National Memorial Arboretum

In Brief.

The National Memorial Arboretum provides a permanent commemoration of the sacrifices made by service personnel in conflicts and peacetime. Given how great these sacrifices have been, the responsibility to provide a fitting recognition seems great, but the challenge has been risen to in the National Memorial Arboretum. The site is substantial and immaculately maintained, with over 400 memorials spread across a 150 acre site. Visitors can explore the site on foot, or participate in guided tours.

The Stretcher Bearers Sculpture on the Armed Forces Memorial

What's Here?

The arboretum is on level land by the banks of the River Tame.  Though there are trees, for the most part the site is light and open, with views along avenues and across lawns to the many memorials. These vary substantial in style and scale.  

The Armed Forces Memorial

The monumental armed forces memorial names members of the navy, army and air force who have lost their lives on service since the Second World War, and features an earth mound that raises it above the otherwise level ground. It stands in contrast with the many smaller memorials, some conventional, with plaques and insignia, but many featuring sculptures of emblems, service personnel or equipment.  Often there are plaques that summarise a historical event, such as the sobering cost of the Gallipoli campaign.

Pegasus Bridge Memorial

As an example of a smaller scale memorial in the parkland, the Pegasus Bridge Memorial honours a glider operation to capture several bridges just ahead of the Normandy landings in 1944. This operation was successful, but included the first loss of life in action of the Normandy invasion.

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 87 miles

Drive Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Price: Free entry. Some activities such as the land train involve payment. Donations sought. 

Parking: There is inexpensive paid parking.

Food and Drink: There is a pleasant, airy restaurant, good for both coffee and a cake and lunches of different scales.

Retail Therapy: There is a rather generic gift shop.

Child Friendly: There is a Children's wood for exploring and a play area.

Toilets: Yes.

Do it justice in: This is a substantial site; I was there for 3 hours but could certainly have stayed longer/

Inside-Outside: 20:80

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