Not sure what to expect, but was overwhelmed, managed to make the 11 am 2 minute silence at the chapel, the introduction to the Arboretum very informative before and after the silence so try to make it for 10.30 if you can. We took the land train, again the commentary was very good,but keep focused or you will miss out,need to be short to be comfortable, leg room not good, 5.8" female!! Maybe the buggy a better bet, our fault, did not do our homework well enough before our visit. Walked the whole site after the train, very moving, and the site was immaculate. The visit made us realise that so many are affected by the loss of loved ones, stillborn babies, Military (near and far) RNLI, Police,Fire Service, Fairground Personnel,Volunteers, and what we found very moving, Shot at Dawn Memorial, I defy anyone not to be moved by this Memorial. There are plenty of volunteer staff in yellow shirts to answer any queries you may have, and don't be put off by the steps to the central memorial, just ask and someone will help. A visit is a must, if only once in a lifetime,and don't forget the trees, planting and variety worth a visit on their own, and can only get better!!

we got there early and the first thing was to get on the little train which took about 45 minutes for the tour with a good commentary then we were able to visit areas we had not been to before

A very moving place in over 150 acres of woodland and gardens there are over 300 unique memorials to those who have lost their lives while serving their county.

We found this a very emotional visit and spent over 5 hours walking around the site and still did not see all there was . It is very well presented and made you think about all the people that it was dedicated to. We found the staff which were mostly volunteers very knowledgeable and attentive. At 11am each day they have a 2 minute of remembrance in the chapel. There is a trolly type train that shows you around the full site at a cost of £5.00 per person and it was well worth it, Parking just outside the entrance at £3.00 for the day.

This was our first visit to the National Memorial Arboretum and we had a perfect day weatherwise.The grounds are beautifully kept and very pleasant tp stroll round. We took the train to cover a large section and then walked back to spend more time at the memorials we wished to inspect further. We, mistakenly, thought it was only for service men and women killed since 1945 so were surprised to find memorials to many different causes, the RNLI, pre natal and still birth babies, the Royal Britsh Legion, the Fire service, to name but a few.

For me,the most moving was the "Shot at Dawn" memorial. There is a post in the ground for every one of these soldiers,read the names and ages of these men, most of whom we would class as children. They were NOT cowards, they were,for the most part, frightened and shell shocked. Look out for the memorial to the travelling fairground men who fought in the war, it has a lovely carousel horse by the side.

There is a monument to the men who fought at Gallipoli, my husband`s great uncle died on the first day of this disasterous battle and we knew we would never be able to lay a cross for him on the memorial at Helles, but here we could buy a cross and quietly remember him. There is a statue for the DLI, Durham Light Infantry, I was lucky, my Dad came home, but it was still very moving.

I would also recommend the little buggy tour, Jan took us round and we accessed all the "off the beaten track" memorials, away from the more visited areas the Quakers memorial is set in peaceful woods, there is a tree planted to every serviceman who died in Northern Ireland, do their families know this?
The visitor facilities are clean and reasonably priced and although it is free to go in, it is £5 each for the train tour and £5 each for the buggy, the buggy is well worth the money and unless you are superfit you would not cover it all in one day.
I would like to go back in the Autumn when all the leaves are turning red and gold as being an arboretum there is a huge and wonderful variety of trees.

A fantastic place of Remembrance. Every one should go at least once and all school children should go to understand the cost of going to war

Avin visited this wonderful place we should be proud we av this site in England the work and Dedication off the staff on the up keep off the Grounds and monuments is first class well worth a visit.

An amazing afternoon spent visiting this national treasure. I was in awe of its size and didn't quite capture it until I went around on thr land train. Although I went for business, the volunteers were all dressed smart, were very knowledgable and scattered everywhere.
The sheer vast amount to look around could be an all day event. I am returning with my grandad on the weekend.

A trip not to be missed if you are in this area. I have to admit although living quite close to the memorial arbouretum I had never thought about visiting. While having my elderly Mum staying with me and wondering how to keep her occupied we decided to take her there. We all found it very moving and for my Mum it bought back a lot of memories both happy and sad.A truly special and peaceful plac

This was my third visit to the Memorial Arboretum, We still have not seen all the memorials. I think every man, woman and child ought to visit and read about the scarifice made by, not just British men and women, but by other nationalities. My heart breaks when reading the ages of the young men mentioned at the Shot at Dawn memorial.
There are a number of new memorials since our last visit and we didn't get a chance to see them all. Will have to plan another visit soon.

This is truly a wonderful place to visit, we arrived at lunch time and had a spot of lunch in the restaurant, which served snacks, and hot food at a reasonable price. We had a slow walk around the war memorials , it was so well kept , quiet and tranquil, plenty of benches to sit on and take in this wonderful place, suitable for all. There is a land train you can ride on at an extra cost . we spent a lovely afternoon here but next time we would arrange to spend the day, there is so much to see and well worth a visit.

Been wanting to visit for a while, so a quick break in the area was the perfect opportunity.
This is a beautiful setting for these memorials, and there are so many fitting memorials. Have just seen item on TV about a new memorial to the Land Army Girls which will be here, so always something new to see.
I would be surprised if a visit here doesn't bring a few lumps to the throat.

At last, we manage to find time to visit this important site dedicated to the fallen service men and women since the Second World War. We arrived early and has a cup of coffee in the cafe (I wish I had waited for a bacon roll here as Warwick Services was virtually inedible) the grounds are well maintained lending to a peaceful ambiance. The main focal point is the endless list of names etched on massive stone walls. It is a sombre atmosphere that seems to linger as visitors quietly move around the monument. There was a guide on hand to assist visitors find the name of a loved one or former colleague. It is a place for all to learn of the sacrifices of others in the service of our country. The Far East POW exhibition was excellent. I have no problem in commending this attraction to all. Visit is free, all day parking costs £3.00

Not sure where to begin! We visited on 7th August and found this to be a really moving and thought provoking experience. The NMA doesn't only remember the forces, but other organisations are also represented. We arrived early so booked onto the narrated land train at 10.00am, cost £4 p.p. and well worth it. We hadn't had breakfast but they didn't mind us grabbing a muffin and takeaway coffee and eating whilst on the train. The journey took 1hr 15mins and provided a good overview of the site, giving just the right amount of information and enabled us to decide which memorials we wished to visit in particular.

The 10.00am land train gets you back in time for the Act of Remembrance at 10.50am in the Millennium Chapel. This was their busiest day so far and the Chapel was packed with extra seating provided outside with speakers. There is a loop system for the hard of hearing. This was a lovely service with a 2 minute silence, followed by a half hour talk by one of the Guides explaining the purpose and history of the site.

There are also Buggy Tours and Guided Walks available.

After this we ventured into the Gift Shop and Arbour Restaurant. The Gift Shop is well stocked with interesting products for all ages and price ranges. No tat here! The Restaurant was very pleasant and also had a good range of food and drink at reasonable prices.

The toilet facilites were kept very clean.

All staff/volunteers that we encountered were extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

There are so many memorials but the ones that stuck in our minds were "Shot at Dawn", the Burma and Sumatra Railways, the Royal Navy glass monument and obviously the centre piece, Armed Forces Memorial. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to cover every memorial but that can easily be rectified with a 2nd visit!

One thing I would like to say is that this site is advertised as "Free Admission" and it is. It costs almost £4000 a day to provide free entry. To those people who whinge about having to pay a £3 parking fee or £4 for a land train ticket I think you should visit the memorial that says it all: "Freedom is not free". When human beings have given their lives for this Nation and worthy organisations I fail to see how anyone can object to £3 and/or £4 - shame on you!

I can honestly say I have never been to such a well thought out, peaceful, emotional, beautiful and serene place, especially along the river walk where they have recently witnessed the return of otters amongst the other wildlife.

We had an amazing experience here and will certainly return. The NMA should be proud of what they have achieved on this site so far, and we look forward to seeing the developments as the years go by.

We recently attended the WW1 candlelight vigil and were absolutely awestruck by this wonderful place. Everything is pitched just right and is so tastefully and thoughtfully presented. We would recommend a guided tour as the stories behind the memorials go towards making this place what it is. The gift shop has something for everyone- we'd particularly recommend the selection of books. Round your visit off with a visit to the cafe - good range of refreshments at reasonable prices. You can even get a beer or a glass of wine! Have now booked one of their small group tours to mark a special birthday. Everyone should visit this remarkable place!!!!!

Very well set out and spacious. Extremely moving and upsetting at times. Apparently this was a converted gravel pit and the work and upkeep are exceptional. A small play area but would think this would be more suitable for older children and adults. All the services are represented. It represents all those killed since the Second World War. Well worth a visit.

The place is a fitting tribute to all those who have given their lives in the past.We only had a few hours to spare but are already planning to return to see all the rest we did not see on this visit.

A wonderful site of national rememberance, that the whole country should visit. Easy to find, easy to park and easy to find your way around. Lots of interesting memorials and for those with dogs it is very well thought out with marked paths and resting places. The volunteers are all a delight with good knowledge.

What a wonderful concept this place is. It really does make you stop and think about all of the awful conflicts that have happened where our people have been involved. The memorials are exceptional and the whole area has a kind of stillness about is where it makes you contemplate life and to be thankful for what we have. There was a service taking place on the day I visited and it was truly inspirational and made one think about the injustices that have been levelled at the Royal Ulster Constablery by the last labour government and how they have sold them down the line just to gain some sort of credence.

Spur of the moment trip and I'm glad we went. Set in lovely parkland we found that just wondering around was the best way to explore. All of the monuments were in excellent condition and the grounds were very well maintained. Good use of technology by the use of QR readers.
All the staff we interacted with were pleasant and informative.

Had the opportunity to visit the Arboretum for the second time recently,this time at the Dedication of the Western Front memorial stone with members of the Mercian regiment and Cadets.
The first time we visited i had no idea what to expect,so we had a guided tour & this is probably the best was to find your way around on the first visit , then , just wander,it would be impossible to see every thing in one go,but that to me is just what it is all about,to return another day,to see changes,and to remember , it is not all about war , it is as much about today as yesterday.
Refreshments are available but if the weather is good take your own , there are plenty of places to sit & reflect.
We will be going back , soon.

This is truly a wonderful place of peace, remembrance and beauty. The site has over 300 memorials, both military and civilian, and over 40000 trees. The volunteer staff we encountered were knowledgeable and friendly. A "must visit" place.

A very peaceful, thought provoking, emotional experience. Very well thought out and amazing structures.

Visted 5th August, 2014 and well worth the long journey. Was not sure what to expect initially, but it really is a fascinating place to visit and remember the war dead. Went on the train that gave excellent informative commentary and would recommend anybody to use it. The shop was well stocked, places to eat very good and friendly staff.

I am so glad I visited. It certainly is a place not to be missed.

I visited the Nqtional Memorial Arboretum a couple of weeks ago with my Mum. We went on a day trip with Lodge Coaches of Chelmsford who looked after us very well. Everybody was very kind and the volunteers were so helpful and very knowledgeable. An amazing, humbling experience, I would recommend a visit here to anyone, but allow plenty of time there is so much to see. We went on the train ride which was very informative.