Local Reviews
In July 2014, Roger5cambs said about National Memorial Arboretum
This is a must visit if you are ever in the area, and well worth a dedicated visit. It does not in anyway glorify conflicts, but simply remembers anyone who has served our country in every day life, like the fire brigade, police ,ambulance service and the armed services.
The whole place makes you proud to be British and part of the commonwealth, individual monuments telling their own stories.
The road train ride is a great way to see the whole site, with a simple yet informative commentary played throughout, then a trip up to the main services monument a must do, the massive walls covered in names helps you appreciate their sacrifice.
The cafe/restaurant was very good and reasonably priced, and the gift shop well stocked with various souvenirs, bearing in mind most areas are staffed by volunteers the organisation and professionalism was excellent.
A calm and serene place that I hopefully will visit again.
The whole place makes you proud to be British and part of the commonwealth, individual monuments telling their own stories.
The road train ride is a great way to see the whole site, with a simple yet informative commentary played throughout, then a trip up to the main services monument a must do, the massive walls covered in names helps you appreciate their sacrifice.
The cafe/restaurant was very good and reasonably priced, and the gift shop well stocked with various souvenirs, bearing in mind most areas are staffed by volunteers the organisation and professionalism was excellent.
A calm and serene place that I hopefully will visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2014, Claire M said about National Memorial Arboretum
After visiting this place for the third time I have finally decided to write a review, as it really deserves be shared.
For starters its free entry with just £3 for parking but we always give more as so worth it. There is so much to see and each visit we find something we've not seen before. The site is exceptionally well kept and in a very tasteful manner. The memorials are all individual and with some moving inscriptions.
The centre piece is amazing and visible from all arts of the site. The walls with all the names of the lost souls is beyond words, as are the statues placed there.
The restaurant is great with some great found, drinks and snacks all at responsible prices for the quality of the food. Its always busy but we've always managed to get a seat. Its definitely worth having a tea break at least.
The shop is tasteful and again worth visit as the gifts are ideal for anyone and any occasions.
Overall the place is worth a visit even if its just the once.
For starters its free entry with just £3 for parking but we always give more as so worth it. There is so much to see and each visit we find something we've not seen before. The site is exceptionally well kept and in a very tasteful manner. The memorials are all individual and with some moving inscriptions.
The centre piece is amazing and visible from all arts of the site. The walls with all the names of the lost souls is beyond words, as are the statues placed there.
The restaurant is great with some great found, drinks and snacks all at responsible prices for the quality of the food. Its always busy but we've always managed to get a seat. Its definitely worth having a tea break at least.
The shop is tasteful and again worth visit as the gifts are ideal for anyone and any occasions.
Overall the place is worth a visit even if its just the once.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2016, Simon B said about Lichfield Garrick Theatre & Studio
My title to this review quotes from 'The Woman In Black' which I saw this weekend at the Garrick Theatre in my home city of Lichfield. They have made a splendid Garrick out of what was the Civic Hall of many years ago in my youth!
Situated right slap bang in the middle of town, close to the busy shopping and restaurant areas, the Garrick Theatre is a lovely intimate venue with its own Green Room Cafe and Bars.
Staff are friendly, atmosphere is warm, all in all a lovely theatre with excellent facilities and a studio theatre to boot.
Only half an hour from Birmingham, Lichfield is a gorgeous Cathedral City and the Garrick Theatre is a perfect theatre experience.
Although Garrick was not born in Lichfield he spent a lot of time there, making it his second home and a theatre in his name is very apt, Dr. Samuel Johnson is the most famous son of the city.
Check out the city, the theatre and believe me, I enjoyed the Garrick so much I have booked for next weeks show 'Little Shop of Horrors'!!!
Situated right slap bang in the middle of town, close to the busy shopping and restaurant areas, the Garrick Theatre is a lovely intimate venue with its own Green Room Cafe and Bars.
Staff are friendly, atmosphere is warm, all in all a lovely theatre with excellent facilities and a studio theatre to boot.
Only half an hour from Birmingham, Lichfield is a gorgeous Cathedral City and the Garrick Theatre is a perfect theatre experience.
Although Garrick was not born in Lichfield he spent a lot of time there, making it his second home and a theatre in his name is very apt, Dr. Samuel Johnson is the most famous son of the city.
Check out the city, the theatre and believe me, I enjoyed the Garrick so much I have booked for next weeks show 'Little Shop of Horrors'!!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2017, Deborah T said about National Memorial Arboretum
We visited the arboretum over the Bank Holiday. It was a beautiful day, extremely thought provoking and a lovely place to reflect. The grounds are beautiful and the memorials well marked and cared for. We only had time to visit half the memorials but we will be returning. The surroundings are peaceful and walking around reading the dedications was, in some cases quite saddening, the overriding feeling I had was pride, humility and thankfulness that individuals thought humanity was worth losing their lives for.
Facilities are excellent we had some lunch in a very busy restaurant and prices were reasonable. The shop was also reasonably priced and staff helpful. This is a wonderful place to spend a day, there is a children's play area and other activities on site. The site is free to enter and car parking just £3. Canine family members are more than welcome to join you. There is a small charge for some exhibitions and donations are very welcome. We hear and see the worst of humanity too often, these individuals are an inspiration and demonstrate the best that humanity has to offer. We will remember them.
Facilities are excellent we had some lunch in a very busy restaurant and prices were reasonable. The shop was also reasonably priced and staff helpful. This is a wonderful place to spend a day, there is a children's play area and other activities on site. The site is free to enter and car parking just £3. Canine family members are more than welcome to join you. There is a small charge for some exhibitions and donations are very welcome. We hear and see the worst of humanity too often, these individuals are an inspiration and demonstrate the best that humanity has to offer. We will remember them.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2017, wasaloadie said about National Memorial Arboretum
An incredibly moving experience. The arboretum is extremely well planned out. There are memorial from just about all military and civilian organisations that have been involved with action overseas and at home. The centre piece is the memorial mount which lists all service personnel who have given lost their lives since WW II. It's a beautiful place, with access to all. They have a land train that tours the arboretum. Mobility scooters and wheel chairs are available to book in advance (for a small fee). There is a coffee shop and a restaurant. A chapel for those wishing to observe religious practice. Plenty of parking and easy to get to, well sign posted from all directions. As veteran, I found it quite an emotional experience. Allow a full day if you wish to see it all and at least 3 hours just to see a lot of it. There areas for children too and activities for them, as I would imaging otherwise that it would be a bit boring for youngsters.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2017, evans2325 said about National Memorial Arboretum
Our first visit to this memorial and it was an extremely moving experience. Found myself quite tearful at the "Shot at Dawn" memorial! The trees and the memorials were beautifully maintained with thought provoking designs. As well as the main sculpture memorials, every tree seems to have a plaque dedicated to an individual by their family and friends. A lot of walking is involved but there is a road train and there are also buggies available to give a ride up to the main memorial. We would advise picking up a free map which shows all the memorials as some can be a challenge to find if you try to follow the sign posts. Nice little coffee shop and there is also a large restaurant. Staff were pleasant and helpful. £3 car park charge, entrance is free but donations can be made. Definitely intend to go back as there was too much to see in the half day that we had. A place for the nation to be proud of!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2015, Beverley said about National Memorial Arboretum
This is a truly remarkable arboretum and memorial. It is well laid out and has easy access for all, whatever your ability. The main memorial has to be seen (actually it would be difficult to miss) and is a very sobering experience. However, it was also an uplifting experience as the lay out and huge number of trees and sculptures are really beautiful, allowing you to pay your respects in a very appropriate setting. I recommend using the land train, as it gives you a full overview of the park with commentary, so you can return on foot to areas of particular interest to yourself. There are plenty of benches for resting or contemplation. The restaurant is ok, staff very helpful, loos have easy access and are clean. My only gripe, is that we opted for 'afternoon tea' and this is a misnomer as its only a very small cup of tea with floating tea bag and standard piece of cake and rather expensive at £4.95. We could have had a standard whole pot of tea and cake for £4.50 in the main restaurant. That aside I strongly recommend visiting this memorial.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2015, KSBW48 said about National Memorial Arboretum
I recently visited the National Memorial Arboretum for a Remembrance Service hosted by the Parachute Regiment. The staff met us at the entrance and were very helpful and friendly. Our service was being held at the Airborne monument and is situated some way from the main building, the staff explained that a shuttle buggy would be available to those unable to walk the distance. The grounds are kept immaculate with on going memorials being created all the time.
There are 150 acres to explore and appreciate.
There is a good restaurant serving everything from breakfast, snacks and meals to scones and hot drinks. There is a gift shop run by the British Legion.
Entry is free but car parking is £3.00 per day. Donations are welcomed towards the maintenance .
Check out their website for special events throughout the year.
There is so much to see and you can always take a picnic if you prefer.
There are 150 acres to explore and appreciate.
There is a good restaurant serving everything from breakfast, snacks and meals to scones and hot drinks. There is a gift shop run by the British Legion.
Entry is free but car parking is £3.00 per day. Donations are welcomed towards the maintenance .
Check out their website for special events throughout the year.
There is so much to see and you can always take a picnic if you prefer.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2015, Ann H said about National Memorial Arboretum
We opted to take the little train around the site and we are glad we did. It cost £5 each and we puchased our timed ticket from the little coffee kiosk just outside the welcome centre with the train departing from close by. The trains run at every thirty minutes at peak times but you cannot 'hop on and off'. If you opt to disembark the train at any point then you must continue on foot from that point. The ride took about 50 minutes and we listened to a pre-recorded commentary as we went around the site which provided us with a wealth of information, facts and figures about the many memorials scattered around the beautifully landscaped gardens and woods.
Parking costs £3 and there are no entry charges as such but visitors are encouraged to each make a £5 donation as it costs £4,000 per day to run the Centre.
It is certainly well worth a visit and there are lots of seats around the routes and within many of the individual gardens. Plenty of cafes, restaurants and kiosks for refreshments as well as some souvenir shops.
Parking costs £3 and there are no entry charges as such but visitors are encouraged to each make a £5 donation as it costs £4,000 per day to run the Centre.
It is certainly well worth a visit and there are lots of seats around the routes and within many of the individual gardens. Plenty of cafes, restaurants and kiosks for refreshments as well as some souvenir shops.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, kathy b said about National Memorial Arboretum
If you`ve not been to this amazing place yet, then make this summer the time to go. As you walk through the grounds you can feel a sense of calm and love.....of respect and gratitude.... of poignant thoughts.....a stillness and an appreciation of the beauty of the place and a fascination discovering the history behind the memorials. The grounds are extensive so don`t think you`ll see everything on one visit. If you have a particular interest, then ask one one the super helpful volunteers for their advice. There is a very moving short service in the chapel near the Visitor Centre at 11am daily. Much work has been done to improve the existing Visitor Centre with the addition of a brilliant Exhibition Hall featuring memorials world wide. A new corporate centre close by is also nearing completion. There is an excellent restaurant serving snacks and delicious meals and a shop selling beautiful quality gifts. There is a buggy available if you need a bit of help.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk