National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
This place is not about sadness. Its a memorial to life and living and educates as well. The experience was moving. The staff there were informative,helpful and friendly. A visit is highly recommended
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Amazing place to visit. Would happily go again. Staff and surroundings excellent.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very clean, pleasent coffee shop, staff very friendly, lovely for an afternoon of tea and cake. yum yum
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What an amazing place! I visited with my Partner, neither of us knew a lot about it - we couldn't get over the size of the Arboretum. There is so much to see, we was there just over 2 hours & only saw half of it. There is so much History, also a few things for Children to do.
Nice Cafe & Gift Shop.
Nice Cafe & Gift Shop.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A great national momument and very moving to visit. Excellent tributes and craftsmanship.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
every child should be taken to the arboretum.It is a moving,beautifully thought out inspiration. The shot at dawn monument, tucked away in a corner to be sensitive, is a must for every visitor. It is a heart searching monument of terrified youth.What would i have done?
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Somewhere we should all visit and show respect. It isn't just for those lost during conflict but for any one we wish to remember. The war memorial is very special and the exhibition about the Japanese pows very moving.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
this is a site of rememberance, for all those who have made this country great. lest we forget.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It has such atmosphere and interest. Even though I have no personal stories as I have not lost anyone close, I felt humbled. I have been a number of times now and still have not seen all of it. my grandchildren liked it too. I have also heard the restaurant is very good.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We must have walked all 150 acres of the arboretum and every step was well worth it. A very moving experience with lots to see. HIghly recommended
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful and very moving and well worth a visit to be made aware of the sacrifces made by young men in some futile wars.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Made you feel humble and upset but proud of the dead even tho you never met them. If you do intend going then go in summer and take a picnic as you could easily spend most of the day there well worth a visit .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Whoever designed this was/is a genius. The idea of the sun shining on to the centre-piece at 11 am 11 November is brilliant.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
lovely peaceful setting.really brings it home just how many people gaver their lives.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely grounds, very moving, well worth a visit, peaceful environment, gift shop and tea room, visited with my grandfather a WW1 veteran who was very well looked after.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
surprisingly moving memorials of some very obscure events in history make a diverse and interesting day out. Don't go for the tree though! The local village of Alsager also has some charming pubs for lunch.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We thought we'd only need a couple of hours, but we were in fact at the arboretum for 5 1/2 hours and we could have stayed longer but we were getting tired! It is a very thought-provoking place, peaceful even when there are lots of people there as there is so much to see and a large site.
Would thoroughly recommend.
Would thoroughly recommend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
the Arboretum is a place where ordinary people,not just family and friends can pay their respects to the fallen personnel whos lives were cut short by conflicts around the world and on British soil .There are monuments,trees, plaques dedicated to those who where involved, on the front lines and behind the scenes.The site is spread out over a few acres but there is a land train that goes round if prefer not to walk.The Chapel is open either for a service,to listen to the guide( well worth listening to how and why it was all set up) or just say your own private prays.When to trees are in full bloom it will enhance this wonderful site. As there is no entrance fee donations are greatly received.Our trip was by coach, but there are good parking facilities .We will be going again
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It is a wonderful but poignant place to visit,and I recommend a visit here for everyone.
The marble monument contains all names of Service Personnel who have died since WW2,and additions are constantly being added especially from Afghanistan.
There are gardens to represent military and civilian persons who also served.These gardens are well kept and extended each year.There is even a piece of the Infamous Railway that the FEPOWS.worked on.
There are facilities for all visitors including electric buggies for the disabled.,at a nominal charge.
It covers a large area and plenty of pleasant walking to see the gardens.You would need to spend a whole day here,but well worth it.
The marble monument contains all names of Service Personnel who have died since WW2,and additions are constantly being added especially from Afghanistan.
There are gardens to represent military and civilian persons who also served.These gardens are well kept and extended each year.There is even a piece of the Infamous Railway that the FEPOWS.worked on.
There are facilities for all visitors including electric buggies for the disabled.,at a nominal charge.
It covers a large area and plenty of pleasant walking to see the gardens.You would need to spend a whole day here,but well worth it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A most moving place to visit. In addition to the comprehensive memorial walls of names, there are themed gardens,most of them beautifully planned, for the different forces and regiments. There is even a small part of the Burma railway in the area representing the War in the East.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I think everyone should visit here at some time in addition to the young trees there are stories behind every memorial and monument, each of which tells a tale of heroism, of sadness of a particular event or campain or just of selfless devotion to duty.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The sheer number of memorials to different organizations is amazing. The main Armed Forces Memorial is stunning. I found relatives names on the walls, and more going on there all the time. It makes you think and contemplate what we as a nation have today.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Whatever your expectations, you cannot fail to be moved and enlightened when you visit the arboretum. It is the ultimate tribute to all who have given their lives in service - not only armed forces, but firemen, policeman etc. We spent roughly 6 hours there and I am sure there are things we failed to see. We walked around but it is possible to take and train around or disabled buggies. I am sure almost everything is suitable for the disabled.
The monuments themselves are remarkable and the central monument takes your breath away - especially if you are lucky enough to see the shaft of sunlight at the eleventh hour! We visited the chapel when there was 2 mins silence and the Last Post. The guide there was very informed on the history of the chapel and there are some wonderful carvings.
We decided to go on a guided walk first and we got lots of wonderful facts that we would never have found out ourselves. But even walking around ourselves later, we found lots of moving things of interest to us - the beautiful carving of the wren, the Shot at Dawn memorial, and the one to the Polish allies.
As other reviews have mentioned the staff are fantastic and very clued up - well worth having a guided tour.
Finally do take some time to visit the Japanese prisoner of war building and watch some of the videos etc. We did shed a few tears and had our eyes opened here at the end of a glorious and fulfilling day.
As already mentioned - the coffee shop is good - food fresh and tasty. Pleasant little gift shop where you can buy a brilliant glossy booklet for £6.99. No entry fee but small charge in car park and donations if you feel able. Little to ask for the upkeep of this national treasure!
It was a bit foggy a lot of the time when we went but still breathtaking - we are going back when the sun shines!
The monuments themselves are remarkable and the central monument takes your breath away - especially if you are lucky enough to see the shaft of sunlight at the eleventh hour! We visited the chapel when there was 2 mins silence and the Last Post. The guide there was very informed on the history of the chapel and there are some wonderful carvings.
We decided to go on a guided walk first and we got lots of wonderful facts that we would never have found out ourselves. But even walking around ourselves later, we found lots of moving things of interest to us - the beautiful carving of the wren, the Shot at Dawn memorial, and the one to the Polish allies.
As other reviews have mentioned the staff are fantastic and very clued up - well worth having a guided tour.
Finally do take some time to visit the Japanese prisoner of war building and watch some of the videos etc. We did shed a few tears and had our eyes opened here at the end of a glorious and fulfilling day.
As already mentioned - the coffee shop is good - food fresh and tasty. Pleasant little gift shop where you can buy a brilliant glossy booklet for £6.99. No entry fee but small charge in car park and donations if you feel able. Little to ask for the upkeep of this national treasure!
It was a bit foggy a lot of the time when we went but still breathtaking - we are going back when the sun shines!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The National Arboretum is an incredible place to visit. Set in beautiful and peaceful countryside it's position is perfect. Memorials to so many brave men, women and children give visitors a chance to reflect and contemplate. A very moving visit for me and a marvel at how vast the site is. The modernised cafe and shop is excellent. The attraction is free but I would urge you to make a donation to keep this National treasure going. There is a charge for parking but to be honest it is worth every penny. My only regret is that I didn't get to visit the chapel. Nevertheless, I will visit again. If you can visit I would advise you to take your time, walk along the river and just take it in. There are facilities for disabled visitors. The central monument is a true wonder.... a true wonder... so many lives lost.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
we had the morning here and definately needed a day, such a magnificent and moving place. Amazing sculptures and dedications to all those who have lost their lives in battle. It just takes your breath away. Admission free and small fee for car park. They rely soley on donations and it COSTS £3000 + A DAY FOR THE UPKEEP. Lots of seats to sit down whilst walking round, there is also a little train you can use to get around with lots of information about what you are viewing. Even gold buggies available to ride in. A really tranquil and beautiful parkland, so much to see. The staff are helpful and friendly and the restaurant excellent and inexpensive food. a must to go and see if you are down this way. truly amazing place and quite emotionally to see and read.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
