Local Reviews
In April 2013, muddyboy said about National Memorial Arboretum
we visited this site on a cold day in April. What a lovely site, parking was easy and cost £3 for the whole day.
Entry to the site is free, but I advise you to buy a map as it is a large site, and although many helpful guides it is easier to walk yourself with a map.
It is a fairly large site but if walking is difficult you can hire golf buggies or go on a guided tour by a dotto train, these do have a small charge for their hire.
Restaurant was good and had hot, cold, meals sandwiches and soup if required. The staff were most pleasant and helpful.
The staff on the whole site were extremely helpful and pleasant.
All of the individual areas are well posted so easy to find with help of aforesaid map.
Only negative comment I can find is the poor signage of the wonderful place, we travelled from Leamington Spa and did not see one tourist signpost ( the brown ones) until we were 100 metres from entrance.
This is not down to the Arboretum, and I do not know who should be making sure this place is easy to find, but surely such a fabulous place ought to be well signed.
In fact the whole area of Tamworth is badly signed. we decided not to use a sat nav but ye olde map book.....maybe we should have used sat nav, but I can read a map.
Entry to the site is free, but I advise you to buy a map as it is a large site, and although many helpful guides it is easier to walk yourself with a map.
It is a fairly large site but if walking is difficult you can hire golf buggies or go on a guided tour by a dotto train, these do have a small charge for their hire.
Restaurant was good and had hot, cold, meals sandwiches and soup if required. The staff were most pleasant and helpful.
The staff on the whole site were extremely helpful and pleasant.
All of the individual areas are well posted so easy to find with help of aforesaid map.
Only negative comment I can find is the poor signage of the wonderful place, we travelled from Leamington Spa and did not see one tourist signpost ( the brown ones) until we were 100 metres from entrance.
This is not down to the Arboretum, and I do not know who should be making sure this place is easy to find, but surely such a fabulous place ought to be well signed.
In fact the whole area of Tamworth is badly signed. we decided not to use a sat nav but ye olde map book.....maybe we should have used sat nav, but I can read a map.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2013, William R said about National Memorial Arboretum
The NMA has developed tremendously over the past decade, and a beautiful Saturday in early July gave thousands an opportunity to enjoy a unique visitor experience. If present in the morning, the 1100hrs service, last post and reveille, followed by a welcome talk, in the chapel, is highly recommended. The restaurant is self service and usually busy; the food is of a high standard and not extortionately priced.
The land train, a 50 minute journey with good recorded commentary, round the entire 150 acre site is also recommended, at a cost of £4.50 per adult. The day of our visit was also the Royal Artillery day, with many veterans and their families on the site, plus a military band and many service personnel, and cadets; this enhanced the overall experience.
Unlike other reviewers, I felt under no pressure to make further contributions to the running costs of the NMA; my £3 parking charge, land train fare and profits on my lunch and refreshments more than covered the £6 anticipated contribution.
The £3 map of the site is certainly overpriced, and is disappointing. The memorials are not listed in any particular order, and it is not at all easy to use.
Overall the NMA is an excellent place to visit, and is highly recommended.
The land train, a 50 minute journey with good recorded commentary, round the entire 150 acre site is also recommended, at a cost of £4.50 per adult. The day of our visit was also the Royal Artillery day, with many veterans and their families on the site, plus a military band and many service personnel, and cadets; this enhanced the overall experience.
Unlike other reviewers, I felt under no pressure to make further contributions to the running costs of the NMA; my £3 parking charge, land train fare and profits on my lunch and refreshments more than covered the £6 anticipated contribution.
The £3 map of the site is certainly overpriced, and is disappointing. The memorials are not listed in any particular order, and it is not at all easy to use.
Overall the NMA is an excellent place to visit, and is highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In December 2016, IandM_Berkshire_UK said about National Memorial Arboretum
Very interesting and thought provoking place to wander around and to reflect on how lucky we are to be able to do so. Map shows the principal monuments so you can get your bearings, but there are literally dozens - perhaps hundreds - of smaller monuments no less important for helping visitors to remember those who made the supreme sacrifice.
Somehow it seemed fitting to visit in winter when it is perhaps less busy and more quiet. A very thought provoking place. An especially poignant moment for my wife, a teacher, who found the name of an ex-student, a Royal Marine who perished in Afghanistan.
Some monuments not directly approachable by path, so stout shoes/walking boots recommended especially if the weather has been wet. Small coffee shop (excellent coffee!), large restaurant and shop. Eye-watering running costs of almost £3 per minute makes the Pay & Display charge of £3 all day seem trivial. Basic entrance is free, but maps, guides, land train, museum etc are all extra, but are good value.
Somehow it seemed fitting to visit in winter when it is perhaps less busy and more quiet. A very thought provoking place. An especially poignant moment for my wife, a teacher, who found the name of an ex-student, a Royal Marine who perished in Afghanistan.
Some monuments not directly approachable by path, so stout shoes/walking boots recommended especially if the weather has been wet. Small coffee shop (excellent coffee!), large restaurant and shop. Eye-watering running costs of almost £3 per minute makes the Pay & Display charge of £3 all day seem trivial. Basic entrance is free, but maps, guides, land train, museum etc are all extra, but are good value.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2017, larke/Burgess said about National Memorial Arboretum
What a lovely place this is opened in 2001 contains 300 memorials for military civilian organisations associations and tributes for individuals, its a vast place 150 acres of formal Delete repeated wordwildflower meadows and maturing woodland, I'm sure it would take more than a day to cover all areas, it is divided in to nine zones, there is an armed forces memorial/Basra memorial wall/Polish armed forces/shot at dawn/parachute regiment and airborne forces memorial/Bastion memorial wall/Christmas truce memorial/national service/far east prisoners of war/Burma railway memorial.2 childrens play areas. the trees are also beautiful 30.000 all of the british native species as well as a number of specimen and foreign varieties which have been symbolically chosen to represent the stories they tell. There is a land train takes 50 mins tour with audio commentary,lovely restaurant and café. make sure you are there for 11 am silence. this is a lovely place to visit on foot or by land train or electric buggy or golf cart buggy lots of different ways to explore
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2017, Enid G said about National Memorial Arboretum
On arrival we had a coffee in the restaurant. As it was close to 11am we visited the Chapel which was almost fill and observed a two minute silence. This was very moving indeed.
We took advantage of the small train that tours the site, the automated commentary was very good and the driver slowed to allow us a good view. We then retraced our "steps" and paid more attention to the memorials that were if particular interest to us.
We ate lunch in the restaurant which I could not fault. Considering the amount of people being catered for they had it down to a fine art! No hanging about or long queues. The menu is varied and covers most tastes. Wines, beers, teas coffees all available. The toilets were clean and plenty of them. The gift shop had a large variety of goods particularly with the Poppy as a theme, reasonably priced, good quality and some made with the "fair trade" brand.
This is a wonderful place commemorating those killed in their line of duty since the Second World War. It's a "must" for everyone - such a sobering place and most lovingly cared for.
We took advantage of the small train that tours the site, the automated commentary was very good and the driver slowed to allow us a good view. We then retraced our "steps" and paid more attention to the memorials that were if particular interest to us.
We ate lunch in the restaurant which I could not fault. Considering the amount of people being catered for they had it down to a fine art! No hanging about or long queues. The menu is varied and covers most tastes. Wines, beers, teas coffees all available. The toilets were clean and plenty of them. The gift shop had a large variety of goods particularly with the Poppy as a theme, reasonably priced, good quality and some made with the "fair trade" brand.
This is a wonderful place commemorating those killed in their line of duty since the Second World War. It's a "must" for everyone - such a sobering place and most lovingly cared for.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2017, Shelagh53_14 said about National Memorial Arboretum
Although we live within an hour's drive, we hadn't heard of this place util we moored for a night in Alrewas on a canal boat trip. It was too far to walk at that time, and on the wrong side of the A38, so we returned by car. Arrived just in time for the daily 2 minute silence in the chapel, then listened to the 15 minute introduction to how the place was conceived and constructed.
The chapel is a lovely place - built to look like a woodland glade - and entry is free to the site. (There is a minimal £3 parking fee and plenty of space in the car park.) After hearing this talk we decided to take the 50 minute landtrain tour of the gardens. There are various tours you can pay for - buggies, guided walks, all costing around £5 each. Well worth it. There is so much to see - memorials to every service - and even to those 'shot at dawn' during WW1. It proved very moving and definitely a place to return to. You could easily spend a day there looking around, in good weather. There is a restaurant and a coffee shop,but taking a picnic would be an option too. There will be even more in the future as there is constant development and even more land promised.
The chapel is a lovely place - built to look like a woodland glade - and entry is free to the site. (There is a minimal £3 parking fee and plenty of space in the car park.) After hearing this talk we decided to take the 50 minute landtrain tour of the gardens. There are various tours you can pay for - buggies, guided walks, all costing around £5 each. Well worth it. There is so much to see - memorials to every service - and even to those 'shot at dawn' during WW1. It proved very moving and definitely a place to return to. You could easily spend a day there looking around, in good weather. There is a restaurant and a coffee shop,but taking a picnic would be an option too. There will be even more in the future as there is constant development and even more land promised.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In November 2017, TJWeymouth said about National Memorial Arboretum
Well kept car park and car parking fees go to the upkeep of the memorials and gardens. Free entry and welcoming visitor centre with cafe, toilets, information, booking for special events etc and plenty of volunteers on hand to assist you in your visit. The 11am service in the chapel is worth a stop to participate in the 3 minutes silence and learned about the history and development of the site. There is a land train for those who can't walk the site or just want a quick tour (extra charge). We walked as we wanted to get up close to the memorials and trees. Over 300 memorials so impossible to see them all in one visit. Very emotional to see not only the names of those who have died serving their country but also witnessing the people visiting to see their loved ones names on the wall. Varied array of trees and saw some wildlife too. It is a beautiful place and although it was emotional and sad, it was also uplifting. The café and restaurant served a good selection of drinks and foods (cakes and meals). Everywhere was clean, tidy and well kept. We will certainly visit again when in the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2015, alison l said about National Memorial Arboretum
Beautiful Autumn day for a visit to the National Arboretum. £3 to park and a little walk down the road to the site.Really helpful volunteers at the entrance to guide you how to make the most of your visit. There is a voluntary £5 donation should you wish to make one. We opted for the land train at £5 each which takes a 30 minute tour round , with narration giving a huge amount of information on the varying memorials.My only negative comment is about the train driver who was obnoxious, however I have contacted the Arboretum directly regarding this so wont go into detail.
I was surprised at how vast the memorial is, much more than I expected. It is beautifully and sensitively laid out, with many quiet spots if you need to have a moment. For those with mobility problems, there is a lot of walking, I did see mobility scooters around and it is all accessible by wheelchair.
There is a restaurant and a coffee shop , only had coffee so cant comment on the food quality.
This is a stunning, haunting and fitting memorial to our servicemen and women and well worth a visit.
I was surprised at how vast the memorial is, much more than I expected. It is beautifully and sensitively laid out, with many quiet spots if you need to have a moment. For those with mobility problems, there is a lot of walking, I did see mobility scooters around and it is all accessible by wheelchair.
There is a restaurant and a coffee shop , only had coffee so cant comment on the food quality.
This is a stunning, haunting and fitting memorial to our servicemen and women and well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2018, Nigel F said about National Memorial Arboretum
We were lucky to visit on a beautiful sunny day. This is such and sad, but also inspirational place at the same time!
The main monument with all the names of servicemen/women who have lost their lives since the 2nd World War is truly moving, especially that there is still one complete blank wall that can take up to 15,000 names!!
Paid a special visit to The Logistics Grove as an ex-RCT member, however the whole site is very special.
The trees are starting to look quite established and it will be great to visit in another few years to see how they have matured.
Unfortunately there was building work going on when we were there which detracted from the quietness of the place, however this new building will be a great addition.
All the staff members who we spoke to from the initial contact before entering the main building and 2 others at different times at the wall of remembrance were extremely friendly & helpful.
The food we had at the restaurant was really good quality as well.
Loved the fact that there were plenty of benches around so you could have a rest and contemplate how lucky those of us who are still around are!
The main monument with all the names of servicemen/women who have lost their lives since the 2nd World War is truly moving, especially that there is still one complete blank wall that can take up to 15,000 names!!
Paid a special visit to The Logistics Grove as an ex-RCT member, however the whole site is very special.
The trees are starting to look quite established and it will be great to visit in another few years to see how they have matured.
Unfortunately there was building work going on when we were there which detracted from the quietness of the place, however this new building will be a great addition.
All the staff members who we spoke to from the initial contact before entering the main building and 2 others at different times at the wall of remembrance were extremely friendly & helpful.
The food we had at the restaurant was really good quality as well.
Loved the fact that there were plenty of benches around so you could have a rest and contemplate how lucky those of us who are still around are!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2018, Callie said about National Memorial Arboretum
We visited in August 2018 on a very warm sunny day. The facilities at the Arboretum are exceptional, the guide book and grid plan are a must if you are looking for any particular memorials, although there is a touch screen and staff who are happy to help you find a memorial, however purchase of the book helps to maintain the place, which is free (you only pay to park) and run by volunteers. The guide book helped us to find the ones we visited to see, and also to explain more about others. We chose to walk, but only managed to cover a third and didn't have time to visit the indoor exhibition, even after two visits to the restaurant for a caffeine break! We will be coming back with my father at Easter 2019 as we have now read the guide book and there are so many more memorials we want to see, and I will be back again in June volunteering with RAFA. We were lucky to see the RAF100 display as well. The site is peaceful and a fitting tribute to lives lost in many different ways and we can't recommend it enough. Even my daughter who is 10 found it interesting. The whole site is inspiring and the restaurant a lovely place to sit and reflect over great coffee and food.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk