National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
I went to the National Memorial Arboretum with my nan and her partner. Upon arrival the car park was presented very well and it was only £3 to park all day with the money going back into the up keep of the Arboretum. The entrance wasn’t far from where we parked and we was greeted by a lovely gentleman ready to tell us a little bit about the arboretum before we carried on through. We decided to go on the land train which was £6 per adult and was very good at allowing you to see where you needed to go for the main memorials you wanted to see. Each and every memorial is beautifully presented and are all special in their own ways. The arboretum is clean and also allows for nature to keep on growing, with beautiful rivers with swans and other such animals living around the arboretum. We was highly moved by this place and it was lovely to be in such a peaceful place remembering those that have passed away. I will be visiting again so i can see more there.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had always wanted to visit and wasn’t disappointed. We’d done our research so knew we had to pay for parking which didn’t seem unusual (I thought £3 for all day was reasonable), we were not harassed to make a donation rather the volunteer did give us advise on what may make a first time visit more informative e.g. opting for the land train rather than a buggy - we’d decided to do that anyway. Agree paying for the map seemed weird but wasn’t over the top, in fact most of the big memorials are signposted so you can get away without one and there is an interactive map in the visitor centre if you need advice or help. Visitor centre is big, clean and toilets are clean. We had soup and a cuppa - good - then headed of on the train. Nice way to get an overview but difficult to take photos but gave us an idea of what we’d go back to. So bought a map and headed out on a 2 hrs walk, plenty of seats and some shelters if the weather is bad. We enjoyed the memorials and the mix and those not just for the Services was unexpected and I think a good touch - it’s is a memorial garden not just an armed services remembrance site. Agree some info on the trees would be good if that’s what your after. Had another cuppa and a cake a look round the shop and left. We were there for about 5 hrs and would recommend it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went here for the first time and had a very humbling experience. Some great memorials around the site. We went on the land train which was a good way of getting round this large arbouretum. The audio on the land train was clear and well presented we didn't feel rushed and had at least 50mins on board. Great value at onky £6.00 per person. Going on the land train you get to see alot of the memorials and that way if you choose to walk back to spend more time at one you can.
Had lunch in the restaurant. Plenty of choice and good quality at reasonable prices. Only £3.00 to park your car for the day bargain!
All in all had a lovely day out here and it would be somewhere I would visit again. To all the staff volunteers and people that donate thank you for keeping this special place open for us all to visit.
Had lunch in the restaurant. Plenty of choice and good quality at reasonable prices. Only £3.00 to park your car for the day bargain!
All in all had a lovely day out here and it would be somewhere I would visit again. To all the staff volunteers and people that donate thank you for keeping this special place open for us all to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A place were all should go to see the sacrifice given to this country's freedom. Free entry to the site there is a car park charge of £3 for the day. However to small on site store inside is closed on a Monday the main shop is open. There is a tour by train but this is expensive.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Scott Vincent, an Amazing day out at Staffordshires National Memorial Arboretum.
Having some spare time on my hands ahead of the launch date for I.S War on the world I decided to visit the National Memorial Arboretum based just some 20 or miles from my home in Staffordshire.
I have to confess the reason behind the visit was my partner recently found some letters and medals which related to her Granddad who was unfortunate to have had died in the second world war.
Being in the RAF Edward S Williams L/AC was stationed in Singapore and apparently from our research he was captured by the Japanese and moved to a “Hell Ship” Suez Maru which was sunk by friendly fire on 29th November 1943. The far east war is something we never hear much about everything seems to centre around Europe and the second world war.
3700 prisoners died on that tragic day when the USS Bonefish Torpedoed the unfortunate prisoner of war ship.
Putting aside our personal reasons for visiting I have to say it was the most poignant day I have had since visiting the war graves in Ypres some years earlier.
From the moment we stepped into the information centre the organisation was amazing with all the staff conversed on the Arboretum grounds and displays within the 150 Acre site.
My only regret was I didn’t spend the whole day there but I will certainly be going back.
Scott Vincent
Having some spare time on my hands ahead of the launch date for I.S War on the world I decided to visit the National Memorial Arboretum based just some 20 or miles from my home in Staffordshire.
I have to confess the reason behind the visit was my partner recently found some letters and medals which related to her Granddad who was unfortunate to have had died in the second world war.
Being in the RAF Edward S Williams L/AC was stationed in Singapore and apparently from our research he was captured by the Japanese and moved to a “Hell Ship” Suez Maru which was sunk by friendly fire on 29th November 1943. The far east war is something we never hear much about everything seems to centre around Europe and the second world war.
3700 prisoners died on that tragic day when the USS Bonefish Torpedoed the unfortunate prisoner of war ship.
Putting aside our personal reasons for visiting I have to say it was the most poignant day I have had since visiting the war graves in Ypres some years earlier.
From the moment we stepped into the information centre the organisation was amazing with all the staff conversed on the Arboretum grounds and displays within the 150 Acre site.
My only regret was I didn’t spend the whole day there but I will certainly be going back.
Scott Vincent
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I had wanted to go here for such a long time. This place is so much more than mere words can express. It's amazing, humbling, emotional and inspiring. I could go on and on but you must go for yourselves. I found memorials from all of my familys Regiments and paid my respects. You need a full day, don't go for an hour, we were there for 7 hours and we didn't see everything. A good pair of walking shoes and a back pack of water will do you just fine. There's a good restaurant and a coffee bar if you wish to eat. Go to the exhibition too not to be missed if just for the leaves and poppies on the floor..... you'll see. Just go....
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My fifth visit since this venue was opened. It just gets better each time. Food was o.k altho' very busy but help yourself salad fresh and palatable. Staff friendly and atmosphere great today on RAF 100th commemoration.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I first visited the National Memorial Arboretum in August 2016, alas heavy rain & didn't see a lot of the site, and at the time the main 43 metre circular 'National Memorial' was closed for maintenance work, so missed that as well.
This time that main memorial that has the names of 16,000 people on it that have been killed since the end of WWII was open - things can't be improving worldwide as it has room for a further 15,000 names. But as a nation, politicians get us involved in conflicts that have nothing whatsoever to do with us. This stone memorial has a slot on the southern side that allows a beam of sunlight to fall on a bronze wreath in the centre at 1100hrs on 11th November.
Another interesting memorial, out of over 350, is in memory of the pointless political killing of innocent military personal suffering from 'shell shock' during the First world war - it's now known as "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" not cowardice.
Of the many civilian memorials, the 'Showmans Guild' memorial adds a bit of colour.
Well kept grounds, regular garden maintenance going on, clean and tidy, free entry but three pounds to park.
This time that main memorial that has the names of 16,000 people on it that have been killed since the end of WWII was open - things can't be improving worldwide as it has room for a further 15,000 names. But as a nation, politicians get us involved in conflicts that have nothing whatsoever to do with us. This stone memorial has a slot on the southern side that allows a beam of sunlight to fall on a bronze wreath in the centre at 1100hrs on 11th November.
Another interesting memorial, out of over 350, is in memory of the pointless political killing of innocent military personal suffering from 'shell shock' during the First world war - it's now known as "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" not cowardice.
Of the many civilian memorials, the 'Showmans Guild' memorial adds a bit of colour.
Well kept grounds, regular garden maintenance going on, clean and tidy, free entry but three pounds to park.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It has been a visit that both my husband and l wanted to do for some time so we made a point of visiting. From the moment we arrived, from the car park attendant to the ladies in the gift shop everyone was so welcoming. I don’t know what l was expecting to see but for me the most striking part was the main memorial. We have visited the war graves of these dear brave men in France and Belgium and its very fitting we should have a memorial in our country. We will be going back and would recommend anyone to visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We regularly go to the arboretum we have seen many changes as it grows
This visit I took my grand daughter with us and she found it interesting
We took the road train around and even we saw parts we have not seen before
We are in the restaurant and food was good value
We will continue our visits as we grow old and hope grand daughter will want to re visit
This visit I took my grand daughter with us and she found it interesting
We took the road train around and even we saw parts we have not seen before
We are in the restaurant and food was good value
We will continue our visits as we grow old and hope grand daughter will want to re visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited with our 3 month old baby, pushchair and 2 dogs. It is only £3 to park for the day which is good.
The dog walk must be popular as they had run out of maps at the box outside the entrance, so we were given a photocopy at reception although we only saw one other dog while we were there.
The start of the dog route is a little vauge as you have to go over grass and through a staff car park which isnt clear (or easy with a pushchair vs kerb stones) luckily my husband spotted a dog route sign across the staff car park.
There are tables outside the cafe so presumably you could sit there with dogs and eat/drink although having not been inside with the dogs we found it had all closed up at 17:03 when we got back.
A slow wander round the route stopping to feed the baby and reading about 70% of the plaques (1 nervous dog so we couldnt stop near men she wasn’t comfortable with) took us about 2.5hrs which was just about right between naps.
It is very peaceful and a nice way to spend an afternoon.
The dog walk must be popular as they had run out of maps at the box outside the entrance, so we were given a photocopy at reception although we only saw one other dog while we were there.
The start of the dog route is a little vauge as you have to go over grass and through a staff car park which isnt clear (or easy with a pushchair vs kerb stones) luckily my husband spotted a dog route sign across the staff car park.
There are tables outside the cafe so presumably you could sit there with dogs and eat/drink although having not been inside with the dogs we found it had all closed up at 17:03 when we got back.
A slow wander round the route stopping to feed the baby and reading about 70% of the plaques (1 nervous dog so we couldnt stop near men she wasn’t comfortable with) took us about 2.5hrs which was just about right between naps.
It is very peaceful and a nice way to spend an afternoon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were staying close by and spotted the sign to this attraction on the motorway. Looked up the details and decided it was well worth a visit. You only have to pay £3 to park all day and then entrance to the Arboretum is free although there are other exhibitions within the centre that charge admission. It is obviously a work in progress and you have to accept that it is an Arboretum not a Museum. Lots of interesting memorials but you wneed to allow the whole day to explore all of the site.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and were surprised by the size of the site and variety of memorials. We didn't take the land train but made our own way around the site. A better map, with a list of the memorials with their grid coordinates would have helped and would have resulted in a 5 * rating. Having said that the staff were very helpful and were able to guide us to the specific sites we wanted to see. The main memorial is very impressive and some of the smaller exhibits/statues/memorials were equally well executed.
Entrance is free. Parking is £3. The land train was additional as were a few exhibits but we focussed on the main site where there was so much to see. We spent about 5 hours here. There is a nice reasonably priced cafe.
It is a large site, predominantly outside.
Entrance is free. Parking is £3. The land train was additional as were a few exhibits but we focussed on the main site where there was so much to see. We spent about 5 hours here. There is a nice reasonably priced cafe.
It is a large site, predominantly outside.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you can visit please do so. Its such a beautiful place. So quiet and sombre. You don't realise the loss of war sometimes but this really does open your eyes to the those who lost their lives for our country. Be it the army, police and many others they are all rembered here. I did break down at one point looking at the young ages of those in the 1st and 2nd world wars. Fighting for their country but never having lived their lives.
Please make some time to visit the auditorium it's well worth it.
Please make some time to visit the auditorium it's well worth it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went with the presumption that this was a military memorial, perhaps because of their publicity which shows only military, but it's much more than that. We were there soon after it opened on a Thursday morning, and had much of the site to ourselves for the first hour or so.
So much to see, and much to think about.
So much to see, and much to think about.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a well laid out and well looked after tribute to our service men & women from past to present.
We had been told how nice it was here and came to look for ourselves.
The whole place is lovely. The staff are friendly & knowledgeable. We spent a good few hours walking round and still didn't see everything.
Well worth a visit or 2!
We had been told how nice it was here and came to look for ourselves.
The whole place is lovely. The staff are friendly & knowledgeable. We spent a good few hours walking round and still didn't see everything.
Well worth a visit or 2!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our first visit to the National Memorial Arboretum, and I found the place to be an incredible tribute to the members of the British Armed services and other support services. The area is beautiful, moving and inspirational all at once. I was particularly moved by the Armed Forces Memorial which rises up on a mound near the middle of the arboretum with the names of some 16,000 men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty since the end of WWII in 1945, including the name of Fusilier Lee Rigby murdered in the line of service near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich. Please visit and support the National Memorial Arboretum as your duty to those men and women who paid the ultimate price carrying out their duty for all of us.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is an excellent well kept Memorial Ground.We took the little train around as there was so much to see .We landed on the day the Countess of Wessex was at an opening ceremony and it was great that we chose that day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Been meaning to visit the NMA for a while now, wished we had been before, free entrance but donation boxes are around so you can put well deserved donations in. We took the land train around which was excellent was shown many of the memorials, good for people with difficulty in getting around. NMA provide wheelchairs not sure of charge though. Friendly and very knowledgeable staff most of which are volunteers. This place is so worth a visit, 100% nothing negative to say.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We often visit the Arboretum, many of my old Comrades and some of our Friends sadly have their names on the Walls and Stone here, it is emotional sometimes for us. This is a place that was long over due for Great Britain, not just for its Armed Forces but so many other organisations including Charities, Police, Ambulance, Fire and hundreds of great groups and individuals. A visit here should be made by everyone at sometime in their lives, you won't be disappointed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We called here on a coach holiday and were not sure what to expect. it is a very special and moving place, some of the tributes almost reduced me to tears, lots of varied memorials and places to enjoy quiet reflection. Just sorry we didn't get time to go on the land train and learn a bit more. I would really like to go back. Very friendly and helpful staff too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had wanted to visit the NMA for a long time but were just never in the area. A visit for a long weekend to derby provided the idea opportunity, and what a memorable day it proved to be.
Plenty of parking, a restaurant, coffee shop, land train and a well stocked shop was just the beginning of 5 hours at this remarkable place.
The arboretum is laid out so all the memorials can be viewed with ease, from the small personal tributes to the massive armed forces centrepiece, and hundreds of others dotted all over the grounds. Plenty of benches mean there are plenty of opportunities to sit and reflect, admire the memorials, or just relax. the river Tame runs through the grounds and we found it a delight to sit on its banks and watch the wildlife.
It was humbling to watch so many veterans pay private tribute to fallen comrades during our visit.
Plenty of parking, a restaurant, coffee shop, land train and a well stocked shop was just the beginning of 5 hours at this remarkable place.
The arboretum is laid out so all the memorials can be viewed with ease, from the small personal tributes to the massive armed forces centrepiece, and hundreds of others dotted all over the grounds. Plenty of benches mean there are plenty of opportunities to sit and reflect, admire the memorials, or just relax. the river Tame runs through the grounds and we found it a delight to sit on its banks and watch the wildlife.
It was humbling to watch so many veterans pay private tribute to fallen comrades during our visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The staff, mostly volunteers were very pleasant and helpful. We got there in time for the 11.00am memorial service and then took the land train round the vast site. Most of the beautiful memorials are to various branches of the armed forces though some are to organisations such as Inner Wheel.
The exhibition is most interesting and we had an excellent snack in the cafe.
The exhibition is most interesting and we had an excellent snack in the cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It's amazing. Suggest arriving at 9.30, get 10am train round to get a feel, back in time for 2 minutes silence in chapel at 11, then explore. The restaurant is excellent. You will need at least 3-4 hours just to see the minimum
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Free entry into this fabulous place. You pay for private exhibitions and train and buggy rides. 150 acres of memorials for all. Plenty of seats and picnic areas. So beautiful. Dogs are allowed but must be kept to paths, they are not allowed on grass or the memorials. Overall we were very very impressed. All of this done with donations and charitable work, just brilliant. We were a mixed family group 6 1/2 to 71 and we all loved it , take 2 days if you want to absorb it all. We will be back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
