national memorial arboretum

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 £3Per 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.

As pointed out before, unless you are on an organised trip you really do need you own transport to get here but parking is more than adequate even if you have to park in one of the not too distant overflows. The site is extensive and very well put together with a good instinct for what bushes shrubs and trees go well together, and non plant aspects included in some of the memorials are tastefully integrated. All the memorials are well labelled and impressive, from the smallest to the sobering circles on the mound which record every fallen serviceman since 1945. The obvious "peaks"- Korea, Suez, Northern Ireland, the Falklands and Afghanistan were expected but it was instructive to notice the numbers even in less prominent years. The train is a boon to those of restricted mobility but it may be a good idea to go and book your time as soon as you get there, especially in Summer and at weekends. The commentary is respectful but not over solemn. It is not a fun theme park, but when we were there everyone - even potentially boisterous children, seemed to get the ideal which it tries successfully to convey. We recommend giving it the best part of a day but you can do it in less without losing too much if you are pushes for time Donations are voluntary. The guides and the guide books are first class.

We visited due to the children studying the war at school. The kids loved the place and found it so interesting, my wife and I felt there was a fantastic spiritual and calm feeling, we will go again.

We were a party of 5 adults and 5 children (7-11). 2 were ex-soldiers so for them, it was a very special experience. They were able to see memorial stones of comrades and pay their respects.However, for non- military, it is also a very special day out. The surroundings are beautiful. The children understood the need for respect, but there were also places for them to run and roll down hills. We were very lucky and the February weather was glorious so we were able to sit in the gardens. We had lunch in the cafe and it was a reasonable price.I would definitely recommend it as we spent the whole day there for a donation.I think there was a small car park charge- about £3 but definitely worth it.

What a fantastic place to visit. A remarkable memorial to all the gallant men and women who gave their lives to protect and defend their country and give us the free world to live in.It is a great attraction , so interesting for all ages and far too much to see in one visit.The car park is extensive and the charge is £3 for all day. Entry is free although a donation is recommended from visitors if they wish.With plenty of space for everyone and so many paths, garden areas and memorials to wander round it is a really special place. Very humbling yet uplifting at times.You will not regret visiting I assure you.

Moving experience. Good guides( people) and booklets. Mini train with commentary available for those who do not want to walk too far. Beautiful setting which can only improve as the trees grow. The only church built during the year 2000 is here and well worth seeing. The only drawback is no public transport as far as I know. Very good cafe.

This is a beautiful memorial which everyone should visit. It is very thought provoking and makes you realise how many lives were lost to protect our freedom.