The abandoned greenhouse at Walton Gardens

Image: © Matt Harrop Taken: 25 Mar 2017

These grand Victorian greenhouses were built to accompany the formal gardens which became the highlighting feature of Walton Gardens in the late 19th century, in order to collect and display hundreds of exotic plants from around the world on behalf of the Greenhall family as an indication of their wealth and prosperity in the county. Before and during World War 2 the social climate in the area was changing, and the local parliament sought to use the house and grounds to boost post-war morale whilst preventing the estate from deteriorating. The town was thriving in terms of industry but it's country manor estates were dwindling in numbers; Grappenhall Heys estate was in decline, and Daresbury Hall was being used as a military hospital whilst Bewsey Old Hall was in considerable need of repair. The grounds at Walton Hall were therefore purchased by Warrington Corporation in 1941, and the gardens were opened to the public in 1945 to coincide with the end of the war. Most of Paley and Austin's extension was demolished in about 1990, but the tower was retained. The Victorian greenhouse structures were once some of the most grand in the country, but with the hall itself consuming funds in the late 80s the greenhouses were cordoned off and locked away and haven't been entered since. What small plants were left there have by now completely taken over. In 2014 the heritage lottery fund finally accepted the ambitious bid to restore them to their original form, and they are now resting on steel supports ready to be taken down and rebuilt one piece at a time.

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