INTRODUCTION

Walton Hall is set in Walton Park (now also known as "Waterton Park"), a few minutes stroll up the route of the former Barnsley Canal (the footpath is part of the Trans Pennine Trail) from Soap House Bridge, Shay Lane, B6378, Walton (not far from the New Inn & Walton Social Club), or via The Balk and The Avenue from Walton War Memorial in Shay Lane. It can also be reached by footpath from the Waterton Countryside Discovery Centre in Anglers Country Park.

Walton Park includes the Heronry and Stubbs Wood or Piece. Just outside the wall is Haw Park, formerly part of the Waterton's estate and now managed by Wakefield Metropolitan District Council as a public amenity.

The Hall is an imposing building, though somewhat restrained in style - perhaps reminiscent of a bank in Leeds city centre. It was built in 1767 by Thomas Waterton (father of Charles the naturalist), who demolished the original Elizabethan building, save for the Water Gate (the oldest structure in the village). The wrought iron footbridge erected by Thomas Waterton is the only permanent access to the island.

The building demolished by Thomas Waterton was a fortified manor house, built before 1333. Only the medieval water gate survives, providing a link with the earler building of which it formed a part. A licence to crenellate was granted 1333-4 to Sir Thomas de Burgh. (2)

The Hall's most famous occupant was Squire Charles Waterton, the 19th century adventurer, taxidermist and pioneering naturalist. One of England's oldest aristocratic families, the Watertons trace their ancestry back to Norman times, they originally had large estates at Waterton in Lincolnshire. Waterton created the world's first nature reserve here in Walton Park.

The Hall is now a hotel, conference and leisure centre; and Waterton's walled park is now a golf course with several wooded areas and public footpaths, still a splendid area to walk in.

The hall is a Grade II* listed building (2), protected by law; although this did not prevent the partial demolition of the park's wall adjacent to the golf club house.

Nearby, between Walton and Crofton, is the Walton Colliery Nature Park*, not Waterton's nature reserve but an area born out of the muck and grime of the disused Walton pit (officially "Sharlston West") and slag heap.

More information about attractions in the Wakefield district can be found on the official city site. (See 'Links' on the menu bar.)

NOTE 1. From "Charles Waterton : His Home, Habits and Handiwork" by Richard Hobson, M.D., Cantab., Leeds, MDCCCLXVII, Second, enlarged edition. Published by London: Whittaker & Co., Simpkin, Marshall & Co.. Leeds: H.W. Walker and John Smith.
2. See Images of England, IoE No. 342353.

| LOCATION |

Discovering the Waterton Trail
click here for a map of the trail

Were you looking for Waterton Park Hotel
at Walton Hall?
Walton Hall is now home to Waterton Park Hotel,
click here to visit the hotel's site - external link.