Have visited the NMA previously in daylight, but this twilight trek through the grounds was absolutely superb, literally you saw everything in a different light. Superbly organised and great guides, an absolute pleasure to have been there.

Wow, this place exceeded all expectations. What a truly moving place. A mix of beautiful gardens, memorials, exhibitions, we spent nearly 4 hours here and still wasn’t long enough. Everyone should visit this place as a reminder of the sacrifices so many have made across the world for their country.

The venue is way to reach and great parking. The staff welcome all visitors and are very knowledgable. Walks through the grounds are clearly marked and guides available. A land train operates to take the less mobile around the grounds complete with audio. The whole area is very thought provoking, moving and well maintained. We spent about 4 hours in the grounds which allows you ample time to view the various areas but will return again.

This place is amazing and very moving, the gardens and woodlands are lovely and peaceful, the memorials are beautiful it’s a wonderful place to remember the men and women who gave their lives for our country but it’s also a lovely day out to walk round the and enjoy the nature. The cafe is good too and if it’s a warm day there are lots of benches around the site to sit and enjoy the sunshine. Well worth a visit.

Over the past few years we have experienced the hundredth anniversary of so many of the WW1 battles. At the Memorial Arboretum the scale of the carnage of that war, WW2 and all the subsequent conflicts is made very clear.
Our day began in the chapel, where there is a daily act of remembrance every morning at 11am. We then took the land train which gives a 50 minute tour of the main sites. (£6 per head - prebook online). The commentary gives a clear overview of the different memorials, and helps you plan your itinerary for the rest of the day.
The "shot at dawn" memorial, and the talk there at 1.30 each day is really evocative. The Burma railway exhibition shows the brutality of war, and the blank panels on the Armed Services Memorial (presumably for names to be added as need arises in the future) is totally thought provoking.
Do not come here if you are not prepared to be challenged and moved to tears.

I would recommend a visit here to anyone who was visiting the area .
It is free entry but they accept donations. You can travel around a vast area by small train for £6 . Very emotional.

My Brother, his wife, a niece and myself visited the National Memorial Arboretum because our Grandfather was mentioned in the Mud and Memory Exhibition for Paschendaele 1917. This was the centenary of his death in the third battle of Ypres, probably around the area of Pond Farm. He was never found but was remembered at the Tyne Cot Cemetary which we visited in June. Through information that I gave to the Paschendaele Museum in Belgium, the National Memorial Exhibition were able to use our Grandfather's details, much to our delight. I had wanted to visit there for quite a while so this was the push that I needed. The curator was very helpful and she extended an invitation that we were able to take up. We found the Mud and Memory centre was fascinating with all the interesting facts so well displayed. You approach a wall with a painting of a forest but on closer inspection it was a collage of individual photos, so amazing. Our Grandfather was amongst many soldiers who had been killed, with photos and details in a rotating film on a video screen. Also, I'm not sure how it was achieved but you apparently walked through different colour leaves on the floor which turned to poppies, very unusual and most fascinating. After some very good meals in the restaurant, we walked outside and down to the WW1 trenches which were some distance away. They were occupied by some "soldiers" who were very informative, showing the weapons and items common to the trenches. Pity it wasn't a bit larger, as fast as we went in we were back out again. We were blessed with lovely sunny weather and enjoyed all the memorials that we passed but even then the site is so vast we did not have the time to see it all. Maybe another visit will beckon when another exhibition takes place. Even if you don't have a direct relative involved in the Forces it is still a very moving and interesting place to visit. The Paschendaele Exhibition is chargeable and will finish by the middle of November but otherwise it is free to enter. It is probably more suited to adults or students unless they have a child friendly event running.

An amazing place! I haven't been for several years & in that time there are many more memorials that have appeared. Good cafe, & the volunteer staff are very friendly and helpful.

Never realised how big this place is, also busy, nice to know people remember those who have fallen,

An outstanding site! So beautifully laid out and exquisitely maintained. A history lesson in itself with the added bonus of the trees and plants. You could spend hours here or just have a quick visit. Entry is free but you do have to pay for car parking. Inside the entrance is a large restaurant, toilets and reception area to answer any of your questions, again well maintained. There are tours by land train around the site and I would recommend them as they give a commentary on what you see and then you can always walk back and see the memorials you are more interested in. I think everyone should visit here to see all the names of the people who gave their lives in all the conflicts we have been involved in. Its a thought reflecting place and uplifting.

An enlightening day of sober reflection and sense of humble admiration of the service and great sacrifice of so many men and women.
The National Memorial Arboretum.
"lest we forget"

We live nearby and regularly visit the Arboretum, often just for their excellent meals. Saves cooking! And at the weekend there is usually a selection of roasts.

Arrived on the day of the RTTW, and greeted by thousands of bikes and bikers. All of which enhanced the experience greatly. No matter where you go there are memorials everywhere, all well maintained in a clean and spacious environment. I would advise to take advantage of guided tours if you can as the knowledge of these people is encyclopedic and they add a human element to all the exhibits. There is seating to reflect on what you see everywhere. Facilities are clean and good, and the shops and restaurants reasonable. All in all a brilliant day out which surpassed my expectations. I will certainly be visiting this important site again. IT MADE ME PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND STANDARDS. Well done to all the staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm and dedication.

Visit this place on Saturday 7 October with the family, once we arrived as we park in the main car park we was directed at field once we parked up there was busses waiting for us to take us to the Arboretum, once we arrived there we could understand why we couldn't us the main car park because it was full of motor bikes these bikers raise thousands of pounds for veterans and for services personal who lost there lives, it was a great atmosphere all ex services sharing the stories

This was our third visit to the National Memorial Arboretum and the work that has been done enhances your visit greatly.
We attended the annual RTTW which had its 10th Anniversary this year. The staff from the NMA along with RTTW made this an extraordinary day and was superbly organised considering the huge amount of people visiting for the day.
There are now more helpful signs and maps to find the memorials you want to visit. We need to go back again to visit all that we want to see.
This place leaves a lasting impression on you and rightly so. It's a shame that more people nationwide aren't aware of its existence - we live in the North East and a lot of people don't know about the NMA. I feel national press need to give it more coverage. But definitely well worth a visit - or more than just one visit!

Went for a look around the aboretum.very special place get a very proud feeling on a visit.very spacious.clean and thoughtful.the memorials are very well done.restaurant very nice.good shop with a variety things to buy.plenty of information to look at and stsff helpful.there is a train that travels around the site which helps if you have mobility probs or so you can to see majority of site as hard to see all in a day.films are shown at different stages in different areas.well worth a visit.tours can be booked.payment is donation based.large carpark with a charge.ideal for disabled visitors.

This arboretum is a must to visit . You do need to allow plenty of time to look round it it’s surprisingly large. The volunteer are very helpful. You will be surprised to how many different memorials ther are.

A fitting place to all those who made the supreme sacrifice for others to live in freedom. 150 acres, 30,000 trees and over 300 memorials, you need a day to do it all justice. All the volunteers we approached were extremely helpful and knowledgable. The ‘Shot at Dawn’ Memorial was particularly poignant. Well worth a visit.

I went to this place during a trip to Wales, The idea was conceived by David Childs in 1988 to honour those service people who gave their lives to serve this country. There are nearly 300 monuments in the extensive grounds, one day will not be enough to see everything, highly recommended.

Was honoured and humbled to take part in RTTW2017 and was blown away by the size of the place. Being there on such a busy day was tremendous but meant that I only got to see a fraction of what is on offer. Need to spend a weekend there to really benefit and explore everything available.

It's great to have a place to remember those who have contributed to the Nation. Monuments and trees in manicured setting.

Wasn't really sure what to expect but what a stand out place it turned out to be. We spent several hours walking round all the different main memorial sites. How very moving they all were. The place is serene, tranquil and very thought provoking. Everyone should be made to come here and understand how many people have given their lives for their country! As entry is free I left a large donation and hope everyone else does the same. The place deserves support!!

A good visit, allow a day for your visit because there are lots of memorials to see. The Volunteers are very helpful & friendly. A very moving place.

This was well worth the visit and the weather was not great, but the well worth the day out with a good breakfast here too!

Near to our house and we are very proud of it.
Our friends came and they were interested in visiting they were not disappointed it is beautiful
Very impressive