Local Reviews
In April 2013, mansell1992 said about National Memorial Arboretum
This is a powerful memorial to our troops. How can we ever pay the debt we owe to them for our freedom? I was hit by a wave of emotion when I first stepped out of the visitors centre. We spent 6 hours walking around the grounds and we still did not see it all. Well worth a visit. Disabled should not be put off as there are electric scooters for hire to get around the site as well as road trains. Good selection of food and drink. The grounds are immaculate and a credit to the horticultural staff. All the staff in the visitors centre, shop and restaurant were lovely. Plenty of places to sit for a time of reflection and solitude. My Dad as an ex KOYLI would have loved this place. More memorials being added all the time so well worth a return visit. All for free...but please do give a donation.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2017, gary s said about National Memorial Arboretum
Visited on a sunny saturday in May.
£3 to park, and a suggested donation of £5 per person. Gift aid available.
Marvellous venue with many poignant memorials to our war dead.
Decent restaurant and cafe on site. Gift shop too. New kids play area beyond main buildings and chapel.
Guided tour and roadtrain also available. Huge 120 acre site (if I remember correctly?) is immaculately maintained and we spent a good few hours here. Paid my respects to a school friend who was killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
The main memorial is stunning, with a sobering number of names carved onto it's walls.
I shall certainly visit again.
£3 to park, and a suggested donation of £5 per person. Gift aid available.
Marvellous venue with many poignant memorials to our war dead.
Decent restaurant and cafe on site. Gift shop too. New kids play area beyond main buildings and chapel.
Guided tour and roadtrain also available. Huge 120 acre site (if I remember correctly?) is immaculately maintained and we spent a good few hours here. Paid my respects to a school friend who was killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
The main memorial is stunning, with a sobering number of names carved onto it's walls.
I shall certainly visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, John R said about National Memorial Arboretum
We came here first two years ago when it was starting up. Now it is a fantastic place. I defy anyone not to feel some emotion with regard to all the memorials to the dead. The train trip around the site is well worth while as you get a lot of information en route and it is a fair old walk right round the park. The grounds are beautifully maintained and the new reception building is excellent. I personally delighted to see that two of the RAF stations where I served as a National Servicemen are commemorated. Overall I felt quite emotional. Everyone should come here.
The restaurant and coffee shops were first class. The staff, who are mostly volunteers, are so friendly and helpful.
The restaurant and coffee shops were first class. The staff, who are mostly volunteers, are so friendly and helpful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Juliet W said about National Memorial Arboretum
Went here with my husband, it's a great place to visit the staff are friendly and very knowledgeable. They have a little train to travel on with onboard commentary and it stops at various points of interest so it's a brilliant way to see the place even if like my husband you're not too spritely - it takes around 50 minutes to complete. There are lots of other areas where the train doesn't go to which can be walked to, it obviously comes with the obligatory gift shop which actually isn't too pricey. There's also a coffee shop and a restaurant. It has been very well designed and offers a perfect way in which we can support and appreciate all our armed forces and other services such as the police and fire services. It is a beautiful and very peaceful way to spend a day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Kingfisher100 said about National Memorial Arboretum
Just got back been wanting to go for years..didn't disappoint
Very emotional and thought provoking and very good buggy tour by Richard.
we were lucky there were only 2 of us so asked questions to our hearts content, accompanied too by a trainee called Pam who was really sweet and welcomed us on arrival
Beautiful landscaped area and so much bigger didnt have time to see it all so going to return
The large centre piece of the armed forces memorial was our highlight plus the memorials for Basra camp bastion and and Falkland Islands
This place is a must
Only downside some of the restaurant staff were not friendly or helpful ..not sure if they are volunteers or not..but nowhere near as welcome and friendly as all the volunteers in the green t shirts
Very emotional and thought provoking and very good buggy tour by Richard.
we were lucky there were only 2 of us so asked questions to our hearts content, accompanied too by a trainee called Pam who was really sweet and welcomed us on arrival
Beautiful landscaped area and so much bigger didnt have time to see it all so going to return
The large centre piece of the armed forces memorial was our highlight plus the memorials for Basra camp bastion and and Falkland Islands
This place is a must
Only downside some of the restaurant staff were not friendly or helpful ..not sure if they are volunteers or not..but nowhere near as welcome and friendly as all the volunteers in the green t shirts
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Mabeltherat said about National Memorial Arboretum
We primarily visited this site to see the armed forces memorial.
Entrance is free but parking is £3.
The map of the site is also £3
The toilets were clean and tidy
The cafe/ restaurant had a good selection of food and drinks. I can recommend the carrot cake!
There are a lot of differing memorials but the largest is the Armed Forces Memorial. The area was quite busy and it was difficult to find a little quiet time for remembrance of loved ones named on the memorial.
The walks around the grounds took you to many other memorials including the shot at dawn memorial to service men shot for various reasons, following courts marshal, at dawn. There are plenty of trees and seats and the gardens near the centre are beautiful.
It's worth a visit and is thought provoking.
Entrance is free but parking is £3.
The map of the site is also £3
The toilets were clean and tidy
The cafe/ restaurant had a good selection of food and drinks. I can recommend the carrot cake!
There are a lot of differing memorials but the largest is the Armed Forces Memorial. The area was quite busy and it was difficult to find a little quiet time for remembrance of loved ones named on the memorial.
The walks around the grounds took you to many other memorials including the shot at dawn memorial to service men shot for various reasons, following courts marshal, at dawn. There are plenty of trees and seats and the gardens near the centre are beautiful.
It's worth a visit and is thought provoking.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2017, ChrisMike2013 said about National Memorial Arboretum
This is a must for everyone and they will not be disappointed as it plays a great tribute to our brave fallen. This is our second visit and we still found tributes that we missed on our first visit. The area is unbelievable for being well maintained with the memorials being well spaced out to provide a nice place to meander around but a slow moving train is available if required for those less able.
A fantastic experience and you can rely on the staff being very helpful.
You will also find an enjoyable meal at the restaurant which is good value and plentiful.
Where can you park your car all day for £3 and have free entrance to the experience.
A visit to the shop was a compulsory stop on our way home to purchase a souvenir etc to remind us of the Arboretum and to swell the funds.
A fantastic experience and you can rely on the staff being very helpful.
You will also find an enjoyable meal at the restaurant which is good value and plentiful.
Where can you park your car all day for £3 and have free entrance to the experience.
A visit to the shop was a compulsory stop on our way home to purchase a souvenir etc to remind us of the Arboretum and to swell the funds.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2017, GCATDA said about National Memorial Arboretum
An outstanding site! So beautifully laid out and exquisitely maintained. A history lesson in itself with the added bonus of the trees and plants. You could spend hours here or just have a quick visit. Entry is free but you do have to pay for car parking. Inside the entrance is a large restaurant, toilets and reception area to answer any of your questions, again well maintained. There are tours by land train around the site and I would recommend them as they give a commentary on what you see and then you can always walk back and see the memorials you are more interested in. I think everyone should visit here to see all the names of the people who gave their lives in all the conflicts we have been involved in. Its a thought reflecting place and uplifting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In January 2015, Robert R said about National Memorial Arboretum
Today's visit was more to do with the shop and restaurant than for touring the whole site, but it is the sort of place where you feel good doing all sorts of different things, and being so convenient to access from the main road network makes it ideal to just drop in. We do not mind the £3 car park fee for what for us was only an hour (it will last all day), we also do not mind donating whilst we are here, it is such a good cause. We picked up some nice items for presents and had a good (small) meal midday. Our last visit was the full works of all the areas which are so interesting, and we will do that again soon, but for now this was a different, but still very enjoyable visit. I would reco0mmend this site to everyone, it does your heart good to remember and contribute.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2015, Sandra B said about National Memorial Arboretum
Visited the War Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas for the first time this week-end and found it really interesting and well worth a visit. It is spread over 150 acres of wonderful countryside and was a real insight into the sacrafices made by all servicemen, not only of the two world wars but previous and current conflicts around the world. We will certainly repeat our visit as we only touched on some of the monuments etc around this lovely Arboretum.
We were.warmly welcomed by the many volunteers. It is well worth buying a map (£3) or Guide (£6 - which contains a map also). There is a cafe/restaurant or you can take a picnic! Admission is free and you are invited to make a donation towards the upkeep. Car parking is plentiful and costs £3 for the whole day. Visit and you won't be disappointed.
We were.warmly welcomed by the many volunteers. It is well worth buying a map (£3) or Guide (£6 - which contains a map also). There is a cafe/restaurant or you can take a picnic! Admission is free and you are invited to make a donation towards the upkeep. Car parking is plentiful and costs £3 for the whole day. Visit and you won't be disappointed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk