As an ex member of HM Forces this has been on my 'To do list' for a while.
A most enjoyable 5-6 hours was spent by myself, wife and eldest son (30)
Well worth visiting and spend some time reminiscing!

Was amazed at the size of this. A thought provoking place to meander around, loved walking along the river. It was extremely busy on the Saturday we visited, restaurant was a little overrun, and didn't have much gluten free for one of us. Shop had some nice merchandise.

Superb facilities & tranquility when you need it. I walk my dog on the dog trail & pay admiration to the craftmanship & beauty of the arboretum.

It blends a mixture of respect & tranquility which is apt.

Take care driving off the last roundabout as there is a very sharp left bend where you may face the large trucks from the sandpit.

This was the 4th time I have visited the National Memorial Arboretum, and I never cease to wonder at the truly inspirational monuments commemorating the bravery of those who died for us. It is such a peaceful environment, with lots of areas in which you can sit and reflect.

A return visit to the nma. A nice place to reflect and think. Would recommend to anyone to visit for a few hours at least

I've visited three times now over the years and it continues to get better. It is one of the most inspirational, awe-inspiring and humbling places to visit and each time I have come away with a increased pride in being British and knowing that so many people have given their lives for their country to help keep the rest of us safe. The trees which have been planted are now well established and there are more memorials each time I visit. The bronze and stone sculptures are amazing. We visited this time on a calm and very still, humid day. Other visits have been when it's windy and, as it's so flat, the winds do cut across on a breezy day but the maturing trees do provide a much better windbreak now. The grounds are beautifully kept and the pathways are easy to walk. Although there are steps up to the main central memorial a steady path snakes around the bank so the disabled are able to access it without use of the steps. The central monument on a hill is amazing. There are 15,000 names engraved on the stone walls of men and women who have died in the service of their country since the end of World War II and there's room for a further 16,000 names. The spectacle of the names beautifully carved on the walls is very humbling but the empty space waiting for more names was what brought me to tears. There is now also a memorial to those 306 soldiers who were "Shot at Dawn" for "cowardice" in World War I. 306 stakes in the ground with just a name and age on each. The majority were just babies some as young as 16 yrs old. I wept. They were officially pardoned in 2006. I bought a cross and carried it around with me intending to lay it at the RAF memorial in honour of my Dad but I planted my cross here instead. I think my Dad would have approved. The River Tame runs so peacefully alongside the arboretum and makes a very pleasant walk to sit and drink in the emotion of the place. There is also a memorial and chapel for those who died in the Far East conflict building the Sumatra railway. Incredibly emotional and humbling. There are plentiful benches all around the arboretum and for those who find walking a bit too much there are little trains that will take you around and give you a guided tour allowing access for everyone. Like all attractions these days there is a very good coffee shop serving an excellent range of meals, a very good gift shop and very clean visitor toilets. Car parking is £3.00 a short walk away across the road but even this is optional with an honesty bucket provided in the reception area. Disabled parking is available outside the visitor centre itself. There is no fee to enter the memorial arboretum but I do recommend you buy a map to find your way around to each of the stunning memorials. I guarantee you will come away a better person with a bursting pride in your fellow countrymen and women.

This place has been built really well, if you are up for a good walk you can manage it, however if you struggle a bit i would get the land train, as it was exhausting and I am fit!, I found it kind of weird .. not having any proper graves etc. but areas were very moving and it was interesting.

Aboretum...trees... you think you'll be talking a walk a forest of some sort.
Nothing like it at all.
The first thng that hits you is the openness of the place. 150 acres made up of flat land, well manicured expanses of grass areas, groves rather than forests - and of course the memorials, hundreds of them.

It's a nature reserve, it's well managed gardens, it's history, it's education.
But above all it's memories. Stunning dedications not just to those who served and died in the service of the UK, but of the days of the British Empire and our Commonwealth - Nyasaland and Southern Africa, Rhodesian Rifles, the Far East, ANZACS. The Armed Services of course, and the centrepiece wall of remembrance with its stunning and poignant sculptures.

Wander as I did for 2-3 hours and you come upon a memorial that's not just 'in memory of' but gives an insight into the past.
One of the most enlightening for me was the role that the Society of Friends (Quakers) have played - medical and welfare assistance to all in theatres of combat, regardless of nationality. Conscientous Objectors, still able to serve in some way.

As you'll gather, this isn't just a military memorial site.

Roam as I did and happen upon the children's area.
A large grove of trees, each dedicated to someone lost too early. I defy anyone not to be overcome.

The National Memorial Arboretum ranks up there with one of the best attractions I've EVER visited.
Everything seems to be so well thought out. There's even a hop-on hop-off land train giving a guided tour.

As I've said, it's many things in one and I'd have thought that whatever you go there for you'll be satisfied, whether you stay an hour (which would be far too short I think) or a day.

Spent the full day (26th July) at the National Memorial Arboretum. An outstanding and fitting way of showing the nation's respect for our fallen. Unfortunately, it rained all day but no problem, my friend and I just made a couple of 'Tactical Withdrawals' back to the Visitor Centre where we had coffee breaks and lunch. The staff and volunteers were all welcoming and friendly. Our visit coincided with a wreath laying ceremony by the veterans of the Korean War. It was good to see so many people catching up with each other and sharing their stories. Also, I was able to find my Step Uncle's name; Robertson D - (Army) Derek Robertson, youngest son of George and Ruby. Brother of Ernest, Gladys and Katherine. Killed in Korea, 1953. He is remembered. Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum. My friend and I were able to spend the whole day, 1030hrs - 1630hrs. It is so interesting that the time past without a drag. We hope to return - when the sun shines:))

Hired a motorised scooter for elderly father so he could visit everywhere he wanted. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Fascinating place with memorials to all branches of the Military from WW2 onwards. A great day out that we all enjoyed.

Wonderful presentations and memorials which illustrate the sacrifices made by many thousands of men and women to defend Great Britain over many years.
A touching and moving experience not to be missed.

A wonderful place of remembrance. Monuments to various groups, mostly military but also other sites for others who need to be remembered.
Very good facilities of all sorts, plus a shop with many interesting items for sale.

A very emotional and humbling memorial to our serving forces, both past and present. We came away feeling thankful for our ancestors who lost their lives in the various battles/wars to give us a better future. The gardens and memorials are beautifully kept. The café served a lovely selection of food and drinks. There is a 'train' which takes you around with piped information about the various sites - suitable for those with limited mobility.

A humbling and emotional visit to the 150 acre National Memorial Arboretum. A fitting tribute to all those who have given their life for this country since the end of World War 2 . Many of the regimental monuments are quite outstanding. If you are of advanced years or lacking in fitness as, understandably, most visitors seemed to be I would suggest using the land train to get an overall picture of the site. Otherwise you will need several visits to view everything.

Magnificent. Humbling experience. Allow plenty of time to see the place. One visit might not be enough.

Have wanted to visit the Arboretum for a number of years but was unsure if it was dog friendly as it would mean a few days away in the caravan with 4 legged friend in tow! Well yes it is dog friendly but, they fail to tell you until you arrive that you need to follow the dog walk around the perimeter, therefore missing over 50% of the memorials! Your either dog friendly or not, even if they asked you to keep to footpaths you would see a bit more! So I'm now waiting to go home and look at hubby's photos instead!

While walking round the dog walk, a few people came up to say hello to our well behaved black lab and we're really surprised at the restrictions in place. Having owned dogs for over 20 years we have never been so restricted in places that allow dogs. Now need to arrange another visit to see everything missed!

You are either dog friendly or not!

This is a wonderful attraction that reminds us of what others do for us. The memorial is beautifully designed and very moving.
One can get also get something to eat and drink while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

If you are ex military or the relative of an ex military serviceman the Arboretum is a must visit place. It is beautifully arranged and laid out and offers respectful remembrance in a dignified and humble manner

very peaceful beautiful area. Helpful guides. Good idea to take the little train round first to get your bearings. Good restaurant. Toilet facilities could be better.

I recently visited this vast attraction, 150 acres of memorials from every possible war/conflict, dedicated to the many,many people who have died for their country or in the name of peace.
I chose to do the land train tour which was informative but I felt like I was watching a game of tennis looking from left to right at each memorial! As the site is so big it is helpful to have the land train & also 'golf' type buggies to take you around the larger exhibits but I then went to explore areas missed from the main route as there are several out of the way.
New memorials are added regularly & one of the newest is the Bastion monument for the recent conflict in Afghanistan, I was reduced to tears at several of them, particularly when the wreaths had photos of lost loved ones in them.
I was taken aback by the number of posts dedicated to each man at the 'Shot at Dawn' memorial & how young the majority of the victims were, thank goodness they finally got their posthumous pardon.
A truly inspiring & thought-provoking place to visit.

Even though the coffee shop is quite small. It serves a purpose for visitors to the NMA. It serves hot food, selection of cakes and a few gluten free options and hot and cold drinks.
It is reasonably priced for the quality of food. Really good place to sit and get your bearings of what to do and where to go.

I visited this Memorial Arboretum and spent a few hours walking around the sombre site very sad and well worth looking at to appreciate the reality of what happened over the last 100 years, I would visit again the grounds are kept immaculate and superbly clean and tidy well worth a visit

This is the second time I have visited this amazing place. I was amazed at how big this place has grown since our last visit. And we still didn't do it all. If we hadn't know about the golf buggy tours to the far end of the site to see some of the newer memorials. Will definitely go back to do the other end of the site.

So pleased that we managed to see the bastian wall specially commissioned for the memory of the fallen.

The volunteering staff were friendly and knowledgeable about where certain memorials.

Will be back.

This was not our first visit this year but thought our 83yr old uncle from New Zealand might enjoy the day out at this special place of remembrance not only for the Forces but for those who mourn those who have died belonging to other groups such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
It is always worth buying the site map, so much changes so quickly with new memorials being added month by month, and sitting down with a drink from the cafeteria before venturing out, otherwise you may not get to see all the memorials that you want to see. Use the loos here as well as there are none until you return to the visitor centre.

The most poignant "must sees" are the Chapel, The Garden of the Innocents, the Armed Forces Memorial and Shot at Dawn then as we did select ones that have a particular resonance with your own life experiences or family connections.

The site is large and for those with mobility problems take advantage of the land train, golf buggies or mobility scooters for hire. A new addition are the guided tours using the volunteer guides.

Each time I visit I learn something new from helpful guides dotted about the arboretum.

Having seen nearly everything we wanted to see we took advantage of the cafeteria for a cake and a cuppa before setting off in the opposite direction for the last 2 memorials we wanted to see the Fleet Air Arm and RAF Halton.

Proceeds from the cafeteria, full lunches and snacks are available as are gluten-free options, and any donation go to the upkeep of the NMA.. If you make a donation and are a UK tax payer please gift aid it so that the NMA can claim additional income.

Blue Badge car parking by the entrance - others have to park in the overspill and walk down the lane.

A temporary entrance and visitor centre will open in July whilst the new visitor centre is being built.

We arrived early one morning, as the Arboretum opened and parked in the grass field car park - £3 a day payable at the desk in reception. We were met by a very friendly and helpful guide who explained the lay out to us nothing was too much trouble. Leaving the reception area there is small kiosk where you can buy a guide book along with a map to help you along your way. We decided to take the first train around the grounds and found this extremely useful to get our bearings for the rest of the day - at a cost of £5 per.person. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of the this National Treasure which costs £4000 a day. Our journey around the Memorial lasted about 45 minutes and we decided to return to the reception so that we could attend the two minutes silence in the Millennium Chapel near the visitors centre; this takes place at 11.00 a.m. followed by a very interesting short presentation on the history of the Arboretum - very interesting and extremely emotional. There are so many memorials for you to see in such a tranquil and serene setting befitting our fallen heroes. There is a cafe on site along with a shop for you to buy that little memento to take home.