Local Reviews
In May 2017, wasaloadie said about National Memorial Arboretum
An incredibly moving experience. The arboretum is extremely well planned out. There are memorial from just about all military and civilian organisations that have been involved with action overseas and at home. The centre piece is the memorial mount which lists all service personnel who have given lost their lives since WW II. It's a beautiful place, with access to all. They have a land train that tours the arboretum. Mobility scooters and wheel chairs are available to book in advance (for a small fee). There is a coffee shop and a restaurant. A chapel for those wishing to observe religious practice. Plenty of parking and easy to get to, well sign posted from all directions. As veteran, I found it quite an emotional experience. Allow a full day if you wish to see it all and at least 3 hours just to see a lot of it. There areas for children too and activities for them, as I would imaging otherwise that it would be a bit boring for youngsters.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2017, evans2325 said about National Memorial Arboretum
Our first visit to this memorial and it was an extremely moving experience. Found myself quite tearful at the "Shot at Dawn" memorial! The trees and the memorials were beautifully maintained with thought provoking designs. As well as the main sculpture memorials, every tree seems to have a plaque dedicated to an individual by their family and friends. A lot of walking is involved but there is a road train and there are also buggies available to give a ride up to the main memorial. We would advise picking up a free map which shows all the memorials as some can be a challenge to find if you try to follow the sign posts. Nice little coffee shop and there is also a large restaurant. Staff were pleasant and helpful. £3 car park charge, entrance is free but donations can be made. Definitely intend to go back as there was too much to see in the half day that we had. A place for the nation to be proud of!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2015, Beverley said about National Memorial Arboretum
This is a truly remarkable arboretum and memorial. It is well laid out and has easy access for all, whatever your ability. The main memorial has to be seen (actually it would be difficult to miss) and is a very sobering experience. However, it was also an uplifting experience as the lay out and huge number of trees and sculptures are really beautiful, allowing you to pay your respects in a very appropriate setting. I recommend using the land train, as it gives you a full overview of the park with commentary, so you can return on foot to areas of particular interest to yourself. There are plenty of benches for resting or contemplation. The restaurant is ok, staff very helpful, loos have easy access and are clean. My only gripe, is that we opted for 'afternoon tea' and this is a misnomer as its only a very small cup of tea with floating tea bag and standard piece of cake and rather expensive at £4.95. We could have had a standard whole pot of tea and cake for £4.50 in the main restaurant. That aside I strongly recommend visiting this memorial.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2015, KSBW48 said about National Memorial Arboretum
I recently visited the National Memorial Arboretum for a Remembrance Service hosted by the Parachute Regiment. The staff met us at the entrance and were very helpful and friendly. Our service was being held at the Airborne monument and is situated some way from the main building, the staff explained that a shuttle buggy would be available to those unable to walk the distance. The grounds are kept immaculate with on going memorials being created all the time.
There are 150 acres to explore and appreciate.
There is a good restaurant serving everything from breakfast, snacks and meals to scones and hot drinks. There is a gift shop run by the British Legion.
Entry is free but car parking is £3.00 per day. Donations are welcomed towards the maintenance .
Check out their website for special events throughout the year.
There is so much to see and you can always take a picnic if you prefer.
There are 150 acres to explore and appreciate.
There is a good restaurant serving everything from breakfast, snacks and meals to scones and hot drinks. There is a gift shop run by the British Legion.
Entry is free but car parking is £3.00 per day. Donations are welcomed towards the maintenance .
Check out their website for special events throughout the year.
There is so much to see and you can always take a picnic if you prefer.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2015, Ann H said about National Memorial Arboretum
We opted to take the little train around the site and we are glad we did. It cost £5 each and we puchased our timed ticket from the little coffee kiosk just outside the welcome centre with the train departing from close by. The trains run at every thirty minutes at peak times but you cannot 'hop on and off'. If you opt to disembark the train at any point then you must continue on foot from that point. The ride took about 50 minutes and we listened to a pre-recorded commentary as we went around the site which provided us with a wealth of information, facts and figures about the many memorials scattered around the beautifully landscaped gardens and woods.
Parking costs £3 and there are no entry charges as such but visitors are encouraged to each make a £5 donation as it costs £4,000 per day to run the Centre.
It is certainly well worth a visit and there are lots of seats around the routes and within many of the individual gardens. Plenty of cafes, restaurants and kiosks for refreshments as well as some souvenir shops.
Parking costs £3 and there are no entry charges as such but visitors are encouraged to each make a £5 donation as it costs £4,000 per day to run the Centre.
It is certainly well worth a visit and there are lots of seats around the routes and within many of the individual gardens. Plenty of cafes, restaurants and kiosks for refreshments as well as some souvenir shops.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, kathy b said about National Memorial Arboretum
If you`ve not been to this amazing place yet, then make this summer the time to go. As you walk through the grounds you can feel a sense of calm and love.....of respect and gratitude.... of poignant thoughts.....a stillness and an appreciation of the beauty of the place and a fascination discovering the history behind the memorials. The grounds are extensive so don`t think you`ll see everything on one visit. If you have a particular interest, then ask one one the super helpful volunteers for their advice. There is a very moving short service in the chapel near the Visitor Centre at 11am daily. Much work has been done to improve the existing Visitor Centre with the addition of a brilliant Exhibition Hall featuring memorials world wide. A new corporate centre close by is also nearing completion. There is an excellent restaurant serving snacks and delicious meals and a shop selling beautiful quality gifts. There is a buggy available if you need a bit of help.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In December 2018, Rosemary B said about National Memorial Arboretum
This evening we have been to see the Illuminated Arboretum. This is a new attraction for them, starting this year. It was amazing! Over 5 miles of cable and lights, transformed the Arboretum into a very moving experience. A good night out for old and young alike. The highlight is the monument to all fallen servicemen/women. There are searchlights shining up into the sky, over the monument, which join together pointing towards the heavens, added to this, is some very moving music..the whole effect, moved me to tears. If this years show, is an example of what they can do, in their first year, then following years, should be even better. Well done to all concerned. On a more practical note, the whole walk is easy walking, on flat ground, all well lit and signed, plenty of staff on route, to assist if required, a very welcome stall selling hot drinks half way round and a lovely warm restaurant and toilets in the visitors centre. Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In April 2019, Hilary L said about National Memorial Arboretum
An amazing day out. The grounds are immaculate and the volunteer guides and plentiful and anxious to impart their knowledge and ensure you get the best experience whilst visiting. We took a guided buggy trip, which was the same price as the train and were lucky to have it and the guide to ourselves, so we felt we had a really personal tour. There are three walking routes to suit all abilities and we managed to do them all which covered the majority of the site. However there are so many memorials, from the grand to small plaques that it would take several visits to see them all. It is so peaceful just strolling round the site and the memorials are thought provoking and it is humbling to see how many people gave their lives so we could live in peace. The Millennium Chapel is small but beautiful and a daily act of remembrance is held there every morning when a two minute silence is observed. We ate in the on site restaurant and were impressed with the quality of the food and the reasonable prices.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2019, Peter H said about National Memorial Arboretum
Staying in Burton-on-Trent for a couple of weeks this was on the top of our list of things to do and we were not disappointed. We have all probably seen the main cenotaph there on television, but its elevation and presence when you actually are there is overwhelming. Apart from the main cenotaph there are an immense number of specific memorials spread over a vast area - I cannot remember how many acres - all different in appearance but all with a common theme. It was very nice to see the vast range of the ages, races, and people that were there.
Each morning there is a service in the on-site memorial hall which includes The Last Post - a spine chiller and reminder if ever there was one. Be on time, late comers are NOT admitted.
This is a place that everyone should visit during their lifetime - but one day is not enough.
Eat at the on-site restaurant - the food is great and the prices very reasonable.
All the staff, both in the gardens and in the restaurant are so very pleasant, cheerful, and helpful.
This is a
Each morning there is a service in the on-site memorial hall which includes The Last Post - a spine chiller and reminder if ever there was one. Be on time, late comers are NOT admitted.
This is a place that everyone should visit during their lifetime - but one day is not enough.
Eat at the on-site restaurant - the food is great and the prices very reasonable.
All the staff, both in the gardens and in the restaurant are so very pleasant, cheerful, and helpful.
This is a
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2019, Choirman09 said about National Memorial Arboretum
We spent a day in this wonderful place. The highlight of the day was the service in the chapel to celebrate the 11 o'clock memorial. If you are available you should go- it was really outstanding.
During the course of the day we also used the land- train to go around this helped to fix our minds on where various parts of the Arboretum are fixed. It had a realy good audio as you are going around and you can learn so much. I have to say it is more of an adult thing- very young children find it a long activity.
The views are outstanding from all round the arboretum. On the day of our visit there was a craft fair as well. What a day.
So when you have enjoyed yourself you need food- we can recommend the restaurant too. Yes it gets very busy at the usual times- we went in just before the rush started and had a great time. Their pick and mix salad is very good value for money.
All round and excellent day
During the course of the day we also used the land- train to go around this helped to fix our minds on where various parts of the Arboretum are fixed. It had a realy good audio as you are going around and you can learn so much. I have to say it is more of an adult thing- very young children find it a long activity.
The views are outstanding from all round the arboretum. On the day of our visit there was a craft fair as well. What a day.
So when you have enjoyed yourself you need food- we can recommend the restaurant too. Yes it gets very busy at the usual times- we went in just before the rush started and had a great time. Their pick and mix salad is very good value for money.
All round and excellent day
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk