National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
A fitting tribute. Beautiful grounds. Peaceful setting. A place to commerce heroes. Only a flying visit so chose the land train but would return and spend longer. Helpful staff and volunteers. Grounds well maintained and centre was spotless and pristine.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We enjoyed the experience of visiting the Arboretum and decided to have a snack before the journey back. The afternoon tea was just the job. A selection of freshly made sandwich, ham, cheese, tuna and egg were our choice with salad very tasty 😁 Aww then came the cakes and scones with jam and clotted cream. DELICIOUS. All homemade a real treat with a nice hot pot of tea. Would highly recommend and at £17 for two excellent value for money 👍
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is certainly not the place for a fun day out. However, the site is well organised and attractively set out, and it is a poignant reminder of the consequences of war. Those who lost their lives in wars involving Britain since 1914 are all remembered in the vast number of memorials on this site. It is not a glorification of war, however: there is a programme of talks, which includes reference to conscientious objectors and to organisations such as the Quakers.
Admission is free, but parking costs £3, and there is a charge of £7.50 (concessions available) for the use of an audio guide, which also grants entry to the Landscapes of Life exhibition. I’m not a great fan of audio guides, and I didn’t find this one particularly helpful: there seemed to be relatively few locations where one could use it, and it provided information about the physical details of monuments (such as their weight or how long it took to make them) rather than their significance. There is also a larger guide in book form, available at additional cost.
The grounds are spacious and attractive. It was a pity it was so cold on a February day, otherwise we would have explored them further. Inside, the exhibition was imaginative, and catering facilities were excellent, offering light lunches including home-made cake. There is also a gift shop.
Visitors should not miss out on the Millennium Chapel, which depicts how the various Christian apostles met their deaths. It is a working chapel, offering regular services as well as talks. For children there is a small play area, discreetly designed to blend with the character of the venue, rather than in typical nursery colours.
Our visit was an interesting experience, although it is not the sort of venue I personally enjoy visiting.
Admission is free, but parking costs £3, and there is a charge of £7.50 (concessions available) for the use of an audio guide, which also grants entry to the Landscapes of Life exhibition. I’m not a great fan of audio guides, and I didn’t find this one particularly helpful: there seemed to be relatively few locations where one could use it, and it provided information about the physical details of monuments (such as their weight or how long it took to make them) rather than their significance. There is also a larger guide in book form, available at additional cost.
The grounds are spacious and attractive. It was a pity it was so cold on a February day, otherwise we would have explored them further. Inside, the exhibition was imaginative, and catering facilities were excellent, offering light lunches including home-made cake. There is also a gift shop.
Visitors should not miss out on the Millennium Chapel, which depicts how the various Christian apostles met their deaths. It is a working chapel, offering regular services as well as talks. For children there is a small play area, discreetly designed to blend with the character of the venue, rather than in typical nursery colours.
Our visit was an interesting experience, although it is not the sort of venue I personally enjoy visiting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a great experience. I had very few expectations in terms of size and personal impact, so it wasn't hard for those to be exceeded! But it's a wonderful and peaceful place, covering a vast area. I walked over 8km and didn't cover it all by any means. It's well laid out, and easy to navigate, and the audio guide is a bonus.
Wear sturdy shoes because you'll be walking on grass (mud atm) as well as paths.
The NMA is still relatively new and so the trees are not especially mature, making it a little lacking in shelter if there's a cold wind blowing!
Loads of volunteers around to help too.
Good cafe too as a reward at the end!
Wear sturdy shoes because you'll be walking on grass (mud atm) as well as paths.
The NMA is still relatively new and so the trees are not especially mature, making it a little lacking in shelter if there's a cold wind blowing!
Loads of volunteers around to help too.
Good cafe too as a reward at the end!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great place to visit. We will definitely be going back did not get to see all of it so had to choose which areas to to see also great work done by all the volunteers who are a great help.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely place to go to think about all those men and women who gave their lives to defend us. More uplifting than sad
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very emotional, interesting and plenty to see and do. Would highly recommend a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum. Would recommend the restaurant too
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Absolutely brilliant place car parking and mobility parking mobility scooters for hire very low prices facilities are brilliant staff and attendants are absolutely brilliant they can not do enough for you there is cafeteria and restaurant facilities it is a well looked after place well worth the visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a must visit for everyone, poignant, uplifting, sad, grateful, thoughtful, reflective. Oh and it's got a great visitor centre.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the National Memorial Arboretum the weekend after Remembrance Sunday. The site is unique in providing a space for a variety of memorials in honour of a variety of groups. The centrepiece, a wall dedicated to British military lives lost in combat, is the highlight, providing a poignant visual representation of soldiers killed in action.
While access to the site is free, the on-site refreshments are quite expensive. I raise this not to complain, as I expect that funds raised go toward the maintenance of the site, but to let large families know in advance.
While access to the site is free, the on-site refreshments are quite expensive. I raise this not to complain, as I expect that funds raised go toward the maintenance of the site, but to let large families know in advance.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Just an incredible moving experience. Everyone should visit here. It is an extraordinary memorial to all those lives lost over 100 years of war.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Unsure what to expect but very tasteful and peaceful. It gets your mind thinking of how grateful we should be to all the people and animals who lost there lives. Time just disappear while you are there.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wondeful tribute for all those have served in conflicts around the world. Now that the new visitors centre and restaurant has been opened it is definitely well worth visiting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I am a Cocker Spaniel called Mia and I live in Lincoln. My owners take me to the arboretum but I am not allowed in certain parts of the memorials. This is sad because dogs worked very hard in wars, tracing bombs and mines. They looked after their soldiers and stayed by their side protecting them. Many dogs have been killed in action over the years or badly wounded.
I think it is a shame that I can't look at more at the arboretum. I am always on a lead and my owners always 'poop my scoop'. So that my owner can look at everything I stay in the car with my lady owner so he can wander off without us.
Please let dogs in. The owners will keep them on their leads!
I think it is a shame that I can't look at more at the arboretum. I am always on a lead and my owners always 'poop my scoop'. So that my owner can look at everything I stay in the car with my lady owner so he can wander off without us.
Please let dogs in. The owners will keep them on their leads!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A place to celebrate the forces, past, present and future. Lovely to just walk around at your own leisure, a guided tour or walk the dog. Cafe serves excellent homemade food, cakes etc. There's a British Legion shop for gifts and lots more.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the National Memorial Arboretum again with friends taking a guided buggy tour which takes about two hours as there is so much to see with over 300 monuments a volunteer guide is really helpful as they are so knowledgable.
The new Remembrance Centre is spectacular with a thought provoking exhibition area, restaurant, coffee shop, retail and teaching facilities for schools
Apart from all the monuments including the impressive Armed Forces Memorial there are acres of grounds and gardens to see a place to revisit in all seasons
The new Remembrance Centre is spectacular with a thought provoking exhibition area, restaurant, coffee shop, retail and teaching facilities for schools
Apart from all the monuments including the impressive Armed Forces Memorial there are acres of grounds and gardens to see a place to revisit in all seasons
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Memorial Arboretum is stunning.
Ample parking which is £3.00 for the day, the money goes to the Arboretum funds.
The ladies on reception were so friendly and we opted for a 45 minute buggy ride the cost was £5.00 each. Our driver was very knowledgeable and as it was cold blankets were provided for our legs. Afterwards we strolled round on our own. The shot at dawn statue gave me goose bumps the ages of those shot was so young.
We had lunch in the restaurant which was superb, the staff carried my sisters tray as she is disabled lovely touch and very much appreciated.
I can't express strong enough please visit.
Ample parking which is £3.00 for the day, the money goes to the Arboretum funds.
The ladies on reception were so friendly and we opted for a 45 minute buggy ride the cost was £5.00 each. Our driver was very knowledgeable and as it was cold blankets were provided for our legs. Afterwards we strolled round on our own. The shot at dawn statue gave me goose bumps the ages of those shot was so young.
We had lunch in the restaurant which was superb, the staff carried my sisters tray as she is disabled lovely touch and very much appreciated.
I can't express strong enough please visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Easy to park and staff welcoming at the door. There's a £3 parking fee for the day.
The Arboretum is free to walk around but there are other activities available that you need to pay for. The grounds are very well kept and there's probably enough to see to pass on a good hour or two.
There's a cafe/restaurant on site and gift shop for browsing around filled with lovely poppy themed goods.
The Arboretum is free to walk around but there are other activities available that you need to pay for. The grounds are very well kept and there's probably enough to see to pass on a good hour or two.
There's a cafe/restaurant on site and gift shop for browsing around filled with lovely poppy themed goods.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Somewhere that I was keen to visit - and staying a few nights in nearby Leicestershire, I couldn't resist the opportunity to call in. Spent some 3 hours walking the grounds - may have stayed longer had it not started to rain.
Was able to see the memorial to the Somerset Light Infantry, in which my late father served during World War 11.
Was able to see the memorial to the Somerset Light Infantry, in which my late father served during World War 11.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Unfortunately our poignant visit was somewhat spoiled by rude and pushy staff. My husband and I were insulted at the entrance by the elderly tour operator who said we may be considered "stuck up", when we simply said we didn't need a train tour!
The Memorial itself is an extensive, thoughtful and appropriate tribute. However there is a pushy sales approach and negative attitude from some, although not all, the staff.
Obviously I am aware the National Memorial Arboretum is reliant on charitable donations. However, what should be a calm and respectful atmosphere is at risk of becoming a commercialised theme park, with staff who have no regard for customer service.
As an earlier reviewer say, do visit but take your wallet!
The Memorial itself is an extensive, thoughtful and appropriate tribute. However there is a pushy sales approach and negative attitude from some, although not all, the staff.
Obviously I am aware the National Memorial Arboretum is reliant on charitable donations. However, what should be a calm and respectful atmosphere is at risk of becoming a commercialised theme park, with staff who have no regard for customer service.
As an earlier reviewer say, do visit but take your wallet!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The new building is fantastic. The new shop is spacious and well stocked with plenty of interesting ideas. There is now plenty of space to eat and the food is great. Outdoors, it's good to see lots of new memorials. The Armed Forces memorial wall is very moving. Parking is £3, bikes, motorbikes and coaches free.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What an amazing place, so much to see, very humbling. Peaceful gorgeous grounds full of history and rememberence. Highly recommend a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely place to visit. The site is very well maintained and improvements are always been carried out.
Definitely worth a visit to provoke thoughts and gratitude of all the hero's who have died trying to protect us.
Definitely worth a visit to provoke thoughts and gratitude of all the hero's who have died trying to protect us.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A thought provoking, most interesting visit in beautifully landscaped grounds. one day is not enough.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Arboretum has always been in out list if places to visit. On the day we went it was not to busy so we were able to walk around and view the Arboretum without feeling rushed.
The staff of which the majority are volunteers are friendly and helpful and will assist you with any request.
The Arboretum is impressive and humbling as it brings home to you as a person the cost of human life in conflicts since WW2.
It is a place that everyone should visit once.
The staff of which the majority are volunteers are friendly and helpful and will assist you with any request.
The Arboretum is impressive and humbling as it brings home to you as a person the cost of human life in conflicts since WW2.
It is a place that everyone should visit once.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
