Walton Lea Walled Garden
A beautiful Elizabethan-style estate with free attractions including a mini-zoo and playground, perfect for family fun.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, easier parking
Walton Lea Walled Garden
Best Time
Fewer crowds, easier parking
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beautiful Elizabethan-style estate with free attractions including a mini-zoo and playground, perfect for family fun.
"Great place for a family day out! The whole area is very clean and well maintained."
🎯 Free Family Fun
Enjoy the free mini-zoo and huge playground! Great value for a family day out. :smiley:
🅿️ Parking Strategy
Arrive early on weekends to beat the parking rush. Fees apply. :car:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Mini Zoo
Within Walton Hall & Gardens
A delightful surprise! This free mini-zoo offers a variety of animals, often exceeding expectations for its size. Perfect for little ones.
Adventure Playground
Within Walton Hall & Gardens
An expansive and impressive playground with numerous activities to keep children entertained for hours. A true highlight for families.
Ornamental Gardens
Walton Hall & Gardens
Explore the beautifully maintained Elizabethan-style gardens, offering a peaceful and scenic escape. Ideal for a leisurely stroll.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Family Fun & Free Attractions
Timing is Key for Parking
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Free Family Fun
Enjoy the free mini-zoo and huge playground! Great value for a family day out. :smiley:
🅿️ Parking Strategy
Arrive early on weekends to beat the parking rush. Fees apply. :car:
🍦 Ice Cream Delights
Two ice cream vans offer affordable and delicious treats. Perfect for a sunny day. :icecream:
🚶 Canal Walk Option
Extend your visit with a lovely walk down the nearby canal. :walking:
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Free Family Fun
Enjoy the free mini-zoo and huge playground! Great value for a family day out. :smiley:
🅿️ Parking Strategy
Arrive early on weekends to beat the parking rush. Fees apply. :car:
🍦 Ice Cream Delights
Two ice cream vans offer affordable and delicious treats. Perfect for a sunny day. :icecream:
🚶 Canal Walk Option
Extend your visit with a lovely walk down the nearby canal. :walking:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Walton Hall & Gardens as a fantastic, free family day out, highlighting the clean, well-maintained grounds, the surprisingly diverse mini-zoo, and the large, engaging playground. While parking fees apply on weekends, the abundance of free activities makes it a highly recommended destination for a fun and affordable experience.
"Great place for a family day out!
Had a lovely experience at this place. The whole area is very clean and well maintained. The small zoo was a pleasant surprise, free and perfect for kids to enjoy. There's a large, impressive playground with plenty of activities to keep children entertained for hours. Parking was £4.50 for the whole day on the weekend. Overall, it’s a peaceful, fun, and family-friendly place to spend the day."
Mojtaba
"Beautiful park with many free things to offer. The mini zoo inside is a pleasant surprise with a variety of animals more to offer than most farms I have been to and it’s free. Open spaces with beautiful garden centre with plants to see a lovely little cafe with little stalls, plenty of clean toilets spotted around the area near the park as well as near the cafe area, definitely well kept and a breath of fresh air. The open spaces and park is just amazing with alot to offer children of all ages. Not many places have free things to offer and this had a good mix. There are two ice cream vans with affordable but delicious ice creams as well cold drinks. The zoo closes around 4:30 and the cafe at 5:00 so ensure you don’t miss out and go within the times of possible. The Thomas ride on is £3 per person and flags for £1 lovely little feature if you don’t fancy walking but want to see the park. Car park is pay and display and disabled spaces getting 3 hours for free."
Love Honestly
"Recently checked this place out. It's great for families. You have a big children's play area. A children's zoo which is more like a farm with farm animals to visit. You also have a jungle Parc, crazy golf for children and normal golf course for adults. Cycle museum which I think you got to book to visit. You have Walton hall and gardens, a pond to view and there is also toilets and a cafe on the premises. Ideal place for a local day out with the family.
Opens 8am until 8pm
Current parking costs for cars
Mon to Fri = £3.50 decent size carpark.
Sat to Sun (bank holidays) =£4.50"
Kerry
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Walton Hall & Gardens is accessible by car, with a decent-sized car park. Public transport options may vary, so it's best to check local bus routes.
Yes, there is a car park. Parking costs £3.50 on weekdays and £4.50 on weekends and bank holidays. Disabled spaces are available and offer 3 hours free parking.
While not explicitly mentioned in the provided content, cycling is a popular way to explore many parks. Check local cycling routes for accessibility.
Absolutely! It's a perfect spot for a local day out with plenty to keep families entertained.
The gardens are open from 8 am until 8 pm. The zoo typically closes around 4:30 pm and the cafe at 5:00 pm.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The gardens, mini-zoo, and playground are free to enter. There are charges for specific activities like the Thomas ride-on (£3 per person) and mini-golf.
No, general entry to the gardens and its main attractions is free and does not require advance booking.
The main attractions are free, but be aware of parking fees on weekends and charges for activities like the Thomas train and mini-golf.
Parking is £3.50 on weekdays and £4.50 on Saturdays, Sundays, and bank holidays.
While general entry is free, specific activities may have their own pricing. Disabled visitors can get 3 hours of free parking.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Kids will love the large adventure playground, the free mini-zoo with various animals, and the Thomas Tank Engine ride-on. :child:
Yes, there are plenty of clean toilets located around the area, near the park and the cafe. :toilet:
Yes, the park offers open spaces perfect for picnics.
Yes, there is a cafe on the premises that serves food and drinks. It closes around 5:00 pm.
The mini-zoo has a variety of farm animals and other creatures, often more than expected for a free attraction.
📸 📸 Photography
The ornamental gardens offer beautiful backdrops with their formal Elizabethan style. The animals in the mini-zoo also make for charming photos.
Yes, photography of the animals is generally permitted, but always be respectful of the animals and their enclosures.
No specific restrictions on general photography are mentioned, but it's always good practice to be mindful of other visitors.
Nature photography, family portraits in the gardens, and candid shots of children enjoying the playground are popular.
Drone usage is typically restricted in public parks to ensure safety and privacy. It's best to check with park management before flying a drone.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Beyond the playground and zoo, the beautiful gardens offer space to run around and explore. The Thomas Tank Engine ride-on is a popular paid activity (£3 per person) that kids often love. With plenty of clean toilets and a cafe on-site, it's a well-equipped and stress-free outing for families.
💰 Budget Travelers
Pack a picnic to save on food costs, as the open spaces are perfect for it. While there are paid activities like the Thomas train and mini-golf, you can easily spend a full, enjoyable day here without spending extra. The free attractions provide more than enough entertainment for a memorable visit.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A Family Paradise: Walton Hall & Gardens
Beyond the dedicated children's attractions, the ornamental gardens themselves provide a beautiful and tranquil setting for a family outing. These formal Elizabethan-style gardens are perfect for a leisurely stroll, a picnic, or simply enjoying the fresh air. The presence of two ice cream vans offering affordable treats further enhances the family-friendly atmosphere, making it easy to cool down on a warm day.
While the core attractions are free, visitors should be aware of the parking fees, which apply on weekends and bank holidays (£4.50), and are lower on weekdays (£3.50). This is a small consideration for an otherwise incredibly generous offering of free entertainment. The park also offers additional paid activities like a Thomas Tank Engine ride-on and mini-golf, providing options for those who wish to spend a little more.
Navigating Walton Hall & Gardens: Practicalities
The opening hours are generous, with the gardens open from 8 am to 8 pm, allowing for visits at various times of the day. However, it's important to note that the mini-zoo typically closes around 4:30 pm, and the cafe around 5:00 pm. Planning your visit to ensure you can experience these amenities before they close is advisable. The availability of clean toilets throughout the grounds, particularly near the park and cafe areas, adds to the convenience for visitors.
Beyond the main attractions, the nearby canal offers a pleasant extension to a visit, providing opportunities for a peaceful walk. While the core experience is free, optional paid activities like the Thomas Tank Engine train and mini-golf are available for those seeking additional entertainment.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit