Family Mindfulness Walk WF2611
The Friends of Waterton's Wall: The Nest, Wakefield, WF2 6QL
Sunday 17th May 2026
A walk for children/families led by Julie Chalkley from Lavender House Retreat.
Charles Waterton transformed his ancestral estate, Walton Hall, into the world’s first nature reserve. Motivated by the "merciless slaughter" of wildlife by gamekeepers and poachers, he constructed a three-mile boundary wall to exclude hunters and foxes. The wall was built in three stages and completed in 1826. In May 2026 it celebrates its 200th birthday: WallFest 26. WallFest 26 is a celebration of the completion of the wall and our heritage.
This sanctuary allowed birds to "perform their daily functions without fear and trembling".
Charles Waterton transformed his ancestral estate, Walton Hall, into the world’s first nature reserve. Motivated by the "merciless slaughter" of wildlife by gamekeepers and poachers, he constructed a three-mile boundary wall to exclude hunters and foxes. The wall was built in three stages and completed in 1826. In May 2026 it celebrates its 200th birthday: WallFest 26. WallFest 26 is a celebration of the completion of the wall and our heritage.
This sanctuary allowed birds to "perform their daily functions without fear and trembling".
