National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
A lot bigger than expected. A very poignant experience
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
All I can say is this place should be on the curriculum of every school in the whole of the British Isles. It is a truly wonderful place, so well kept and a thank you to everyone who gave their lives for world peace. I have been to Kanchanbury in Thailand near the River Kwai, and Arlington Cemetery in Washington, this ranks along side them. An emotional must!!!!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Arboretum was brought to our attention when a Falklands Memorial was dedicated and we wanted to fit in a visit during our touring holiday. However, time constraints meant that I had to visit alone while my wife visited Gardeners’ World Live.
Wide paths lead the visitor through beautifully landscaped and designed areas scattered with large and small memorials of many designs and sizes, from those dedicated to small groups to the magnificent Armed Forces Memorial, some of them very innovative and all of them placed with care and beautifully maintained.
Unless you only wish to briefly browse the many memorials a day’s visit won’t prove sufficient and it would be extremely difficult to plan a route without a map (very well designed and £3). This map is also a feature of the guidebook (£6). There’s a very acceptable café and a well-stocked gift shop.
There is a parking fee of £3 (make sure you have change!) and, given that the entrance to the Arboretum is free, I found negative Tripadvisor comment regarding this charge churlish and unnecessary – it seems strange to have such a view without wondering how such a beautiful site is funded and maintained.
Wide paths lead the visitor through beautifully landscaped and designed areas scattered with large and small memorials of many designs and sizes, from those dedicated to small groups to the magnificent Armed Forces Memorial, some of them very innovative and all of them placed with care and beautifully maintained.
Unless you only wish to briefly browse the many memorials a day’s visit won’t prove sufficient and it would be extremely difficult to plan a route without a map (very well designed and £3). This map is also a feature of the guidebook (£6). There’s a very acceptable café and a well-stocked gift shop.
There is a parking fee of £3 (make sure you have change!) and, given that the entrance to the Arboretum is free, I found negative Tripadvisor comment regarding this charge churlish and unnecessary – it seems strange to have such a view without wondering how such a beautiful site is funded and maintained.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very emotional but enjoyable. Well laid out and helpful volunteers.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Bright, clean and looked after. We pnly had a cake and drink but there was a reasonable choice for travellers coming from further afield
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Such a special place,helpful informative staff,plenty of time to talk to you about the Arboretum,and where memorials are,I was looking for the Polish memorial,which is stunning.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a good day out for anyone who is interested in looking at a marvellous array of monuments and memorials dedicated to our lost relatives & friends etc whether it be Army, Royal Navy, Police, Wrens, RAF etc. You name it - there is a memorial for them.
Set in acres & acres of lovely grounds. There is a train which can take anyone round who does not fancy the amount of walking that is required. Nice river walk, A chapel & a couple of picnic areas...make it a good day out for most people - children are welcome, but personally I think they may become a little bored with all the walking. To see it all in one day - you would need at least 5-6 hours. We spent 3 hours there and only saw about a third of it.
There is a restaurant and a gift shop on site.
Please note...
It is free to enter the arboretum - but it is £3 to park your car. You can try and navigate the site without a map - but you do really need one. This costs £3. Guide books are £6 each.
If you use the mini train it will cost you £4.50 each - and you are asked to leave a donation, suggested £5 on exit. The gift shop is also very expensive.
We enjoyed the day - and will return at some stage to see the rest of it...but did not realise there would be so many 'add ons' - so be warned.
Set in acres & acres of lovely grounds. There is a train which can take anyone round who does not fancy the amount of walking that is required. Nice river walk, A chapel & a couple of picnic areas...make it a good day out for most people - children are welcome, but personally I think they may become a little bored with all the walking. To see it all in one day - you would need at least 5-6 hours. We spent 3 hours there and only saw about a third of it.
There is a restaurant and a gift shop on site.
Please note...
It is free to enter the arboretum - but it is £3 to park your car. You can try and navigate the site without a map - but you do really need one. This costs £3. Guide books are £6 each.
If you use the mini train it will cost you £4.50 each - and you are asked to leave a donation, suggested £5 on exit. The gift shop is also very expensive.
We enjoyed the day - and will return at some stage to see the rest of it...but did not realise there would be so many 'add ons' - so be warned.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very modern buildings. Understanding history was emotional
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
On 26th May, The Monte Cassino Society dedicated a memorial at the arboretum. It was a glorious day and the facilities were very good. Staff were very helpful. We had several World war II veterans with limited mobility and they were all catered for.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I had never been to the National Arboretum before so did not know what to expect. I went on the day before I was due there as a guest. It rained hard all the time. It is a place of solace and sirenity. A place to reflect not only on those who are remembered there but on ones own life. It is a place to give thanks and praise. I walked around and saw all those trees and names; all the memorials to brave people. Those people gave their lives for us - like one other I know 2000 years ago.
Ther next day I went back for the COPS (Care of Police Survivors) memorial Service - the sun actually shone! I walked along "The Beat" where a tree is planted for every Britsh Police Force with its plaque near the tree. I attended the service with lots of others, mostly Senior Offgicers in uniform but on this day there was no rank - just fellow officers and survivors of those who died. The Service was very moving and so were the array of Police cars and the Blue Knights (thank you). It was an event of remembering old friends and making new ones; seeing the bravery of the widows who gave their stories and the dedication of the Police Officers who never expect to get killed when they go on duty. The cafe/shop was good too and so were all the facilities.
Ther next day I went back for the COPS (Care of Police Survivors) memorial Service - the sun actually shone! I walked along "The Beat" where a tree is planted for every Britsh Police Force with its plaque near the tree. I attended the service with lots of others, mostly Senior Offgicers in uniform but on this day there was no rank - just fellow officers and survivors of those who died. The Service was very moving and so were the array of Police cars and the Blue Knights (thank you). It was an event of remembering old friends and making new ones; seeing the bravery of the widows who gave their stories and the dedication of the Police Officers who never expect to get killed when they go on duty. The cafe/shop was good too and so were all the facilities.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Pros:
Free entry.
Disabled parking spaces available.
Open daily all year round (9am-5pm (dusk in Winter - closed Christmas Day), last entry 4:30pm).
Over 200 memorials, including the Armed Forces Memorial which honours 16,000 UK Armed Service Personnel who have died in the service of their country since the end of WWII.
Chapel.
150 acres of woodland.
Land train with narrated tour (chargeable).
Visitor Centre includes Arbour.
Restaurant and a well stocked gift shop.
Cons:
Car park is Pay and Display, although signage states "100% of monies raised from these charges support the charity".
Orientation takes a while although map available (£3).
Some paths grassed rather than paved, so it can be uneven underfoot. I'd recommend wearing stout shoes.
Free entry.
Disabled parking spaces available.
Open daily all year round (9am-5pm (dusk in Winter - closed Christmas Day), last entry 4:30pm).
Over 200 memorials, including the Armed Forces Memorial which honours 16,000 UK Armed Service Personnel who have died in the service of their country since the end of WWII.
Chapel.
150 acres of woodland.
Land train with narrated tour (chargeable).
Visitor Centre includes Arbour.
Restaurant and a well stocked gift shop.
Cons:
Car park is Pay and Display, although signage states "100% of monies raised from these charges support the charity".
Orientation takes a while although map available (£3).
Some paths grassed rather than paved, so it can be uneven underfoot. I'd recommend wearing stout shoes.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited in may 2012 ,did not know what to expect but was amazed by the whole place.Not only are there memorials for the armed forces but also for many other things like for example road deaths.
Car parking is only £3 for the day and there are great facilites like cafe,shop and exhibitions.The whole place is beautifully landscaped and there are plenty of places to sit and reflect,picnic or just relax.Everyone should visit this place at least once in their lifetime.
Car parking is only £3 for the day and there are great facilites like cafe,shop and exhibitions.The whole place is beautifully landscaped and there are plenty of places to sit and reflect,picnic or just relax.Everyone should visit this place at least once in their lifetime.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Words cannot really explain this place. Everyone needs to take a visit especially the Younger Generation to learn about what Heroes we have had and will continue to Fall whilst doing their jobs. Speaking to the guides they say it would take 3 full days to see all the Statues /Plaques .We went last year and again today and have still not seen it all. If you go get on the Land Train with comentary which takes a hour for £4.50. Superb Value. If you are not moved by a visit here then nothing will move you.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The central monument is a fitting tribute but also makes one wish for a more peaceful/less violent world.
Placed at the junction of the River Tame and Trent,there is much to explore in this large site.
The volunteers are very helpful and the cafe/restaraunt very well run.
Placed at the junction of the River Tame and Trent,there is much to explore in this large site.
The volunteers are very helpful and the cafe/restaraunt very well run.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really impressive place to visit. A lot bigger than we were expecting. It is a beautiful, peaceful place befitting of its purpose.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We live around 20 miles from the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield and now we have retired we have at last made a visit. In fact we visited two days running!.
On the first day, my husband had arranged to met an old army colleague, who he had not spoken to for 48 years. They spent time together and shared loads of memories, which were both sad and happy. We wondered around many of the memorials and it was a really great day.
On the second day, it was the 19th anniversary of my fathers death and he had been a sailor in the Royal Navy, as a very young man. We had lunch in the Navy Review and my dad would have loved to have been here with us and it felt like he was. He would also have loved the Plant Fair, as he was also a lifelong gardener and there were many unusual plants for sale.
The Arboretum is a unique place and it is a wonderful and easy place to get around. It is a large site covering 150 acres and even though there are a lot of visitors, the place seems very quiet and peaceful allowing people to share their memories. There are scooters available to help people who need them, to get around the site.
I must keep my final comments for the huge army of clearly dedicated volunteers who are working hard to keep the place well tendered and to greet visitors. A big thank you to them for the time and passion that they clearly give to the National Memorial Arboretum, to make it the wonderful place to visit that it is.
There is no admission charge, which in itself is very unusual in this day and age but donations are clearly a necessity and valued. We would recommend a visit to people of all ages, as there is something for everyone and it really is a very rewarding day out.
On the first day, my husband had arranged to met an old army colleague, who he had not spoken to for 48 years. They spent time together and shared loads of memories, which were both sad and happy. We wondered around many of the memorials and it was a really great day.
On the second day, it was the 19th anniversary of my fathers death and he had been a sailor in the Royal Navy, as a very young man. We had lunch in the Navy Review and my dad would have loved to have been here with us and it felt like he was. He would also have loved the Plant Fair, as he was also a lifelong gardener and there were many unusual plants for sale.
The Arboretum is a unique place and it is a wonderful and easy place to get around. It is a large site covering 150 acres and even though there are a lot of visitors, the place seems very quiet and peaceful allowing people to share their memories. There are scooters available to help people who need them, to get around the site.
I must keep my final comments for the huge army of clearly dedicated volunteers who are working hard to keep the place well tendered and to greet visitors. A big thank you to them for the time and passion that they clearly give to the National Memorial Arboretum, to make it the wonderful place to visit that it is.
There is no admission charge, which in itself is very unusual in this day and age but donations are clearly a necessity and valued. We would recommend a visit to people of all ages, as there is something for everyone and it really is a very rewarding day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A well laid out, easily accessible memorial site which brings home the vast expanse of our military and civilian support services. The memorial wall is a site to behold and is so touching to stand in such peaceful surrounding in recognition of all those who have given their life to help protect us and others.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is far more than either a collection of trees or a collection of headstones. The site is vast, and the once tiny trees are approaching maturity. The central feature of the Armed Forces Memorial does perhaps dominate the site a little to much, but as the trees around it continue to mature this sense may well fade. The range of smaller memorials is vast, from the Shot At Dawn memorial via the Polish Memorial to the RUC memorial, with new sites coming on line all the time. There is even a piece of the World Trade Center in the small memorial to New York firefighters.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very moving site. Visited with my father just before he died and was very affected by the Far East exhibition not least as he had served in India during WW2. Fascinating to see a real section of the Burma railway and even more interesting to learn that it was made and forged in the west midlands, shipped out, and has now found its resting place in the place of its birth. The monument to those servicemen and women who have lost their lives since the war is also very poignant. The sun also rises however, as the burgeoning trees demonstrates. Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Me and my partner came here a few months back and didn't know quite what to expect. The place was very pleasantly laid out and was so emotional. The staff were very friendly and eager to answer any questions you have. It has so much information about different wars and eras. An excellent place commemorating some of the bravest people.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited for the dedication of our monument to the troops who lost their lives at Monte Cassino.It is beautifully laid out and vast,There a plaques everywhere so you can read about the people they are dedicated to. If you want to you can purchase artifical poppies to lay or light a candle in someones memory. The staff there are extremely helpful and friendly. you don't have to worry about walking , if like me your legs aren't what they were as they have little carriages to take you round. Although most people go to see a particular memorial I'm sure that they will end up looking at many others, It is not before time that we did something to honour those who make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The first memorial when you go in is for those who died in the Two Towers and it really hits home that this is not just for those who died in the 2 Great Wars but those who have died and continue to die in the service of their countries. I will certainly be going back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
There is a tranquility about this place and it is very moving to see all the names of the people killed in action. The grounds are immaculate.We have certainly honoured the dead here
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Didnt quite know what to expect, but found it both interesting & emotional. Well worth a few hours on a nice day for young & old.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I along with loads of WI ladies ,and a few husbands, from the local branch visited today 24 May 2012,and though we had first visited last September during a coach holiday stop we really enjoyed the whole day.
This time we took a land train costing £4.50 which took us on a hours tour with every place visited explained via a very very informative recording.
One would need a command of English to benefit as no concesion for non english speaking visitors.
I noticed later on that a large number of mobility scooters were avaiIable parked by the main catering establishment.
One could leave the train and then visit an area and wait for the next one to return back to the entrance providing you had purchased a ticket or rather a paper wrist band.
Trains left every hour on the half hour.
This visit had most of the trees in fresh leaf and the Arboretum was busy but not over such.
Food and drink were of a good quality and a good price.
Entrance is free but visitors are encouraged to leave a donation to offset the thousands of pounds upkeep cost every week.
The only downside to visiting is the lasck of sign posts from the motorway,perhaps the local council could enhance this big disadvantage to getting more visitors.
Overall though if the weather is s good as today then it makes for a very enjoyable day out.
This time we took a land train costing £4.50 which took us on a hours tour with every place visited explained via a very very informative recording.
One would need a command of English to benefit as no concesion for non english speaking visitors.
I noticed later on that a large number of mobility scooters were avaiIable parked by the main catering establishment.
One could leave the train and then visit an area and wait for the next one to return back to the entrance providing you had purchased a ticket or rather a paper wrist band.
Trains left every hour on the half hour.
This visit had most of the trees in fresh leaf and the Arboretum was busy but not over such.
Food and drink were of a good quality and a good price.
Entrance is free but visitors are encouraged to leave a donation to offset the thousands of pounds upkeep cost every week.
The only downside to visiting is the lasck of sign posts from the motorway,perhaps the local council could enhance this big disadvantage to getting more visitors.
Overall though if the weather is s good as today then it makes for a very enjoyable day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I really wanted to see the changes to the RAF Halton Grove, as an ex Halton Apprentice, I wanted to see the changes that had been made. It was opened by Lord Trenchard's grandson Viscount Trenchard on the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the Halto Apprenticeship scheme. We also wanted to see the "Red Paw" tribute our son was in the Vet. Corps, and served in N.I. Also my wife's mother was in the W.R.N.S. so we had to see the carving of the Jenny Wren. My Uncle was captured by the Japanese in Burma so we went to see the Burma Star tribute. The whole day was magnificent, with so much to see and do, walking in the woods commemorating boats and individuals from the Navy. The food and beverages were reasonably priced, especially the coffee stall from Australia. The Armed Forces Memorial is a must see experience, the public do not realise how many serving men and women have given their lives since W.W.2.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
