Gardens > England > Cheshire > Walton Hall Gardens

Walton Hall Gardens

A nineteenth century house designed in the Elizabethan style by Edmund Sharpe and now used as a heritage centre. The garden is managed as a public park. The retaining wall, balustrades and steps between the lawns are listed at Grade II, as is the lodge to the hall. Walton Hall Gardens has gardenesque planting of specimen trees rhododendrons and azaleas.

Head Gardener's Comment

Walton Hall Gardens attract an estimated 500,000 visitors per year including local visitors and dog walkers,families visiting for a day, horticultural enthusiasts (some seasonal for Rhododendron/Azalea shows in spring etc.), relaxation and those wishing to have exercise in fresh air, quietness and beautiful surroundings.Visitors including casual and organised groups are drawn to the children’s zoo (0.8 Ha with the Red Squirrel breeding programme), crazy golf and other outdoor games.

Photograph © Warrington Borough Council

Andrew Dennes

Photograph © Warrington Borough Council

History

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, and designed by Edmund Sharpe of Lancaster.

Plants of note

Davidia involurata
Catalpa bignonioides (Indian bean tree)
Eucalyptus dalrympleana
Cedrus deodara
Brilliant show of Acer palmatum
Large mature native trees as individuals and small woodland groups
Renowned Azalea & Rhododendron displays
Blooming naturalised daffodil shows in the Sale paddock
The herbaceous boarders are a mass of Hosta’s, Anemone, Asphodeline, Dierama, Penstemon, Aconitum, Bergina, Heuchera, Anthemis, Cimcifuga, Tradescantia and many many more.
Yew & beech hedges are plenty, and there are formal and informal summer & spring beds.