Went here for a day out, cannot fault anything about it, so memorials to get round, staff very helpful

This is only a few miles from us, so we have been a few times. It does have a restaurant, which can get extremely busy. However that's not why you visit here. The place is big, 150 acres, so if there is a potential of a little rain, make sure you dress accordingly. Its not a play ground, its a very thought provoking place that is carefully and lovingly cared for. Its a place that all should attend and time taken to think of others who have done so much for us from different areas of our services.

We go to the National Memorial Arboretum regularly to pay our respects to all the armed forces. The restaurant there serves hot and cold food which is lovely. We are always greeted with a smile from the people who work there. The gift shop is an added bonus. I for one love going to this place as it is so tranquil and peaceful. The vast space allows you to get away from the crowds and to just have the peace and quiet to remember those who have given their lives for this country.
The train that travels around the Arboretum is essential for individuals who may not be able to walk around the monuments for one reason or another and they can listen to the guide about the history of the place.

Regarding a previous review about the National Memorial Arboretum I for one do not go to it to look for faults in the layout of the place or to comment on the memorials, this is to name but a few of the comments left from this reviewer. I for one have the greatest respect for this place and what it represents, and I will continue to go to show my respect and support for the armed forces.

I really, really don't know what to think about this place.

Is it a cemetery, is it a war memorial, is it a museum, is it a garden or is it a theme park?

Given it is not that old the first thing that strikes you is that this is a network of newly (well new-ish) planted trees and shrubs. As the years pass the site will become mature woodland which will no doubt improve the look of the place. At the moment it looks cold and open, especially when the wind blows!

Most visitors head for the monument to service men and women killed in action since 1945 which in many ways is long overdue. The most poignant feature for me was not the names of those who have died in Korea, Northern Ireland, The Falklands and Afganistan but the vast area of blank wall space awaiting the names of future casualties of conflict. This is no Menin Gate or Thiepval it is a very simple modern structure.

The rest of this vast 150 acre site is something of a labyrinth of both well surfaced and less obvious paths between monuments, gardens and groves. There is no logical sequence or layout to the various services and organisations represented here and without a plan or guide it is easy to get lost or to wander aimlessly for ages amongst the memorials.

The memorials themselves range from the simple and dignified to the downright tacky. Anyone who has visited CWGC sites especially the aforementioned Thiepval Memorial is struck by the regularity of the sites, by the row upon row of identical gravestones. There is nothing of that here, every memorial is different as though the services and organisations are trying to outdo each other. I'm sure that is not the case but it gives the arboretum a strange, fantasy like air. One thing were were quite shocked to see was the large number of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors on the memorials. Inexcusable in this day and age.

As other reviewers have pointed out this site which should remain dignified is already showing signs of becoming a theme park. The tacky gift shop (which you HAVE to exit through!), the vast cafe and outdoor snack kiosks and the Disneyworld train chugging around the surfaced paths. Is it such a part of the national character that we cannot visit a memorial to the dead without the accompaniment of a motorway services?

PS. The site can be entered free of charge as a public footpath runs alongside the River Tame close to which several of the memorial gardens lie.

Very moving tribute calm surroundings so much to see. Volunteers very helpful. Take time to walk by river to far corners. Allow up to 6 hours plenty of seats to sit and take it all in. Something new each time. Cafe nice food a little pricey hopefully supplements free entry to memorial. Car park £3 all day. Train guide round site £5

Thought provoking, humbling and a place to remember all the fine people who have sacrificed their lives for us.
This place is well worth a visit what more can be said

My husband and I were in the Burton area looking at what to visit and came across this venue, we were both a bit unsure whether to go or not but are so glad we did. There is a mix of traditional and modern monuments, we took a guided tour and the information we received was invaluable. Refreshments a bit on the pricey side but I think that's to supplement the free entry. There is a suggested donation and a really lovely gift shop where I got some "Christmas" presents to put by. A Poignant visit, well worth a look.

We went as part of a bigger party on a day trip - but three hours was never going to be enough. There are so many things to see and reflect on, so many memorials that we didn't see but we will go back to view. You need a couple of days at least - and new memorials are being added. The road train is a good way to get an impression of the place, but you need to wrap up warmly as it is quite chilly. However, some of the memorials need closer viewing and although you can get off the road train at certain points, you can't then get on a subsequent train and would need to walk back. Good accessibility for less able bodied people.

I have visited this National 'garden of remembrance' several times. It is a truly living memorial; it changes each time you visit, with trees maturing, new ones being planted and additional memorials erected. Inevitably, there are always new names being added to the 'main' wall, which you cannot fail to notice as you enter The Arboretum, as well as to smaller regimental and corps walls that you will discover as you wander among the peaceful groves.
Each time I've visited, I've been impressed by the number of coaches bringing present and past colleagues to pay their respects to fallen colleagues. Families, friends and school parties swell the ranks of visitors coming to quietly thank the brave people we may have never known. I am always moved to tears seeing the name of a school friend of our son carved on the main wall, the Basra Wall (rebuilt with stones brought back ftom Iraq) as well as on his regimental wall.
You can easily spend 4 hours here but you will leave changed by the enormity of what this memorial, and others elsewhere in the UK and further afield, mean to us all.

An inspiring memorial in a beautiful setting, and one that will only improve as the trees and monuments age.

What an amazing experience. The memorials are inspiring, educational and thoughtful. there is something for so many. A place to remember and a place to inspire. The wall of names is a reminder of those who have given their lives whilst serving for their country since the last World War but then there are the reminders of the postal services, the rail services, even those who were against war but acted as medical and spiritual comfort.
No charge to go in other than the car park but the buggy ride is a worthwhile extra. Only complaint was that the land train is run as a separate franchise so you need to have cash on you for that. Very good restaurant cafe and comfortable facilities.

I have visited the NMA many times both recently and before the Armed Forces Memorial was built. It has been a humbling experience to watch it grow from its early days (and early floods) to be a national treasure.
This is a place that should be on everyones bucket list as a must see. If you have no military connection then a Summer visit is best as the ground underfoot can be "damp" in the late Autumn to early Spring season.
A must is the last post in the chapel at 1100 hours.

This is a must to visit. It is very moving to see all the areas dedicated to people who have been lost in wars and service and areas dedicated to organisations. The areas have been designed with care and originality. It will be a place you remember visiting long after you've been.

A Well set out Landscaped Area Dedicated to all our Brave Armed Forces
Very well maintained and easy to walk around
Well worth an hour or two of your time on a nice day

This is a MUST visit - the atmosphere is unbelievable, as we climbed the steps into the main memorial we felt as if the spirits od all the fallen heroes were with us - electrifying.

This memorial, to all who died in action since WW2, or were involved with wars, is very moving. Free to enter (donations needed to keep the site in perfect condition), there is a 'bus' to take you round the site - hop on, hop off - + a cafeteria and gift shop (quality stuff). It is a must if you are in the area. Accessible by bus from Lichfield or Burton upon Trent, or car (charge for parking). I do not wish to spoil the impact of a first visit, so I'll say no more.

Met at reception by a friendly and informative volunteer who explained what we could do and gave timings. We started our visit in the Chapel and found the short (pre-recorded) service interesting and then the 15 minute briefing talk afterwards very good. Well laid out site - needs more than one visit to do justice to the memorials. Excellent visit.

This is well worth a visit but it is a very poignant experience as you would expect. Importantly it's not just a military memorial with many other organisations and people being honoured and remembered.

Everyone owes this memorial a visit ,without the sacrifice of many , our world would be so different . There is no entrance fee but you pay for car parking , if you feel like paying extra there are plenty of souvenirs and donation boxes .If you are looking for anyone in particular ,there are staff with information just inside the main entrance . There are about 150 acres of well laid out grounds to wander about and numerous conflicts are covered , so if you have the time it's well worth getting round the whole site . There is a nice café which sells mainly home cooked food stuffs and the proceeds go back to the running of the arboretum . We all owe these people one way or another ,so we should never forget them ,quite a moving experience .

A place to remember.
Entry fee is the price you pay for parking £3
Per car.
Inside you have a lovely shop selling books badges cards key rings China Poppy's you name it they have it.
Walking past the shops you have the cafe selling vast amounts of food tea coffee beers wines at a very good price I may say.
In the open when you leave the main building takes your Breath away it's stunningly beautiful.
Please purchase a map this will give you vast amounts of knowledge before you set off for your walk.
For people who have difficulties walking you can hire a electric buggy.
If your thing about going please do you won't be disappointed.
I could go on and in but it would spoil your walk.
Many thanks for reading.
🌞🌞🌞

There is quite literally nowhere to compare this with. It lives up to the claim of being the nation's centre for remembrance. It is well worth noting that it is not only the armed forces that have memorials here; there are tributes to others such as the Salvation Army and victims of natural disasters. There is adequate parking and, as you would expect of such an establishment, adequate facilities for the disabled. I would advise visitors to arrive in time for the two minutes silence which is observed every day in the chapel. This is followed by a short talk on the arboretum. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful - mostly volunteers - and there is a welcoming atmosphere about the place.

This was the first visit to this amazing place, walked for approx. 4 hours and didn't see half of it, the land train takes approx. 55 mins to cover the 150 acres. There are some very moving places to stop, remember and reflect. The Shot at Dawn site was particular awesome and also the Far East exhibition, will definitely be going back to see the rest of the site. Highly recommended.

We always wanted to visit the National Memorial Arboretum and it exceeded our expectations. It took us some 4 hours to walk the site and see most of the memorials, some of which were very poignant in today's world.
Land train available for those less able bodied.
Good value restaurant and of course free, although I would hope most donate generously.

Had no idea that this place was anything on the scale that it is! Lots to see, and amazing well-laid out memorials and gardens. I was able to find one of the local dead servicemen from my locality, whose name is upon a website I maintain, and my father enjoyed journeying back to the Far East where he had been stationed post-war at Singapore. We both found the Far East POW exhibit very moving, and also very informative.

Very informative, friendly staff and guides, thank you!

This is the 2 nd time I have visited but unfortunately today was as cold and biting as the last! This time we took the train ride around part of the site because it's vast. Perhaps on a warm day it would be more attractive to wander at leisure. As others have said it's growing and changing all the time and surely cannot be critised for asking for donations as some on here have. Get a site map and sit down to decide what you really want to see to save wandering around aimlessly. I look forward to returning sometime when it's warm.