Walton Gardens and Hall Zoo
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Warrington
What it’s like
A free zoo and estate where the animals are only part of it, alongside crazy golf, a land train and a proper high ropes course.
Getting in is free, which is the first thing worth knowing. The Children's Zoo has alpacas, donkeys, red squirrels and a run of smaller creatures like chinchillas and ferrets, open from 10:30am to 4:15pm, or a bit later if you book ahead. Beyond the animal pens there's woodland to wander and an orchard walk, plus a playground built with wheelchair users properly in mind, roundabouts included.
Where it gets interesting is the paid extras. The Adventure Golf and Pitch 'n' Putt only run at weekends, school holidays and through summer, weather allowing, so don't turn up on a wet Tuesday in March expecting a round. The high ropes course takes kids from age three (minimum 1.05m tall) and sessions last two hours, but tickets for that are booked separately through Jungle Parc rather than the zoo itself. Save the land train for last if you've got tired legs by then, it trundles round the estate and through the woods until 4pm.
Parking will nick £4 off you on a weekday, £5 at weekends, though blue badge holders get three hours free. Dogs are welcome across the grounds and can come into the zoo after 2pm if they're wearing an identification harness, just not before then. The Heritage Café does locally sourced food until 4pm, or bring a picnic and eat wherever takes your fancy.
If you're hunting for quiet, the site itself says weekday term time and weekend mornings before 10:30am are your best bet. Wheelchairs are free to hire but it's first come, first served, no booking that one in advance either.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- High ropes needs age 3 and 1.05m tall; the rest suits younger children too
- Last entry
- 4pm (Children's Zoo)
- Parking
- Pay and display car park. Mon-Fri £4, Sat-Sun and bank holidays £5, coaches £20
- Food
- Heritage Café serving fresh, locally sourced food and deli products
- Picnics
- Allowed throughout the grounds
- Wheelchairs
- Free wheelchair hire (first come, first served basis, cannot be pre-booked)
- Dogs
- Allowed everywhere except Children's Zoo
- Blue badge holders get three hours of free parking
- Dogs can't go into the Children's Zoo before 2pm even with a harness
- Booking the zoo in advance stretches your visit by an extra hour either side
- Orienteering trails are free and the maps can be downloaded ahead of time
- Land train and golf courses are seasonal extras, not always running
Plan your visit
How much does it cost to get in?
Getting into the zoo and grounds is free. You only pay for extras like the golf, high ropes or an animal adoption.
Do we need to book anything?
The zoo itself doesn't need booking, though advance booking gets you a longer window, 10am to 5pm instead of the usual 10:30am to 4:15pm. High ropes tickets are booked separately through Jungle Parc.
Is there parking?
Yes, pay and display. £4 Monday to Friday, £5 at weekends and bank holidays. Blue badge holders get three hours free.
What if it rains?
The zoo and playground carry on regardless, but the Adventure Golf, Pitch 'n' Putt and land train are weather permitting and might not run.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are allowed everywhere except the Children's Zoo. Assistance dogs can go in after 2pm if wearing an identification harness.
Is there food on site?
The Heritage Café serves locally sourced food and deli products until 4pm, and it's dog friendly too. Picnics are fine anywhere on the grounds if you'd rather bring your own.
Are wheelchairs available?
Free wheelchair hire is on offer but it's first come, first served. You can't reserve one ahead of time.
How old do kids need to be for the high ropes?
From age three, with a minimum height of 1.05m. Sessions run for two hours.
When's the quietest time to go?
The site itself flags weekday term time and weekend mornings between 8am and 10:30am as the calmer spells.
Is the golf open all year?
Adventure Golf and Pitch 'n' Putt only open at weekends, school holidays and over summer, and only weather permitting.
Can we adopt an animal?
Adoption packs start at £25 for the first year, with a certificate, fact pack and a cuddly toy of your chosen animal. Renewals in later years cost a bit more but come with extra bits like a keyring or tote bag.
Is the playground accessible?
It's built to be fully accessible, with a commando anthill climber, tree-top towers and wheelchair accessible roundabouts.
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