Very moving, well worth a visit. Bit shocked at parking fee, but entry is free. Recommend arriving in time for 2 mins silence in chapel at 11 am.

I wasnt sure what to expect when i visited the Abouretum. It is free to go in but they would sugest a donation of £5.
it is a large site to wonder around good walking shoes a must if you intend to see it all by walking . there is a land train to take you around most of the site so great for disabled and difficulty in walking .
The monuments are amazing and the stories behind them even more so we had a guide well worth paying for his valuable knowledge
.At 11am in the small church is a remembrance service which is a daily event .
The centre piece Is the armed forces memorial a must to see.
There are over sea's memorials. and others memorials for different organisations ie Bt The postal sevices so not all military .
Its unbelieveable how many people lost their lives through conflict and not all military
A memorial to War Horses i believe is coming soon.
This is such a beautiful sight with its memorials ,flowers, and trees time for peace relction and tranquility its an amazing place for anyone to go and see this is a full day out and i still didn't get to do it justice it also has a river walk which ill have to do next time because i will go again

I went to the Arboretum expecting to see a lot of trees and one huge national memorial to those who have lost their lives in the service of this country. In the event, it was the other way round. I was hardly aware of any trees (though a check on their website reveals that there are around 50,000 maturing trees there!) but many memorials for many different organisations.

The site is huge, and the beauty of this is that the various memorials are well spaced, allowing privacy for reflection at each of the sites. The central Armed Forces Memorial, which stands proud on a small hillock, is stunningly simple...and deeply moving. It bears the names of all those who have been killed on duty or as a result of terrorist action from 1948 onwards - and though this is AFTER the end of the Second World War, the list runs into thousands. The lists are divided by year, and then into the various services, but the names are not in alphabetical order as you might expect. I'm not sure how the order was worked out, but one suggestion was that maybe it was according to the date/time of death. Provision has been made to add more names as time passes, and we can only hope that these panels remain blank for many years to come.

We went on an extremely wet and windy day, which made lingering at the memorial well nigh impossible, but I would love to return one November to see the memorial at its best - it has been designed to allow a shaft of sunlight to fall across the wreath in the centre at precisely 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month. Every day is remembrance day here, though. A daily service incorporating the Last Post, Silence and Reveille is held each morning at 11a.m., with entrance on a first come, first served basis.

There is no charge for entrance to the Arboretum, but notices at the entrance suggest a donation of £5 per person.

went with my partner - we are ex forces and cannot fail to be moved, but forces or not this is well worth a visit. its a big site and walking shoes a must. the monuments are amazing and laid out in a good way. the role call of names and the stories are amazing .
the staff wonderful 0 well worth a visit!

I was supprised at just how large this sight actualy is, so make sure you were comfortable shoes, though there is a train to take you arround the site if you want. You cannot fail to be impressed by the sheer scale and thought that has gone into some of the monuments, nor can you fail to be moved by the role call of names and personal momentos left by loved ones. it brings it home just how many lives have been lost.

Myself and my wife visited here on March 8th 2013. After an early start from the south coast, we dropped our daughter off at Crufts at the NEC and then decided to visit here. I had wanted to visit for a long time and I wasn't disappointed! It was a cold, foggy day and as we got there as they opened we had the place to ourselves.
As I am a Falklands Veteran, I particularly wanted to see the new Falklands memorial. It was very moving and gave me a chance to pay my respects to those unfortunate souls who didn't come home again! The main wall was simply amazing, a huge structure that has all the names of all service personnel that have lost their lives since the second world war and the year in which they perished! What was most poignant was the empty spaces still waiting to be filled with names of future servicemen yet to be killed. The fog gave a very eerie feel to the place. The memorials are spread over a wide expanse, but there are a couple of noddy trains to ferry visitors around the site. Although it is free entry, donations are always welcome and there are some very helpful, informative staff. All in all, a moving experience, but a great place to visit!

I visited the Arboretum to do some voluntary work and I was greatly impressed by the site. Anyone with any Forces connection couldn't help but be moved by the monuments.

The area is due for expansion from July 2013 until May 2015, but don't let this put you off visiting as they tell me this won't impact on your enjoyment of the site.

150 acres of immature parkland, wet areas and meadows that can only improve as the plants develop. I'll certainly be visiting again soon.

This was our forth vist (11th April) on a very cold day, but the welcome was warm.It had been about 2 years since our last trip and we found alot of new monuments and trees.We had a look at our uncles tree and then went for some food. We found the meals were ok but not as good value as it was last time we went. As it was a very cold day we decided to have a trip on the train which tours the site. When we went to get tickets they were £4.50 each. We thought that was alot and the young man selling them must have read our minds and told us abit about the trip.I'm so glad we took his advice.The trip lasts about 60 mins and covers all the site with a audio commentary.Great value. The same young man who sold the tickets was also the train driver. He was great, making sure we were all safe and as warm as possible giving us blanckets to put over our legs.He even offered my wife his coat as she look cold.
The staff and volounters are all great.The arboretum especially the main mounument are a must see for every one but if you have time ,try and see the "shot at dawn" memorial so sad.

My young family had a really enjoyable time at the Arboretum on my birthday (10 April). It is a superb and, often overwhelming place to visit. The main monument is very impressive and oh-so sad, especially where there is space to add on future casualties. Indeed, all of the many monuments are impressive and are set amongst lovely surroundings. I think it is very important to take the children and let them learn the extent of the sacrifices made for them, and all of us.
There is a lovely picnic area near the kiddie's play area, but there are unfortunately no toilets there. You would have to go back to the main entrance which is quite a walk, especially with children and the elderly, etc.
The cafe and shops are also very impressive. Moreover, the staff are enthusiastic, helpful and friendly.
There is free admission but there is a pay-and-display car park, which, considering the fabulous time that we had, i did not mind paying!

i was fortunate to be invited to do some charity work at the shot at dawn memorial.the whole site takes your breath away thanks to the sterling work of the staff and volounteers. its very peacefull and i would urge everyone to take an afternoon to walk around and take the whole site in

Had wanted to visit the National Memorial for ages and finally made the journey to Lichfield last weekend. What a fantastic experience. The central monument is outstanding- to wander and read the name of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us since 1945 was truly awe-inspiring. Then just to meander through teh Arboretum was special - at every turn another memorial or monument to stop and stare at. The peace and tranquility was special. If possible I would recommend arriving just before 11:00 and take part in the daily Service of Remembrance in the chapel. Will guarantee a tear in the eye during the service, especially at the playing of the Last Post. The land-train ride is well worth the small fee, especially if the legs are not as they once were! There are acres and acres of ground to cover so any help via the train is welcome.

This is a powerful memorial to our troops. How can we ever pay the debt we owe to them for our freedom? I was hit by a wave of emotion when I first stepped out of the visitors centre. We spent 6 hours walking around the grounds and we still did not see it all. Well worth a visit. Disabled should not be put off as there are electric scooters for hire to get around the site as well as road trains. Good selection of food and drink. The grounds are immaculate and a credit to the horticultural staff. All the staff in the visitors centre, shop and restaurant were lovely. Plenty of places to sit for a time of reflection and solitude. My Dad as an ex KOYLI would have loved this place. More memorials being added all the time so well worth a return visit. All for free...but please do give a donation.

We visited on an early Sunday morning shortly after opening at 9am. It was sunny and we had the place practically to ourselves. It was a moving experience especially the memorial to all those fallen since the Second World War, only when one see the walls of names extending into the distance does one realise the extent of the sacrifice. Particularly poignant is the blank wall beyond 2011 awaiting the names that will be inscribed. Our interest was in the RAF memorials and there were a number of intriguing commemorations set in a a silver birch woodland setting. The site will only improve as the trees mature.

We went to sell our shade loving plants at a rare plant fair held here on Sunday. It was a lovely day but a bit chilly. I decided to go and look at the large memorial on the hill. It was so moving. It is dedicated to all those killed in wars after 1945. Huge tall limestone walls covered in names from top to bottom. the ages of the people! they were so young. The most moving were the newest names with little bunches of flowers and small drawings from children"To my Daddy".
I ended up in tears. Every schoolchild should go as part of their education.

A very beautiful tribute to those who gave their lives so we could be free. I found the most moving experience to those mostly very young men who were 'Shot at Dawn' it is only now that it has been recognised many should not have been shot or treated as deserters. The gardens and monuments are beautifully laid out and well kept. There is no charge for entering but really on donations. The staff are very helpful and will answer any questions. It is a full days experience, where service and ex-service personnel will be moved.

Having visited Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC I wanted to pay my respects to my UK comrades and the National Memorial Arboretum allowed me to do just that, in my own time, at my on pace.

As soon as we arrived a volunteer guided us to a map of the park and explained the layout and told us of all the facilities and events. From the moment we arrived we were impressed.

Parking from 1st of April is £3 and although entry is free for all they do have donation boxes allowing you to help the Arboretum fulfil its plans of providing the best facility in the UK.

I went with a purpose, to pay my respects and remember those colleagues who lost their lives in the Falklands war. This memorial was our first point of call, but certainly not our last. We walked the whole site spending time at each memorial that was on our map and were very impressed at the imagination the creators of the memorials as well as paying respect to those who died.

I can't possibly suggest what the best memorials are, they all have meaning. Shot at Dawn is very thought provoking and has made me want to find out more about the soldiers who were killed and the reasons why.

The site is extremely well planned and once the trees have had chance to mature, the plants have grown and the new buildings planned for the future are built, the site will have the potential to be a world leading Arboretum

Luckily we went on a day in April that the weather had turned and it was a very pleasant day. If it's cold on a day you go remember to wrap up warm as you can be in large open spaces for a long time. There are catering facilities and as all staff on the site they are very friendly.

It began in the beautiful Chapel with 2 mins silence and an introduction to this amazing experience! It was a roller-coaster of emotions...it made you smile, feel such pride in all those remembered and a great sense of humility that so many brave people made the ultimate sacrifice. The site is so beautiful, serene and peaceful. It has been meticulously planned and created, lovingly tended and cherished by an army of committed volunteers. 4 hours was not enough to do it justice but did give us an unforgettable experience. We will definitley go back to continue our exploration of all the gardens and give all those they remember the time they deserve.The tribute to those who died on the Burma a Sumatra railways was heartbreaking. Lesley and Eric Deninson-Crosby, Merseyside

Brilliant, people there are just lovely, friendly and the place is kept clean. Food is excellent. Been there several times and would recommend .

Visited recently with my dad and young daughter. The main building is clean and modern with a nice cafe providing drinks and food. All the staff are very educated and helpful. There is no fee to get in but a donation is advised to help support the costs of the museum. It is a massive plot of land where there a variety of memorials. I was taken back and enjoyed the visit. My dad loved it and my daughter was running around having lots of fun. You need a whole day to properly look around and cover all the ground. There is transport that can take you around the park but walking around is much more enjoyable. I left the location feeling very proud of the people who have served for their country and lost their lives. Will visit in the summer.

We visited here on a very bitter March day but it was well worth wrapping up and fighting the cold. Everyone should visit the NMA once in their lives. It is free , obviously we gave a donation , but every penny is spent on the upkeep of all the memorials and planting of new trees.
The staff are wonderful , caring and passionate about the place and also very informative and helpful.
We got there for 11am as they do a talk in the chapel and have a two minute silence which is a poignant start to your visit. I would recommend the train ride as it takes you all around the grounds and allows you to see everything you can then choose which memorials you wish to return to and see close up.
There are so many memorials you would struggle to do the all in a day but there are picnic areas and a cafe so you can certainly spend several hours here.
I can't believe there are people on here moaning about the parking fees and donations!!! It costs three pounds to park all day and you don't have to give a donation if you really dont want to!!! But really why would you go?
On leaving we felt like we had given something back and felt that we had done something good visiting this amazing memorial in memory of all those poor souls who gave their lives for us. We will definitely be returning for another visit in the summer.

We went here recently, family of 4, 2 adults, 2 children (10 & 13). On arriving you are greeted by very helpful volunteers who show you places of interest on large airiel photographs. They are so knowledgeable and polite - a credit to the site! Donations are welcome and there are guide books and maps to buy.

We walked around on a bitterly cold April day and enjoyed many areas of the site. Because it was so cold we couldnt see it all. The site has barcode/scanners that you can use with your mobile phone to give you more infomation about a particular memorial. The statues and different areas are very beautuful and it is well set out.

Although it is a peaceful place children are welcome and it certainly isn't 'serious' or upsetting for children. Our children found it very interesting

We used the cafe for a warm drink and the shop has a good selection too!

We will definitely return when its warmer.

we visited this site on a cold day in April. What a lovely site, parking was easy and cost £3 for the whole day.
Entry to the site is free, but I advise you to buy a map as it is a large site, and although many helpful guides it is easier to walk yourself with a map.
It is a fairly large site but if walking is difficult you can hire golf buggies or go on a guided tour by a dotto train, these do have a small charge for their hire.
Restaurant was good and had hot, cold, meals sandwiches and soup if required. The staff were most pleasant and helpful.

The staff on the whole site were extremely helpful and pleasant.

All of the individual areas are well posted so easy to find with help of aforesaid map.

Only negative comment I can find is the poor signage of the wonderful place, we travelled from Leamington Spa and did not see one tourist signpost ( the brown ones) until we were 100 metres from entrance.
This is not down to the Arboretum, and I do not know who should be making sure this place is easy to find, but surely such a fabulous place ought to be well signed.
In fact the whole area of Tamworth is badly signed. we decided not to use a sat nav but ye olde map book.....maybe we should have used sat nav, but I can read a map.

A memorable day out. Thought would only spend a couple of hrs but allow a whole day to really appreciate this wonderful site. Well managed, excellent, polite and helpful staff both young and old. Went on a bitterly cold and windy day but will definitely return during a warmer month to appreciate the trees and plants which will give a completely different perspective. Free entry and reliant on donations....I would have been more than happy to pay for this very worthy cause.

I took a party of visitors from Turkey, Spain, Romania, Lithuania - they were there to experience the role of volunteers in an organisations but said they got far more, and it really touched them. They felt this must be a unique experience anywhere in the world, and certainly one visit is just not enough.

Living so close, we visit the NMA regularly - often with friends, always with the children, sometimes just to go to the cafe.

It is ALWAYS a great place to visit, whether you want to look at the memorials, reflect on the atrocities of our history, take a walk, entertain the kids or simply get away from everything for a while.

The volunteers and staff do an excellent job - they are welcoming, helpful and incredibly knowledgable.

The memorials are stunning - some beautiful, some moving, some a bit odd..! But fantastic that we have somewhere to visit and remember that's not in London but in a beautiful part of the National Forest.

I take the children there regularly and they always have loads of questions about wars and people shown on the memorials. It's great for kids - and I've never found it a sad place to be, it feels uplifting.

Just one big plea - can we have some toilets by the picnic area / Millennium Hut PLEASE???? It's a very long walk back to the visitor centre with a desperate child! And I'm sure the older visitors would appreciate them too!