Not living far away we visited this place regularly, but since the new visitor centre has open I find they are pricing themselves out of the market. We always stayed for lunch after a lovely walk round, but now the prices have gone to very expensive and little choice in the menu. I class fish and chips (nothing special) and a coffee at over £10 far too much to pay, and would recommend bringing a picnic if you are there for the day.....such a pity.

We arrived from the A38 southbound and followed the signposts to the car park which took us past the main building to a large car park which I turned into only to find the gates closed. The satnav kept warning me that there may be no car parking available which I had thought was in error. I did turn round and found that we was able to park outside the main building. Very confusing.
We entered the main building and asked at reception what we could do. The lady said she was new and from her explanation we decided as the weather was inclement to take the land train which was a good and informative way to see the memorials. However after lunch, which was also very good we tried to visit the exhibition but it hadn't been explained to us that this was a separate ticket for £7:50 linked to the audio guide of the grounds which we had already seen from the train. As there was large queues at the reception we decided not to bother which was disappointing as I wanted to see the first world war paintings.
We did brave the weather (parts of Wales had a tornado that morning) to walk to the first world war trench but though well signposted there is no indication of distance or time to walk there and we wouldn't have started to walk there at that particular time had we known how long the return walk would take in such changeable weather.
I'm sorry if this sounds like I'm being a moaner as we did enjoy our visit and despite the weather but I think car parking arrangements could be clearer as could ticketing options and sign post distances.

Just back from the National Arboretum.. what an emotional, humbling, peaceful, powerful and truly memorable place to visit. I feel a must for everyone ... we must remember all those men and women who have served in our forces to allow us to have the lives we have today. They gave so much for us. Lest We Remember.

First time visiting. Came to look at the trenches, especially as it's remembrance. Looking at amazing sculptures and what they represent. Lots of memorials to look at we didn't manage to see them all. Definitely be visiting again and think I'd take the land train which I believe goes around the whole place.

We choose to go to the remembrance service there which was so moving and well presented so worthy of the day

This place is an amazing place for quiet reflection. The War Memorial is spectacular and certainly makes you think. Free to enter with lots to see and good facilities
The kids will enjoy it Im sure but it is not a park. Nice in the summer with a picnic
No matter how far you travel to get here you will not regret it.

I visited here with a friend for the first time on Remembrance Sunday and what an amazing day to go. Beautiful weather, the countless veterans and many many families all came together to create a magic feeling. The service itself was very moving and I'm looking forward to visiting again soon so that I can explore the many memorials.

My wife and I live about 6 miles from the NMA & very often cycle there. It has been amazing to see the construction of the new visitor centre over the last 12 months or so. Now that it is open it is absolutely stunning & beautiful. We would recommend anyone to visit & pay their respects to all of the brave men & women that made the ultimate sacrifice in order that we may live in a free & democratic society.

A truly wonderful place to visit. Lots to see plus a really nice gift shop. Plenty of parking, not far from the A38. Will be visiting again next summer.

I have now been to this outstanding "Remembrance" site. It caters for all. The entrance is free, you pay for car parking. Disabled and those that find walking a bind are catered for, with buggies for hire. There is a 'roadtrain' that for a small price takes you around the site, with a commentary on the various trinities. There are tributes to all the services and there's a garden dedicated to unborn babies. This brought a tear, but was so peaceful !
There is a restaurant,coffee shop and gift centre.
If you have a relation friend or acquaintance who served or even still serving, it's worth a visit to pay respects and learn a lot about them.

We have visited a few times and we never fail to have a lovely time. Just wandering around the fantastic site stirs emotions of pride and gratitude.
While we have no "fallen heroes" in our family, we still feel moved by the tributes and memorials - they gave their today for our tomorrow and we should be eternally grateful.

This place pays tribute to the military who have fallen & those who have lost their lives in the service of their country. The new entrance area is a great improvement however it is a pity that the immediate area just outside is not under cover, this would be of a benefit in adverse weather. The overall site has been very successfully laid out & is a credit to the country!

The Armed Forces memorial was being worked on, and the new Visitor Centre was not yet complete, but the day we spent at the NMA was lovely, peaceful, moving. Thank you

Have visited a few times and each time i have been moved to tears.
What a beautiful place.
From the scented rose garden to the memorial wall, the hole place is amazing

We were lucky enough to get tickets to the Remembrance Service on 11th November. The guest of honour was Prince Harry. The whole experience was very well organised and incredibly moving. This is a wonderful place and so vast. You need a whole day to see everything and do it justice. There is a little train for those who do not want to walk, which costs £5 per person.

This was my first visit but definitely won't be my last. The whole visit was a wonderful experience. Lots of wide open space to explore, many moving tributes and memorials which also tell a story and you feel a connection to those being remembered.
During my visit, The RAF were taking part in a ceremony to commemorate service personnel recently added to a memorial. The sight of men and women in uniform lining the path to the armed forces memorial was incredibly touching.
The venue itself is very accessible and suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Facilities at the venue were very clean and there are plenty of staff on hand to offer help and information when required.
Parking is £3 all day and entry is free but donations accepted. Prices in the restaurant / coffee shop are quite competitive with other branded chains.
All in all a wonderful day out.

Everyone should make the effort to visit the National Memorial Arboretum - its not just a military memorial - many other organisations and services are remembered - the place is also growing all the time and over the coming years it will flourish as the trees and plants grow.
Spent most of a day there walking around - there is so much to see, if walking difficult then you can catch the land train or treat yourself to a buggy guided tour.
The main memorial was under refurbishment, so was not able to explore fully, but I was lucky to return on the 11th November to attend the Armistice Service in the company of Prince Harry, a truly wonderful experience.
The centre has a nice shop and cafe, the volunteer guides and staff are very knowledgeable and nothing is to much trouble to them.
I certainly will visit again. Its free but even with a donation its a wonderful day out.

During the recent half term we took our son to the NMA to prepare him for a later visit with school.
There are many and varied memorials that since its creation have created a wonderful place to visit as good as any I have visited around the world but close to home. Some of the views recorded here or on the NMA website have to be seen to be appreciated.
The trigger for our visit was to see how the memorial to neo-natal deaths, the SANDS garden has matured. We were rewarded for our visit. Whilst there we identified a great cafe and Royal British Legion shop.
We let my mum see the wonderful guide book and as a result we are to revisit for her birthday in December

A very pleasant place to visit. Well kept and respectful. Plenty of personal space and a good cafe too.

What a fantastic place, not only is it a great day out but a day out in the fresh air. There are numerous memorials from every branch of the armed forces, also the police, fire service, women's land army and even the railway industry. All of which have served in past conflicts in one way or another. I am a little biased as I served in the military, the fire service and the railway industry. The main memorial of course being the memorial wall with the names of all of the people from all of the services that have died since the Second World War are remembered. Nevertheless, there is such a lot to see, do and learn at the Arboretum. The site is very disabled friendly, there are cafés and restaurants on site. There are plenty of places to stay if you would like spend time in the heart of England with the national forest and also Cannock chase on the door step. Very easy to reach from every direction with good road links.

We had wanted to visit for a long time and when we were invited to attend the 60th anniversary of the Suez campaign we were so pleased. What a beautiful Memorial this is, it covers a vast area but there are guided tours, walking , buggy or land train all at reasonable prices. Entrance to the grounds is free but after seeing the great work that has been put in to it I think everybody leaves a donation. We did not get chance to see a great deal but will make every effort to return. There is an excellent restaurant and gift shop in the new Remembrance Centre.

The NMA is a special place and despite many visits I still don't think I have seen all it has to offer. The new Centre is impressive and increases the worth of a visit.

Whilst obviously nicer on a dry day I have been in all weathers from snow to hot sun.

The Naitonal Memorial should be reopened very soon hopefully and you cant fail to be moved especially when you consider the timeline for all those names is so short.

A fttting place for reflection and commemoration and ever improving both in terms of the quality of the facilites and the maturity of the grounds.

Dont miss it and if you have never been on the first Saturday of October when the Ride to The Wall takes place I would suggest you add that date to your diary now.

I am ex-WRNS/RN and my husband is still serving, so we have always wanted to visit but haven't done so as we have a dog. Yesterday my husband was on duty there, so I accompanied him and obviously had to have our dog with me, so I walked the dog walking route. The section along the road and river was very pleasant and there were a few memorials adjacent to the path which I could see, although it seemed odd that the poo bins were well off the path (40 feet or so) when signs asked dogs not to leave the path. Thankfully Pip had already been or else I would not have been able to get to the bin to dispose of it without breaking the rules! There are stakes to tie dogs to so you can look at the memorials, but with the number of dogs stolen these days, and the possibility of dogs being reported as dangerous if they so much as bark or growl at someone, I cannot see any dog-owner actually using them. I certainly wouldn't.

The loop of dog walking route around the Millennium Wood isn't signed at all, and the dog-walk leaflet is a very poor map, so when the Spiritualist Monument didn't appear as planned I realised I had turned off the river path early and felt very bad that I had taken Pip where I wasn't supposed to. After a few false starts I managed to get back on track, but signs would have been very helpful indeed. Similarly, there was no sign where the route branches off down the main avenue towards the Remembrance Centre. Down this path I was almost tearful. There was the RN monument across some grass, but I couldn't leave the path to view it. Similarly I couldn't go to see the ATS memorial (my mother was a member), even though it was only a few feet off the path. Most explanatory signs are set off the path so I had to read them using the telephoto lens on my camera. I couldn't even sit on a bench as they were all set well off the path I was restricted to.

When I arrived a kind gentleman had showed me how to get to the dog path past some works, and explained that I could sit in Heroes Square and have a cup of tea when we had finished. After having waited five hours for my husband to finish his duties, and the emotional turmoil of being so close but not able to see the memorials which meant most to me, I was desperate for a cup of tea, so headed up to the square to find that yes, I could sit with Pip outside, and even under cover, but I couldn't take her into the building and there was no way to order tea without going in, so I couldn't have tea at all!

From what I managed to see I think it is probably well worth a visit, but sadly not for dog-owners.

A must see. The newly opened exhibition centre is so poignant and the service in the Chapel (arrive for 10:45 am) was a great reflective way to start. Catch the land train or pay for hand held devices to guide you round the Arboretum. A very moving and personal experience.

I always thought that the National Memorial Arboretum was a place to remember the victims of conflict. How wrong I was. There are memorials of all kinds, I believe there are over 300. We spent a couple of hours here on our way to another function, I really wish we could have spent longer, maybe next time due to the distance travelled, only short compared to some but well worth the effort. Very proud to see the names of ex colleagues remembered from the Lancashire regiments and the Queens Lancashire Regiments. Well done to the staff and volunteers and the Royal British Legion.