I have paid two visits the Arboretum they sight is so big we could not all in one visit, I would only go on a day with good weather as there is not a lot of shelter. We our time visiting the memorials one by one of groups and conflicts long forgotten by me. The thing that struck me most is there is only one year since 1945 that a British service man has not been killed on active service. The site is kept in good order and is very peaceful. I will return as we have not finnished viewing the compleat site

The layout and design of this site is excellent. The place has real atmosphere without being too sombre or depressing. It was pleasing to see that those remembered include not only the well known military units but also lesser known units such as Catering Corps and Armed Merchantmen, together with Police, Emergency workers, RNLI etc. The small Chapel is beautiful - constructed of light coloured woods and with a lot of natural daylight.
Entrance is free (donations invited) and car parking is only £3 (for as long as you like).

Remembrance has always been important to me and I have wanted to visit the National Arboretum for a while. I finally got the opportunity earlier this month when I visited with my partner on a wet, windy Sunday afternoon.

I checked out the website first (www.thenma.org.uk) and was glad I did because it contains a lot of useful information including the fact that, while admission is free, parking on site is pay and display (£3). The machines only take coins so make sure you have some with you – the money earned goes to support the Arboretum. We were also able to download a voucher from the site for a discount on lunch (offer now closed).

Access to the site is via the visitor centre, although people using mobility scooters should note that (for reasons that are unclear) they won’t be able to take their scooters inside. Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow, although if you are travelling alone and are unable to propel yourself along, I’m not sure what you are supposed to do.

That aside, inside the centre you are greeted by friendly staff who give you an overview of what there is to see plus a site map – useful as the site is large and there are many different memorials. We decided to have lunch in the restaurant before heading off outside – a good decision as, being a Sunday lunchtime, the place was filling up and there weren’t many free tables.

The restaurant offered a good choice of food, from snacks to cooked meals, and we opted for the roast turkey lunch. Without our discount voucher this would have cost us £7.50 each which seemed like decent value to me. Helpings were generous and the food tasted very good. We were too full to have puddings.

Outside, there are 150 acres of landscaped walkways, gardens and memorials to explore. Access is mainly via level paths, although to reach the centrepiece Armed Forces memorial you will need to climb a set of steps or follow a gently sloping pathway. The site is quite exposed and, although there are benches all the way round, there aren’t many shelters, so take a brolly if you’re visiting on a showery day.

There are many memorials to see, all different, all impressive in their own way. We found the Shot at Dawn memorial particularly moving as it commemorates those men who were shot for ‘cowardice’ (and recently pardoned) during the first world war. Many were teenagers when they died. Also impressive was the Parachute Regiment memorial, with its clever parachutist sculpture.

I would suggest you given yourself half a day to do the Arboretum justice and to give yourself time to reflect. We only managed two hours, including lunch, due to the wet and windy weather conditions and felt we needed to come back on a warmer day to take it all in properly. Also, it would be great to see the gardens in full bloom – when we visited the trees and plants were only just coming into bud. I have a feeling that they will look very beautiful in summer.

The National Arboretum is maturing and evolving and, having got off to what seems to be a very good start, I think it can only get better.

In my view this is an important place because it forces you to think about the cost of human conflict. It’s also a beautiful, peaceful place, somewhere in this busy, troubled world of ours to stop, stand and stare.

A very large, 150 acres, setting for a huge number of memorials to a very wide range of regiments, associations and civilian bodies. Includes the imposing and thought provoking National Monument. Quite a large number of people there with us, but it is so big there is no sense of crowds and plenty of space for quiet and contemplation. We found the memorial to the First World War soldiers who were shot at dawn (and pardoned in 2007) especially moving.
We found it was too big to see everything in a day and if you have any trouble walking well worth taking the train tour.
It is also worth visiting the chapel and if you are there at the right time taking in the 15 minute introductory talk.
Again a place that we hope to return to.

Hot food is not brilliant but edible. A little pricey for the portions and when you collect your food, it is rapidly going cold whilst you queue to pay and then find a table. During our visit, finding a clean table was another issue which spoilt eating depleting "hot" food.

I visited the Arboretum on my own when I had a few hours spare. I was overwhelmed by how peaceful and thought provoking this open space was. The memorials and gardens are well maintained and the staff are informative and ever so helpful. I attended the service of remembrance at 11am followed by the welcome talk which gave meaning and information about why particular materials and products were used. I will definitely be visiting again as I took a lot away from my visit on a cold and wet Monday.

The centre has easy access and the staff were all so helpful, friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
The gardens are more than 150 acres and impossible to visit all the memorials in one day, but even the one day we had was very moving. We were 4 ex-military men and had good time to visit all the memorials of special significance to us.
One of us had limited walking ability so we started with a tour on the 'land train' which gave an excellent overview with a good broadcast commentary. After that one of the kind and knowledgeable volunteers took us around in an electric buggy to the memorials which were of special significance, asking only that we be kind enough to make a donation to the memorial.
The crowning moment was a walk up the main memorial, which is a very moving place. I especially liked the two gaps in the inner and outer walls which are only perfectly lined up to allow the sun to shine through on the eleventh hour, if the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
A memorable day at a memorable location to which I plan to return

Lovely setting maturing all the time.whether you have lost someone in wars you cannot fail to feel the sense of loss.If you are in the area it should be a must on your tour.

I have been here a number of times and every time there has been more memorials added.
The main memorial with all the names is a lesson to us all on the unnecessary loss of life and great expense wars cause.

A wonder round the grass and look at all the other memorials is a fine tribute to all those men and women that died so we can live. I hope we do appreciate their sacrifice for us.

The whole site is very well kept and the volunteers are great and so knowledgeable.The food in the cafe is well presented and a reasonable price. The staff are very friendly.

A fine weather activity but so rewarding.

We visited this fantastic attraction and it was a great day out quiet and moving. So much to see and a lot to take in. So many names on the walls of the main memorial. We had dinner in the resteraunt and it was very good at an excellent price. Try to visit on a fair day as there is not a lot of cover

Well laid out

A place so quiet, it was good to be able to lose oneself in ones own thoughts. Although there were many vistors there was plenty of space, so it was possible a part of but at the same time be apart from the crowd.

i dislike anything,,but i loved it all....all the thousands of men who died and if it wasnt for them i wouldnt be here today

Large paying car park and easy access from main road, even for people with walking difficulties. The people at the visitors centre were very friendly and gave plenty of advice, re. flooding and what was where. The big white marquee at the bottom of the garden looks a bit out of place and the huge National Memorial, although well styled, overshadows many of the very small plots. However, this place is really worth a day trip, even with the kids. Allow plenty of time to go through the main alley and don't forget to look into the many little gardens to read the plaques. It is all very thought provoking and in many ways very sad, yet also uplifting to see that so many tributes to all kinds of causes remember so many people. At the end of the Arboretum, a most astonishing plot, The Allied Special Forces Garden, wonderfully laid out, maintained lovingly and remembering so much. Plenty of places to sit and reflect or just take in the wonderful nature around the garden. The only thing that would improve it would be additional restrooms in the middle or end of the whole Arboretum, for elderly people, the way back to the visitor centre could be a bit much.

Excellent for Ex and Serving Armed Forces Personnel or families to visit their Units Memorial. There are also other memorials such a sthe Stillborn children memorial that are thought provoking.
Fantastic reasonably priced restaurant on site too.

What a wonderful memorial to so many wonderful people. My husband and I went for the day to pay our respects to a Great Uncle of mine who had died aged just 36 during the War. How lovely it was to see children there who were interested in looking at the memorials and statues and respecting other visitors. The cafe was a welcome pit stop and very clean. The whole day I found to be a very moving experience and look forward to another visit soon.

We went to the national arboretum this week as we had always wanted to go for so long. It was a very humbling experience seeing all the tributes to the fallen. The place itself was spotlessly clean and the food was good in the cafe when you needed to give your feet a rest as there is a lot of walking to be done to see all the memorials.. You can go by a little train if you like for a small charge. It was an eye opening experience which will not be forgotten . As these people died for us. A place to visit definitely .

The National Memorial Arboretum was an amazing place to visit even on a chilly February day when the area was affected by recent floods. This was our first visit and we were impressed by the tranquillity even though there were plenty of people around. There is no entrance fee and parking is just £3 no matter the length of stay. The engraved walls of names is very thought provoking and a wonderful place of remembrance, the regimental memorials are incredible, the variety of planted trees impressive and the beautiful laid out 150 acre site is a true credit to the original and current planners. The centre is welcoming with very friendly volunteers on hand to advise and help, the café is reasonably priced and nicely stocked and the gift shop offers items to suit all ages and purses. We look forward to returning on more than one future occasion when we can enjoy the daffodils and the trees and flowers at their best.
Definitely worth a visit but be prepared to walk although the area is mostly paths and flat with some steps. Good disabled access.

This is a beautiful serene setting,and a fitting tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today. It's not just for the Armed Forces past & present,but there are memorials to other organisations too,such as the Bevin Boys,the Ambulance Service,and even a Twin Towers Memorial. I've also heard that later this year they plan to unveil one to the Land Army Girls.
As the site is so vast I would think it almost impossible to view every single memorial and decication plaque in just one day,but as there is no admission fee (just a single £3:00 pay&display parking charge per day - at time of writing) return visits shouldn't be a problem. The grounds are well landscaped and manicured,and most of the memorials are accessible to wheelchair users. There are also guided tour buses ("noddytrains" or golf buggy style vehicles),but charges apply (£4:50 adult ticket for the train). We found all the staff to be very polite,friendly,& knowlegable about the site,and could advise on best routes to see any specific tributes you may wish to view. The very clean and spacious cafe offers a variety of tempting hot and cold meals and snacks,all at reasonable prices. The gift shop has surprising array of items,from the usual "gifte shoppe" items (pencils,key rings,etc) to quality glassware and jewellery,educational history books to childrens activity packs. Unfortunately due to the recent flooding,a lot of the area down by the river was inaccessable,but we'll see them on our next visit. If I had to pick an improvement for the site,it would be for more shelter spaces to be built along the routes. If you get caught in the rain (or even a rare hot sunny day),there's only about three places to shelter,and they're at the far ends of the paths. Check out their website before you go,and enjoy a relaxing day out.......

Large beautifully laid out memorial and arboretum
Free entry (car park not free)
Good cafe & shop
Main memorial very moving

The National Memorial Arboretum is a beautiful and peaceful place. The memorials are just amazing and are not just for the military but for other organisations too. The story teller carving in the chapel is a must see and the volunteers are so enthusiastic and interesting and will spend time answering your questions. There is such a lot to see and the restaurant serves very good meals and refreshments - the scones are particularly good. All the staff in the restaurant, shop and other areas are so friendly and make you feel really welcome. Keep up the great work NMA.

This was our first visit and we were very impressed. We had a very warm welcome from the volunteers as we arrived, who explained about the site and were very friendly and knowledgeable. It was a cold, windy day and we were unable to see all of the memorials due to flooding, but we were very impressed by what we saw. The memorials are fascinating, and very individual - from traditional stone statues to innovative designs and gardens. Having visited many WW1 and WW2 cemeteries, the National Memorial Arboretum was much more varied in its tributes, and it was very humbling to see the names of those killed in conflict since WW2. We visited as a couple but I can imagine that this would be a suitable memorial for children to visit too - and the walk around the site was in itself attractive (without the rain and flooding!).

It's been a while since we last visited the NMA and as it was a nice afternoon we dropped in while on our way home
Although a lot of the bottom of the park was flooded after the recent heavy rain,you could still access a lot of the memorials by keeping to the paths
The place is still a credit to the people who look after it even in all the bad weather we have been having
There are more memorials added every time we go and there are more still under construction
This place is a superb memorial to all the brave people who have made the ultimate sacrifice

A very beautiful place but it will be better when the trees are more established.Very good for the elderly people who will inevitably visit as they have tours on golf carts.A very harrowing place and a very good lunch !!

Despite being 5 minutes late for Sunday lunch as I arrived at 2.35pm the kind staff and chef consented to let me have a lunch and this turned out to be a real treat of Turkey and Beef with scrumptious roast potatoes. They are a very friendly crew who run the restaurant and are always willing to help. Definitely worth a visit to enjoy a roast dinner any day.

Just spent the afternoon at the Arboretum despite the flooding, part of the site was underwater, we had a good walk around, the Burma railway memorial was particularly interesting and a fitting tribute to those who died there.
The introductory talk in the chapel is to be recommended and was very informative regarding each of the major memorials and the symbolism.
The cafe was also good, loved the Stilton and vegetable soup!