Local Reviews
In December 2018, Rosemary B said about National Memorial Arboretum
This evening we have been to see the Illuminated Arboretum. This is a new attraction for them, starting this year. It was amazing! Over 5 miles of cable and lights, transformed the Arboretum into a very moving experience. A good night out for old and young alike. The highlight is the monument to all fallen servicemen/women. There are searchlights shining up into the sky, over the monument, which join together pointing towards the heavens, added to this, is some very moving music..the whole effect, moved me to tears. If this years show, is an example of what they can do, in their first year, then following years, should be even better. Well done to all concerned. On a more practical note, the whole walk is easy walking, on flat ground, all well lit and signed, plenty of staff on route, to assist if required, a very welcome stall selling hot drinks half way round and a lovely warm restaurant and toilets in the visitors centre. Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In April 2019, Hilary L said about National Memorial Arboretum
An amazing day out. The grounds are immaculate and the volunteer guides and plentiful and anxious to impart their knowledge and ensure you get the best experience whilst visiting. We took a guided buggy trip, which was the same price as the train and were lucky to have it and the guide to ourselves, so we felt we had a really personal tour. There are three walking routes to suit all abilities and we managed to do them all which covered the majority of the site. However there are so many memorials, from the grand to small plaques that it would take several visits to see them all. It is so peaceful just strolling round the site and the memorials are thought provoking and it is humbling to see how many people gave their lives so we could live in peace. The Millennium Chapel is small but beautiful and a daily act of remembrance is held there every morning when a two minute silence is observed. We ate in the on site restaurant and were impressed with the quality of the food and the reasonable prices.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2019, Peter H said about National Memorial Arboretum
Staying in Burton-on-Trent for a couple of weeks this was on the top of our list of things to do and we were not disappointed. We have all probably seen the main cenotaph there on television, but its elevation and presence when you actually are there is overwhelming. Apart from the main cenotaph there are an immense number of specific memorials spread over a vast area - I cannot remember how many acres - all different in appearance but all with a common theme. It was very nice to see the vast range of the ages, races, and people that were there.
Each morning there is a service in the on-site memorial hall which includes The Last Post - a spine chiller and reminder if ever there was one. Be on time, late comers are NOT admitted.
This is a place that everyone should visit during their lifetime - but one day is not enough.
Eat at the on-site restaurant - the food is great and the prices very reasonable.
All the staff, both in the gardens and in the restaurant are so very pleasant, cheerful, and helpful.
This is a
Each morning there is a service in the on-site memorial hall which includes The Last Post - a spine chiller and reminder if ever there was one. Be on time, late comers are NOT admitted.
This is a place that everyone should visit during their lifetime - but one day is not enough.
Eat at the on-site restaurant - the food is great and the prices very reasonable.
All the staff, both in the gardens and in the restaurant are so very pleasant, cheerful, and helpful.
This is a
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2019, Choirman09 said about National Memorial Arboretum
We spent a day in this wonderful place. The highlight of the day was the service in the chapel to celebrate the 11 o'clock memorial. If you are available you should go- it was really outstanding.
During the course of the day we also used the land- train to go around this helped to fix our minds on where various parts of the Arboretum are fixed. It had a realy good audio as you are going around and you can learn so much. I have to say it is more of an adult thing- very young children find it a long activity.
The views are outstanding from all round the arboretum. On the day of our visit there was a craft fair as well. What a day.
So when you have enjoyed yourself you need food- we can recommend the restaurant too. Yes it gets very busy at the usual times- we went in just before the rush started and had a great time. Their pick and mix salad is very good value for money.
All round and excellent day
During the course of the day we also used the land- train to go around this helped to fix our minds on where various parts of the Arboretum are fixed. It had a realy good audio as you are going around and you can learn so much. I have to say it is more of an adult thing- very young children find it a long activity.
The views are outstanding from all round the arboretum. On the day of our visit there was a craft fair as well. What a day.
So when you have enjoyed yourself you need food- we can recommend the restaurant too. Yes it gets very busy at the usual times- we went in just before the rush started and had a great time. Their pick and mix salad is very good value for money.
All round and excellent day
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2020, AlcesterMartyn said about National Memorial Arboretum
We visited in October 2020 and fortunately it was a sunny day, so the outdoor experience was a pleasure exploring the wide range of memorial gardens in peace and tranquility.
Covid 19 restrictions were in place, so you needed to book to eat in the restaurant, fortunately we were able to get an "on the spot booking". Coffee shop limited to two groups at any one time, so pace was a little slow. Food and drinks in both places were excellent quality - local Burton Brewery Ales available in the restaurant.
I was surprised to be told that all the memorials were not in the guide book. There were 370 on the day we visited - the guide book said 330 - so new additions are plentiful. I was pleasantly surprised at the wide range of memorials in addition to the Armed Services Memorial which is particularly poignant with 16,000 lives lost sine the end of WWII. For example the loss of 250 Falkland Islanders in addition to the 237 armed services personnel was an education to me.
I'm sure you will learn something new if you visit.
Covid 19 restrictions were in place, so you needed to book to eat in the restaurant, fortunately we were able to get an "on the spot booking". Coffee shop limited to two groups at any one time, so pace was a little slow. Food and drinks in both places were excellent quality - local Burton Brewery Ales available in the restaurant.
I was surprised to be told that all the memorials were not in the guide book. There were 370 on the day we visited - the guide book said 330 - so new additions are plentiful. I was pleasantly surprised at the wide range of memorials in addition to the Armed Services Memorial which is particularly poignant with 16,000 lives lost sine the end of WWII. For example the loss of 250 Falkland Islanders in addition to the 237 armed services personnel was an education to me.
I'm sure you will learn something new if you visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2024, Sue Wiggins said about National Memorial Arboretum
Three friends visited. It was a hot J uly day. Car park is £6 for the day. Reception is a clean, light and airy place, staff are friendly and explain everything, entrance is free. There are lots of volunteer guides who are very knowledgeable. If you are unable to walk the huge site, there are either land trains with commentaries or buggies, there are also guided walking tours. The map given at reception is useful and you can wander freely. The grounds and memorials are very well looked after and interesting. There is a small Stick Man trail for the little ones and a play area. The coffee shop sells reasonably priced drinks and cakes etc, the restaurant sells meals and we opted for homemade soup and a roll, reasonably priced at £7 which included a soft drink (it makes a change not to be riipped off! The gift shop has some beautiful items, also reasonably priced (I spent too much)! The Arboretum is a charity and there are plenty of opportunities to give generously. Would take a picnic next time! A lovely day out
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2022, Eamonn Hardwick said about National Memorial Arboretum
Short visit en route to see family. Great place £6 parking fee and free entry. Lots to see and take in, many many statues and tributes to all forces and services from Bevin Boys and Land Army Girls to a recognition statue for the poor unfortunate soldiers shot at dawn who were most probably suffering from PTSD and shell shock. All forces and Armies recognised and Cenotaph wall bears the names of over 16 thousand personell who lost their lives in battle, and obviously many hundreds of thousands who cannot fit on. Coffee shop, Restaurant and Gift shop all good, very pleasant and knowledgeable staff, wheelchair friendly and golf buggies available and a Dotti train with running commentary if you wish. Will definitely have to return when I have more time.
Restrooms: Toilet facilities in main building and portaloos around site
Picnic area: Plenty of benches to rest upon
Restrooms: Toilet facilities in main building and portaloos around site
Picnic area: Plenty of benches to rest upon
Source: google.com
In September 2022, Annette Laurie said about National Memorial Arboretum
Amazing, brilliant, emotional, humbling, beautiful and sad all at the same time. Lots of space to walk around, ALL OF IT ACCESSIBLE, so many things and memorials to see. We had 6 hours and did so much but are sure there were still a couple of bits we missed.
Great toilets, coffee shop, restaurant and shop on site.
Grab a map to make your way around. It wasn't too busy mid week but there's so much space. Being a picnic if you want to sit and reflect by the river.
There is everything remembered from HMS Repulse, to the Wrens garden, Falklands, Twin Towers, Gurkhas. Sikhs, fire service, WW1 and 2, Land Army, and too much more to mention.
Just fantastic!
Playground: There are at least two playgrounds that we saw, all very good and well maintained
Restrooms: Very clean and wheelchair accessible
Dog-friendliness: Dogs allowed, on leads
Picnic area: Eat by the river or there are hundreds of benches or places to sit and picnic
Great toilets, coffee shop, restaurant and shop on site.
Grab a map to make your way around. It wasn't too busy mid week but there's so much space. Being a picnic if you want to sit and reflect by the river.
There is everything remembered from HMS Repulse, to the Wrens garden, Falklands, Twin Towers, Gurkhas. Sikhs, fire service, WW1 and 2, Land Army, and too much more to mention.
Just fantastic!
Playground: There are at least two playgrounds that we saw, all very good and well maintained
Restrooms: Very clean and wheelchair accessible
Dog-friendliness: Dogs allowed, on leads
Picnic area: Eat by the river or there are hundreds of benches or places to sit and picnic
Source: google.com
In November 2020, jane c said about National Memorial Arboretum
Although we’ve been before it seemed fitting to go today on 11 /11 as we had the opportunity. With Covid we had to pre book but it was well organised and no queuing or overcrowding. We had no idea there was a Royal visit planned today for the memorial service.
The whole place is thoughtfully planned out and extremely moving.
There are acres to walk around with lots of memorials to visit to commemorate so many fallen hero’s and those who served in the distant past and more present day. A very humbling place and one to be enjoyed by young and old.
Facilities are good and inexpensive, the restaurant was closed due to the current lockdown but there’s an outside coffee shop for drinks and snacks.
The path ways are good and suitable for wheelchair access but Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on the grass to be able to read some of the plaques and to walk down “The Beat” which is a wide aisle of trees commemorating police officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
Lest we forget!
The whole place is thoughtfully planned out and extremely moving.
There are acres to walk around with lots of memorials to visit to commemorate so many fallen hero’s and those who served in the distant past and more present day. A very humbling place and one to be enjoyed by young and old.
Facilities are good and inexpensive, the restaurant was closed due to the current lockdown but there’s an outside coffee shop for drinks and snacks.
The path ways are good and suitable for wheelchair access but Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on the grass to be able to read some of the plaques and to walk down “The Beat” which is a wide aisle of trees commemorating police officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
Lest we forget!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In December 2018, Ruth D said about National Memorial Arboretum
I visited the 'Illuminated Arboretum' event with three other family members on their opening night on Wednesday 12th December. After meeting the family for a quick drink in the restaurant, we headed to the start and began the walk down a torch-lit avenue. Along the route were a number of activities, more suitable for the younger generation, such as a shadow wall and a station to use Morse Code made of colourful LEDs. Of particular poignancy was the votive wood where lit and hung our own light in memory of lost loved ones. There were also refreshments and toilet facilities halfway round the route.
Overall, the place looked stunning with many of the memorials bathed in lights, with the finale being a stunning display of strobe lights over the main Armed Forces Memorial.
I simply love this place and have visited a few times during the day, so it was lovely to see it lit up in the evening looking so different. It's always a tranquil, peaceful place to visit and I'll be back many more times to come.
Overall, the place looked stunning with many of the memorials bathed in lights, with the finale being a stunning display of strobe lights over the main Armed Forces Memorial.
I simply love this place and have visited a few times during the day, so it was lovely to see it lit up in the evening looking so different. It's always a tranquil, peaceful place to visit and I'll be back many more times to come.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk