Plenty of monuments & dedicated areas for all who gave everything for us to live, still being rebuilt on my visit but should be finished for late 2016 new café a visitor centre & chapel under construction.

Very interesting to look around. We were there when the scouts were dedicating a memorial and we got to chat to the creator of their memorial and also of the one with lots of colored Perspex which looks very effective when the sun is shining through it
Take you time to look around, some of the memorials are very moving

My wife and I recently visited the National Memorial Arboretum on a very warm sunny Thursday. Car park was £3 which we thought was reasonable. We arrived on our motorbike and parked in the main entrance car park where there is motorbike specific parking (hard ground as opposed to the main/overflow car park that is loose gravel). I thought signage at the main entrance was a little confusing as I thought that only disabled badge holders were allowed in the main entrance but as the gravel car park was not suitable for our bike we ventured to the main entrance and were directed to the motorbike park by staff.

We bought a map of the Arboretum which was a great help to locate the memorials.

We took the Land Train that is a great interest investment and highly recommended as it travels around the grounds and points out the most significant memorials. £5 per passenger with a recorded commentary that also gave some interesting facts about the memorials. The guy taking the money and seating people was a good laugh but was not appreciated by a trio of New Zealanders who were mumbling and moaning under their breaths, we thought he was great!

Once we had returned to the Land Train terminus we then went to explore on foot. This was so much easier having had the benefit of the Land Train experience.

The gardens/arboretum were stunningly kept and we could have spent a lot longer at the arboretum but the hot sun and bike gear reduced our energy levels too far.

One of the most moving memorials was to the soldiers shot at dawn for desertion during WW1. A single statue of a blindfolded young soldier in front of lots of wooden posts that accounted for each soldier shot for 'desertion'. One lad was not even legally old enough to be a soldier having lied about his age when he joined up but was still shot for desertion! Some of the posts had poppies fixed to them from present day family members. Even sadder were the ones that didn't!

We had two visits to the cafe whilst we were there that were both very good experiences. Food was available at very reasonable prices. We had lunch then went back at the end of our visit for cakes and tea. Great!

The centre is helped by volunteers who were all very cheery and helpful. It was very poignant that when we visited the Intelligence Corps were having a memorial/remembrance service and to see the retired Corps members in their suits and proudly displaying their medals alongside the serving regiment members!

Our tip is check the website to see what special events may be on the day of your planned visit.

Well worth a visit and we will return.

I visited yesterday, Father's Day, 19th June. Was greeted on arrival on the coach by a guide who told us the Armed Forces Memorial was closed and that the land train was not running due to flooding on site. I particularly wanted to see the Basra and Bastion Memorials but couldn't get near them due to the flooding. There was extensive flooding on the site and some parts were totally inaccessible.

Maps are £3 to purchase. The guide I asked for directions was friendly and helpful.

Truly amazing place so peaceful and serene,if you have never been then i advise you to put it on your bucket list

I visited on a wet Wednesday and was surprised how helpful and friendly the staff are. The cafe is well equipped with good coffee and tea. Excellent lunch menu. The ship has a wide range of mementos. The memorials across the whole site are well tended and see in a wonderful countryside setting. I took a road train around the site first and later walked to the areas I was interested in. A great day out.

As well as memorials to all military units, there are memorials to civilian uinits like the fire service, police, St John's ambulance etc. I would recommend getting the small train that takes you around the site as this has audio commentary so that you know what you are looking at. There is an additional charge for this but well worth it. Then you can walk around to have a more in depth look. The Shot at Dawn memorial is particularly moving. I would advise checking before you go that the main memorial is open as the last time we went it was closed for renovation.

This is a great place to visit. So much to see that I would give at least 4 hours with a break for lunch. Lot of walking.

The array of monuments and inscriptions is amazing. Spread over a large area in great scenery.

Shot at dawn is a must see. Also the rail staff memorial is really good. Could not see camp bastion or Basra monuments due to local flooding previously.

Please note that there is no public transport to the venue. I got a taxi from Lichfield City train station. £8.40 each from a good local company.

A lovely place to visit,very thought provoking. Have been 4 times so far and still haven't seen everything as there are new memorials being dedicated all the time.

This is an amazing place and really brings home to you the sacrifice that was made by so many for so few. It covers a vast area and you really do need a whole day, if you are going to do your visit justice.

Not a place to pop in, take your time dwell and read the stories take a picnic and sit and contemplate. If you have any pride for our great nation and the things we've done in the face of adversary then take a day from your life to spend acknowledging theirs!
the sight is immense at 150 acres that go on and on and we went when the main memorial was under refurbishment and not open, a good reason for a revisit! watch the weather as this is very outdoors with little cover and once out wandering the loos are non existent so pay a visit in the visitor centre first.
Good food and a good shop and plenty of parking £3 and a voluntary entry fee. we took kids of 10 and 14 and they didn't get board, lots of questions asked mind!!

Visited in June 2016. Weather fine but windy. (The site always seems to be windy!)

Major redevelopment of the visitor centre and main parking area under way. Should be finished in time for Remembrance Sunday.

More memorials are added each time I visit.

A plan of the site is essential - and costs £3. Admission is free. Parking is £3.

Major work is being undertaken on the memorial to those who have died in the service of the UK since 1945. A temporary facility has been installed near the entrance.

Many memorials are worth looking at, including various Special Services areas, those to the Merchant Marine in WW 2.

Spent the day at the Arboretum not really knowing what to expect. It was truly amazing and not too emotional, just thought provoking! The area is vast so we took the road train tour first then decided on which memorials we wanted to visit more closely. The whole place was immaculately manicured and must take a lot of attending to, incredible since it is free to visit although you pay a menial fee for the car park. Donations are accepted gratefully and if you didn't donate on the way in you would on the way out. We did both as we were so impressed! Each memorial has been so well thought out in design and position, they even have part of the actual Burma railway there and a Far East exhibition. Not all the memorials are Military but a lot are. The chapel holds 2 minutes silence followed by a half hour chat on the history of the Arboretum at eleven every day, well worth a visit. There are a couple of cafes for teas and coffees and also lunches and sandwiches. A fab day!

This is a wonderful place, something new to see every visit. Did the land train, which takes you to areas you might not go to on foot. Service in chapel, 2 min silence observed every day of year.
Building work going on, but does not cause any problems. Look forward to next visit soon.

My husband and I visited NMA after the memorial for organ donor's had been opened. I'm a recipient of an organ which saved my life. Due to confidentiality I'm unable to thank my donor family or let them know what a hero their loved one is.
The memorial is simple and moving and a place we can visit to pay respects and contemplate their selflessness.
This of course goes for all of the arboretum's memorials. It's a beautifully kept place with a real sense of calm after all the harrowing stories that lead to the arboretum.
A lovely place to visit and so important that all heros are never forgotten. A national treasure.

We arrived on an extremely busy day, due to a Scout ceremony taking place. We had hoped for one of the motorised scooters for hire, but had not rung up early enough to book, as they are very popular. The Arboretum is well staffed with marvellous volunteers, and one found us the last remaining wheelchair. We started at the chapel at 11 am, where they observe a two minute silence, and then there is a talk about the origins of the Arboretum. We then went on the road train (£5 each) and this was a good way to see a lot of different memorials, and to hear something about them. It took just under an hour. After that we visited the small replica Armed Forces Memorial, as the huge and impressive one is closed for repairs until Autumn 2017. We then found time to visit the memorials of interest, for a longer look. A wonderful place. Not much shelter, so be aware of that.

Parking is good but some way from the site. The entrance area is still being developed and feels a bit like a construction site BIT the welcome was warm and the memorials are moving and well presented. An ideal place to reflect and consider

My husband and I visited the National Arboretum specifically to see the memorial to Japanese POWs, of which my late father- in- law was one.

We were bowled over by the extent, beauty and comprehensive nature of the arboretum. The British Legion,and all the supporters of the memorial have done a wonderful job of designing, furnishing and maintaining all the memorials - of which there are over 400.

We attended the daily Act of Remembrance at 11am which was very moving and then wandered round using the excellent map provided.

The facility relies on donations and is well worth supporting.

There is a coffee shop, restaurant - in outside tents - and the usual shop and facilities available.

For those who are not as nimble as they would like to be (how diplomatic is that?) there is a small train that does a 50 minute tour of the memorials, caddy carts that would carry up to 6 people, or individual electric chairs that can be used.

The staff - all volunteers - are wonderful. They are always on hand to offer information or assistance, and do so with great good humour and a ready smile.

They are currently undergoing a huge building project to erect a new Visitor Centre which will be 5 times bigger tan the current one.

We were thrilled by this visit and will return again in the future.

Very large area. You need to take more than one day to view it completely. An awful lot of subsidiary memorials, but mostly Forces memorials. It did help that I had a buggy which was very welcome. This was £5 (booked before I went) and it was well worth it.

this is a must visit place for all ages it is absolutely fantastic day out [you need more than day] for all the family the way that the whole place is set out is unbelievable please go and visit

What a fantastic job they have done here! There are over 300 memorials to admire the courage and bravery of so many. The far east section including Burma is quite brilliant as is the whole of the site quite frankly. The land train is a great way to get around the whole site with good informative commentary as you go. A whole day visit is a must and you will still need to go back to see things you didn't have time to check out. A whole experience we should be very proud of in Britain!

A wonderful day at National Memorial Arboretum and encouraging solemnity and calmness with memories of those lost in numerous wars. The whole construction of the Arboretum is staggeringly beautiful and an absolute 'must see' for those who have not yet experienced this amazing Memorial.

Good to pick a good day for weather here, with the vast majority outside obviously, although plans afoot and building underway for a new visitor centre. Main memorial shut for renovation whilst we were there(have been before). Great little exhibits, like the pow hut, and tons of stories to be unlocked everywhere, nice little cafe and shop.

The Arboretum is constantly being added too - we've been a number of times. There is upgrade work going on around the cafeteria area, and the main memorial is shut for renovation. But it is still worthwhile to visit - it's a national treasure, really!

Good voice of food although they sometimes run out of cake choices.
Tea stations not clear would prefer not self service
I the tea and coffee area.