In 2017, we were successful in gaining Heritage Lottery Funding to transform the Conservatory Range and Shippon into a place of learning.

Our close working partnership with the Friends of Walton Estate, Myerscough College and the Walton Lea Partnership was essential in helping us to gain funding for the £3.5m transformation. And we think you’ll agree that the results from this magnificent piece of heritage restoration are nothing short of amazing.

Gallery

The newly restored glasshouses, now a place of learning
A close up of the ironwork at the glasshouses opening ceremony
The conservatory which now acts as a place of learning
A side view of conservatory and shippon now a place of learning
A beautiful view of the newly restored shippon now a place of learning
The newly restored glasshouses in the autumn sunshine
The entrance of the glasshouses now a place of learning

Myerscough College

Myerscough College is one of the UK’s largest land-based colleges, offering a wide range of courses and apprenticeships. A popular choice for students from across the North West, with centres in Preston, Liverpool, Blackburn, Manchester, Myerscough as well as Warrington.

As part of the regeneration project, the stable yard, once occupied by Lady Daresbury’s prized Kerry cattle, is now home to classrooms and offices, with the historic conservatory and vinery now used as a teaching, growing and display space. In short, Myerscough has been integral to the development of the new learning centre at Walton Hall and Gardens.

A great place to learn

Myerscough boasts phenomenal levels of student satisfaction following the teaching, support and guidance given to students. For students working towards their GCSEs, the college also offers a range of entry-level courses along with A-Level equivalent Level Three Diplomas, ideal for progression to university.

Similarly, Myerscough offers fantastic opportunities to learn at their Warrington campus, based right here at the estate. Students have the chance to study horticulture, animal care and foundation learning. There are also opportunities to carrying out project work on the Walton Estate and in the Children’s Zoo as part of their course.

So, if you’re interested in learning at Walton Hall and Gardens, make sure you head to the Myerscough website.

Myerscough gallery

Myerscough student posing inside the Children's Zoo, learning about the heritage of Walton Hall and Gardens estate
Myerscough students gathered outside the conservatories and glasshouses at Walton Hall and Gardens
Alpacas being fed at Walton Hall and Gardens Children's Zoo
Myerscough students gathered at the Children's Zoo
Myerscough student learning about the alpacas at the Children's Zoo
Student working learning inside the newly restored conservatories, part of the heritage of Walton Hall and Gardens Estate
Myerscough students learning at the newly restored glasshouses
The newly restored Shippon at Walton Hall and Gardens, a new place of learning
Myerscough student learning in the Glasshouses

Walton Lea Partnership

Learning and social enterprise

Walton Lea Partnership is a registered charity providing supported learning, development and supported work activities for adults and young people with learning disabilities and complications caused by: 

  • Autistic Spectrum Disorder 
  • Mental health challenges  
  • Mobility difficulties 
  • Early-onset of dementia 
  • Syndromes including
  • Down, Fragile X and Williams
  • Social exclusion

Walton Lea Partnership is based at Walton Lea, just around the corner from Walton Hall and Gardens and has eight social enterprises. These include retail, horticulture, woodwork, floristry, recycled furniture, recycled bikes, craftwork and the Walton Lea tea room. Everything that Walton Lea Partnership make, grow, or up-cycle in these different enterprises, they then sell to continue to help support the charity.

Walton Lea project mission statement

As part of the restoration of the glasshouses, Walton Lea Partnership now delivers learning support from the Conservatory and Shippon area of the Walton Hall Estate. Learners work to help maintain the estate and take on projects such as planting beds around the gardens.

Best of all, plants nurtured from seed and other aspects of their social enterprise are available to purchase on-site.

For more information or to volunteer with Walton Lea Partnership, please visit the Walton Lea website.