Local Reviews
In March 2024, Ann V said about National Memorial Arboretum
What a moving experience this visit became…it started off in the Chapel to hear the last post… we then went to the Shot at Dawn talk by the fabulous Mick Byrne which was very interesting and thought provoking!
Our next visit was to the Prisoners of War Memorial Building where the lovely John Smith provided us with lots of facts about prisoners of war… we even saw the name of my husband’s uncle on the computerised register, which incredibly also gave us the location of his grave in Singapore! Again, a very emotional and thought provoking talk. The restaurant has a really good selection of snacks/ food and very reasonably priced! Every single member of staff we saw was helpful, polite and passionate about being involved in this centre. Every child should have a visit here as part of their education! We left feeling very emotional thinking about all the men women and children who gave their today, for our tomorrow!
Our next visit was to the Prisoners of War Memorial Building where the lovely John Smith provided us with lots of facts about prisoners of war… we even saw the name of my husband’s uncle on the computerised register, which incredibly also gave us the location of his grave in Singapore! Again, a very emotional and thought provoking talk. The restaurant has a really good selection of snacks/ food and very reasonably priced! Every single member of staff we saw was helpful, polite and passionate about being involved in this centre. Every child should have a visit here as part of their education! We left feeling very emotional thinking about all the men women and children who gave their today, for our tomorrow!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2023, KittyBelmont said about National Memorial Arboretum
The only cost is £6 to park in the very well organised car park. A beautiful place with so many stunning memorial pieces to see. A vast area, but there is a land train tour for those less physically able. So well presented, so peaceful..........so moving. There are plenty of helpful guides around if you would like more background information.
We had lunch in the restaurant......2 very nice good quality sandwiches, hot chips, 2 cakes and 2 hot drinks for just over £19, which we didn't feel was unreasonable. There is also a coffee shop.
The gift shop was a little pricy. I would've purchased some postcards, but I didn't feel the photographs on them truly reflected the beauty of the place.....the photos I took with my phone were much nicer.
Our visit lasted 2.5 hours, however you could spend no end of time walking, looking, reading and reflecting. A lovely place to spend time.
We had lunch in the restaurant......2 very nice good quality sandwiches, hot chips, 2 cakes and 2 hot drinks for just over £19, which we didn't feel was unreasonable. There is also a coffee shop.
The gift shop was a little pricy. I would've purchased some postcards, but I didn't feel the photographs on them truly reflected the beauty of the place.....the photos I took with my phone were much nicer.
Our visit lasted 2.5 hours, however you could spend no end of time walking, looking, reading and reflecting. A lovely place to spend time.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In February 2023, Wanderlust said about National Memorial Arboretum
A memorable day out at a beautiful place of peace and remembrance..be prepared to do a lot of walking because its vast area ...its very sad and thought provoking with nearly every corner and space dedicated to the fallen in peace time wars ..the gardens are immaculately kept and with plenty of volunteers to help and inform you if you wish at handThe very large cafe come restaurant does get very busy and long queues form for the dinners this being the only down side of which it needs to be looked at ..just one queue for being served so the carvery takes an age and leaves a massive line even if you want something other than a dinner... reasonable prices we thought but just the service that lets it down ....but lets face it you don’t visit this place just to eat it all about paying respects and remembering the brave people who gave their lives for what we have today ...go and visit this place you wont
Be disappointed.
Be disappointed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In November 2021, Susie2167 said about National Memorial Arboretum
Our annual visit to the site to take a poppy cross to remember my father who was a prisoner of war in Japan. The whole experience is humbling and I was pleased to see that the Far East building has had a makeover. From reception to the restaurant and on site the staff are exceptional in their attitude to to the visitor, very helpful friendly and eager to help. You can’t find fault with anything. The restaurant provides an excellent array of different food and is of a very high standard at a reasonable price, the staff very knowledgable about food tolerance and allergies. There are some negative reviews but people must remember that because they are disabled and think they should have more consideration they should remember that it attracts more elderly visitors and disabled than most attractions and so they have limited facilities to accommodate all needs, all of the time; they need to remember that they are not the only ones disabled. It is a wonderful place where it gives people a chance to visit somewhere to acknowledge their loss. I think you will have a wonderful visit if you decide to go, take no notice of negative feedback.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2017, niccarlyle said about National Memorial Arboretum
Friends took myself and my wife to the NA. Apart from the sheer number of memorials to visit, the shop, amenities, cafe and restaurant were all very good - the place was immaculately clean and well cared for. My first and main impression was of relief - I'd feared that the whole thing would be mawkish, sentimentally nationalist, and verge on the bombastic. It was considerably more restrained and respectful. I still find it odd that it is a collection of memorials - there are no actual burials - and that somehow sums up my innate reservation about the place. It is a stage set for eliciting memory and feeling, tactfully left for the visitor. What bubbles up is left to them. But a little unnerved to find the Orange Order were visiting on the same day. With so much bubbling and seething away in the UK today, I was not so surprised to hear that a visitor attraction built to cater for 30,000 people a year was now receiving 300,000 visitors a year. However one feels about it, a place that captures the zeitgeist.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In November 2016, Michael F said about National Memorial Arboretum
3rd visit but first for a few years . There have been big improvements in the interim. The Landtrain is a great addition, full tour in 45 minutes (£5) and then you can return and cherry pick what you wish to see in more detail .
The Far East POW hut is always a must see, moved to tears every time, so powerful.
Shot At Dawn ( WW1) an equally powerful new addition.
The new visitor centre and restaurant are very nice . The whole experience is a really worthwhile day out, although free , a £5 donation is asked for and good value at that .
What is noticeable is that there is no mention at all about the political context of war, the rights and wrongs of conflict, and quite right too. This is about the men ,and women ( and some animals )who served , and who were lost forever.
It makes one humble and thankful.
The Far East POW hut is always a must see, moved to tears every time, so powerful.
Shot At Dawn ( WW1) an equally powerful new addition.
The new visitor centre and restaurant are very nice . The whole experience is a really worthwhile day out, although free , a £5 donation is asked for and good value at that .
What is noticeable is that there is no mention at all about the political context of war, the rights and wrongs of conflict, and quite right too. This is about the men ,and women ( and some animals )who served , and who were lost forever.
It makes one humble and thankful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2019, Jan T said about National Memorial Arboretum
This was our third visit to the NMA we have eaten there previously both on busy days Ride to the Wall and Remembrance Sunday. We went Monday 26th August and as usual looked forward to lunch in the restaurant unfortunately the printed information about what was on offer was limited, I asked a young man who was standing behind the counter in a NMA uniform what was meant by potatoes he told me he didn't work there another young man in a NMA uniform approached us so I asked him the same question, he said it means typically whatever is available on the day so I asked, what is available today ? his response, typically what is available today. I said does that mean chips ? he said how do I know ? So we left and went to a pub down the road. Which meant we cut short our visit and spent our money elsewhere. Perhaps a little more training we weren't being difficult but my husband is a diet controlled diabetic so doesn't eat chips or roast potatoes.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2015, dianthus2000 said about National Memorial Arboretum
As a (proud) member of Blind Veterans UK I have wanted to visit here for some time. By coincidence we decided to go on 7/7 and shortly after arriving and enjoying a coffee in the reasonably priced restaurant we were called to stand for the minute's silence. Emotions welled as we all stood quietly remembering the tragedy, not just of that terrible day in London but the many other sad acts of terrorism wrought in the name of religion. Immediately we exited the restaurant we were in the Blind Veterans Garden, which is lovely and resplendent with fragrant and tactile plants.
The entire venue is beautifully and sensitively laid out and expertly cared for. We didn't have time to see all that we had intended to see but we shall most certainly return. On our next visit will allow more time to stroll round and absorb the tranquillity of this tribute to those men and women who gave us the right to walk and talk freely.
The entire venue is beautifully and sensitively laid out and expertly cared for. We didn't have time to see all that we had intended to see but we shall most certainly return. On our next visit will allow more time to stroll round and absorb the tranquillity of this tribute to those men and women who gave us the right to walk and talk freely.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2021, Kathryn S said about National Memorial Arboretum
I visited the Arboretum for the third time, bringing my husband for his first visit. I cannot fault anything about our visit, even with the inevitable COVID restrictions. Every single member of staff was helpful and friendly, ensuring that we felt welcome, both on site and in the restaurant.
We took the land train tour (£7 each but well worth the cost), which enabled us to get an idea of the layout of the Arboretum and the location of several key monuments. The gentleman who managed the boarding of the land train exhibited a great sense of humour and a high level of customer care.
In the restaurant, we enjoyed soup and a roll and a hot drink each (just over £11 in total), it was delicious and just what we needed on a chilly May day. The staff here were also very helpful and friendly.
The grounds are stunning and so well tended, the whole place is a fitting memorial for the nation.
Thank you!
We took the land train tour (£7 each but well worth the cost), which enabled us to get an idea of the layout of the Arboretum and the location of several key monuments. The gentleman who managed the boarding of the land train exhibited a great sense of humour and a high level of customer care.
In the restaurant, we enjoyed soup and a roll and a hot drink each (just over £11 in total), it was delicious and just what we needed on a chilly May day. The staff here were also very helpful and friendly.
The grounds are stunning and so well tended, the whole place is a fitting memorial for the nation.
Thank you!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2012, Jon said about National Memorial Arboretum
Pros:
Free entry.
Disabled parking spaces available.
Open daily all year round (9am-5pm (dusk in Winter - closed Christmas Day), last entry 4:30pm).
Over 200 memorials, including the Armed Forces Memorial which honours 16,000 UK Armed Service Personnel who have died in the service of their country since the end of WWII.
Chapel.
150 acres of woodland.
Land train with narrated tour (chargeable).
Visitor Centre includes Arbour.
Restaurant and a well stocked gift shop.
Cons:
Car park is Pay and Display, although signage states "100% of monies raised from these charges support the charity".
Orientation takes a while although map available (£3).
Some paths grassed rather than paved, so it can be uneven underfoot. I'd recommend wearing stout shoes.
Free entry.
Disabled parking spaces available.
Open daily all year round (9am-5pm (dusk in Winter - closed Christmas Day), last entry 4:30pm).
Over 200 memorials, including the Armed Forces Memorial which honours 16,000 UK Armed Service Personnel who have died in the service of their country since the end of WWII.
Chapel.
150 acres of woodland.
Land train with narrated tour (chargeable).
Visitor Centre includes Arbour.
Restaurant and a well stocked gift shop.
Cons:
Car park is Pay and Display, although signage states "100% of monies raised from these charges support the charity".
Orientation takes a while although map available (£3).
Some paths grassed rather than paved, so it can be uneven underfoot. I'd recommend wearing stout shoes.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk