The National Memorial Arboretum
The National Memorial Arboretum is open all year round. The site was opened to the public in 2001 and contains over three hundred and fifty memorials for military and civilian organisations and associations.
The Arboretum is huge and covers an area of one hundred and fifty acres. The Remembrance Centre is the main entrance to the Arboretum and was opened in 2017. It contains a restaurant, shop, orientation zone and toilets. The site is divided into nine zones which are clearly shown on the Orientation map which you can purchace in the Remembrance Centre. There is a land train which will take you around the site with an excellent commentary, the land train journey takes approximately fifty minutes, tickets for the train can be purchased in the Remembrance Centre and you can catch the train from behind the Chapel.
There are three good walking routes around the Arboretum, the 'Red route' is nine hundred metres long and will take approximately fifteen minutes. The 'Purple route' is twelve hundred metres long and takes approximately twenty five minutes. The 'Blue Route' is eighteen metres long and will take approximately forty five minutes to complete. All the routes start from the Remembrance Centre.
A good option is on arrival, buy a map/guide book and buy tickets for the land train, pop into the cafe for a coffee after which catch the land train which runs frequently, back to the centre for Brunch afterwhich enjoy a pleasant stroll to the memorials which you passed whilst on the land train. There are also guided walks at 11.30am & 2.30pm as well as hourly buggy tours.
It is a wonderful and memorable place, but please allow a full day for your visit.
Click on the image below of the Armed Forces Memorial to expand the gallery and see more images from around the Arboretum.
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