Walton Hall and Gardens History – Warrington – Cheshire

Walton Hall and Gardens are amongst the most popular visitor attractions in Warrington and West Cheshire.

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Chapters:
00:00 The Estate at Higher Walton: originally acquired in 1812 by Edward Greenall – of the brewing firm Greenall-Whitley – which was founded in St Helens in 1762 by his father Thomas Greenall.

00:30 Gilbert Greenall: Edward Greenall’s youngest son commissioned the architect and railway engineer Edmund Sharp of Lancaster to construct Walton Hall between 1836 and 1838.

Originally constructed in the Neo-Elizabethan style, the hall was extended and altered between 1869-70 – with tall new wings added to the south and west, in the Gothic Revival/ Scottish Baronial style. These extensions were demolished in 1977, although a new two-storey south wing was added once again in 2013.

During Gilbert Greenall's ownership in the 19th century the Higher Walton estate grew to 7,000 acres – much of it let to local tenant farmers. Gilbert became the Conservative Member of Parliament for Warrington in 1847, and held this position almost unbroken for 45 years (1847-1892). He was created a Baronet in February 1876, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister – Benjamin Disraeli – and was the chairman of Greenall-Whitley from 1880 to 1894.

02:01 All Saints' Church, Daresbury: was largely rebuilt between 1870-2. The 16th century tower was instead restored - financed by Gilbert Greenall.   / daresburychurch  

02:49 Lewis Carroll: Sir Gilbert Greenall was a friend of the author and mathematician Lewis Carroll – the pen-name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson – who was born in January 1832 at All Saints' Church parsonage in Newton-by-Daresbury, and lived there until he was eleven. Nine of Carroll's ten siblings were also born at the parsonage - which was built in 1819 on glebe land – 1.5 miles from Daresbury village. His father – the Reverend Charles Dodgson – was the perpetual curate at All Saints Church Daresbury between 1827 and 1843. Today the one-acre site is owned by the National Trust, with a commemorative stone and a series of interpretive displays and sculpture.

05:17 Lewis Carroll Memorial Window: the east window of the Daniell chapel of All Saints Church is a memorial to the author – dedicated on 30th June 1935, to celebrate the centenary his birth. It was designed by renowned stained glass artist Geoffrey Webb. The three centre panels at the base of the window contain verses from Carroll’s poem ‘Christmas Greetings’. The famous Cheshire Cat can be found in the centre of the fifth panel.

06:03 Lewis Carroll Visitor Centre, Daresbury:   / lewiscarrollcentre  

07:23 1st Lord Daresbury: Sir Gilbert Greenall’s son – also called Gilbert – inherited the Walton estate in July 1894, when he was 27. He was a prominent agriculturalist and a renowned breeder of pigs, cattle, and horses, establishing a model estate at Walton; he served as the president of the Royal Agricultural Society in 1910 and 1925; and was ennobled as the 1st Baron Daresbury of Walton in June 1927 by King George V – for services to agriculture.

07:52 Walton Hall Gardens: Lord Daresbury's wife – Frances Eliza – was a keen gardener, and shaped Walton’s famous gardens – including the pond, which was added in the 1920s. Between 1910 and 1930 open days were held in the grounds, along with an annual agricultural show – which could attract up to 45,000 visitors.

08:14 Sale of the Hall & Estate: when Lord Daresbury died in October 1938, the burden of half a million pounds of death duties – together with the onset of the Second World War – forced his son Edward to sell the Hall, and the majority of the 7,000 acre estate in 1941.

Warrington Borough Council paid £19,000 for the hall, gardens and parkland – whilst the tenant farmers purchased some of the estate farms. During the war officers were billeted in the hall, and the outbuildings were used by troops. The grounds opened to the public on 19th May 1945, 11 days after VE day.

09:08 Walton Hall Golf Course: the original 9-hole municipal golf course opened in May 1970; it was subsequently redesigned and extended to the full 18-holes by David Thomas and Peter Allis – opening in June 1975.

Within Walton’s grounds there are bowling greens, an adventure (children's miniature) golf course, and a 9-hole pitch-and-putt course. There is also a Children's Zoo and play area. A heritage café is located within the former stables, along with several craft and business units.   / official.heritage.cafe.walton  

09:25 Glasshouses Restoration: in October 2019 Walton’s range of glasshouses reopened to the public for the first time since they were closed in September 1993. Part of the glasshouses range is used as a vocational training facility by Myerscough College, and the Walton Lea Partnership.