National Memorial Arboretum
Latest Reviews
Our entire extended family of cousins, aunts, uncles and children visited together on a recent sunny Sunday. The perfect place to stroll, enjoy natural beauty, and teach older children a bit about history. It's very touching to see families with veterans there as well. The main monument puts me very much in mind of parts of The Mall in Washington DC, with the huge obelisk and the curving walls that resemble the WWII memorial. Very emotional sculptures of soldiers in wartime at the main monument. Be sure to ask a docent for details on the sculptures; ours pointed out facts that I would certainly have missed. Very glad to have visited.
This is a lovely place, opened in 2007. Unfortunately, we did not get to cover all the grounds. I imagine you could go regularly for a long time before accomplishing that goal. As more continues to grow, it will only get better as an arboretum.
I think it is free, but a fee for parking. Well worth it. Nice gift shop, also a restaurant though we did not go there. There is a lot of walking and many steps up to the monument. Be sure to get assistance in advance if you need it.
This is a lovely place, opened in 2007. Unfortunately, we did not get to cover all the grounds. I imagine you could go regularly for a long time before accomplishing that goal. As more continues to grow, it will only get better as an arboretum.
I think it is free, but a fee for parking. Well worth it. Nice gift shop, also a restaurant though we did not go there. There is a lot of walking and many steps up to the monument. Be sure to get assistance in advance if you need it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This major memorial, attractively located in the flood plain between the Rivers Trent and Tame, is dedicated to the efforts and sacrifices made by many of the people of this nation, and others. There are large and small memorials for the post-WWII period for the armed services of the UK and for nations closely linked to the UK. There are, however, memorials for many civilian organisations and charities, including some for children, and the site thus provides a wonderful commemoration for all those who have served this nation and others. It should be an inspiration to all. The large area contains over 50,000 trees, which divide the site into large and small groves for individual group memorials. There is a small road train which tours the area, with a commentary on the various sites, and smaller buggies are also available. The area is almost entirely open to the elements, but there is an arrival building which provides shelter, refreshments and mementoes, with the mostly-voluntary staff being informative, friendly and helpful. The Memorial is open every day, except Xmas Day, and there is no charge for entry, although a small donation is requested for the use of the car parks.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Arboretum is still a work in progress - especially the planting of the trees and when it is mature it will be truly spectacular. At the moment you get the feeling it is not finished. Very busy on a weekday in May - mostly older people and veterans.
Entrance is free but parking costs £2. It is mostly outdoors and you should plan for poor weather - the self service restaurant was busy, but the food was good value. However there are many other eating options on the road into Lichfield.
Entrance is free but parking costs £2. It is mostly outdoors and you should plan for poor weather - the self service restaurant was busy, but the food was good value. However there are many other eating options on the road into Lichfield.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
beautiful and well worth the visit - you'll be in awe
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
There is nothing to dislike about here. We have had several visits and each time have come away feeling very contented and happy that we had been again. Just waiting to go again. Lovely place to walk about in, nice restaurant and church. Staff always very welcoming and happy to help.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have visited the NMA 7 times now and each time we have discovered more wonderful memorials.
This wonderful place isn't easy to find but is near Alrewas on the A38 7 miles south of Burton-on-Trent.
There is so much to see and it's the location of the National Memorial to all servicemen who have died in service since the second world war. It has an alter upon which the sun shines at 11am and the 11th day or the 11 month each year. Sadly the marble walls are filling up too fast.
The other areas contain, groves, grottos, individulal trees and seats dedicated to others who have died, not all in service but also small children, who were still born or died when very young.
Many organisations are represented, including my R.A.F. training school at Halton, which celebrated its 90th anniversary last saturday with a dedication and a fly past by a Hurricane from the R.A.F. Battle of Britain Flight.
If you haven't visited, please do so you will not be dissappointed.
This wonderful place isn't easy to find but is near Alrewas on the A38 7 miles south of Burton-on-Trent.
There is so much to see and it's the location of the National Memorial to all servicemen who have died in service since the second world war. It has an alter upon which the sun shines at 11am and the 11th day or the 11 month each year. Sadly the marble walls are filling up too fast.
The other areas contain, groves, grottos, individulal trees and seats dedicated to others who have died, not all in service but also small children, who were still born or died when very young.
Many organisations are represented, including my R.A.F. training school at Halton, which celebrated its 90th anniversary last saturday with a dedication and a fly past by a Hurricane from the R.A.F. Battle of Britain Flight.
If you haven't visited, please do so you will not be dissappointed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very interesting place to visit. Larger than you might think from the outside.
Food is ok too.
Food is ok too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a must for anyone who who wants to reflect on what conflict costs in lives. Setting can be bussy but there are many tranquil areas. The gaps for new names mon the maik wall makes you think of what future conflicts will mean in true terms.
wear warm clothes site can be windy.
Small Cafe/tea room.
A place everyone should vist once in their lifetime
wear warm clothes site can be windy.
Small Cafe/tea room.
A place everyone should vist once in their lifetime
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Everything was amazing a truly majical experience. The memorial were very moving and wonderfully designed
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A place to think. reflect and remember.
There are lovely walks, trees, wildlife and places to sit.
Beautifully kept in prestige condition, a sad but lovely place to visit.
There are lovely walks, trees, wildlife and places to sit.
Beautifully kept in prestige condition, a sad but lovely place to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Huge site, quite open until the trees become fully established. A very moving and humbling experience. You need plenty of time to do your visit justice
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
As this is mainly in the open air it can be windy and cold particularly in winter but gives you a perspective of the bravery and sacrifice of our military and civilian forces.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well laid out site & really good interpretation. The memorial wall with all the names of the fallen is just so moving, as are many of the other commemorative items. Wonderful place to visit, makes you really think about what's important. Try and arrive in time for the 11am short service of rememberance. Good cafe for coffee and lunch. Well worth visiting, but the site is very cold and windswept, so choose a nice warm day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the Arboretum in May 2011. Had a family member listed one a memorial in the Northern Ireland section of the park so was visiting to pay my respects but also looking forward to looking at all the other memorials.
The park and visitor centre is a nice, well kept bigger then what I had expected. Alot of people around but it didn't feel crowded. A very peaceful place with lots of small areas you can get away and sit down take it all in.
I don't have my own transport and found it annoying that the centre doesn't run a small shuttle or bus service to the larger towns/cities nearby even if it was for a small fee. As a tourist visiting without a car I don't know how you would get out to the parks location. Luckily I have family in the area and therefore relied on them.
Well worth a visit !
The park and visitor centre is a nice, well kept bigger then what I had expected. Alot of people around but it didn't feel crowded. A very peaceful place with lots of small areas you can get away and sit down take it all in.
I don't have my own transport and found it annoying that the centre doesn't run a small shuttle or bus service to the larger towns/cities nearby even if it was for a small fee. As a tourist visiting without a car I don't know how you would get out to the parks location. Luckily I have family in the area and therefore relied on them.
Well worth a visit !
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
the whole place is so much bigger than I expected. For me the most moving part is looking at the blank walls and thinking that gradually that space will be filled with more names of those who have died, so many in what seems a pointless war.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I took my mother here, really not having much interest or expectation.
How wrong can you be, this place was very interesting, not sad but grand and respectful.
Full of interesting things, lovely people from the second you walk through the door.
Nice little cafe also.
My advice, don't keep driving past on the a38 as I did for years.... It's well worth a visit.
How wrong can you be, this place was very interesting, not sad but grand and respectful.
Full of interesting things, lovely people from the second you walk through the door.
Nice little cafe also.
My advice, don't keep driving past on the a38 as I did for years.... It's well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
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
