The free zoo is a short drive from Liverpool
The Stables courtyard in Walton Hall and Gardens
A beautiful gardens with a free children’s zoo and playground is a 45 minute drive from Liverpool. Walton Hall and Gardens, in Warrington, was once the home and gardens of Lord and Lady Daresbury. Now, the sprawling park has a free zoo, stable coffee shop, ropes adventure centre, and adventure golf.
Warrington Borough Council bought Walton Hall and Gardens in 1941 during the Second World War, when it was opened to officers and troops. The council later opened the gardens to the public in 1945.
The children’s zoo, which is free to visit, has degus, chinchillas, alpacas, rescue donkeys, pot bellied pigs, peacocks and more. It also has a role in a nationwide breeding programme to protect native red squirrels, so visitors can catch a glimpse of them in purpose-built cages and runs.
The zoo is home to vibrant birds, inluding love birds, ring-necked parakeets, and more.
The zoo has amended its opening hours through the Christmas period. The opening hours are 10.30am to 4pm on December 27 to 30, 10am to 12pm on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The zoo will then be open from 10.30am to 4pm on January 2. The zoo’s usual open hours are Monday to Sunday from 10.30am to 4.15pm (last entry 4pm) if you plan to visit in future.
Peacock in the Walton Hall and Gardens Children’s Zoo
Families can get up close with the zoo’s three resident alpacas, Jim, Mally and Topaz, by booking one of its alpaca walks. The next available date (at the time of publication) is December 28, which can be booked online.
The gardens have a fully-accessible playground which was refurbished in 2017 and fitted with exciting apparatus such as a commando anthill climber, tree top towers play unit and a wheelchair accessible roundabout.
The Adventure Golf also offers fun for the family, suiting different ages and abilities. There are 18 holes for visitors to navigate and tickets start from £6. On the way through the course look out for the themed wooden sculptures.
Set in The Stables yard, the family-friendly heritage café sells a selection of hot drinks, food and deli products such as bacon rolls, toasties and barista prepared coffees.
The café is open over the Christmas period and has indoor and outdoor seating which is dog friendly.
Walton Hall and Gardens operates a pay and display car park. Daily charges from Monday to Friday are £3.50 and Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays cost £4.50
Christmas opening times
Car park
Dec 27 to 30- 8am to 4.30pm
New Year’s Eve – 8am to 4.30pm
New Year’s Day – 8.30am to 4.30pm
January 2 – 8am to 4.30pm
Heritage cafe
Dec 27 to 30 – 9am to 4pm
New Year’s Eve – 9am to 4pm
New Year’s Day – 10am to 3pm
January 2- 9am to 4pm
Children’s Zoo
Dec 27 to 30 – 10.30am to 4pm
New Year’s Eve – 10am to 12pm
New Year’s Day – 10am to 12pm
January 2 – 10.30am to 4pm
Adventure Golf
Dec 27 to 30 – 10.30am to 3pm*
New Year’s Eve – 10.30am to 3pm*
New Year’s Day – Closed
January 2 – 10.30am to 3pm*
*Weather permitting
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