Walton

On our return to Yorkshire we lived in the village of Walton near Wakefield for almost 30 years before moving in 2000 to Ryhill.

Walton is a smashing village whose claim to fame is as the home of the famous explorer, naturalist, and taxidermist, Charles Waterton (1782 - 1865).

His home, Walton Hall, is now an hotel and is set in the middle of a very large lake.

        

        Overlooking Walton Hall and the lake

Waterton explored widely all over North and South America and is credited with the establishment of the world's first nature reserve on his estate at Walton. The reserve is still to be seen, particularly the high wall he built around the estate to keep out poachers, and also remaining is the hollowed out tree which he used as  a hide to study bird life. For more information on Charles Waterton CLICK HERE but there are many sites about this remarkable man on the web - have a browse around.

Places in Canada bear his name.

Walton has a thriving Methodist Church on Shay Lane and has its own page in the section "Hobbies and Interests"

For more information about Walton, Visit Walton Web