The NMA was somewhere we had wanted to visit for a long time, and we've now finally made it and will return in the future. It is a truly remarkable and moving commemoration of so many people who have lost their lives both in war and in other service. There are too many highlights to mention all, but I would recommend initially following the Blue Route (maps available from reception). This takes in, for instance, the Armed Forces Memorial which includes two wonderful sculptures by Ian Rank-Broadley, the Basra Memorial Wall, the Polish Armed Forces Memorial and the 'thought provoking' Shot at Dawn Memorial. We spent time in the area commemorating Police Officers who had died 'in the line of duty'. Who knew so many had died trying to protect us? Another moving area is the SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity) memorial garden where many hundreds of stones have been left to commemorate the loss of tiny loved ones. Around the arboretum, it is well worth engaging with the volunteers, especially at the Armed Forces Memorial. They have great knowledge and passion.
On a more mundane topic, there is an excellent, reasonably priced, cafe serving full lunches as well as snacks (and a separate coffee shop). For quiet contemplation there is a chapel which hosts talks each day (including a Daily Act of Remembrance at 10.50am) and contains some wonderful carvings. And then there are the trees! Around 30,000 of them!
Only one small niggle: the car parking spaces are narrow and some are at angles which, on the day we visited, had clearly confused some drivers who had parked across two spaces. It took us several minutes to find a space large enough for our (modest!) car and far enough from the car next door to exit without performing too many contortions. Overall though, the NMA is wonderful addition to our natural and spiritual landscapes, and requires at least a full day.

After 3 attempts to visit. We finally got round visiting. Very humbling & thought provoking. Although the car park was busy, you aren't bumping into everyone.
It's not just military based, civilians are also remembered.
Well worth a visit.
Oh, lovely coffee shop too.

Popped in for some fresh air and lunch. At first I thought we might be being fleeced as a young man stopped us to request £3 payment for parking as we drove in. There are parking machines in the car park hence my suspicion. Greeted by an elderly gentleman at the entrance door, who is a credit to the place. He explained the talks on offer, the land train and gave us plenty of information. Donation made and onward to the restaurant. Lunch was lovely home cooked food (a salmon dish, a baked potato, macaroni cheese & a ham & tomato sandwich). Cakes and sandwiches also on offer and a wide variety of hot and cold drinks. Our family of four were fed & watered for £30.
We certainly got some fresh air. I imagine even on a warm day there's a little breeze here up by the main memorial. An enjoyable walk around reading the plaques etc and thinking of the lives lost, sadly some of them so very young, barely adults.
Such a shame there's a quarry not to far away breaking the peace with the sound of heavy machines and plant equipment.
Will return again for another walk and to remember those we can no longer see or talk with.

We visited again as on our last visit we witnessed ongoing improvements. We weren't disappointed.
We spent yet another 2 hours plus walking around and still didn't see anything we saw on our last visit, The café facility is much better and the outside seating area has been much improved.
We decided we could make another visit and still see things we hadn't seen before.
We walked up along the river area towards the railway line ; this area seems very popular with dog walkers.
Improved visitor information and facilities added attractions that are pay add-0ns.
Still £3 for all day parking - with donation places available and welcomed.
Wouldn't hesitate to go back again - we have been lucky with the weather on both our visits.

We visited here on the way back from another trip. A very thought provoking place. Despite being busy it was a very tranquil place. You can take a land train round or hire a buggy and there is also a dog walk route. We intend to return for a day to walk round all the memorials. Very friendly, helpful staff. Great restaurant/coffee.

We visited the National Memorial Arboretum on a Saturday morning, it costs £3 for parking all day and is free to get in but a donation is welcomed. The memorials are fantastic and there are so many to see, having visited so many WW1 & WW2 memorials abroad it is fantastic that we have a place at home to remember the fallen right up until the recent Iraq & Afghanistan conflicts, this place is a must see for all.

Well what I can say about this place - it is absolutely awesome!
The sculptures were so detailed and life-like, it was unbelievable, the memorials were so interesting to see and to read the facts that are on display.
We took a trip on the buggy, which took us to some of the memorials in different areas, the member of staff who was driving, was full of amazing facts - so interesting!
Everywhere was immaculately clean and well maintained.
Staff were very polite, helpful and friendly.
Cafe sells lots of various types of meals - cater for everyone's tastes.
Entrance is free, car parking for the day was £3, there was a charge for the buggy ride and the land train which was very reasonable.
There were mobile scooters at hand if anyone wanted to use one.
Need I carry on? Cannot fault the place.
Please be aware that the site is absolutely huge and a lot of walking is involved, plus you cannot manage to see everything in one day. So be prepared to take a trip back to see things that you hadn't got time to see.
I would recommend to go early in the morning.
Such a relaxing atmosphere which made you feel at ease.

The main event is fantastic. Lots to see and it's all wonderful. However, we visited with a dog. First problem was no maps of dog friendly areas available. We were told rather rudely by a young lady in a golf buggy that they go through "hundreds" a day and can't be filling up the maps all day but we only saw 2 other dogs in the hours we were there. The maps are not very easy to follow. Also, in the recent hot weather there are no bowls of water for dogs.

For £3 parking you could spend more than a day here. We caught a little train that shows you 70% of the grounds. It was very moving and we had a lovely day. I have recommended it to everyone I speak to about it. We also ate in the restaurant which has a lot of choice and it is great value for money. The staff are amazing and very helpful and professional. I will definitely return for another visit.

This was the first time that we have been here and it is such a humbling feeling seeing all the memorial to our brave forces who fought for us and lost their lives when we went in the chapel at the beginning of our day they played Elgars Nimrod followed by the last post and a two minute silence it was so humbling. All the staff what work there are volunteers and the Arboretum is run soley on donations it costs £4.000 a day to run the arboretum so they ask for a donation either when you go in or come out Please if you go please donate so this wonderful Attraction can carry on for years to come

I visit every year and have enjoyed every visit yesterday I started with a visit to my favourite memorial Shot at Dawn it is so emotive and striking spent a while there on my own and returned at 1.30 for the talk. There are always new memorials and familiar ones to revisit in beautiful peaceful surroundings

We had an excellent day out at the National Arboretum. It was a peaceful place to visit and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

We’ve just got back from a really great day at the national memorial. After a coffee in the cafe we had booked the land train(you don’t have to book but I would again. A really good way to see around this vast space and to listen to the commentary and a useful way to plan the rest of the day. After a nice meal in the restaurant we the picked out a handful of memorials to revisit. A fabulous day but can be a little tiring.

We visited the Memorial with our two young children and although it was a busy day in the summer holidays there was still a peaceful atmosphere. We took the land train around the perimeter and the audio narrative was very informative. The children enjoyed the train ride and despite it being quite long they were interested in the sights and sounds on the way.

There was a children's activity where they could hire a soldier's backpack with some dress up items and equipment inside so they could see what it might have been like to be a soldier. This was a great activity and the mission cards inside the bag took us to a number of different memorials to find the answers to specific questions, so a good way to keep them interested while the grown ups also got to have a look around.

Each and every memorial we saw was well maintained and in a good state of repair and it was certainly an emotional afternoon.

We were worried that it wasn't the right place to take our children at such a young age (6&4), but we needn't have been concerned. The staff were very engaging with them and they were encouraged to ask questions and be curious. We didn't have time to look at everything as it's a huge site and hope to return soon.

First time I have visited here and I was well impressed. So many memorials to so many people that have served us around the world.
I ache area and mortal is so well presented and displayed it is great. Definitely need a days to take it in and even then you will not cover it all. Use the road train and get you bearings on the place.
Will return, it’s free to enter and be prepared d to the all.
There was some building work going on otherwise it would have been a five star.

Taken here by Simpson coaches as one of our planned trips was unavailable. What a moving experience and could have spent longer, moving experience with excellent facilities, the cafe provided good range of meals and snacks.

What a lovely memorial this is. Moving as it should be. Loved the way the place has been set out too. Very moving... Long overdue to have one like this. Well done to all concerned.

Spent 5 hours here with free entry. Car park £3, But we spent quite a lot. Wheelchair and mobility scooter friendly. Scooters on hire for £5 a day.
If you have not been before take the train ride it covers about 70% of the site.£6 each but well worth it. The Map £3 and Guide book £7.50 both worth the price a very good read.
Have lunch in the very good resturant about £10 each or a snack at the coffee shop.
If you go a second time you can probably spend the car park and lunch and nothing else. A fantastic place well thought out and very moving.

A good half day spent exploring the site, which is well laid out and wheelchair friendly. There is a very good restaurant/coffee shop. The memorials are well spaced out and are not too crowded. For those who do not want to walk the whole 150 acres there is a reasonably priced roadtrain.
The chapel is an absolute must to visit, the wood carvings are just amazing.
The only downside is that some of the signage to the memorials could be clearer and the map which can be purchased us pictorial and a schematic map would be much better.

We only had a shory time to visit and to access the whole site by foot would have taken some time so we took the tours available. The land train tour was £6 and took 45 mins. It showed us a lot of the monuments on the east side of the site and had an interesting onboard recorded commentry. We then took the golf buggy tour. This was £5 and toured the west side of the site with a live commentry. It also weaved off road to look at some of the smaller monuments. Very informative. Lunch of jacket potato was good also. Would recommend a visit and do the tours.

I live local to the National Memorial Arboretum and go there on a regular basis if I need somewhere to relax and reflect. It is such a calming but also moving place to be.

Cannot understand some of the terrible reviews in which I have read lately, 1. I can understand why dogs are not allowed on the main grass areas, some people can be careless when it comes to picking up dog waste and such. 2. People should expect higher prices for food, I know the food in the café is of good quality so if you do not want to pay a little higher price for food then don't moan and bring your own! It's common sense really so do not blame the Arboretum for things you can research yourself beforehand.

The Arboretum itself is going through some major updating and improvements and it looks amazing to see all the works in which are taking place at the moment. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product. The building works did not affect my visit in any way, yes it is loud at times, but what do you expect when people are doing building works. The building works are sectioned off so there is no health and safety concerns at all and there is still a lot of accessible routes around the works so it is not blocking off anything.

I would definitely recommend The National Memorial Arboretum to anyone, especially those with an interest of the military. The memorials are stunning and are so moving, you can see that a lot of thought and hard work has gone into every memorial there. I will definitely carry on been a regular visitor in the future. Parking does cost £3 which is nothing really when there is so much to do and see within the Arboretum and all the money goes back into the Arboretum so it is worth the £3.

This is a unique and humbling place. It contains both military and civilian memorials. It is s here he site but the volunteers make it easy to navigate. If you are going for the first time book a trip on the land train to get your bearings. Also the 10.45 service in the chapel is worth it.

My wife and I spent over half a day here and came away saddened by the futility of war but impressed and grateful to the countless people of so many nations who had made the ultimate sacrifice in recent war zones.. I had already visited the Arboretum some six years earlier and was struck by the many changes, improvements and additions to this large area that occupies former gravel pits.
Quite well signposted nowadays and with plenty of parking, there seems to be a 'standard' expected parking charge of £3...good value, and needed to help pay for the daily £3,000 upkeep of the Arboretum.
The site covers some 30 hectares and contains around 30,000 trees - many of which looked thirsty after the unrelenting July sunshine and drought. Only the 'lollipop' trees in the central memorial area seem to be watered, and some of the younger trees had clearly given up the struggle to survive. Very sad for an arboretum.
Staff were friendly and welcoming, as were the many volunteers. The shop contained a good selection of maps (£3), leaflets and memorabilia, the canteen/ restaurant was busy and understaffed at the tills and food was in surprisingly short supply prior to the evening concert. The café across the central square was better organised and served good coffee but rather expensive cakes & bottled drinks. There were outside seats and tables.
There is so much to see on this ever-expanding site: we took the land train tour that stuck to the well maintained road paths, lasted around 45 minutes and gave an interesting commentary en route. Strangely there were two places where passengers could get off but were then not allowed back on. The train was well organised and the staff helpful.
After our train trip we explored some far flung sites, following the wooden signpost directions. We regretted not having bought a map as we wandered along the banks of the boundary river, hoping to see some wildlife but even the birds were probably sheltering from the fierce sun. A pretty area that contrasted with the poignant exhibitions nearby.
We enjoyed a picnic lunch and, later that evening, the outdoor concert of patriotic music given by a military band.
A memorable visit to an impressive National Memorial.

We decide it was time to visit the arboretum having seen it develop a over the years and often on local television.

We were asked for a £3 parking fee and given a small ticket. "This is the only fee, park where you can."
We parked and walked the hundred metres to the main building/entrance. It was big enough not to be over bearing and with the supporting pillars along the front it immediately gave the impression of "Ranks" standing on guard.
Inside it was smart clean and wide door and wheelchair friendly no steps and ramps woven into the surrounding were needed. A large open foyer and a gift shop, and a long large café. Passing the café and stepping into the Hero's square it was stunning the sun was beating down. Opposite was another café both with outside seating. It was well thought out the spaces were big but not so far away you could not enjoy them.
We decided to check the visitor map on display and ended up listening to the guide as he explained different areas of the gardens. I thought we will need several visits to see it all. As it turned out it is big but you can see it all in a afternoon depending on your physical abilities/age. There were large "Golf" buggies to transfer people to locations so ask if you need one of those they are free. They also have a "Road Train" but it is £6 per person, it was very popular and very full the guide provides the information as he/she drives around.
We had superb hot sunny weather and I still saw people crying and touching names on the walls, sitting contemplating. There are hundreds of dedicated benches you are asked to sit on them. There are over six thousand trees dedicated to groups or individuals.
The verity of memorials is in its self interesting and you cannot help thinking that every single one had a different story to tell.
As we wander away from the guide "Don't forget to look down." The memorials are cleverly cut/constructed to allow stones to be removed for engraving and then replaced. I walked passed the VC honour winners stones without noticing. So we returned and read every single one for being so careless.
We managed to see all of the gardens and entered the main remembrance walls and found my four friends carved in stone high up out of reach. "There by the grace of God go I."
We wandered away to the Far East Memorial. We have visited Sabah several times and this was an important aspect of our visit. I was completely shocked to find genuine rails with eroded timber baulks from the Far East railways the POW's were forced to build lying in sunny Staffordshire. It was a chilling as Bergan Belsen. I had tears rolling down my face. The memorial building and the outside memorials are in keeping with the wider gardens. It tells the truth but not in a graphic way but it is very upsetting to read.
We ended up at the gift shop and bought several items.
I did not want to visit here. But; I found it very calming and helpful.

How anyone can post poor reviews about this place is beyond me. It's a modest £3 to park and free entry to a very beautiful and thought provoking place. The staff, without exception, are brilliant - welcoming, helpful and very informative. A special mention for Paul Hughes who did the "Shot at Dawn" talk and was excellent. You could spend hours and hours here as there are so many memorials to see. It is very humbling. Top marks too for the cafe and gift shop. One suggestion, though - I do think there could be better signage, including maps. There is a map in the guide book but that costs £7.50 and is heavy to carry around. Maybe the map could be printed and sold for £1 or so?