National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
A truly remarkable place to visit
We went very early as it was Remembrance Sunday
Never shall we forget them!!!!
We went very early as it was Remembrance Sunday
Never shall we forget them!!!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the Arboretum for the first time yesterday for the Christmas carol concert and Will certainly go back. It took a while to get in and out of the car park as the event was very popular . Had we known there was a excellent cafe serving a range of hot food we’d have gone earlier. The Arboretum had been lit up earlier in the month but we didn’t know about it. Hopefully next year they will keep the lights on for people going to the carols by candlelight.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A special event that only ran for about 10 nights but was a fantastic experience. We travelled from South Wales just for this event and it was well worth it. If they repeat the experience in 2019 it will be worth the visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A stunning Venue for a work Away Day. We were in The Aspects Building for the day. We were greeted by pleasant and helpful staff and made to feel very welcome.
The food was outstanding in quality and variety was extensive, covering everyone's dietry needs.
I have to mention James as well, who looked after us and made sure there was plenty of refreshments, pastries and biscuits. He presented the hot food beautifully and nothing was too much trouble for him. He worked really hard and was exceptional. Thank you James.
I can't wait to go back.
The food was outstanding in quality and variety was extensive, covering everyone's dietry needs.
I have to mention James as well, who looked after us and made sure there was plenty of refreshments, pastries and biscuits. He presented the hot food beautifully and nothing was too much trouble for him. He worked really hard and was exceptional. Thank you James.
I can't wait to go back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Special place to visit interesting guided tour after the walk try the restaurant as the carvery is very nice and good value
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited around 8 years ago and were very impressed so it's time to visit again and as we suspected the place has expanded and the trees are maturing beautifully. It's an amazing place to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
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
I’ve been here a few times and it’s a spectacular place. Very thought provoking and so lovely to see such beautiful memorials to so many of the forces, the emergency services, the police and many others. This visit however, was something we had to book and pay for in advance with an allocated time slot too.
Some considerable time and effort has gone into the illumination of many of the memorials and you followed a set path around them finishing up at the central memorial wall. Here, there were several powerful spotlight beams moving around and shining up into the sky. Very well done and very impressive.
Some considerable time and effort has gone into the illumination of many of the memorials and you followed a set path around them finishing up at the central memorial wall. Here, there were several powerful spotlight beams moving around and shining up into the sky. Very well done and very impressive.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have been many times to the Arboretum as we live close by in Staffordshire.
We last went recently and again it was a very memorable experience.
I was born in April 1939 and have many memories of being pushed under the stairs with a Gas Mask pushed on my head and hearing that awful Doodle Bug overhead as I lived close to a Military Airport.
The arboretum caters for all tastes and is a wonderful history lessen for all and shows the full horrors of war. It is good for children with many sites designed for them.
On my last visit we went to the Poppy Field which had been filled with Poppies planted and supplied by many organisations. Not quite like the field when in bloom in Spring/Summer but still very moving.
To conclude do make time to pay a visit and say A BIG THANK YOU to all those who have given their lives to give us the life we lead today.
We last went recently and again it was a very memorable experience.
I was born in April 1939 and have many memories of being pushed under the stairs with a Gas Mask pushed on my head and hearing that awful Doodle Bug overhead as I lived close to a Military Airport.
The arboretum caters for all tastes and is a wonderful history lessen for all and shows the full horrors of war. It is good for children with many sites designed for them.
On my last visit we went to the Poppy Field which had been filled with Poppies planted and supplied by many organisations. Not quite like the field when in bloom in Spring/Summer but still very moving.
To conclude do make time to pay a visit and say A BIG THANK YOU to all those who have given their lives to give us the life we lead today.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
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
Free to get in. Ability to walk round on your own or take the land train at a small cost for a 50 minute auditory tour
Cafe reasonably priced, with volunteers clearing tables as they are vacated
Dogs welcome
Site constantly dedicating more memorials. Will require more than one visit to see everything
Cafe reasonably priced, with volunteers clearing tables as they are vacated
Dogs welcome
Site constantly dedicating more memorials. Will require more than one visit to see everything
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We enjoyed our visit, we used the land train for our tour it was very interesting and informative. We had lunch there, a very tasty soup and excellent sandwiches. We will go again in better weather and walk around so we can view the memorials more fully. Well managed and tended, the staff and volunteers were very helpful and made us feel very welcome.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We booked a buggy tour and two course meal for my Nan & grandads anniversary. We met our tour guide, who volunteers, and our buggy which was gratefully full of blankets to keep us warm. Bryan was very knowledgable and amazed us all with everything he knew. He also made the attempt to see if there was anything in particular we wanted to see (which both grandparents did due to both their fathers serving). The tour lasted from 10.30 to around 3.30 but depends on how long you take to eat (the food was really nice and we had our own reserved table and were waited on by a lovely young lady) and to walk the small sections without the buggy (mainly around the Burmese war). With the amount of money they spend to keep it running then I’d advise everyone to visit even just once. We learnt so much from our day and the whole experience was great. Thank you Bryan especially!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I hadn’t been to the NMA for a few years but was up visiting a friend who lived close by so we went for a visit.
The last time I visited most of the trees were saplings so it was great to see an arboretum with maturing trees. There were also a lot more memorials on display since my last visit.
It isn’t truly disabled friendly, with wheelchairs or mobility scooters available for hire for a couple of pounds. The Armed Forces memorial is also wheelchair accessible by a circular path.
Some of the memorials were fenced off as they were being repaired. This is usually ground repairs as the whole area is liable to flooding from the nearby river. That said it was still a humbling and awe inspiring visit.
The last time I visited most of the trees were saplings so it was great to see an arboretum with maturing trees. There were also a lot more memorials on display since my last visit.
It isn’t truly disabled friendly, with wheelchairs or mobility scooters available for hire for a couple of pounds. The Armed Forces memorial is also wheelchair accessible by a circular path.
Some of the memorials were fenced off as they were being repaired. This is usually ground repairs as the whole area is liable to flooding from the nearby river. That said it was still a humbling and awe inspiring visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fantastic venue....Fantastic road travel, the Aspects business conference centre is superb, great facilities, fantastic catering and friendly expert staff.....of all the conference venues I've been to, and there have been many, this is by far the best!!! Highly recommended and I hope to use over and over in the future
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A place for your own contemplation, and interesting to walk around the various areas. Took walking shoes as once you are off the main path there are interesting areas.
Shot at Dawn talk was interesting..
Walked around and stayed for 2 hours.
thank you...
Shot at Dawn talk was interesting..
Walked around and stayed for 2 hours.
thank you...
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It is a lovely peaceful place to visit. You couldn't do it in one day. Nice new visitors centre and always something new to see well recommended do visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The thought and quality of consideration that went into developing this wonderful Memorial is a tribute to those who lost their lives during the Great Wars, and other conflicts. A very emotional and outstanding memory to those, who we should be so proud and grateful too. They gave the ultimate sacrifice. God, make sure they rest in peace.
We will never be forget them.
We will never be forget them.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An extremely interesting and very moving place to visit. Impossible to do in one day. A several days visit is recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It’s free to enter if you don’t go on a tour. Cafe was good too.
We parked further down the road as the main car park was full, so didn’t have to pay for parking.
We parked further down the road as the main car park was full, so didn’t have to pay for parking.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had an excellent trip and was very moved by some of the memorials.
The one that got to us the most was Shot at Dawn very emotional place to see.
The only down side was the lunch we had
The vegetables were barely warm very disappointing lunch would not eat a full meal if we go back again
The one that got to us the most was Shot at Dawn very emotional place to see.
The only down side was the lunch we had
The vegetables were barely warm very disappointing lunch would not eat a full meal if we go back again
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited with a group of 6 year olds to see the Scout Memorial. Children loved the space and the different memorials on show plus the abundance of nature visible even on a damp cold day. Restaurant had a good selection of food and the ‘Sunday Dinner’ looked lovely. (We had cakes and hot chocolate).
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited with a group of ex WRAF on a reunion. Fantastic day and very humbling. The grounds are kept very clean and tidy and staff were lovely. Cafe/shops not over priced and will certainly visit again with my family.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Having read the diverse reports commentating on the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day,I should like to add my own Did the organizers of this event realize a much larger attendance figure would be the norm on such an historic occasion.
Did they not carry out a sound test at the Memorial the day before.and place more visual enhancements around the site of the Ceremony.
Who authorized a mobile burger van on a site of such dignity,this is not Glastonbury.
Why was the restaurant not more fully staffed,long queues meant hot food had cooled long before diners reached the cash machine.
My most significant complaint is the lack of organisation of the traffic/parking system.When we arrived at the Showground there was a queue of around 200 people for a shuttle bus.My brother in law,who has mobility problems,decided to walk as he did not wish to miss the Ceremony.After a few hundred yards,was unable to continue.We were stranded by the roadside as my husband had no chance of fetching our car,We were saved by a 'Good Samaritan' lady who turned her car around and offered him a lift.I accept that people had parked irresponsibly,and this was no fault of the Arboretum,but couldn't some other way to the venue have been made purely for the shuttle buses? I have awarded the Arboretum 5 stars because it is a unique place,the Field of Remembrance is a revelation to the Fallen,and I will return.Such a shame the unique occasion was not more helpful.
Did they not carry out a sound test at the Memorial the day before.and place more visual enhancements around the site of the Ceremony.
Who authorized a mobile burger van on a site of such dignity,this is not Glastonbury.
Why was the restaurant not more fully staffed,long queues meant hot food had cooled long before diners reached the cash machine.
My most significant complaint is the lack of organisation of the traffic/parking system.When we arrived at the Showground there was a queue of around 200 people for a shuttle bus.My brother in law,who has mobility problems,decided to walk as he did not wish to miss the Ceremony.After a few hundred yards,was unable to continue.We were stranded by the roadside as my husband had no chance of fetching our car,We were saved by a 'Good Samaritan' lady who turned her car around and offered him a lift.I accept that people had parked irresponsibly,and this was no fault of the Arboretum,but couldn't some other way to the venue have been made purely for the shuttle buses? I have awarded the Arboretum 5 stars because it is a unique place,the Field of Remembrance is a revelation to the Fallen,and I will return.Such a shame the unique occasion was not more helpful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited here on the 13th November as part of a coach party, didn't quite know what to expect having visited a large number of WW1 battlefields but from our arrival onward we were made welcome, reception was the only wait we had as there was only one receptionist working but otherwise all good. The restaurant was very impressive with loads of choice and all reasonably priced. The train was well worth booking as it gave us a really good idea of what the arboretum is all about, in all a really moving experience. Our thanks to everyone for the help and respect shown to my Wife and myself.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
