Local Reviews
In April 2015, Susan W said about National Memorial Arboretum
We visited with friends from the Walsall branch of NHS Retirement Fellowship. We attended the introductory talk in the chapel by Martin, he was very knowledgable and gave us some pointers for our visit.
We joined the Land a Train trip around the site, listening to the commentary was well worth the £5 fee. Next time we'd like to try a guided buggy tour for the same cost.
We then had afternoon tea in the Arbour Restaurant before enjoying a trip into the gift shop, they have a lovely selection of poppy focussed gifts.
I can recommend following the "brown signs" off the A38 and paying the £3 car parking fee, it's well worth a visit
We joined the Land a Train trip around the site, listening to the commentary was well worth the £5 fee. Next time we'd like to try a guided buggy tour for the same cost.
We then had afternoon tea in the Arbour Restaurant before enjoying a trip into the gift shop, they have a lovely selection of poppy focussed gifts.
I can recommend following the "brown signs" off the A38 and paying the £3 car parking fee, it's well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In April 2015, Clifford C said about National Memorial Arboretum
As an ex Guardsman, of course I am interested in military history and the sacrifice of the many who gave their lives for us. The Arboretum is superb, the grounds are kept in immaculate condition and there is a site for just about every regiment and society that was involved in the wars. The site is well laid out with beautiful walks, and if you are not so nimble on your legs there are many other forms of transport to take you around the site. We had lunch in the restaurant on site and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food and drink. All the staff were helpful and the chapel services were very moving. We will return again to see the remaining parts which we had no more time to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2015, Pbleicester said about National Memorial Arboretum
Excellent in many ways.
The car park was full but the extended one was just a few mins from the entrance.
We took our 5 year old grandson to see the 150 memorials and participate in one of the ceremonial VE events. There was a train ride too which cost £5 but was worth it as it takes 50mins to circumnavigate around the place. I was fascinated by the amount of memorials and that more and more are being added each year. There is a decent restaurant indoors which had a range of meals and also great Bloomer Sandwiches. We had a delicious cake and tea in one of the tents too while a jazz player was serenading the audience. No fee to enter but £3 for parking so a great deal really considering everything.
The car park was full but the extended one was just a few mins from the entrance.
We took our 5 year old grandson to see the 150 memorials and participate in one of the ceremonial VE events. There was a train ride too which cost £5 but was worth it as it takes 50mins to circumnavigate around the place. I was fascinated by the amount of memorials and that more and more are being added each year. There is a decent restaurant indoors which had a range of meals and also great Bloomer Sandwiches. We had a delicious cake and tea in one of the tents too while a jazz player was serenading the audience. No fee to enter but £3 for parking so a great deal really considering everything.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2016, xxxculturedPortugal said about National Memorial Arboretum
If you are able to spend the whole day here, I recommend taking first of all the train (fee), which will take you all around the park. This way you will get a good idea of where you would like to return to. The park is vast and depending on your mobility and time available you may not have the oportunity to cover all in one visit. At 11am there is a small service in the chapel followed by an informative talk. There are volunteers on hand from the moment you step into reception until the time you leave. They are all over the park and will answer your queries especially if you are looking for something specific.
The restaurant is well recommended and not expensive. Good home-syle food and well served.
Definitely a place one should visit.
The restaurant is well recommended and not expensive. Good home-syle food and well served.
Definitely a place one should visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In February 2018, Denise M said about National Memorial Arboretum
Having had this on our 'to-do' list for ages, we chose perhaps the coldest but brightest February day to cross it off. Make sure you have enough pound coins for the car park as the card reader is necessarily in working order. Having said that, we were told that as long as we made a donation of the price of the car park during our visit we would be OK.
Incredibly peaceful and well laid out with beautiful, thought provoking sculptures. The 'Shot at Dawn' memorial is an incredibly emotional work of art - you can't help but be moved.
Coffee and cake in the restaurant was nice and the toilets very clean.
Would like to visit again and see it as the seasons change.
Incredibly peaceful and well laid out with beautiful, thought provoking sculptures. The 'Shot at Dawn' memorial is an incredibly emotional work of art - you can't help but be moved.
Coffee and cake in the restaurant was nice and the toilets very clean.
Would like to visit again and see it as the seasons change.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2018, Vik1964 said about National Memorial Arboretum
Wasn't what I expected but then that's my ignorance. Once we started to walk around it was very interesting, I found the polish memorial particularly moving with so much information carved into the stone, it really helped you understand what they went through. I also found the memorials for the Asian campaigns of the 2nd world war a very stark reminder how people suffered under the Japanese, something which is often forgotten. My dad spent much of his naval career in the war in that part of the world and seeing the photo exhibition was especially close from my family perspective. It's a very large area to visit so pace yourself. Lovely food in the restaurant and staff are lovely.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2019, val243 said about National Memorial Arboretum
Met up with friends, had a great day out. Stick man trail for the children which was laid out well and easy for them to follow. Some lovely memorials although having young children with us we found that it was not ideal to cover the area that we would have liked. We will certainly be paying another visit so that we can enjoy the peace, tranquility and beauty of this wonderful place. Depending on what you want to see will depend on the length of you stay. Plenty of car parking at £3 for the day, areas to enjoy a picnic and a lovely restaurant, plenty of seating around Arboretum, children’s play areas and a train for those with walking difficulties. Staff were very helpful, approachable and knowledgable.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2019, Gadabouts95 said about National Memorial Arboretum
The site is enormous and if you want to see it all it will take more than one visit. There is a land train that goes round the site but you cannot get off at any point and so can only give an overview. There are some beautiful sculptures and memorials throughout the park. There are some talks at various times, we listened to the one at the memorial for soldiers executed for supposed desertion. The mound in the middle with the names of all members of the military that have lost their lives since WWII makes one stop and think.
Entry is free, you just pay £3 for parking. The restaurant on site is good value as well.
We shall certainly return to visit the parts we were not able to see on our first visit.
Entry is free, you just pay £3 for parking. The restaurant on site is good value as well.
We shall certainly return to visit the parts we were not able to see on our first visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2023, Kuldip Judge said about National Memorial Arboretum
A very humbling and rewarding experience at a beautiful setting. You can't help but be overwhelmed and impressed with the settings, gardens, memorials, statues etc. We came specifically to see the WWI Sikh memorial in respects of our ancestors. Hopefully there will be futher additions for WW2 etc. The architecture is beautiful, as are the restaurant, facilities and onsite parking. I paid in advance at £4 for parking and gave a donation online. Bought a map for £2 onsite and worked around the site. There is a slow train that takes you around for the less mobile visitors. We had lunch, Ice cream and staff were helpful and pleasant and plenty of volunteers to help provide information. A very special day out for me and my son to learn about our collective history.
Source: google.com
In April 2024, SteadyS said about National Memorial Arboretum
Beautiful gardens filled with trees and numerous stunning memorials to well known and lesser known organisations and people. Heavy rain the day we visited so took the land train trip which is about 45 mins with a recorded commentary which allowed you to see a large area and was a good introduction to the place. Walked around the main central monument which is spectacular and the blank area of wall obviously left for future inscriptions to those killed in action seemed especially poignant. The Visitors centre is lovely and there is a facility to search the records if you want to find a memorial to a group or individual person. Restaurant good too. Will definately return on a drier day to explore more on foot.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk