Local Reviews
In July 2018, ulstermarine said about National Memorial Arboretum
All day parking £3. The main building houses British Legion shop, restaurant, coffee bar, reception and book counters. Golf buggys and pavement train available at extra cost. The total site encompasses 150 acres. I suppose it would be entirely possible to walk a distance of 5K. without recrossing oneself. This is no venue to see in a rush. I thought for a minute just how many stories the men and women remembered here could tell. Good to see, the 'Legion' has all in hand. Additional coffee shops in Hero's square. A superbly high quality attraction easily reached off A38 near Burton on Trent. I was impressed by the number of retirees wearing formal blazers and decorations, even encountered some from my days at sea.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2018, what_horizon said about National Memorial Arboretum
We had wanted to visit the NMA for a long time but were just never in the area. A visit for a long weekend to derby provided the idea opportunity, and what a memorable day it proved to be.
Plenty of parking, a restaurant, coffee shop, land train and a well stocked shop was just the beginning of 5 hours at this remarkable place.
The arboretum is laid out so all the memorials can be viewed with ease, from the small personal tributes to the massive armed forces centrepiece, and hundreds of others dotted all over the grounds. Plenty of benches mean there are plenty of opportunities to sit and reflect, admire the memorials, or just relax. the river Tame runs through the grounds and we found it a delight to sit on its banks and watch the wildlife.
It was humbling to watch so many veterans pay private tribute to fallen comrades during our visit.
Plenty of parking, a restaurant, coffee shop, land train and a well stocked shop was just the beginning of 5 hours at this remarkable place.
The arboretum is laid out so all the memorials can be viewed with ease, from the small personal tributes to the massive armed forces centrepiece, and hundreds of others dotted all over the grounds. Plenty of benches mean there are plenty of opportunities to sit and reflect, admire the memorials, or just relax. the river Tame runs through the grounds and we found it a delight to sit on its banks and watch the wildlife.
It was humbling to watch so many veterans pay private tribute to fallen comrades during our visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2018, John T said about National Memorial Arboretum
Went here for the first time and had a very humbling experience. Some great memorials around the site. We went on the land train which was a good way of getting round this large arbouretum. The audio on the land train was clear and well presented we didn't feel rushed and had at least 50mins on board. Great value at onky £6.00 per person. Going on the land train you get to see alot of the memorials and that way if you choose to walk back to spend more time at one you can.
Had lunch in the restaurant. Plenty of choice and good quality at reasonable prices. Only £3.00 to park your car for the day bargain!
All in all had a lovely day out here and it would be somewhere I would visit again. To all the staff volunteers and people that donate thank you for keeping this special place open for us all to visit.
Had lunch in the restaurant. Plenty of choice and good quality at reasonable prices. Only £3.00 to park your car for the day bargain!
All in all had a lovely day out here and it would be somewhere I would visit again. To all the staff volunteers and people that donate thank you for keeping this special place open for us all to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In April 2019, Crispypeb said about National Memorial Arboretum
First time visitor on a wonderfully sunny Easter Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed the day out. The whole facility is beautifully presented, well organised and with acres of immaculately kept grounds that will get even better as they mature. Well laid out walks and obviously plenty of memorials to see and reflect upon and even without any military background within the family it is a moving experience to understand what others have sacrificed to ensure our safety. We had lunch in the restaurant which has a large seating capacity both inside and out and with a wide choice it would be difficult to go hungry. We chose sandwiches and cake, all fresh and tasty and reasonably priced. The only disappointment was a lack of availability of chilled drinks on such a warm day. Will definitely revisit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2019, Aurora Junkie said about National Memorial Arboretum
We have been wanting to visit for a few years as have had family members and friends that have served in the armed forces. What a beautiful and serene place to visit which is also inspiring and moving. So much care and love has been put into designing the 350 memorials there and the grounds are very well kept.
There is a land train running half hourly for £6 which we found very useful as there was a very informative commentary. You can also do a buggy tour which takes you around the memorials if you prefer. It is well worth a visit if you're in the area.
It's open 9am to 5pm every day. Parking is £3 the whole day. It's free to enter. It there are other attractions there you can pay to go in. Also there is a remembrance service every day in the Chapel there.
Toilets restaurant well kept and clean nice food.
There is a land train running half hourly for £6 which we found very useful as there was a very informative commentary. You can also do a buggy tour which takes you around the memorials if you prefer. It is well worth a visit if you're in the area.
It's open 9am to 5pm every day. Parking is £3 the whole day. It's free to enter. It there are other attractions there you can pay to go in. Also there is a remembrance service every day in the Chapel there.
Toilets restaurant well kept and clean nice food.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2019, EddieStafford said about National Memorial Arboretum
My wife and I (and our Labrador) went, and what a truly wonderful place this is. 150 acres of lovely grounds and, obviously trees. The number of memorials is utterly amazing, you could spend a whole day there and not read everything. Lovely walk around with our dog who could go almost anywhere with us. Obviously not allowed in the major memorials or main building, however there is a lovely patio area outside the main building/restaurant where we could all sit and have a drink (we didn’t have anything to eat, although the food looked lovely. The volunteer staff were incredibly helpful and informative. As a free place to visit (a charge of £3 for all day parking is made) it is truly a superb place for anyone to visit, especially families with kids. Next time we go we will take a picnic with us.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2024, Joan W said about National Memorial Arboretum
A wonderful remembrance garden, with plenty of memorials and sculptures , the grounds are immaculately kept, there are plenty of seats about for quiet reflection or just to rest and enjoy the quietness. It’s an amazing place that really is thought provoking and you come away very humbled by the tremendous sacrifices made by so many ‘000s of people, the world over. We listened to a talk on the Japanese prisoners of war conducted by Paul, it was so interesting, and included a small tour of the grounds.
It’s just £6 to park all day and RBL ask for any donation, large or small to help with the upkeep. There is a great cafe & restaurant that is very reasonably priced to help support. The gift shop offers a variety of items with plenty of choice.
I don’t think a day is long enough to do the whole site justice, and I shall certainly return.
It’s just £6 to park all day and RBL ask for any donation, large or small to help with the upkeep. There is a great cafe & restaurant that is very reasonably priced to help support. The gift shop offers a variety of items with plenty of choice.
I don’t think a day is long enough to do the whole site justice, and I shall certainly return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2022, meforyou1988 said about National Memorial Arboretum
A beautiful place with some stunning tributes to servicemen and women of different wars. Was lovely to visit and pay our respects. Perfect for a day out in nice weather. Free to get in, parking is £6 for all day which is perfect for the 150 acres you get to walk around. Toilets are very nice, food nice at restaurant. A little pricey but we didn't mind. I do think the statues and information plaques could do with a clean though, lots of moss and cobwebs on them and looks a little messy. Also some of the benches could do with a clean. None of this though takes away from the beauty of it all and I must admit the grass is kept lovely. Nice walk by the river here too, great seeing all the wildlife. You can take a drive along train to view the area or you can have a tour on a small cart. The train has disabled access too which is brilliant. Definitely worth a visit
Source: google.com
In November 2017, Dave Smith said about National Memorial Arboretum
Everyone should visit the 'WALL' at the memorial at least once in their lives. Set on a hill, the names of every person who lost their lives in active service are inscribed upon the wall.<br>In the grounds around the wall there are a great many monuments and sculptures dedicated to regiments, squadrons, and civilian organisations. Throughout the arboretum there is a respectful quietness and a wander around the grounds can be a moving experience.<br>The memorial is very 'disabled friendly', the paths are smooth and there are numerous ramps for wheelchair accessible areas. There is a land train with guided tours and a well stocked gift shop and also an expansive restaurant.<br>Admission to the memorial is free, car parking £3 all day, and you could easily spend all day there paying your respects to the thousands of people who have lost their lives in the service of others not just in war time but peacetime too.
Source: google.com
In May 2014, Dee said about National Memorial Arboretum
Easy to access from A38 near Lichfield, this very large area with many dedicated areas to specific regiments/groups of people who've lost their lives mainly defending our country is well worth a visit. Parking is £3 and admission is FREE. We chose to take their 50 minute, 4mph trolley ride with documentary, which stopped at many destinations pointing out where to look and why areas had been planted in the meaningful way they had. The magnificent centrepiece, with wheelchair access is an ongoing memorial to those who have lost their lives since 1945 and inscribed with new names every year. There are guides to assist you as you visit the many areas. Their café/restaurant is reasonably priced. There is also an ice cream van and outside refreshment area plus gift shop. A very thought provoking, interesting place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk