As locals, we have been many times but on this occasion we took our friends from Somerset who were looking for his father who was killed on the Burma railway. He had had no luck on such places as ancestry etc but there in the records at the Arboretum were details of his father and a photograph of where the memorial can be found. What an emotional day and many thanks to all who work so hard to provide such a fantastic place.

The Arboretum has memorials from all over the world. We visited as to remember those that have fallen to save and protect others. My son is Autistic but found the place very informative and enjoyed the history. I was very impressed by the price and quality of the breakfast baguettes. We will visit again.

A wonderful visit. Full of interesting memorials which remind us of the great sacrifices made for our freedom.

Visited over the Easter Weekend for the first time and was blown away but the beauty of the place. Memorials featured for all aspects of our service history come in all different shapes and sizes, each one beautiful in its own way.

We where particularly drawn to the new Naval memorial which has the different coloured panels that in sunlight cause a shadow of a boat to appear. We were fortunate to visit on a bright, sunny day so were able to see the image the creator envisaged.

Other reviewers have made note of the £3 car park charge. I had no problem with this small charge at all especially as the cost goes back into the funding of the arboretum. You don't pay an admission charge (although donations are appreciated) so a nominal car park fee shouldn't be seen as a negative.

One slight issue we had though was that we couldn't locate the new Football memorial. It wasn't featured on the map and despite being at the Arboretum for 3 hours we never found it. I guess it just means we'll have to go back and look for it again :-)

This is a highly recommended morning or afternoon out for all the family.

Went to this memorial during a coach trip.The site has memorials to all our armed forces from 1945 onwards.Also memorials to those that have lost their lives in various world tragedies. The site is well kept and is easy to get round but if you have mobility problems their is a land train but. there is a charge.You need most of a day to visit all the memorials. It is well worth a visit.If you take your dog you have to stay on a designated route.

arriving there at 9 .15 in the morning we did not know what to expect . we were met at the door by a lady and then a gentlemen who were both very informative . we had a particular reason to go and see the memorials in the far east . we were told were they were . we bought a book describing all the memorials and a good map giving directions.
then of we went we didn't realise to what extent the memorials were dedicated to all walks of life and what part they had to play . I could go on and on about the things we saw. but I suggest you go there and experience it yourselves . we spent in the region of 5 hours seeing things and probably only saw about a half . we will definitely go back again in the future. a thoroughly exceptional day when we saw lots spoke to a lot of staff who were informative and they were in the main volunteers .

stewart manchester

Few first time visitors know what to expect and are not prepared for a place of remembrance that caters for all walks of life, not just the armed services. It was a beautiful but windy day when we visited (It's been windy for all 3 of my visits!) but it had been raining. Consequently I had to try three parking spaces before I found a slot where I could avoid getting out the car into a large puddle. The car park really does not do the whole experience justice. The open plan visitor centre works well and we were able to make an advance reservation for a table for lunch for our extended family. The staff are very keen to help and are very friendly and informative. However, I am surprised that the very heavy sliding exit doors out of the centre to the Arboretum have not been changed. I witnessed two sets of elderly visitors struggling to get them open and shut. Once outside, the central memorial looked spectacular and visitors are naturally drawn to it. Once there, you do get a grand vista of the rest of the arboretum and memorials. Unfortunately, the small train that travels round the perimeter of the other memorials starts back at the visitor centre. The two are a bit disconnected. It is essential to buy a map of the site but be aware that it is continually expanding and whilst the map covers all the main memorials it not sufficiently detailed to identify all the smaller memorials (RAF Squadrons, Royal Navy Ships etc). Our party covered three generations and it was a first visit for most of our party. They all agreed that it was not what they expected, it was much more than they expected and it was a rewarding and thought provoking experience. For my part, I will be very happy to go back again.

we have a tree dedicated to our son-in law, what a wonderful, powerful and peaceful setting, not a sad place but a place to reflect.

Today we made our first visit and found it a rewarding memory invoking thoughts of lost family members a great place for the nation. Well worth a visit.

We had tried to fit in a visit to the Arboretum before and never found the time and this time we only had an hour rather than the three or four needed for a proper visit. Every section of our armed forces is represented with its own area. The tributes to "The Fallen" are wonderful and it is hard to stay dry-eyed when visiting sections that have a significance. We particularly wanted to see the "Burma Star" section and the "ATS" and we were very impressed with both. Go for your own particular reason but prepare to be moved !

Good portions of hot food, but service was very slow. Sandwiches were made to order, which whilst very nice was time consuming for those waiting in the queue.

Before going to the NMA, we looked at the reviews on tripadvisor, especially those who rated it poor! (We like to see both ends of the spectrum!).

I can only say that those who considered it 'tacky' must have a very different view of 'tacky' to me! Yes, each organisation does have its own memorial garden, each one different. The inclusion of a Police lamp in the memorial garden was in memory of the youngest policewoman to be killed in the line of duty - not 'tacky' at all. The Rail Industry Memorial is, quite fittingly, a train.
The diversity of memorials is part of the attraction of the arboretum. I was especially moved by the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity (SANDS) garden, with its memorial of a sleeping baby, and all the named pebbles that had been left by parents. Also by the 'Shot at Dawn' memorial for those who were shot as 'deserters'. The main memorial is quite spectacular, and it makes one stop and think of the futility of war.

The trees are still immature, but in time they will be spectacular. A previous reviewer commented on the number of trees that had been removed. (This may have been because they were diseased?). The chippings were obviously left as a mulch - there didn't seem an excessive amount! All the gardens were well looked after, and we did not feel it was cramped at all.

We didn't use the landtrain or buggy, choosing to enjoy the walk. Some areas were a little soggy underfoot, but that is probably due to the previous use of the land.
We liked the walk by the river and saw sand martins and an egret, an added bonus.

There have been comments about the car parking charge and the suggested donation, both of which seem reasonable for something that receives no real funding. All free museums/galleries/cathedrals suggest a donation, so this is not unusual. £3 to park your car for a whole day isn't excessive either. Where do the complainers think the money comes from to fund the arboretum?If you go to somewhere like Kew Gardens and park in their car park, you pay to park and to go into the gardens!

The restaurant wasn't too overpriced, but service was very slow. There was a long queue to order sandwiches, which were being made to order, but then they didn't remember who had ordered what! Ready made sandwiches would have been a better idea.
The shop had an interesting collection of items, some reasonably priced.

There have been comments about the arboretum being like a 'theme park' or 'Disneyland' because of the land-train. I had expected some garish, seaside 'dotto' train, but no, it was a very simple, plain coloured land-train that was not in the least theme-parkish.

We will return in the future to see how it has developed over time, and to see any added memorials. It is worth a visit, honestly!

We've been popping in since it opened and this was the best visit yet. A lovely calm spacious place and many more trees since last time. Interesting memorials and a stunning centre-piece. Well worth the £3 parking fee.

I went here for the first time yesterday to see the names of many friends.

It is easy to find, car park is £3 even for disabled, veterans and serving servicemen/women.

The visitors centre and the staff are all clean tidy and informative, I was surprised at how many memorials and separate gardens are there.

The central and main memorial is amazing, sombre, thought provoking and appropriate. The shaft of light is very clever, well done.

The rest of the gardens range in levels of looked after and I was surprised to see so many, in a small space, it made it feel a little cramped. I was also surprised at how many trees (with name plaques and dedications) had been chopped down and the chipping a strewn across the gardens, and not recently.

The garden I went for was right at the back and next to a dog walking area and busy road, not what I went to smell and hear when thinking of my comrades.

Lots to see and think about here.

Has a small gift shop and are that smelt like school dinners, but that's not why you've come here.

We can do better for our young men and women.

This place is amazing and worth a visit from anyone, from the young to the old. It is beautifully kept, with not one bit of litter insight. You could literally spend all day here and not see the same memorial twice! Such a sad but truly wonderful place. We looked for a specific memorial plaque and couldn't find it, and a wonderful volunteer helped us locate it in no time! I recommend this arboretum to all.

I visited this arboretum on a cloudy windy and chilly March day. The site is vast- 150 acres, and full of extremely helpful volunteers who are passionate about this centre of remembrance. The site is riddled with over 300 memorials, placed to remember military, charitable and other organisations and people. We took a buggy ride for £5 each, with really interesting commentry from our volunteer driver. Having gained an overview of the site, we went off and visited things of interest to us. You could very easily spend a day here, lunching in the restaurant, or having a picnic in the grounds on a fine day. The river Trent and Tame, meet here. In summer there must be plenty of wild life to watch too.....bring a chair! The memorials are being added too....I am personally pleased the Horses of the First World War are to be remembered, they served their soldiers well, and were abandoned abroad.
I highly recommend this place- little ones can let off steam. In a few more years it will be wonderful.

The National Memorial Arboretum near Litchfield is not your usual attraction but a place of huge interest to all ages, a place to question man's stupidity but also praise individual bravery and devotion to freedom and country and to reflect.
"We will remember them"

Very tastefully presented national memorial covering all those who have been killed in our many world conflicts. The museum part in tribute to those who were Japanese pow in WW2 is especially poignant and at times difficlult to read and comprehend.

The entry to the entire centre is free and relies upon donations. I think anyone who visits this can't fail to be moved by the sheer numbers of people who have been killed as a result of wars and conflicts.
The many sculptures laid in tribute are outstanding.

Arrived at a serene moment, I was on the approach road when the sun shone through the clouds and lit up the gold on top of the obelisk lighting it up like a beacon. and that set the mood for the visit, true the visitor centre and the toilets are not brilliant. However the memorial Arboretum is not about the visitor centre its a spiritual journey and very thought provoking especially if your experiencing troubled times yourself. The Armed Forces Memorial is the crown jewel and especially when the sun is shining is truly amazing and very thought provoking, this must be ranked as one of the most amazing structures in the country. A couple of hours soon disappear as you wander around the amazing memorials leaving you with a lot of food for thought. I would highly recommend a visit you will not be disappointed :)

Large spacious site, wide variety of memorials and worthy tribute to servicemen and women who have lost their lives serving their country since WWII. Particularly moving tribute to the men shot as deserters, only pardoned in 2006. Good café, reasonable prices. Entry is free! This place will be spectacular in a few more years when more of the trees have matured.

Lovely day out despite what the the weather threw at us. Well worth the private buggy tour especially in that weather, excellently hosted by volunteer driver hugely knowledgeable and very personable. Food was excellent too.

Firstly, whilst it is free to enter there is a car parking charge and it is closes before the site closes. I parked some way from the site and entered by a side entrance and thereby avoided the visitor centre and "Disneyworld" side of things - after all it is the National Memorial.
It is well worth spending some time walking around the site and seeing as many of the memorials and areas devoted to different services and countries and the many thousands of names. The sheer breadth and scale is deeply thought provoking. Like some others, I do question the layout and it almost gets "theme parkesque". Perhaps the flag should raised in the morning and lowered in the evening and perhaps The Last Post should be sounded every evening. The memorial is worth visiting and remembering the many people and organisations who played their part in our history. Treat it as that and not an afternoon out with tea and ice creams.

We have just visited the Arboretum whilst staying with friends in the Derbyshire area and really enjoyed our day which luckily was mainly bright and sunny although there was a cool breeze blowing. This is a place which really makes you think about all the men and women who gave so much for their country and is a moving experience indeed. Cannot agree with the reviewer who referred to some of the memorials as tacky, they vary in shape, size and form but each reflects the individual organisations they represent in their own way and it adds to the interest of the place. Would really like to come back and visit again, would be nice to come later in the season when the trees have their leaves, some of the blossom trees are just starting to come out and we can only imagine what they would add when in full bloom. There is a good deal of walking to be done but there are plenty of benches to sit and rest awhile and reflect. Thoroughly recommend a visit.

Lovely museum with lots to see and do. This is one of the great places in Staffordshire and I'm happy to have visited it. The restaurant food here is very good too.

I am astounded by Rich53's offensive remarks about some of the memorials being "tacky". There has been lots of thought and care been put into them and I fail to see how you could not think they were a fitting tribute to those who have lost their lives for us. On a very windy, wet day I took the land train around so I could get a view of most of the site I will return so I can take more of a look around as there is so much to see.

There were some lovely item in the shop, the poppy glass ware, and some cheap items but anything you buy there helps towards the up keep but if as Rich53 you find it "tacky" then make a contribution instead,

I was very moved by the experience and think it is a wonderful place.