National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
-extensive military memorials in well manicured grounds
-large car park, restaurant & shop
-very friendly and helpful guides - most I believe are volunteers
-beautiful grounds and organised memorial sections
-there was more to see than I anticipated
-I arrived at 9am & spent a leisurely 3 hours on site
-early in the morning, I was literally the only visitor around and enjoyed complete tranquility in the woods & glades near the river.
-CAUTION! As the morning matured, the hoards arrived including coach loads of visitors and quickly the ‘magic’ was gone.
-I guess a high population of visitors is inevitable for this venue.
-Nevertheless, I completed my ‘visit objectives’ very nicely & left as the crowds took over.
-Highly recommended - but maybe pick your time of day of visit - if you have that flexibility.
-large car park, restaurant & shop
-very friendly and helpful guides - most I believe are volunteers
-beautiful grounds and organised memorial sections
-there was more to see than I anticipated
-I arrived at 9am & spent a leisurely 3 hours on site
-early in the morning, I was literally the only visitor around and enjoyed complete tranquility in the woods & glades near the river.
-CAUTION! As the morning matured, the hoards arrived including coach loads of visitors and quickly the ‘magic’ was gone.
-I guess a high population of visitors is inevitable for this venue.
-Nevertheless, I completed my ‘visit objectives’ very nicely & left as the crowds took over.
-Highly recommended - but maybe pick your time of day of visit - if you have that flexibility.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited with friends, arrived for the 11am introduction and the Two Mintue silence, which set a wonderful tone for the highly rememberable day. Used the Land Train to fully judge the large site and the wonderful, incredible sculptured memorials to every element of our armed forces allies and ancillary services, who sacrificed their lives for peace and the good of us all.The staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to maintain this most beautiful living memorial for further generations to come. I would love to be young enough to visit in fifty years to see how fabulous the grounds develop.Well done.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Quickly popped in whilst visiting family in the local area. I have visited on a number of occasions and absolutely love this place. What a perfect time of year to visit too, everything is in full bloom and the amazing g sunshine just made it all look perfect. Wanted to visit some particular memorials including the Green Jacket Memorial and the Masonic Memorial.
Free entry which is fantastic but make sure you give a good donation for your memorial crosses or candle as they rely on donations. It’s well worth it.
The cafe offer some amazing cakes too so do try! 😀
Free entry which is fantastic but make sure you give a good donation for your memorial crosses or candle as they rely on donations. It’s well worth it.
The cafe offer some amazing cakes too so do try! 😀
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An excellent opportunity to see what this country stands for. So many memorials to so many amazing societies, charities and communities as well as for the Armed Forces that have served and still serve. We visited to see the newly established Parachute Regiment memorial and were not disappointed. Absolutely breathtaking and most fitting. Beautifully landscaped grounds with excellent accessibility for the majority of people including less abled and disabled. First class cafe and restaurant with reasonable prices and very good service from a very friendly staff. We booked the 'buggy ride' and our guide was full of information that I don't think we would have had from the 'land train' or by simply reading the guidebook (which I would also recommend visitors buying ... lots of pictures, maps and information). We visited on the hottest day of the year so far but the shade of the hundreds of trees and the air-conditioned interiors made it bearable. The availability of mobility scooters/wheelchairs is a wonderful addition to customer satisfaction. I think a cover charge of £5 gave you access to the mobility scooters for the duration of your visit. All the staff - the majority of whom appeared to be volunteers, were pleasant, well informed and very eager to help in whatever way they could. Excellent parking (£3 for the day). All in all a visit I would recommend to anyone of any age. We intend to return in the Autumn to see the changing of the colour of the trees.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited the arboretum due to being in Stafford for the weekend. The staff on reception were very helpful. We hired the audio guides and did the additional exhibition, Landscapes of Life. Excellent and very informative.
We had an enjoyable day out, lots to see and take in, we didn't get round it all in one visit but would definitely return. I would recommend everyone pay a visit once in their lifetime. Very poignant.
We had an enjoyable day out, lots to see and take in, we didn't get round it all in one visit but would definitely return. I would recommend everyone pay a visit once in their lifetime. Very poignant.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I feel it is definately worth planning, especially if you have a special memorial to see.
The volunteers a great, this is my second visit, I brought my Mum and Husband this time. I feel everyone shoud visit to, there is so much to see, it covers all so many topics and items are continually being added. The facilities ar wonderful.
The volunteers a great, this is my second visit, I brought my Mum and Husband this time. I feel everyone shoud visit to, there is so much to see, it covers all so many topics and items are continually being added. The facilities ar wonderful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An excellent day on Wed 20 Jun. Well organised and attentive staff liooked after a large group of veterans and their families who were unveiling a statue to commemorate the African soldiers who served in the King’s African Rifles and East African Forces in WW1, WW2, Kenya and Malaya post war. Food and drink were plentiful and excellent quality. The NMA is a jewel and the visitor’s centre is much improved since recent refurbishments which continue.
Excellent job, well done!
Excellent job, well done!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very interesting legends of football talk & walk.
Guide well informed about all aspects of the subject.
A must for all football fans.
Guide well informed about all aspects of the subject.
A must for all football fans.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Everyone should pay a visit here. Our Service Personal honored in a very special way, along with others who gave the ultimate price of their lives so that we may be Free.. WE should never forget..
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went on a group trip with Members of the Military Welfare and Support Group.
The purpose was to visit the Memorials of The Armed Forces who were killed during their Service.
t was extremely informative, albeit very, very Emotional.
The Memorials and Areas are kept Beautiful, Clean and Tidy.
Also the Gardens themselves are a credit to those who tend them.
The purpose was to visit the Memorials of The Armed Forces who were killed during their Service.
t was extremely informative, albeit very, very Emotional.
The Memorials and Areas are kept Beautiful, Clean and Tidy.
Also the Gardens themselves are a credit to those who tend them.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Tjis was the third time that I have visited the Arboretum.Its always good to see the develolments and improvements.
A wonderfull place to pay homage to those who gave all for our country in mamy different conflicts around the world.
I recomend that all people should visit this place and just take a few minutes to reflect.
The cafeteria offers a good selection of quality food and drinks..
A wonderfull place to pay homage to those who gave all for our country in mamy different conflicts around the world.
I recomend that all people should visit this place and just take a few minutes to reflect.
The cafeteria offers a good selection of quality food and drinks..
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It was a day of surprises. The car park fee was reasonable and visiting the memorial was an amazing experience. The down side was the Sat-Nav directed us onto the M6 toll road for a few miles which cost £4.40!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you haven't visited then you really should.
This is an absolutely fantastic place to visit and extremely thought provoking, all of the memorials spur so many emotions.
This is an absolutely fantastic place to visit and extremely thought provoking, all of the memorials spur so many emotions.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
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
See the many and various memorials to the war effort in the UK
Some lovely tributes
Peace and tranquility
Some lovely tributes
Peace and tranquility
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you are looking for an educational day out with old and young alike - this is the place to go. The inside is fantastic with loads to learn as you walk around and if the weather is good. A walk around all the memorials is very poignant. Don’t worry if you have mobility issues - there’s plenty of transport options to get you around. Loads of friendly volunteers to guide you and give you further insights too. The food is magnificent and the toilets very clean. Definitely recommend a visit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is an amazing experience, thousands of motor cycles get together to remember the fallen. We partake in this every year & it just gets better & better. So much to see, visit & learn about years past & present & about the different battles that have occurred. Everybody is made welcome, old & young & being part of a motor cycle club is like having extended family, just like our servicemen & women.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Peaceful, nostalgic and thought provoking site. Spacious grounds very well maintained. There are numerous memorials to the dedication of hero's from lots of organisations other than military memorials. Everywhere is spotless from entrance, cafe, WC and exhibits.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An excellent memorial.
I defy anyone not to get emotional when one realises how much blank space there is on the Wall, that will gradually fill up.
I defy anyone not to get emotional when one realises how much blank space there is on the Wall, that will gradually fill up.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The national arboretum is very well placed just off the A38 it’s well signposted. There is a mixture of maturing trees and momorials to the armed forces set in the Staffordshire countryside. The only charge there is is for parking it cost us £3 the entrance is in a large building containing a shop,restaurant and reception. You have options to go on a guided tour or hire head phones we just used the free map and explored the expansive site. We said that we would revisit the site in a couple of years time all in all it’s well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really found this an enlightening experience. I was under the impression all the memorials were military oriented but there are many other tributes as well. The place is beautifully kept and obviously the people who work and volunteer there are very proud of their surroundings and treat everywhere with great respect. A must to do whilst you are there is a visit to the chapel at about 10.45am as everyday a service is held at 11am which is only a short service but very moving and a guide will give a really informative talk about the arboretum and how it came together.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The place is quite new, but extremely well set out, and it's amazing just how many different areas of the military there are
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited several times. Although lots of cars never feels crowded. Lots of peaceful areas that is an amazing memorial. The grounds well maintained and paths easy to walk with plenty of seating. Lots of time for thought. Could spend a fair few hours wandering around. It is a stark reminder of those that we lost and that we have a place to remember
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A fantastic place to walk round, so much history. food is great and the staff are always pleasant. Also plenty of things to buy to remind you of your visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Set in extensive grounds, this is well worth visiting whether you have a specific memorial to see or just to wander around. I first took the land train which drives around the main areas/memorials and has an audio commentary. This helped to give an idea of the scale of the site and the location of some of the memorials I wanted to return to on foot. All the staff I encountered were extremely helpful and friendly. The place has a very tranquil atmosphere, is very thought provoking but not sombre.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
