Local Reviews
In October 2020, AlcesterMartyn said about National Memorial Arboretum
We visited in October 2020 and fortunately it was a sunny day, so the outdoor experience was a pleasure exploring the wide range of memorial gardens in peace and tranquility.
Covid 19 restrictions were in place, so you needed to book to eat in the restaurant, fortunately we were able to get an "on the spot booking". Coffee shop limited to two groups at any one time, so pace was a little slow. Food and drinks in both places were excellent quality - local Burton Brewery Ales available in the restaurant.
I was surprised to be told that all the memorials were not in the guide book. There were 370 on the day we visited - the guide book said 330 - so new additions are plentiful. I was pleasantly surprised at the wide range of memorials in addition to the Armed Services Memorial which is particularly poignant with 16,000 lives lost sine the end of WWII. For example the loss of 250 Falkland Islanders in addition to the 237 armed services personnel was an education to me.
I'm sure you will learn something new if you visit.
Covid 19 restrictions were in place, so you needed to book to eat in the restaurant, fortunately we were able to get an "on the spot booking". Coffee shop limited to two groups at any one time, so pace was a little slow. Food and drinks in both places were excellent quality - local Burton Brewery Ales available in the restaurant.
I was surprised to be told that all the memorials were not in the guide book. There were 370 on the day we visited - the guide book said 330 - so new additions are plentiful. I was pleasantly surprised at the wide range of memorials in addition to the Armed Services Memorial which is particularly poignant with 16,000 lives lost sine the end of WWII. For example the loss of 250 Falkland Islanders in addition to the 237 armed services personnel was an education to me.
I'm sure you will learn something new if you visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2024, Sue Wiggins said about National Memorial Arboretum
Three friends visited. It was a hot J uly day. Car park is £6 for the day. Reception is a clean, light and airy place, staff are friendly and explain everything, entrance is free. There are lots of volunteer guides who are very knowledgeable. If you are unable to walk the huge site, there are either land trains with commentaries or buggies, there are also guided walking tours. The map given at reception is useful and you can wander freely. The grounds and memorials are very well looked after and interesting. There is a small Stick Man trail for the little ones and a play area. The coffee shop sells reasonably priced drinks and cakes etc, the restaurant sells meals and we opted for homemade soup and a roll, reasonably priced at £7 which included a soft drink (it makes a change not to be riipped off! The gift shop has some beautiful items, also reasonably priced (I spent too much)! The Arboretum is a charity and there are plenty of opportunities to give generously. Would take a picnic next time! A lovely day out
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In December 2023, Mark Saunders said about National Memorial Arboretum
We went for the illuminated arboretum, and it was amazing! A beautiful display of clever lighting, with interactive stuff for kids (and adult kids 😃) to enjoy. There was some recorded audio presentations at various locations too.<br><br>For as much as it is a memorial site, this didn't detract from the display, and nor does the display stop you from taking time for respectful, and grateful, thoughts for all those who's lives have been lost/given over the years.<br>It was also a time for remembering those closer to home who are no longer with us too.<br><br>The café/restaurant was lovely. Food and drink prices were reasonable, and the atmosphere lovely!<br><br>I'd love to visit again during the day, and spend a few hours there.<br>Definitely recommend going for the illuminated display if you've never been. I'll write another review after going during the day.<br><br>Ps the reviewer that gave 1 star just because of the entry price and the standard of the coffee...that's harsh mate, you need to give your head a wobble!
Source: google.com
In November 2020, jane c said about National Memorial Arboretum
Although we’ve been before it seemed fitting to go today on 11 /11 as we had the opportunity. With Covid we had to pre book but it was well organised and no queuing or overcrowding. We had no idea there was a Royal visit planned today for the memorial service.
The whole place is thoughtfully planned out and extremely moving.
There are acres to walk around with lots of memorials to visit to commemorate so many fallen hero’s and those who served in the distant past and more present day. A very humbling place and one to be enjoyed by young and old.
Facilities are good and inexpensive, the restaurant was closed due to the current lockdown but there’s an outside coffee shop for drinks and snacks.
The path ways are good and suitable for wheelchair access but Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on the grass to be able to read some of the plaques and to walk down “The Beat” which is a wide aisle of trees commemorating police officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
Lest we forget!
The whole place is thoughtfully planned out and extremely moving.
There are acres to walk around with lots of memorials to visit to commemorate so many fallen hero’s and those who served in the distant past and more present day. A very humbling place and one to be enjoyed by young and old.
Facilities are good and inexpensive, the restaurant was closed due to the current lockdown but there’s an outside coffee shop for drinks and snacks.
The path ways are good and suitable for wheelchair access but Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on the grass to be able to read some of the plaques and to walk down “The Beat” which is a wide aisle of trees commemorating police officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
Lest we forget!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In December 2018, Ruth D said about National Memorial Arboretum
I visited the 'Illuminated Arboretum' event with three other family members on their opening night on Wednesday 12th December. After meeting the family for a quick drink in the restaurant, we headed to the start and began the walk down a torch-lit avenue. Along the route were a number of activities, more suitable for the younger generation, such as a shadow wall and a station to use Morse Code made of colourful LEDs. Of particular poignancy was the votive wood where lit and hung our own light in memory of lost loved ones. There were also refreshments and toilet facilities halfway round the route.
Overall, the place looked stunning with many of the memorials bathed in lights, with the finale being a stunning display of strobe lights over the main Armed Forces Memorial.
I simply love this place and have visited a few times during the day, so it was lovely to see it lit up in the evening looking so different. It's always a tranquil, peaceful place to visit and I'll be back many more times to come.
Overall, the place looked stunning with many of the memorials bathed in lights, with the finale being a stunning display of strobe lights over the main Armed Forces Memorial.
I simply love this place and have visited a few times during the day, so it was lovely to see it lit up in the evening looking so different. It's always a tranquil, peaceful place to visit and I'll be back many more times to come.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2019, Stevejdp said about National Memorial Arboretum
What a beautiful place! So well cared for and well laid out. There are guided tours or a land train or a buggy tour. Or as we did, you can just wander about by yourselves at your own pace.
We would need another visit as there just wasn't enough time with our coach trip to see everything. But it would be a pleasure to go again. We bought a map at £3 which wasn't terribly helpful. There are 3 coloured routes but we couldn't find them. An aerial map would be much more helpful.
We bought sandwiches in the restaurant and ate outside in the sunshine. Very fresh and reasonable value. There is also hot food at lunchtime and a coffee shop. An excellent gift shop, not cheap but quality products. I even bought a couple of Christmas gifts.
There is no charge at the Arboretum but donations are welcome. I would assume that profits from sales and food help the Royal British Legion to maintain it. Well worth a visit and something the whole country should be proud of.
We would need another visit as there just wasn't enough time with our coach trip to see everything. But it would be a pleasure to go again. We bought a map at £3 which wasn't terribly helpful. There are 3 coloured routes but we couldn't find them. An aerial map would be much more helpful.
We bought sandwiches in the restaurant and ate outside in the sunshine. Very fresh and reasonable value. There is also hot food at lunchtime and a coffee shop. An excellent gift shop, not cheap but quality products. I even bought a couple of Christmas gifts.
There is no charge at the Arboretum but donations are welcome. I would assume that profits from sales and food help the Royal British Legion to maintain it. Well worth a visit and something the whole country should be proud of.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2013, carole w said about National Memorial Arboretum
What a fabulous day out,didn't know what to expect but wasn't disapionted.The morning started with a short service,last post,reveille and a welcome speech in the lovely chapel.We then went on a guided tour( on foot) the guide was excellent and this is a must as you learn lots of interesting facts of the varying parts of the Arboretum.We where part of a group booking our lunch was in a private room, the food was very good as was the service.Next onto the land tour nearly an hour on a train around many memorials,areas of natural beauty,the river and lots more,didn't want it to finish.There is plenty to see and be a part of,you can't do it justice in one day (especially when it is sunny!) The gift shop is like most other attractions shop,but like the restaurant,the charity shop and car park the monies go back to the Arboretum therefore didn't mind so much about the cost of the goods as its free to enter.Overall a humbling day out and we urge you to see for yourself ,makes you proud that for one day you where a part of it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2017, Andy Smith said about National Memorial Arboretum
The National Memorial Arboretum is impressive and humbling in equal measure. If it wasn't for the fact that I look down on this place twice a day from the train I think my knowledge of its existence would have been peripheral at best. The the US memorials such as this are given far more prominence somehow, but the in the NMA we have something of which we can be truly proud. We should shout about it louder than we do, perhaps.<br><br>It caters for everyone - the casual stroller, the ardent historian and, like my wife and I when we visited yesterday, just a couple of people looking for a walk in the fresh air and the opportunity to pay our respects to those who died in our name. The coffee shop and restaurant are good too.<br><br>It's free to stroll the grounds and visit the memorials (which can take you all day if you let it), but there is an entrance fee for the exhibition. This was probably a little over-priced, but overall the day we have was well worth what we paid. We'll come again often, I hope.
Source: google.com
In January 2014, Trevor D said about National Memorial Arboretum
This was our first visit here, and found it much bigger than we expected, unfortunately, on the day we visited, a lot of the grounds were under water. However, this did not detract too much from the visit. The Arboretum is not solely dedicated to the military, numerous civil bodies are also represented here. We found the experience deeply moving, and I am not ashamed to say I was reduced to tears on several occasions, particularly the 'Shot At Dawn' memorial, and the Far East POW memorial and exhibition.
We had lunch at the Arbour restaurant using the '2 for £10 voucher we found online. An absolute bargain! We had the turkey dinner followed by Christmas cake and coffee, superb, it all tasted home cooked.
We will certainly return here when the weather is more clement. Also I would appeal to others to please leave a donation towards this wonderful and humbling memorial, because although there is a £3 car park fee (All of which goes to support the site ) it costs a great deal of money for it's upkeep.
We had lunch at the Arbour restaurant using the '2 for £10 voucher we found online. An absolute bargain! We had the turkey dinner followed by Christmas cake and coffee, superb, it all tasted home cooked.
We will certainly return here when the weather is more clement. Also I would appeal to others to please leave a donation towards this wonderful and humbling memorial, because although there is a £3 car park fee (All of which goes to support the site ) it costs a great deal of money for it's upkeep.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2014, LMW said about National Memorial Arboretum
Though mostly smaller monuments dotted around the site, you can't help be moved at the sacrifice of so many. A large, very impressive, centre monument for those lost after the Second World War is the highlight of the arboretum. Positives, friendly staff/volunteers, pleasant walks and moving monuments. Negatives, this is by no means a free museum. Entrance is free but you pay for car parking, £3,(even disabled visitors) and if you want to do the tour train it's £5.00 per adult (my mother is disabled and we thought this would be the least tiring way of seeing the site). While I don't begrudge paying towards running costs/upkeep I would prefer costs to be highlighted more on the website (only car parking charges advertised). Restaurant, though food was tasty, was very over priced. After spending £15.00 for train tour and £25.00 for lunch (it stated all proceeds go direct to the arboretum in the restaurant) I didn't feel I could justify leaving a donation. Would recommend but be aware all these extras add up.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk