Four of us planned a visit and decided to opt for the VIP guided tour. If you just want to visit and wander around on your own it's free but you would miss so many interesting things. It's spread over 150 acres of beautiful countryside and goes down to the river.
There were alterations to the site and entrance sinage was a little lacking but there were volunteers everywhere to guide us.
The cafe serves excellent, reasonably priced food and the gift shop has a beautiful selection of gifts, not shoddy tat.
Our tour involved us being guided around on a golf buggy which allowed us to cover the whole site in a day with a brilliant commentary from our guide Richard, who was extremely knowledgable and managed to incorporate facts with anecdotes. It also included lunch.
Altogether a good day out in a lovely environment with amazingly friendly, funny, lovely volunteer helpers.

The most wonderful place...for everyone young or old.
A truly magnificent place to visit it takes your brwath away.

Must be one of the nations best kept secrets, I was very very surprised when we arrived. But all my worry's soon disappeared when I found my dads name in far East prisoners of war memorial. Then we had a buggy ride round. Mr Neil whyte made our ride very interesting thank you. What the human race can do to each other. Not the most happy visit but very interesting.

Far east hut was interesting and grounds are fairly extensive. If you live within an hours drive it is worth a visit. Bikes have to be locked out outside if you cycle there. Parking is about £3.

My wife and I visited on Monday and Tuesday of this week. It is a quite overwelming and humbling experience. It is with great pride that we walked around the various monuments. It is very difficult to pick out and outstanding monument although the "Shot at Dawn" caused great sadness especially when you saw the age of the victims. Also to the FEPOW area isn't to be missed. As General Macarthur said We will Return

We had the pleasure of a second visit, on our first I had not allowed sufficient time to get all the way around, please don't make this mistake.
The car park has been moved because at the time of our visit there were extensive building works going on at the Visitors Reception but the staff coped well in what I assume are temporary buildings, good quality food and beverages were still available.
The grounds are immaculately kept as are the memorials and are a credit to the grounds staff.
This is a must visit once in your life.

From the memorial to those killed since the end of WW2 to the "Shot at Dawn" monument and the nearby Polish memorial, this site displays all that is best about being British, from patriotism to tolerance, and not giving in to unreasonable force. The groups of ex-servicemen involved in both formal and informal acts of remembrance were really moving, and the effect of the whole place is to allow for reflection and remembrance. A wonderful place.

We spent about four hours exploring the arboretum and had it not been one of the hottest days of August would probably have spent another couple of hours. As it was I doubt we covered a third of the monuments.

For us, the most moving was the main 'centre piece' Armed Forces Memorial - beautiful and very moving.We were stunned by the numbers of service men and women killed since the Second World War.

All the memorials deserve a visit. However we would also particularly recommend the 'shot at dawn' one (why no officers? Were they said to be 'ill' and other ranks 'cowards'?) and the Polish War Memorial. Others on our list for a future visit are the Far East memorials and the Merchant Sailors.

I very much hope that schools are regular visitors - to reflect on the sacrifice and human cost of conflict.

I should also mention how impressed we were with the friendliness of the very helpful staff and volunteers.

We will return to explore further.

as with anyone ex military,this is a place of utmost importance, it is beautifully laid out, well tended and a credit to the contributors and staff,
the memorials to all arms of the services and civilian organisations are excellent tributes. it will take more than a day to see and appreciated the time and effort of all involved.
well worth the the time taken to viit such a place

It's difficult to put into words what the Arboretum is like. It is a silent place, with many areas to sit or stand and think. We visited to walk our dogs around the perimeter - there are many posts dotted around for tying dog leashes to, so you are free to explore a memorial. I would definitely like to pay a visit alone to spend more time there.
While noting there is a fee for the attraction, it is in the form of a donation.
I would highly recommend a visit, either now or after the expansion.

I took a party of 10 people to the arboretum and they was not disappointed. The welcome and food on offer was very good. It was a delight to see so many tributes paid to all services. The train was well populated and it was lovely to be able to spend quality with those who gave their lives for the cause. I shall come back again and the entrance will be finished. Well done to all.

My husband dropped me off here on his way to a classic motoring event. Although it may seem strange, I was glad to be on my own as I wanted to experience the peace of the place and be alone with my thoughts. It is free to enter but a map is pretty much essential and costs three pounds which is fair I think. They suggest a donation of five pounds per visitor but there is no one breathing down your neck to pay it like at some venues. However, it is definitely worth the cost and all proceeds go towards financing the project. The site is beautifully landscaped. As well as the large memorials there are lots of small personal memorial plaques attached to trees or benches donated in memory of individuals and these were also very moving. The Armed Forces Memorial is stunningly beautiful as is befitting. In addition to the memorials, there is a beautiful riverside walk with information about the wildlife which can be seen there. I saw a stoat run across the path and had a really good close up view of a goldcrest in a yew tree near the 'Shot at Dawn memorial. There were quite a few young people exploring the site while I was there and they were all behaving so respectfully, as were the young children visiting with their parents. The mums and dads were explaining the significance of the memorials and that has got to be a good thing. I probably walked about 3 miles in a bid to visit all the memorials I wanted to see but still didn't manage to see everything I wanted to. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and preferably not sandals. Many of the paths are gravel or wood chippings and I had to keep emptying my shoes! It's also a good idea to take snacks and a drink with you eg a flask, as the site is very large and refreshments are only available at the visitor centre which can be a very long way away when you are ready for a cuppa. There were plenty of beautiful and peaceful places to sit and rest. The staff volunteers are very knowledgeable and helpful. I was slightly worried when I only saw one lot of toilets on the map but there were portable loos dotted about which were also disabled friendly. If you do visit I hope you get as much out of it as I did.

This is a very special place indeed. We visited to see two specific memorials and it was very easy to find what we were looking for. If we had had more time we would have taken the road train around the whole site. The staff and volunteers are all friendly and helpful; the cafe well organised and good value. The centre-piece - the Armed Forces Memorial - is stunning. A wonderful place to spend time in quiet reflection.

We regularly visit when in the area and there is so much to see. So much so, that we have not been able to see every area. In fact, we did not realise just how large an area it covered until we took a guided tour on one of those motorised "trains".
A walk through the Japanese camp is very sobering and worth at least more than one hour of your time.
It is free to enter although there is a small car park charge.
We look forward to our next visit.

It's ok for a walk, a monument in progress. I was missing something in the setup, it seemed a bit hap hazard as setup, no clear line to follow.

This was my second visit; the first being over 10 years ago so lots had changed.
Very majestic in places but discreet in others but everywhere a sense of sadness and loss.
The most moving was the memorial hut to the Far East campaign and the Japanese treatment of those captured. I stood and watched a 6 minute video of 3 men who had survived, well into their 80s at the time of filming. Their bravery, their strength to not give up hope under unimaginable conditions but most strikingly their lack of bitterness. I don't understand that part but I'm hopeful that they were able to find some kind of peace over the years. And ever grateful for what they went through for our sakes.
I understand that the site is undergoing some remodelling which will be excellent when it's completed.
I have visited many commonwealth war graves across the world. If I was to have one criticism it would be that the planting and lawns aren't up to this standard. I think this is an area which should be improved.

I have visited here numerous times since it first opened as I live quite close by. It has been a privilege to see how it has been developed over the years. Regardless of the fact i do not know any of the names on any of the memorials personally i still find it a wonderful way to recognize and respect many o the people who served our country.

Highly emotional, though provoking, and informative. Beautifully presented. Lovely riverside walk in addition to all the walking through the various monuments and memorials. A land train tour is available for those with walking difficulty, as is a golf buggy tour - both on payment of a fee. This site covers 150 acres so take good comfortable walking shoes. Entry is free although there is a suggested donation of £5.

Having seem this on the television we were inspired to make a two hour drive to visit. We were not disappointed, far from it.
The memorials had started from the second world war and covered all the services. Touchingly there was a moving memorial to those who deserted too.
The memorials covered a large area and took us the best part of five hours to cover what we wanted.
Free to enter, car park £3 and donations accepted.

A must for every Briton. Visit this beautiful arboretum and wander in silence among the many peaceful well planted gardens, marvel at the monuments, made from all things such as wood, marble, to Portland Stone. This place really is a fitting tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we may wander, free, and unhindered to admire the beautifully created memorial's. Select an armed force branch, then a segment from that branch, find it and take in the beauty of it's design, read the appropriate words engraved therin, perhaps shed a tear for someone you knew who paid that terrible price, and say a prayer. If you are not fit enough to walk take the RoadTrain, pay the small price, and as you are driven round listen in silence to the commentary whilst viewing the garden's you pass. So peaceful, so tranquil, so enjoyable. Visit and see if you agree with me.

We were here as part of the VJ Day commemoration, and as such it was a very personal experience.

I would prefer to keep my thoughts private, but it is run and maintained in a remarkable and unique manner.

Surprisingly large, extremely respectful and tasteful memorial to a huge range of services, battalions and individual members of the armed services but also organisations that serve the nation in very different ways eg the RNLI.

A thought provoking place that gives pause for thought.

A very decent cafe, very helpful staff, massive car park - £3 all day. Voluntary contribution based entry.

Visited by coach but plenty of parking. Very interesting and so many varied monuments a lot to take in

. I was looking for my father in laws name on the Killed in Service Memorial and found it very easily , photo taken forzMother in law. Lots of walking, but there is a train also mobility scooters are available (pre book).The chapel is lovely with wood carvings and a nice quiet place to sit and reflect.The restaurant has a good selection of food and drinks and the gift shop was doing a roaring trade. Wonderful place and well worth a return visit as there is so much to see .

As a member of the British Legion Riders Branch, I along with fellow Riders attended the VJ Day at the NMA. It is a fantastic place to visit at any time, but this day was made more poignant as there were also Veterans present. To meet a real life Chinditt was an honour, to think of what he went through at 18 being dropped behind the enemy lines and living the life he did, its a marvel that he and others are still with us. A very moving day. I'm looking forward to the Ride To The Wall (RTTW) now in its 8th yr, on 3rd Oct when around 20,000 bikers and scooterists will meet up and honour our fallen friends.

Wanted to visit this place since it opened. We were not disappointed.
Awesome.
Free entry but £3 to park.
£3 for a map. You do need one its huge.
Great cafe. picnic areas.
The memorials are astounding especially the Royal Artillery one. Easily the best designed garden in the place says a non baised ex Gunnner.
We were there 5hrs and did not see it all.
Staff were all very friendly and helpful.

We will return