Walsall Arboretum

Been here with friends a few times and agree with other negative reviews. The quality of what you get is really poor and inconsistent. The baked goods - cakes, croissants, etc are definitely not fresh, and the coffee is completely hit and miss. Service is also really slow. It's not unusual to wait at a vacant counter for a while until somebody shows up, and then for an age while they plod through getting a basic order up. Anything beyond 2 customers and they seem completely out of their depth. I note that other reviewers have also had the 'cash only' experience, so it seems to be a recurrent problem - just not acceptable. I've never experienced this in any other business or service in my life. In my case I was in a queue behind two others and they waited until they had taken my order and started making the drinks before they bothered to tell me it was 'cash only', the moment I produced my payment card.

Arboretum is lovely to walk around, especially with the dog who had a fantastic time. Chilly day so we decided to go to the cafe to get soups to warm us up. Was reluctant as had bad experience with the Cafe previously, waiting ages to get served and for the food we ordered. Didnt post a review last time as thought it may have been a one off. No surprise then that had the same experience this time around. Cafe toyally understaffed with the staff obviously told to take the orders and the MONEY first, then worry about getting the food out afterwards. Waited 30 minutes this time around for the soups. When handed over, no apology for the delay. When I asked if there was any salt and pepper, was given an abrupt "no". Charming. Wont be going back!

I don’t live far from the arboretum and I can honestly say it’s so lovely and scenic here. We go on walks, bike rides and lots of picnics here. The park is huge and there’s lots to do from playing in the children’s park to playing football and you’ll definitely find an ice cream van during the summer but be mindful queues are so long.

This I must say is my personal review which contradicts a lot of the other reviewers. I went by car on a sunny February Saturday. Despite using my “sat-nav” I cruised up and down Broadway looking for the car park, which I think because it was a private road wasn’t pleasing my map! I think a good way along Broadway I saw a narrow entrance with a height barrier but this seemed about a mile further on from the pedestrian entrance I had noticed. It seemed a rather random area of open land hardly a photographers paradise! Just up the road is Barr Beacon which is photogenic. So really an unfair review as I could get parked I didn’t go in! There was a “brown” tourist sign just as you turn on to Broadway but after that, as is often the case, no further help sign wise!!

Plenty of work has been completed to make the arboretum a star in Walsall's leisure facilities. However, there are some signs that care and maintenance are declining. Some of the tarmac paths are crumbling and others are waterlogged, leaves haven't been swept from some of the grassed areas and the boardwalks over the lakes are becoming greasy because the moss hasn't been removed from the timber edges. The cafe is great and the washrooms too. Here there are great display of local history and it is a very pleasant place to meet friends. Maintaining a high standard of repair will keep the arboretum in good order. It's a good place to walk with plenty of free parking.

Going for a walk in walsall, is incomplete with out a walk through Arboretum park.

took all the stress from me nice and tranquil place.
would recommend to everyone.
thank you walsall city council for the up keep of the national treasure.
Richard Parker.

Beautiful park in the centre of Walsall, where you can easily forget the hustle and bustle of the town. Wonderful flora and fauna, the lake, play area, tennis courts and open green space. Lots to spot on a walk or run around the Arboretum.
Will certainly visit again.
Parking was easy too.

170 acres of open space within walking distance of town centre. Litter free, thanks to loads of strategically placed bins. Lovely cafe with spotlessly clean loos. Brilliant playground for younger children and skate park for teenagers. Haven't been here for over 30 years but will definitely come again

Could have been a lot more interesting with some better signage and maps. Web site very poor and undersells its attractions . There are several walks which are poorly publicised. Little information on parking and access for disabled. Good attraction under sold. Café with long ques as very understaffed and badly organised. Visitor centre virtually non existent.

The Arboretum is the jewel in Walsalls crown!!! Took our grandson to the play area and splash park today. Lots there but was surprised how clean it was, good to see supervision as well by park staff. Had a spot of lunch in the cafe. We will definitely go back after seeing how well everything was run