and tidy
The cafe/ restaurant had a good selection of food and drinks. I can recommend the carrot cake!
There are a lot of differing memorials but the largest is the Armed Forces Memorial. The area was quite busy and it was difficult to find a little quiet time for remembrance of loved ones named on the memorial.
The walks around the grounds took you to many other memorials including the shot at dawn memorial to service men shot for various reasons, following courts marshal, at dawn. There are plenty of trees and seats and the gardens near the centre are beautiful.
It's worth a visit and is thought provoking.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk