England. His horses were mentioned in numerous newspaper articles and even in Australia his stud was described in detail. In 1900 he married Frances Eliza Griffith who was his brother in law's sister and is shown as one of the bridesmaids in the picture above. The couple had two sons. Both Gilbert and Frances were very good horsemen and from 1896 until 1912 Gilbert was Master of the Belvoir Hunt. A photo of them during this time is shown. He was also President of the Royal Agricultural Society. He died in 1938 and his son Edward inherited Walton Hall. Edward sold the Hall in 1941 to Warrington Corporation (now Warrington Borough Council). Architecture The house is built in brown brick with stone dressings and slate roofs. The east front has 2½ storeys and two wide bays with bay windows, two crow-stepped gables and three pinnacled octagonal buttresses. The entrance (north) front has a projecting porch. The clock tower to the west has four stages, the top stage containing the clock, and surmounted by a lead-roofed cupola and large weather vane. The south face has a mullioned and transomed window and three crow-stepped gables. External features The retaining wall, balustrades and steps between the lawns east of the hall are listed at Grade II. Also listed at Grade II are the former lodge to the hall, and its associated gates, gatepiers and screens. Present day The gardens and grounds are open to the public. Close to the hall are formal gardens, and in the grounds are facilities for pitch and putt, crazy golf, and bowls, and a children's zoo. A group known as the Friends of Walton Estate assist in the care and management of the estate. Each year the Warrington Disability Partnership organise a Disability Awareness Day in the grounds. Inside the hall, function rooms are available for hire, and there is a concert room. The Friends of Walton Hall Music Society organises a series of chamber music concerts in the concert room. The hall is also available for weddings. The property was used for the exterior shots in the filming of the BBC drama series Our Zoo. See also Listed buildings in Walton, Cheshire List of non-ecclesiastical works by Paley and Austin List of parks and open spaces in Cheshire Walton Lea Walled Garden References External links , Warrington Borough Council Grade II listed buildings in Cheshire Grade II