Waterton’s Parkland and Wall
Waterton Park Hotel, The Balk, Walton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 6PW
Charles Waterton (1782-1865) is widely acknowledged as creating the first nature reserve in the world. His story is fascinating. Earlier this year Historic England awarded the wall grade II listed building status and the parkland (Waterton Park) has been added to the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest (Grade II).
(For more details click on our website below)
Upon returning to his estate at Walton Hall near Wakefield from the Guianan jungle, he was dismayed by the effects of poaching on his land. This, combined with the prevalence of foxes, led him to create a nature reserve with the protection of birds as a priority. He did so by building a stone wall around his parkland this being crucial if he were to exclude the fox. Banning the gun allowed wildlife to flourish. During one winter, Waterton records over five thousand fowl on his lake and over the years recorded one hundred and twenty-three species of birds.
Well known in his day, Charles Waterton was a friend of the then elderly Sir Joseph Banks and was visited by Charles Darwin and other notables of the time.
Two hundred years ago the wall was under construction and only now are we seeing buzzards and kites return to the skies over Waterton Park, the world’s first nature reserve.
This event is organised by the Friends of Waterton's Wall in partnership with the Waterton Park Hotel and Waterton Park Golf Club.
Timings & Tours
- Monday 09 September:
- 1500 & 1900
Location & directions
Waterton Park Hotel, The Balk, Walton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 6PW
- Directions:
- We shall meet at the footbridge that runs across the lake to the hotel (Walton Hall).
- Contact on day:
- John Smith
- Telephone number:
- +447779641655
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- NB In the unlikely event that we have to cancel the walks we will notify you at least THREE hours prior to its commencement. There are two booking websites below. One for 1500h and one for 1900h. Please take care that you register using the correct link. Thank you
- Booking contact name:
- John Smith
- Booking telephone number:
- +447779641655
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking website:
- https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-friends-of-watertons-wall/watertons-parkland-and-wall/2024-09-09/15:00/t-lnrloor
- Alternative booking website:
- https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-friends-of-watertons-wall/watertons-parkland-and-wall/2024-09-09/19:00/t-lnrqvvr
- Booking opens:
- 09 Aug 2024 12:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 02 Sep 2024 12:00 AM
Accessibility details
Unfortunately due to the nature of the terrain much of this event is not wheelchair accessible nor suitable for those with mobility aids.
Additional information
- Max no of people per tour:
- 15
- Est. tour duration:
- 2 hour(s)
