National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
An excellent morning was spent walking around the beautiful grounds of the arboretum, viewing the many memorials, sculpture and touching dedications. This is a large site and it needs good weather really to be enjoyed to the full. The land train is helpful to travel around the site. Entry is free but the exhibition attracts and entry charge. The onsight restuarant is an attractive and welcome feature
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited on recommendation from a friend and I have to say it was a very good and humbling day out. If you are not up to walking all round they do have a land train with commentary as well as guided buggy tours. You will need to go on a dry day as there is no shelter apart from gift shop, restaurant and tea room. It is very well laid out and the paths are very accessible. We were here for 4 hours and did not get to see everything. You can park all day for £3.00 and it is free to get in although you do pay for tours and train. Plenty of benches where you can sit and rest.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went to see the memorial as it is on our door step and have been meaning to go for some time, we went to have a look around all of the memorials. We saw the big memorial to all those who have fallen and we found it quite moving that there are memorials for individual regiments for those who have fallen.
It was quite busy when we were there.
It is worth a visit.
It was quite busy when we were there.
It is worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely day out. Would highly recommend. 4 yr old and 6 yr old also enjoyed it as activities for children too. All the staff we spoke to were very friendly.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our first visit to this place, easy to find using sat nat and plently of sign posts near the attraction. Plently of parking £3 for the day and Free entry to Arboretum. Plently of information on hand when you arrive. Don't bother with the Map at £3 it was a waste of money. Train and buggy tours available if you don't want to walk the vast area. We were looking for particular memorials which we found on site. Would have liked more information about dedication own memorial ie tree or plaque. The memorials are amazing and a must for all age groups.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a fantastic place. Huge amount of history to explore, it would take a good few hours to look at every single thing here! Well maintained with friendly and helpful staff. Big open restaurant, could find a seat and queues were not bad even on quite a busy day.
Source: google.com
An interesting and humbling day out. Very modern, clean facilities, good restaurant and very friendly, helpful staff. I would recommend taking the Land Train and at £5 gives you value for money in seeing a lot of the site - after which you may wish to revisit some of the memorials at your own leisure.
£3 gives you all day parking with no entrance fee, but a donation will help keep this site open.
£3 gives you all day parking with no entrance fee, but a donation will help keep this site open.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We really enjoyed our visit to the NMA and walked around in order to see as much as possible. It was very well cared for and thoughtfully laid out, the memorials were very moving.
Our only worry is that we were told it's set to double in size in the future - might this make it slightly less meaningful?
Our only worry is that we were told it's set to double in size in the future - might this make it slightly less meaningful?
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our second visit; several years and there are more memorials. We took the land train which enabled us to see many of the original and new memorials and learn a bit more from the excellent commentary as we travelled slowly around. We later spent time in the chapel and chatting in the main entrance and plan to visit again, hopefully this hear, taing the opportunity to book a buggy and guide for the whole day so that we can see the entire site in comfort - the current fee for up to 5 people is £125 which is magnificent. The National Memorial Arborerum is a truly "MUST-see"
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had no idea how massive this site was and had only allowed ourselves an afternoon for a visit. I certainly would recommend a little longer if you want to explore all of the different memorials here. We certainly didnt have time to do so while we were here.
One of the things i loved about the Arboretum was the range of different memorials for all aspects of the armed services as well as some others.
It certainly makes you think and reflect on the sacrifices given so we can live as we live today.
One of the things i loved about the Arboretum was the range of different memorials for all aspects of the armed services as well as some others.
It certainly makes you think and reflect on the sacrifices given so we can live as we live today.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Enjoyed a lovely walk around the grounds
Very humbling place. Well kept grounds, some monuments could do with a clean some are green with moss etc
Volunteers were extremely helpful and polite
Parking £3 all day and free entry although a voluntary contribution is asked for of £5 per person
Didn't eat in the restaurant but ordered hot drinks which we thought we pretty expensive for £5 two drinks out of a hot drinks machine not freshly made. Restaurant looked lovely and clean food did look nice with what other people were consuming
Over all a very enjoyable trip out
Very humbling place. Well kept grounds, some monuments could do with a clean some are green with moss etc
Volunteers were extremely helpful and polite
Parking £3 all day and free entry although a voluntary contribution is asked for of £5 per person
Didn't eat in the restaurant but ordered hot drinks which we thought we pretty expensive for £5 two drinks out of a hot drinks machine not freshly made. Restaurant looked lovely and clean food did look nice with what other people were consuming
Over all a very enjoyable trip out
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Whether Military, ex Military or just curious, this is one place you should visit. The new car park is spacious and is a fixed price for the day. The main building has been vastly improved and immediately staff are on hand to advise or direct you as necessary. There is a gift shop and good toilet facilities. The restaurant has a selection of hot and cold food an a selection of beverages at a reasonable price. The 'piazza' has been remodelled and incorporates inlaid stone cap badges and a water feature. The central wall is of course the main feature and is still being redesigned. All areas are disability friendly with a land train available to access the further reaches. Individual memorials are laid out and you may need to enquire at the main building before setting off to find your particular Corps or Arm. It is hard not to think of this as a cemetery even though no-one is buried here. The peace and serenity of the area allows you to reflect and pay respects to those that gave service to this great Country in whatever capacity their job entailed. Vast areas of trees representing individuals surround sculptures and icons. The directing team are always trying ideas from Ride to the Wall, photo studies etc to ensure that future generations will always remember those that have helped shape and defend this Country. The volunteer staff are courteous and friendly and always prepared to assist. I will say again, one not to be missed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really pleased we called here following an overnight stay at Swinfen Hall. Didn't realise it covered such a vast area. Really well laid out, and a must to visit. Absolutely loved the tall round trees, awesome. £3 for all day parking makes it very good value too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Truly wonderful experience. Very humbling. Lovely peaceful place to remember the brave.
Source: google.com
Good place to walk round
Source: google.com
Spent a morning here in bright sunshine although the area is open and therefore quite cold wind blowing at times. There is a lot to see and plenty of walking although they do offer land train and shuttle buggies although these were not available due to maintenance works. Worth asking if you have mobility problems. Allow time to walk around the many memorials. It truly is a marvellous concept. Fitting tribute to those who have given their lives.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I really enjoyed walking around this large site and seeing all the memorials, clearly this is still a work in progress as a lot of trees are still young and need time to establish more.
I found car parking at £3 for the day a little off putting I believe it should be free especially as machines only take cash, if you don't have cash you have to go inside and pay.
All in all glad I went, weather was very good which made the walking all the more enjoyable.
I found car parking at £3 for the day a little off putting I believe it should be free especially as machines only take cash, if you don't have cash you have to go inside and pay.
All in all glad I went, weather was very good which made the walking all the more enjoyable.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Emotional...struggle to put into words how the place makes you feel. I managed to visit the Beat area also and managed to capture an image of a plaque where my colleague was represented.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Give yourself plenty of time for this visit. Everything has been extremely well thought out. The volunteers are very knowledgeable and would recommend that you go to one of their talks. You will not be able to see everything in one visit and I will definitely have to return. The Shot at Dawn memorial very sad, some as young as 16. Sadly the wall of names has over 16,000 names on it already. The chapel has some interesting pieces in well worth going in to even if you are not religeous. Lovely afternoon tea!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
On our way round we were constantly trying to imagine the Arboretum in 15 or 20 years time, when the trees have matured. It will be even more peaceful than it is now. Impossible to see and take in every Memorial in just a day. For personal reasons the Far East Prisoners of War Memorial was the most moving, followed by 'Shot At Dawn '. A wonderful, wonderful day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is well worth a visit beautiful grounds which is fit for the occasion people think this is a sad place not so it gives you a feeling of peace and serenati it has a calming effect and what an honour it befits the names of the fallow. There are lovely walks around the grounds and there is also a cafe to sit and have a drink. Really recommend this place
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely location. Beautifully kept . Dedicated to all who gave their lives in Defence of Our Country, irrespective of Rank or Colour. Plenty of Memorials dedicated to the various Services that served during the wars. Very nice spacious Restaurant serving a good selection of food. It is a very large site.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have visited this place many times through the years from when it was first opened. There are some good walks and plenty of shaded areas we have seen this place grow there is a cafe and coffee shop along with a souvenir shop the new building is looking great
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely sunshine on second visit to the arboretum which remains a quiet place for reflection. The trees are coming along nicely and the high quality buildings are totally in keeping with the feel of the place. The land train is DEFINITELY worth doing, £5 well spent to see a lot of areas and memorials that might otherwise be missed, including the 'Shot at Dawn' memorial (youngest was just 17). That makes you think.
We had a delicious and reasonably priced sandwich lunch and all the staff were helpful and pleasant. Worth a visit by us all.
We had a delicious and reasonably priced sandwich lunch and all the staff were helpful and pleasant. Worth a visit by us all.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very large and fitting for remembrance of all who have served
Source: google.com
