National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
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
this place was wonderfully kept, it's flat and well laid out easy to negotiate for disabled visitors, a fitting place and location to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live in the freedom that we now are accustomed to. for too long the brave and selfless members of our armed forces have been overlooked and even forgotten, the memory of all our forces is deserving of such a magnificent place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The number and diversity of the monuments is fantastic. There are so many different hidden stories. This is one of those places you will find something new each time you visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Recently visited having read and seen so much about it. Well worth a visit for so many many reasons
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A most amazing place to visit, and to reflect of the "ultimate sacrifices" given in our name.
The centre is beautifully laid out, with splendid facilities for the disabled. Our volunteer guide was so knowledgable, well worth waiting for a tour.
Entrance is free but there is a charge for the car park.
The centre is beautifully laid out, with splendid facilities for the disabled. Our volunteer guide was so knowledgable, well worth waiting for a tour.
Entrance is free but there is a charge for the car park.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a big site with lots of memorials to different regiments. Thought the central area was stunning
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Not the place to go if you're looking for a fun day out, but don't let that put you off. It's a wonderfully peaceful location which gives you the time and space to reflect on those who gave their lives in the service of this country. It's well maintained and the staff are friendly and helpful while retaining the right sense of dignity which the place demands. Give yourself plenty of time to wander through the grounds which are fairly extensive.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It's surprising just how much there is to see and do, I've been a few times now and still not seen it all. I can highly recommend the scones in the cafe, but get there early to avoid disappointment :)
Always worth checking if there are any special events on as parking can be difficult at busy periods.
Always worth checking if there are any special events on as parking can be difficult at busy periods.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well worth a visit. Educational for the children but also just a really nice place to spend half a day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The lay out is remarkable. A great memorial. Nice resterant and tea room to have a break in.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful, inspiring and thought provoking place to visit. So peaceful and so well laid out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The memorial arboretum is a beautiful tribute to those who have lost their lives in the armed forces and many other services. It covers an area of 150 acres and is laid out in areas specific to each service. The central memorial wall is a stunning stucture and all the gardens are carefully thought out and well tended. We took the road train which slowly travels around a small part of the arboretum and gives a commentary on each area. This was excellent and we learnt many things we wouldn't have known from just walking round. Please visit the National Memorial Arboretum if you have the chance. You will be stunned by the size, tranquility and emotional atmosphere and will leave feeling humbled and astounded by the number of brave people who have lost their lives in service. Although there is no charge for entry, voluntary donations are welcomed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I often saw this on TV and decided to go there with my family. It a place where the war dead hero are named on the wall, sad and sombre place but honour it. Too many have lost thier lives. It had nice gifts shop, blind garden and Cafe. You could spend all day there walking in big fields. And think about How precious life is
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We are regular visitors to this memorial but everyone should visit this at least once to walk around the well kept grounds and to reflect on so much that has happenend and is still happening. Whilst there is naturally an emphasis on the armed forces , there is so much more here in regards to memorials of all sorts of organisations and it has an air of peaceful tranquility to it that can take you away from the everyday rushing aorund that many have ( and the refreshments are nice too!) It is best viewed i believe on a dry warm day as the majority is outdoors,
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spent a whole day here as there are many, many memorials to see spread over a large area and had not realised there were so many not connected to the military as well.
I found the main memorial , the chapel and the Burma Railway memorial and exhibition particularly inspiring and moving.
The walks and views are beautiful and there is a peaceful atmosphere throughout
There is a land train for those who would find all the walking difficult and a play area for children.
On arrival guides meet everyone and explain what there is to see and will help you find anything particular you are looking for. All the staff seemed very knowledgeable and helpful.
There is no admission charge but donation boxes instead, however you do have to pay for parking.
There is a high quality gift shop and a cafe selling good homemade cakes, snacks and hot meals. My only criticism would be that having walked around non stop for 5 hours we arrived at the cafe at 4.25pm (arboretum closes at 5pm) to find it had already closed. I can understand them not serving cooked food by that time in the day but unreasonable that you couldn't purchase a drink and a cake or biscuit until 4.45 ish. We came away hungry and thirsty for our two hour journey home and had to set about finding somewhere to eat on the way which rather spoilt an otherwise lovely day out.
I found the main memorial , the chapel and the Burma Railway memorial and exhibition particularly inspiring and moving.
The walks and views are beautiful and there is a peaceful atmosphere throughout
There is a land train for those who would find all the walking difficult and a play area for children.
On arrival guides meet everyone and explain what there is to see and will help you find anything particular you are looking for. All the staff seemed very knowledgeable and helpful.
There is no admission charge but donation boxes instead, however you do have to pay for parking.
There is a high quality gift shop and a cafe selling good homemade cakes, snacks and hot meals. My only criticism would be that having walked around non stop for 5 hours we arrived at the cafe at 4.25pm (arboretum closes at 5pm) to find it had already closed. I can understand them not serving cooked food by that time in the day but unreasonable that you couldn't purchase a drink and a cake or biscuit until 4.45 ish. We came away hungry and thirsty for our two hour journey home and had to set about finding somewhere to eat on the way which rather spoilt an otherwise lovely day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Personally I'm glad I went on my own for the first time because it gave me quiet time to reflect and think about the meaning of it all. I was surprisingly emotional.
It's got a lot of growing to do and I mean years and not just trees, but the reason for it being there is very apparent. There is a nice river side walk and its good for photography.
Winter car parking is half the price of summer parking. The restaurant is very good and a suitable little shop for momentos. They really would like a descreet donation - but you don't have to. At least buy a map though.
It's got a lot of growing to do and I mean years and not just trees, but the reason for it being there is very apparent. There is a nice river side walk and its good for photography.
Winter car parking is half the price of summer parking. The restaurant is very good and a suitable little shop for momentos. They really would like a descreet donation - but you don't have to. At least buy a map though.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely place to go and think and reflect on the sacrifice of war. Nice tea shop too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were in the area and saw the brown signs advertising the location of the National Memorial Arboretum. On the spur of the moment we decided to see it, haven't often talked about doing so. So we arrived totally unprepared, on a misty freezing cold and icy February afternoon. Wow are we pleased that we did! Even in such awful weather the atmosphere was incredible. The site is extensive, over 150 acres and has good facilities, Conveniences are bright and modern and immaculately clean There is a welcoming and pleasant coffee shop serving a very reasonable range of food including afternoon tea and hot soup with crusty rolls. The hot chocolate was lovely! The site is largely landscaped and walkways are wide and flat/ There are shallow steps up to the main memorial but alternatively a spiral walkway if steps are difficult. I had thought that as this area is relatively new, it would lack atmosphere; I could not have been more wrong! The sculptures are stunning and the sight of all of those names carved around the circular walls was deeply moving and brought an unexpected tear to my eyes. There are various individually designated areas all beautifully kept and set out in logical order. We visited the Burma Star area for family reasons but there is definitely something for everyone here. Entry is free and parking very reasonably priced by season from £1.50. There is a giftshop and even facility to walk your dog. The Arboretum operates a 'Friends' scheme too. Open every day except Christmas day. Well worth a visit for everyone and a source of great and deserved local-and national- pride.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the NMA last weekend and was very impressed by the helpfulness and welcoming attitude of all the staff, especially on such a cold day.
We spent several hours walking round the different memorials and looking at the trees. The main memorial is particularly poignant and stunning.
Thanks to all the staff for making it a very special day.
We spent several hours walking round the different memorials and looking at the trees. The main memorial is particularly poignant and stunning.
Thanks to all the staff for making it a very special day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have been there 4 times now, and there's always something new to see. Took my Mum (ex Wren) and step-Dad (ex RAF, involved in the Berlin Airlift) there and they loved it. The fact that it's free entry is an added bonus.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
