Walton

There are three different meanings for the name of Walton, these being a tun where Britons live, a tun by a wall and a tun in a wood.

Gilbert Greenall lived in Walton Hall from 1836 until his death in 1894. His son then lived there until his death in 1938, he was made the first Baron of Daresbury in 1927. After his death, the hall was sold to Warrington Corporation in 1941. The hall is now used as a venue and conferences and the extensive grounds hosts gardens, a children's zoo, and children's play areas. Next to the hall is the municipal golf course with its impressive views.

One of Warrington's most important Georgian buildings, after the town hall, is Baronet Farm built in 1740. The farm has been virtually unaltered since the time it was built.

The Hall itself was built in Elizabethan style during the 1830s, designed by Edmund Sharpe of Lancaster, who later became famous for the Gothic revival in architecture.

The History of Walton Hall and Gardens

Walton Hall Gardens and Estate is a remnant of a much larger country estate, purchased in 1812 by the Greenall family, famous for their brewing industry. The hall itself was built in Elizabethan style during the 1830’s, designed by Edmund Sharpe of Lancaster, who later became famous for the Gothic revival in Victorian architecture. 

During the 1870’s, various extensions were completed including the clock tower and a large Gothic-style wing.  Unfortunately, when the building was refurbished some 100 years later, certain sections were considered beyond repair and were demolished, leaving only the east wing and clock tower.

The Greenall Family at Walton

The first Greenall to reside at Walton Hall was Gilbert, grandson of Thomas, founder of the family’s first brewery. He is perhaps the best remembered for his long and successful career as Tory MP for Warrington and was awarded a Baronage in 1876 on the recommendation of Sir Benjamin Disraeli.

His only son and heir, another Gilbert, was an expert in the breeding of horses and other livestock. This brought him international admiration and buyers came from America, Germany, Russia, Australia, Africa and many other countries to purchase Walton stock. He was District Commissioner of the Cheshire Pony Club and also helped to found the Royal International Horse Show at Olympia, being a respected judge at all levels in various classes. With the Royal Agricultural Show facing insolvency, he was largely responsible for its rescue and remained its Honorary Director for 27 years.

His efforts contributed greatly to the revival of British livestock after the First World War and in 1927 the family was admitted to the peerage, Sir Gilbert becoming the first Lord Daresbury.

Often judged by Lord and Lady Daresbury, the Walton Show – managed by Warrington and District Agricultural Society was a mini Royal Show. Classes included:-

• dairy cattle
• hunters
• shires
• many foods including local cheeses
• a large variety of other classes, which brought competitors and visitors from a distance.

During the 1930’s there were up to seventeen stable lads at Walton Hall, keeping the horses exercised, healthy and in pristine condition, with the immaculate stables and indoor riding school gleaming like a mirror.

Lord Daresbury had a favourite grey pony named bubbles. Upon his passing, he was buried at Walton Hall, beneath the windows of his master’s private room.

Acquisition by Warrington Borough Council

The death of Lord Daresbury in October 1938 left the family owing £500,000 in death duties.

This, together with the atmosphere of uncertainty preceding World War II led to the sale of the estate by auction in December 1941. Much of the farmland was bought by existing tenants, whilst Warrington Borough Council purchased the hall and the surrounding land which now forms the gardens and estate, including the municipal golf course for £19,000.

On 19 May 1945, Walton Hall Gardens was opened to the public by Alderman Starkey and it immediately became a popular attraction, providing a delightful recreational facility for Warrington residents. 

Despite many changes, much of the garden’s former splendour has been preserved, especially in the wonderful array of trees and shrubs in the formal gardens, the inspiration of the First Lady Daresbury.

In spring the grounds reverberate with the colourful blooms of rhododendrons and azaleas collected from all over the world, whilst offering all year round beauty – being designed as a miniature Kew Gardens.

A stunning rose garden offers amazing scents throughout the summer, with an ornamental pond in the heart of the gardens which captures the reflection of the hall beautifully. (An ideal location for weddings and other special photographs).

As expected in a setting such as Walton Hall Gardens, a large variety of wildlife in addition to the many birds, butterflies and squirrels are attracted, and the woodland is home to owls, foxes and weasels and exotic species.  Many ornamental species were originally established around 60-80 years ago by Lady Daresbury, who had a particular interest in trees. This collection has been enlarged and made even more diverse in recent years and now provide popular and attractive features around the gardens.

The trees in the gardens in their various forms, ranging from single specimens, such as the Pocket Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involurata) in the formal gardens, to copses and woods around the boundaries of the gardens are important features of the landscape for recreation and wildlife. The gardens rich complement of trees have been observed to support a wide range of fungi and invertebrate animals and these in turn support many birds, bats and other animals.

Areas of mature trees were planted around 100-150 years ago and include a selection of species including oak, ash, horse chestnut, sycamore and holly. The beautiful herbaceous borders give a splendid show throughout mid summer to autumn.  The herbaceous boarders are a mass of such as Hosta’s, Anemone, Asphodeline, Dierama, Penstemon, Aconitum, Bergina, Heuchera, Anthemis, Cimcifuga, Tradescantia and many more.

The well loved spectacular colourful blooms of azaleas and rhododendrons are a delight in spring, and visitors flock to see them. They are located at various places at Walton Hall Gardens, but in large numbers on approaches to the formal gardens especially to the rear of the hall. Frances, Lady Daresbury arranged collections of these and many other shrubs and trees from various places throughout the world.

The Greenalls family private gardens had occasional public open days in the 1920’s and 1930’s with crowds of up to 45,000 people attending in just one day. Much of the former character and splendour of the day has been preserved. The formal ornamental pond, originally constructed by the Greenall family is seen adjacent to the main drive on the approach to Walton Hall itself.

Artwork created in May 2011 by Statham Primary School, supported by community artist Andy Leigh in partnership with Manchester Airport.

The artwork shall be displayed until the end of 2012 at Terminal 1 of Manchester Airport, as part of the Cheshire Gardens of Distinction group promotion of the gardens in the local area.