National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
A lovely place to visit and reflect on this wonderful memorial to those who have given their life in the Armed Services, Emergency Services etc.
Wear sensible shoes as it covers a huge area with many paths but often you need to go over grassy areas to get to some of the memorials.
A great visitor centre with a nice cafe.
Friendly and informative staff and volunteers.
Free entry but donations welcome.
Well done Royal British Legion.
Wear sensible shoes as it covers a huge area with many paths but often you need to go over grassy areas to get to some of the memorials.
A great visitor centre with a nice cafe.
Friendly and informative staff and volunteers.
Free entry but donations welcome.
Well done Royal British Legion.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well laid out in attractive setting , free entry, £3 parking but well worth it to help maintain this must see memorial arboretum ,good facilities with cafe .Worth taking the on site train to help you with your weary legs there is a charge for this but again worth it .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Such a calm, clean and respectful place for remembering the fallen. The memorials are all spectacles to be seen and walking down beside the river is so peaceful! The land train is brilliant and anyone who works there are all very knowledgable
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I knew nothing about the place when we arrived but was most impressed with the helpful staff, the road train and all the information available. very peaceful and moving.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have no direct connections to any institution, or person remembered here that we know of. However, to see all the names on the walls in the central memorial is moving and so thought provoking, I can't imagine anyone not being moved in some way. For any distance more than a few metres, my wife has to be in a wheelchair, but it's so easy to get to the top of this memorial with the gently sloping spiral path around the memorial taking you to the top, and the gentle slope makes it possible to push an adult up without the career being worn out.
Good paths are laid out around the site, but many memorials are deep into the grassed areas making it impossible to push a wheelchair to most of them. That said, it would spoil the look and feel of the place if any more paths were put in (let alone the prohibitive cost). The site is so large that it's almost impossible to cover the whole site in one visit, especially if you stop to look at some of the memorials.
The new visitor centre is a huge improvement on the old, and we were able to get a good, tasty lunch there.
This is somewhere everyone should visit, it's a great walk, there are areas for kids, a land train covering the majority of the site, and chauffeured buggies available. Pick a dry day though, apart from the main centre, there is little shelter from the rain.
Good paths are laid out around the site, but many memorials are deep into the grassed areas making it impossible to push a wheelchair to most of them. That said, it would spoil the look and feel of the place if any more paths were put in (let alone the prohibitive cost). The site is so large that it's almost impossible to cover the whole site in one visit, especially if you stop to look at some of the memorials.
The new visitor centre is a huge improvement on the old, and we were able to get a good, tasty lunch there.
This is somewhere everyone should visit, it's a great walk, there are areas for kids, a land train covering the majority of the site, and chauffeured buggies available. Pick a dry day though, apart from the main centre, there is little shelter from the rain.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our friend was a member of the RAF so we had to visit this memorial. It is a fantastic site to visit but expect to be all day as there is much to see and a lot of history to learn.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well what an experience absolutely stunning, a must is the train as it tells you where each memorial
Of from each service. This place is immaculate and you must visit!
Of from each service. This place is immaculate and you must visit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spent an afternoon here but could have stayed longer. Do take the little train for a guided tour. Plenty of walking and lots of memorials to see.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Took parents over as they were over from Spain and they have never been and what a remarkable place everyone should visit at least once though it's an evolving place and much to see
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really beautiful respectful place. Lots to see and learn,so good for all ages. Good cafe. Can get a bit busy at times.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A fitting tribute to those who gave everything for us. Well kept by numerous volunteers and employed. Usually something special happening
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a fitting tribute to our fallen.
Stunning architecture & sculptures spread over acres of beautifully landscaped and themed areas.
A modern information centre with helpful workers who really care.
You are able to take your dog around the outer perimeters on leads.
On my first visit we walked over 5 miles but there is a train that can take you around some of the main areas.
Stunning architecture & sculptures spread over acres of beautifully landscaped and themed areas.
A modern information centre with helpful workers who really care.
You are able to take your dog around the outer perimeters on leads.
On my first visit we walked over 5 miles but there is a train that can take you around some of the main areas.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Friends took myself and my wife to the NA. Apart from the sheer number of memorials to visit, the shop, amenities, cafe and restaurant were all very good - the place was immaculately clean and well cared for. My first and main impression was of relief - I'd feared that the whole thing would be mawkish, sentimentally nationalist, and verge on the bombastic. It was considerably more restrained and respectful. I still find it odd that it is a collection of memorials - there are no actual burials - and that somehow sums up my innate reservation about the place. It is a stage set for eliciting memory and feeling, tactfully left for the visitor. What bubbles up is left to them. But a little unnerved to find the Orange Order were visiting on the same day. With so much bubbling and seething away in the UK today, I was not so surprised to hear that a visitor attraction built to cater for 30,000 people a year was now receiving 300,000 visitors a year. However one feels about it, a place that captures the zeitgeist.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My first visit to this unique place for the Dedication of RAF Photographers Memorial paviour in Hero's Square.
A wonderful peaceful place, staff brilliant clean and well ordered
A wonderful peaceful place, staff brilliant clean and well ordered
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Attended the Memorial for the Cyprus Stone - laid 21st August 2016 to remember Armed and Police Forces killed by Greek terrorists during the 50's and 60's. Well worth a visit, and spending some time seeing so many memorials to the fallen in so many different fields of conflict. Gives one pause for thought.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Simply put - well worth a visit. Thought inspiring, emotional yet wonderful place to visit. Clean, very reasonably priced and the memorials are fitting to each and every Service or category as this isn't just about the Armed Forces. My 14 year old son was engrossed.
Take some comfy shoes though as this place is huge and is getting bigger by the day. Great historic landmark makes you proud to be British and is a lovely gesture for the sacrifices given.
Take some comfy shoes though as this place is huge and is getting bigger by the day. Great historic landmark makes you proud to be British and is a lovely gesture for the sacrifices given.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A well maintained and presented arboretum. Over 300 thought provoking exhibits. Lots of variation to keep your interest. Even a mini assault course for the younger ones. Interactive exhibits.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A fantastic location with a wide range of very fitting memorials.
Staffed by dedicated and passionate volunteers.
If you're in the area or just passing make sure you drop in.
Staffed by dedicated and passionate volunteers.
If you're in the area or just passing make sure you drop in.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our second visit as we wanted to see the main memorial as it was cordoned off for maintenance when we visited the previous year. Still cannot believe how peaceful and relaxing it is. Very thought provoking in some areas and always informative. The new visitors centre is fabulous. Staff are excellent and we got to fill our water bottles for free which was most welcome on such a hot day. Must bring our grandchildren.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My dad has been wanting to visit the memorial for a while, WOW what a place!! This is a fabulous memorial to remember those that have lost their lives in the line of duty. It's far bigger than we imagined so give yourself plenty of time to walk round the grounds/memorials.
We stayed for lunch, the fish & chips was very nice, unfortunately this didn't leave room for a piece of cake 🍰 and there's a gift shop on the way out!!
This is a definite must see, wish we'd visited sooner!!
We stayed for lunch, the fish & chips was very nice, unfortunately this didn't leave room for a piece of cake 🍰 and there's a gift shop on the way out!!
This is a definite must see, wish we'd visited sooner!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We didn't really know what to expect, so we came to see for ourselves. We were amazed at the extent of the area it covers, seemingly reclaimed land. The absolute MUST is to take the land train (£6), the commentary is extremely informative, I don't think we would have gained so much of an understanding about the place had we not done so. We thought we might be able to find the names of relatives who died in WW1, but quickly realised that it is a memorial for people who have died since WW2.
There are many, many memorials to various organisations and regiments - all of which are clearly well thought out. Most poignant is 'Shot at Dawn' sensitively placed at the most eastern edge of the site so that it catches the first rays of morning sunshine.
I'm sure we'll visit again.
There are many, many memorials to various organisations and regiments - all of which are clearly well thought out. Most poignant is 'Shot at Dawn' sensitively placed at the most eastern edge of the site so that it catches the first rays of morning sunshine.
I'm sure we'll visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our first visit to this memorial and it was an extremely moving experience. Found myself quite tearful at the "Shot at Dawn" memorial! The trees and the memorials were beautifully maintained with thought provoking designs. As well as the main sculpture memorials, every tree seems to have a plaque dedicated to an individual by their family and friends. A lot of walking is involved but there is a road train and there are also buggies available to give a ride up to the main memorial. We would advise picking up a free map which shows all the memorials as some can be a challenge to find if you try to follow the sign posts. Nice little coffee shop and there is also a large restaurant. Staff were pleasant and helpful. £3 car park charge, entrance is free but donations can be made. Definitely intend to go back as there was too much to see in the half day that we had. A place for the nation to be proud of!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited on a group outing . An amazing place paying respects to all those who has sacrificed their lives to keep the world safe. Had a walkabout to start. Would recommend a trip on train you get a commentary of memorials passed so can go back later walking. Staff friendly and helpful. When you have walked yourselves out. Visit restaurant . We had afternoon tea in founders room. Had plates of various sandwiches, fruit and cakes put tea or coffee . Staff friendly and helpful.
Well worth visiting.
Well worth visiting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Amazing place a must visit on anybody's list...nice food friendly staff...lovely and reflective place to walk around ..can get busy on weekends ..no entry fee but donations welcome..
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited whilst in the area and so glad we did.
The location is beautiful and poignant.
It is set over a large area so be prepared for plenty of walking to get around it all.
Parking is £3 per day and entry is free.
The land train was expensive at £15 for a family of 4.
The location is beautiful and poignant.
It is set over a large area so be prepared for plenty of walking to get around it all.
Parking is £3 per day and entry is free.
The land train was expensive at £15 for a family of 4.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
