Record-breaking visitor numbers for National Memorial Arboretum

The National Memorial Arboretum is Staffordshire attracted a record-breaking 342,000 people visitors last year, new figures show.

Visitors attended services marking the centenary of the end of the First World War, and more recently the 50th anniversary of Operation Banner in Northern Ireland.

The memorial features interactive displays, information and details of wars throughout history, and pillars telling the story of different regiments and individual soldiers, the centre now also boasts a coffee shop, a gift shop and the ‘Heroes’ Square’ - an outdoor courtyard laid with stones dedicated to the wartime contribution of different sectors within the Armed Forces.

Inside, there is The Drum - small amphiteatre fitted with several screens showing stories from veterans, poems, and archive footage from the front line.

The arboretums managing director in Philippa Rawlinson has pledged to make the site a year-round place of national remembrance.