My wife and I visited the Arboretum today, with my sister, whose leg was in plaster, after she fractured her ankle recently. The "disabled " facilities were fantastic, all the volunteers were so kind and we thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Thank you!

A huge set of memorials set in beautiful grounds. The Memorial dominating the park for soldiers who have lost thier lives after world war 2 is impressive. Its moving as there is still space where they add names. The Polish Monument is great giving a breakdown of what each of their services contributed in World War 2. A lot of the other memorials lack information about their valiant contributions. One criticism is the daft "Entry is free but we would be grateful if you could give a £5 donation" signs you see in the visitor centre.

We visited with friends from the Walsall branch of NHS Retirement Fellowship. We attended the introductory talk in the chapel by Martin, he was very knowledgable and gave us some pointers for our visit.
We joined the Land a Train trip around the site, listening to the commentary was well worth the £5 fee. Next time we'd like to try a guided buggy tour for the same cost.
We then had afternoon tea in the Arbour Restaurant before enjoying a trip into the gift shop, they have a lovely selection of poppy focussed gifts.
I can recommend following the "brown signs" off the A38 and paying the £3 car parking fee, it's well worth a visit

We have been wanting to visit the Arboretum for sometime, so decided to come up and stay in a local hotel for a couple of days. We certainly were not disappointed, we spent a very pleasant few hours (allow a days visit to do it justice) wandering around the site. As in a previous review we would recommend buying the guide book for £6.50 as it's quite comprehensive with a nice map and explanation of the different memorials. The staff were friendly, knowledgable and my companion was able to use one of the electric scooters available for £5.00 to hire for the day. Although would recommend you pre-book the scooter before visiting as I can imagine they are in high demand in the Summer months. The site itself is vast, and at first glance a little intimidating, but if you decide what you want to see, do that first with the help of the guide book. Highlights for us were the main memorial to all the services, very impressive and poignant when you see all the blank walls, anticipating further casualties of conflicts to come, quite haunting. Also the Shot at dawn memorial, we were lucky to have a guide who gave us a brief but informative talk about the memorial and how it came about. Lastly, the onsite cafe is well worth a visit, if only for a hot drink on a cold day! It wasn't the cheapest we've visited, but sold a reasonably wide range of drinks and food, and ALL proceeds go to the Arboretum. All in all a thoroughly worthwhile visit.

Coming from overseas we had been told about the Arboretum but family members living within a three hour drive had not heard of it and we were surprised that there were no signs on any of the major highways indicating the way to the site.
Five of us visited with a 92 year old easily handling the scooter which was hired for six pounds.
We did not know what to expect but found the whole area a moving and interesting experience with a huge amount of information available - get the guidebook for £6.50 rather than a map for £3 as the information on each site is very detailed.
There were too many highlights to list but do not miss Shot at Dawn which is presented with dignity and compassion.
There is also a chapel on site.
The Arboretum relies mainly on donations and it is almost impossible to believe that four gardeners successfully maintain the grounds.
There is a restaurant supplying a range of good value food items and a reception and kiosk where items can be obtained to place on individual sites.
The volunteer staff in these areas were excellent with their friendliness and knowledge.
From May onwards the Arboretum should have a glorious range of colours as the thousands of trees present their new foliage.
This is a must see!

my wife and I wanted to visit the Arboretum so stayed in a local hotel for two days as we thought it would be nice to take our time to see all that was there. I personally was a little disappointed as I thought this was an Arboretum dedicated to the services but found out its for all and sundry. Also the way its laid out to me seemed that they say there's a empty spot over there lets put the next memorial there without thinking it out. This is only my view and does not reflect on the way the place is run, all the volunteers are Heroes in my eyes.

We visited for the first time on Easter Sunday not really knowing quite what to expect, was it a forest or a war memorial? Well, it's both, with the trees having significance to the memorials they are near to. We started the day with a short presentation in the chapel followed by a 2 minute silence at 11am, which happens every day. Our guide was very informative and told us how the site was conceived and developed and why all the staff have a £1 coin on them at all times! We then wandered around the site on our own, stopping for a pre-booked lunch in the restaurant, then had a buggy ride with another very knowledgeable guide who took us to the furthest reaches of the site which we might not have got to on foot. The whole thing is so well done. My only criticism is that there could be signage to advise you to stay in the park to access the Far East section, rather than crossing the car park only to find you can't get in that way and having quite a trek to get back. The site is also built on a flood plain so the grass areas can get very wet and muddy so would advise having wellies in the boot! Make the effort to visit the Shot At Dawn memorial, the most moving one on the site for me.

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.