Everyone should go here. It makes you think about how lucky we are to have so many young people who are willing to lay down their lives for this wonderful country. A peaceful place, amongst stunning trees where you can have some quiet contemplation or a delicious lunch and listen to the Band. A place to think about others.

The National memorial at the arboretum give you a feeling of being on hallowed ground no matter what your religion.or indeed complete lack of one. The gardens are peaceful,the memorial is a reminder of the sacrifices made by our and our allied armed forces. Entry is free {£3.00} carparking. To see everything a whole day is needed it is a big place. For those who have difficulty in walking long distances,or those who just want a ride a road train service is available for a modest fee. The catering is of a high standard not only for the quality of the food but the impeccable hygiene too. In my opinion it is a privilege to visit.

We visited this place a while ago with my husband who used to be in the RAF and I wanted to see the memorial place where my friend's son was killed in action whilst in Afghanistan (along with the dog).

Decided to follow instructions on website and use public transport to get there from Lichfield. Left bus at Alrewas and followed driver's instructions to cross A38 and follow signs. That was memorable but we survived although the '15 minute' walk took about 30 minutes along a busy road with no pavement and an uneven grass verge. Some others on the bus took 40 minutes. At weekends, buses go to entrance of Arboretum and would not recommend midweek travel.
Once there it is most impressive with a great range of memorials of all sizes and we certainly learned a lot about individuals and groups in recent history. With a splendid main memorial dominating the site, it is a pity that the few permanent buildings look like large neglected garden sheds in need of upkeep with what amounts to a souvenir stall alongside selling tawdry overpriced tat, totally out of keeping with the rest of the site.

Whether you have any connection with the armed services or not, this is the most peaceful,beautiful well thought out living memorial. Since one of our party is not too mobile, we chose to have the VIP package which includes a guided tour with a senior guide aboard a six seater buggy. It is yours for the day and they will take you around any areas that are special to you. It also includes a two course lunch in the private dining room.
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and so very happy to impart his enthusiasm and knowledge to us ( the guides are volunteers) we went to the chapel where a two minute silence is held every day of the year. Then a short talk on how the arboretum came into existence. Then touring around with a leisurely break for lunch. A full day from 10.30 til after 4. This cost just £20 each. Our guide,Paul, made it all so interesting and his descriptions of how each memorial had been designed to be significant to the memory of those it represented was just fascinating. I urge everyone to visit this place young or old. It is completely free to go in. £3 to park your car that is all, although a donation is most definitely warranted. The money we spent for our private tour though was definitely money well spent. The staff couldn't have been more helpful and the lunch was absolutely delicious.

Well laid out over large site but good location services and a nice train around the site for identifying areas worthy of further exploration.

I visited this venue with my veteran husband and young family. It is a very beautiful, peaceful and thought provoking place. We were all there for different reasons - my husband wanted to see the memorials (and recognised a name of one or two comrades), I am interested in history and also like the landscaping, my 5 yr old daughter enjoyed 'tree spotting' with her book and had a chat with some WW1 soldiers, and my 2 yr old enjoyed just being pushed around in his buggy and a bit or a run around later on. We completed the self-led family trail, which is now proudly stuck inside my daughter's holiday diary. We had a meal in the restaurant , where the food was good. A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon, for example. If I lived more locally, I would come here more often.

Whether a serviceman or not you cannot fail to be moved by the peace and tranquillity of the arboretum. The ever increasing number of memorials are tastefully included into the arboretum. Stop and talk to someone there and listen to their story. Be at peace with the memorial

beautiful place, well kept, gardens really nice, feeling of peace and a lesson to all of us after a few hours here.

Free to enter, but all profits from the very good restaurant or souvenirs go towards the upkeep of this memorial Arboretum. Memories will be provoked from the areas from all forces from all over the world. Consider that there are some 15000 names on the central memorial, and these are only since the second world war. If you have connection with the forces or have had the misfortune to have lost someone in conflict, this is a must to visit.

I visited this attraction thinking that I was merely going to see a war memorial. Oh boy was I surprised..... There are around 300 memorials varying from the large forces memorial on a huge mound to a simple memorial for still born babies. Every force from all over the world is represented including a special building for the Far East, Burma railway, River Kwai. It is extremely moving - we picked a day that wasn't particularly busy. There are volunteers everywhere with lots of tales to tell. The cafe serves reasonable food and although it is free to enter there is a £3 car park charge. We spent most of the day there and still didn't see it all...... We actually didn't see one of the main memorials called 'Shot at dawn' which is a memorial to all deserters shot during WW1.

Amazing, moving and wonderfull place to visit. Everyone should go at least once. Very well kept and a joy to visit.

After visiting this place for the third time I have finally decided to write a review, as it really deserves be shared.

For starters its free entry with just £3 for parking but we always give more as so worth it. There is so much to see and each visit we find something we've not seen before. The site is exceptionally well kept and in a very tasteful manner. The memorials are all individual and with some moving inscriptions.

The centre piece is amazing and visible from all arts of the site. The walls with all the names of the lost souls is beyond words, as are the statues placed there.

The restaurant is great with some great found, drinks and snacks all at responsible prices for the quality of the food. Its always busy but we've always managed to get a seat. Its definitely worth having a tea break at least.

The shop is tasteful and again worth visit as the gifts are ideal for anyone and any occasions.

Overall the place is worth a visit even if its just the once.

Very moving, peaceful, meaningful, tragic,amazing, respectful, picturesque, memorable, beautiful, calming, inspiring, touching place. Visit this place, you won't be disappointed.

Parking. Caff. Toilets.

The NMA is right in the heart of England and very close to Lichfield. It is an amazing place - beautifully landscaped and a great place to visit whether you have someone you know who is remembered or just to see the memorials. I went to the Millenium chapel for the 11am silence which is an incredibly moving experience. Recommend everyone to visit to reflect on the sacrifices made by very brave people.

A very large site, the central area with the engraved names and sculptures is a sad reminder of how many lives have been lost since 1945. The world doesn't seem to have learnt any lessons!
Make sure you visit the Far East section, the Sumatra and Burma railway areas. The 'hut' has an exhibition with videos, personal experiences, etc of the soldiers and civilians who were the Japanese prisoners of war.

Would need more than one visit todo it justice but it is free to go in. £3 parking and overflow car park is close by.
Lots of volunteers around to explain things.
VERY moving place with a lovely peaceful feeling.
WW1 trail was interesting to follow, shot at dawn memorial was particularly poignant

Set in extensive grounds this is a place of beauty and peace. We were just in time for the service which is held every day in the chapel and then went around the the grounds on the Land Train. This gave us a good overview. I was able to find the memorial to The Desert Rats of Tobruk, the Eighth Army Regiment my father was with. Allow plenty of time ...one visit may not be enough.

Visited this memorial centre last year and oh my god what a sight to behold. It was so peaceful upon arrival and we didn't know how vast this was until we got inside. It was in a lovely peaceful area with the sense of calm and peace around it upon walking around the vast area. The actual memorial at the centre was stunning and very emotional when reading all the names and seeing the beautiful bronze statues depicting the war effort, A very stunning tribute to all our fallen heroes and will definitely pay homage to the people who undertook building this. We spent a whole afternoon there but needed a full day as we didn't get to see the whole area so will definitely be going back. It is well worth a visit and very moving. Please go see.

You really must get here and if you do, make sure that you take a whole day over the visit, making sure your cameras have plentiful batteries and storage space - you will need it!

I arrived at just after 10am which I deemed to be about the perfect time. It allowed me the chance of a coffee and some breakfast in the onsite restaurant, before making my way to the onsite 'Chapel of Peace and Reconciliation' in which is held a Service of Remembrance every day of the year. Following on from the Service (which is not mandatory) is a very interesting 'Welcome Talk' giving the history of the site.

If you are of limited mobility I recommend either booking ahead one of the 'golf buggy' guided tours (sorry do not know the price), or alternatively paying £5 for a ride on the 'Land Train', which goes around most of the site and on which you will hear a pre-recorded commentary as you go past some of the memorials.

If you think this place is all about military remembrance - think again, it is not.

Whilst the vast majority of the memorials are dedicated to members of the three armed forces (I am ex-Army myself) and there is the impressive 'Armed Forces Memorial' in the centre of the site, there are many many more memorials dedicated by charities and civilian organisations, such as The Fire and Rescue Services, and avenue of trees called 'The Beat' dedicated to the Police Services and other charity based memorials such as the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society.

For me the point of the visit was to visit the Armed Forces Memorial, as well as a number of regimental/corps memorials that I was interested in.
However I urge you not to miss the Far East Prisoner of War (FEPOW) Exhibition and Memorials - for me, the most moving part of the site. Please go into the exhibition but be warned, it 'pulls no punches' about the treatment of the FEPOW and the natives of the islands the Japanese invaded. However I thoroughly recommend it and defy you to come away from it unmoved.

Entry to the Arboretum is free, but a charge of £3 for all day parking is levied.
The Land Train costs £5 for over an hour's ride.
A 200 page colour photographed Guidebook will cost you £6 and is well worth it.

The visit may cost you no more than the parking charge, but all money raised in the restaurant and gift shop goes straight back into the running of the NMA, no profit is taken nor made.

The vast majority of the site is accessible by all, both able bodied, wheelchair users and visually/hearing impaired visitors. I would check with the plethora of volunteers for wheelchair accessible routes to the Armed Forces Memorial, as this is set on a hill up a flight of steps in the centre of the site.

Please - go!

I thought that I was prepared for the memorials to our fallen,but I was wrong. The sheer scale of the place is quite overwhelming. Immaculately maintained,it is a superb tribute to the fallen. After 3 hours or so,we could not take any more in. We will be back later in the year.Brings home to you the sheer scale of the range and diversity of people from around the world who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Truly,"we will remember them"
Visit this place once in your life,but, be prepared to be humbled.

Set in a beautiful backdrop of grounds with beautiful memorials, that bring it all home of what many personnel from all backgrounds did for these islands and the commonwealth. It is so peaceful, gives you time to take all what was involved during conflicts all over the world. Only £3 for parking, we were directed to the train ride round the grounds which does help with understanding of what many memorials represent, well worth the ride for 45 mins for only a £5 charge. After the ride when had lunch then walked round many other memorials and visited the main memorial with all the names of the forces personnel that lost there lives from the wars. Rather chillingly were the blank walls, just hope they do not get filled. A truly lovely place to pay respect to all that have fallen.

I visited the arboretum with my sons and an elderly relative. We especially wanted to visit the Royal Air Force memorial as we had a family member who had served in the R.A.F.
However, we discovered, another family member who was a prisoner of war in WW1 and another who was a prisoner of war in Burma.
We left feeling shocked, deeply saddened but enlightened.
I would recommend everyone should take their families here, take time to reflect and appreciate what others sacrificed.
The arboretum is a beautiful place.

I had wanted to visit for some time. I wasn't disappointed. Far from it. Following a late breakfast in the on site restaurant , we attended the 11:00 gathering in The Church which included a two minute silence. And a site briefing. Off to the 11:30 'Noddy Train.' This gave us an insight to the numerous memorials around the huge arboretum. We then returned to visit 'our special' one's. WRNS, RAF, Chindits and Burma Rail. As our day unfolded more and more visitors arrived yet the magic was never broken. A definite, must see,

Set in almost 2,500 acres it easily absorbs the number of daily visitors, the volume of visitors only being noted by the full car parks. Car parking is £3.00 which we were unaware of prior to the visit, a fair charge but we struggled for the change. The tranquillity of the park is truly absorbing, and is the same peacefulness found in the war memorials of France.

During the summer & other school holidays events are laid on for children at minimal cost, therefore it was disappointing to see such a poor uptake (maybe it was just the day we visited). A great idea intended to encourage families to visit the memorial. Our son (& Dad) loved the 'furries & critters' event which was sadly only attended by 6 other children. An excellent, educational event it was a shame it wasn't better attended. Children visiting at this time missed a treat.

The memorial in general seemed to be frequented by few families, which is disappointing as it is both educational & respectful that our children are imparted with the knowledge of sacrifice & dedication of those who have fallen in service. A guide advised they cater for school groups during term time but it should not just fall to schools to provide this type of education.

As you would expect many visitors are of a certain generation.

The restaurant is reasonably priced & the staff/volunteers very pleasant. It would seem huge investment is to be carried out over the next few years & we look forward to paying our respects again in the future.

Note - if you have a pram try to avoid parking in the overflow as it extremely difficult to push a pram on the unsurfaced ground.