Local Reviews
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
In August 2017, ChrisMike2013 said about National Memorial Arboretum
This is a must for everyone and they will not be disappointed as it plays a great tribute to our brave fallen. This is our second visit and we still found tributes that we missed on our first visit. The area is unbelievable for being well maintained with the memorials being well spaced out to provide a nice place to meander around but a slow moving train is available if required for those less able.
A fantastic experience and you can rely on the staff being very helpful.
You will also find an enjoyable meal at the restaurant which is good value and plentiful.
Where can you park your car all day for £3 and have free entrance to the experience.
A visit to the shop was a compulsory stop on our way home to purchase a souvenir etc to remind us of the Arboretum and to swell the funds.
A fantastic experience and you can rely on the staff being very helpful.
You will also find an enjoyable meal at the restaurant which is good value and plentiful.
Where can you park your car all day for £3 and have free entrance to the experience.
A visit to the shop was a compulsory stop on our way home to purchase a souvenir etc to remind us of the Arboretum and to swell the funds.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2017, GCATDA said about National Memorial Arboretum
An outstanding site! So beautifully laid out and exquisitely maintained. A history lesson in itself with the added bonus of the trees and plants. You could spend hours here or just have a quick visit. Entry is free but you do have to pay for car parking. Inside the entrance is a large restaurant, toilets and reception area to answer any of your questions, again well maintained. There are tours by land train around the site and I would recommend them as they give a commentary on what you see and then you can always walk back and see the memorials you are more interested in. I think everyone should visit here to see all the names of the people who gave their lives in all the conflicts we have been involved in. Its a thought reflecting place and uplifting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In January 2015, Robert R said about National Memorial Arboretum
Today's visit was more to do with the shop and restaurant than for touring the whole site, but it is the sort of place where you feel good doing all sorts of different things, and being so convenient to access from the main road network makes it ideal to just drop in. We do not mind the £3 car park fee for what for us was only an hour (it will last all day), we also do not mind donating whilst we are here, it is such a good cause. We picked up some nice items for presents and had a good (small) meal midday. Our last visit was the full works of all the areas which are so interesting, and we will do that again soon, but for now this was a different, but still very enjoyable visit. I would reco0mmend this site to everyone, it does your heart good to remember and contribute.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2015, Sandra B said about National Memorial Arboretum
Visited the War Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas for the first time this week-end and found it really interesting and well worth a visit. It is spread over 150 acres of wonderful countryside and was a real insight into the sacrafices made by all servicemen, not only of the two world wars but previous and current conflicts around the world. We will certainly repeat our visit as we only touched on some of the monuments etc around this lovely Arboretum.
We were.warmly welcomed by the many volunteers. It is well worth buying a map (£3) or Guide (£6 - which contains a map also). There is a cafe/restaurant or you can take a picnic! Admission is free and you are invited to make a donation towards the upkeep. Car parking is plentiful and costs £3 for the whole day. Visit and you won't be disappointed.
We were.warmly welcomed by the many volunteers. It is well worth buying a map (£3) or Guide (£6 - which contains a map also). There is a cafe/restaurant or you can take a picnic! Admission is free and you are invited to make a donation towards the upkeep. Car parking is plentiful and costs £3 for the whole day. Visit and you won't be disappointed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2015, Choices F said about National Memorial Arboretum
The visit to the war arboretum was quite memorable . Nicely laid out in 150acres ,it commemorates all services that have played a part in all wars and conflicts including animals that are included in their own memorial area . .there is a road train that takes you around ,showing you and describing what the various monuments represent ,it has 3 stop off points for those who wish to get off and explore further Most got off at the big circular monument which we found very tranquil and thought provoking listing names of all those who have lost their lives in war , There are lots of walks if you so wish including a dog walk . Restaurants where you can have a meal or snack are available at a reasonable cost ,and also gift shops . Well worth a visit ,a place with a great atmosphere.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2018, Sabah lover 1966 said about National Memorial Arboretum
I have wanted to visit here for some time.I managed to persuade my hubby to take me.It is a beautiful place..calming and serene.We walked all the way around..it took us a few hours because we took in all the enormity of it.My favourite was the memorial in remembrance of the Falklands conflict.The actual exhibit is an exact replica because my hubby actually built the original in Port Stanley..The central memorial with all the names of all those who have passed away is truly humbling and i saw men quietly crying whilst there.Certainly for my husband it was a sad moment as he searched out and found the names of some of his Royal Engineer friends who went to the Falkands and never returned.
There are a couple of nice restaurants and a fabulous gift shop.
There are a couple of nice restaurants and a fabulous gift shop.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2020, Helen S said about National Memorial Arboretum
Visited today with husband. Been wanting to go for a long time and made it today. Prebooked parking at a reasonable £4. Free entry after this. Very thought provoking and emotional to see all the memorials here. Lots to see and learn. Lots of walking involved so wear comfy shoes! The armed forces memorial was totally awesome and we both had a lump in our throat. Well organised due to social distancing guidelines and we felt safe. Staff were welcoming and full of information. You can pre book a table at the restaurant where they are currently doing table service, very reasonable prices and good food. Well worth a visit and I would say you need a good part of the day there to be able to see everything. Will definitely be going again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2024, Helen L said about National Memorial Arboretum
Need more than 1 day to take full advantage of the gardens. Great Land train takes you passed keys memorials.
Map could do with updating with more of the general memorial areas on it. As they do seem to be in set areas.
Shame there doesn't seem to many for the RN ships sank in WW1.
Coffee shop and restaurant with good choices except needs more sugar free cold drinks for diabetics. Only option was diet coke.
Some staff a bit stand off ish, mainly the car park man who told me my 6m motorhome would fit in a normal parking space, think I know better. Make sure you book parking in advance as £2 cheaper.
Overall an excellent visit will ho back and look at other areas.
Map could do with updating with more of the general memorial areas on it. As they do seem to be in set areas.
Shame there doesn't seem to many for the RN ships sank in WW1.
Coffee shop and restaurant with good choices except needs more sugar free cold drinks for diabetics. Only option was diet coke.
Some staff a bit stand off ish, mainly the car park man who told me my 6m motorhome would fit in a normal parking space, think I know better. Make sure you book parking in advance as £2 cheaper.
Overall an excellent visit will ho back and look at other areas.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2022, anm53 said about National Memorial Arboretum
This was our first visit. We didn’t know quite what to expect but I suppose we anticipated that the site would be mainly a war memorial. In fact there is much more to the site than this. The Armed Forces Memorial is the biggest memorial and is very impressive. But there are over 400 memorials located across a large site. Some of the memorials are for civilian organisations, which we hadn’t expected.
The NMA can be quite busy but the site is large enough so that you can find peace and quiet and an opportunity to be alone with your thoughts. There are some nice woodland walks and the area beside the river Tame is very peaceful.
The site is well laid out and the visitor reception has all the facilities you would expect including a restaurant and exhibition spaces.
When a war memorial becomes a visitor attraction this left us with a slightly uneasy feeling but I think we have to live with this. If anything the NMA is a victim of its own success.
The NMA can be quite busy but the site is large enough so that you can find peace and quiet and an opportunity to be alone with your thoughts. There are some nice woodland walks and the area beside the river Tame is very peaceful.
The site is well laid out and the visitor reception has all the facilities you would expect including a restaurant and exhibition spaces.
When a war memorial becomes a visitor attraction this left us with a slightly uneasy feeling but I think we have to live with this. If anything the NMA is a victim of its own success.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk