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Celebrations of Life at Walton Hall

Bring family and friends together to remember a life at Walton Hall, surrounded by parkland in Higher Walton, Warrington. Talk to Houghtons about a celebration of life service or gathering after the funeral.

Walton Hall and Gardens

  • A black Houghtons hearse parked in front of the red-brick front of Walton Hall, with hanging flower baskets and a lawn The Houghtons hearse outside Walton Hall.

Set within acres of tranquil parkland and next to Walton Lea Crematorium, Walton Hall is a place to come together with family and friends to remember and celebrate the life of your loved one.

Walton Hall and Gardens, Walton Lea Road, Higher Walton, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 6SN.

Walton Hall welcomes funeral receptions and celebrations of life: a peaceful place for family and friends to come together, share memories and honour a life well lived. If you would like to hold one there, talk to Houghtons first. Call us or send us a message and we will talk through your wishes with you, with no obligation.

A celebration of life service with Houghtons

The Houghtons celebration of life service at Walton Hall is a fixed price of £1,895. This basic charge covers the collection of your loved one, their care and all necessary administration, our hearse, and a funeral director on the day.

Houghtons can provide a celebration of life service at Walton Hall. This can be followed by our Time To Say Goodbye service, or simply by a direct cremation, on the following day or on a future day, whichever suits your family.

Family and friends come together at Walton Hall first to remember and celebrate a life. The Time To Say Goodbye service then follows as a short, personal chapel visit, or you can choose a direct cremation.

Why choose Walton Hall?

Walton Hall sits in beautiful parkland and gardens, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, giving family and friends space to come together, reflect and remember. Walton Hall offers:

  • Private, exclusive use of the ground floor of Walton Hall
  • Flexible room layouts, for both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations of life
  • Free on-site parking for guests
  • Accessible facilities
  • A choice of trusted catering partners
  • A bar, provided by Barretts Event Catering
  • Support from Walton Hall's events team throughout the planning

Planning a celebration of life at Walton Hall

We aim to make this as simple and stress-free as possible.

  1. Talk to Houghtons. Call us or send us a message to talk through what you would like. Ask us about arranging a viewing of the hall.
  2. Choose your catering. Choose from the catering partners and menus below, from cold buffets and hot meals to tea and coffee and drinks.
  3. Add your personal touches. Walton Hall's team can help you include meaningful personal touches, so the gathering feels truly personal.
  4. Leave the details to the team. Once your arrangements are in place, Walton Hall's events team coordinate the details, so you can spend your time with family and friends.

The service room

Our photographs show the service room set with chairs for guests, and a screen for a photograph of the person being remembered.

  • The Walton Hall service room with rows of cream chairs, orders of service on the seats, a screen and tall windows The service room prepared before a service.

The gardens

Walton Hall stands in parkland in Higher Walton. Our photographs show a rock garden with small waterfalls among the planting, and the front of the hall with its lawn.

  • A rock garden with small waterfalls running between mossy stones, surrounded by conifers and pink flowering shrubs The gardens at Walton Hall. Photograph © Andy Gilbert.
  • The red-brick front of Walton Hall with stepped gables and tall chimneys, seen across a green lawn under a blue sky The front of Walton Hall.

A gathering after the service

After the service, family and friends can stay together. Our photographs show tables set with white cloths and flowers in a room with large windows, and an example of the food that can be served.

  • Round tables with white cloths and flower arrangements in a room with chandeliers, a gilt mirror and a bay window Reception tables set for a gathering after the service.
  • A slate board of sandwiches, a wrap, a sausage roll and a small quiche on green leaves An example of the food served at a gathering. Photograph © Carringtons Catering.

Catering at Walton Hall

Walton Hall works with three trusted catering partners, so you can choose what suits your family: traditional cold buffets and hot meals, international cuisine, tea and coffee packages, and bar facilities. White table linen is included with all catering arrangements.

Barretts Event Catering are known for bespoke menus and attention to detail, and provide the bar at Walton Hall. Seven Seas Catering specialise in globally inspired cuisine. HC Walton Event Catering, a local family business, offer hearty, elegant food with a personal touch. Menus and prices we hold are below.

Celebration of Life menus from Barretts Event Catering

These menus and prices were supplied to us for gatherings at Walton Hall. Current prices, availability and what suits your day are confirmed when you talk to us. A vegetarian option is provided by the chef for the hot menus if required.

  • Life Celebration Menu 1 (£17.94 inc. VAT): Per person. A selection of sandwiches (roast Cheshire chicken and stuffing; honey baked ham, English mustard and rocket; egg mayonnaise and cress; mature Cheddar and spring onion). Bowls of tortilla chips with salsa, guacamole and sour cream. Creamy coleslaw. Chocolate brownie squares and cranberry and oat flapjack.
  • Life Celebration Menu 2 (£23.94 inc. VAT): Per person. A selection of sandwiches (coronation chicken; honey baked ham, English mustard and rocket; egg mayonnaise and cress; mature Cheddar and pickle; roast beef, horseradish and watercress). Sticky sausages with honey and mustard, feta and spinach quiche, potato salad with red onion and chives, creamy coleslaw. Chocolate brownie squares, Bakewell tart and carrot cake.
  • Life Celebration Menu 3 (£30.00 inc. VAT): Per person. A selection of sandwiches (roast Cheshire chicken, sage and onion stuffing and cranberry sauce; poached Scottish salmon, dill and lemon mayonnaise; honey baked ham, English mustard and rocket; egg mayonnaise and cress; roast beef, horseradish and fresh watercress). Classic sausage rolls with caramelised onions and brown sauce dip, roasted vegetable quiche, honey and mustard glazed chipolatas, pesto and sun-blushed tomato pasta, charred corn slaw. Mini raspberry meringues, chocolate brownie squares and lemon drizzle cake.
  • Life Celebration Menu 4: hot sandwich (£11.94 inc. VAT): Per person. Choose one: low and slow pulled beef brisket with caramelised onions and Frenchie's mustard; or pulled pork with corn slaw and bourbon BBQ sauce; or roast Cheshire turkey with sage and onion stuffing and cranberry relish. Served on soft white rolls.
  • Life Celebration Menu 5: hot buffet (£19.14 inc. VAT): Per person. Choose one: Lancashire hot pot with crusty bread and pickled red cabbage; or chicken balti with braised rice, naan bread and mango chutney; or chilli con carne with steamed rice, sour cream and nachos; or meat and potato pie with crusty bread and pickled beetroot.
Add-on drinks on arrivalPrice per person
Freshly brewed tea and coffee station£2.40 inc. VAT
Glass of orange juice£1.80 inc. VAT
Glass of house wine (red or white)£4.80 inc. VAT
Glass of Prosecco£5.94 inc. VAT

The bar at Walton Hall

Only Barretts Event Catering provide the bar at Walton Hall. This applies whichever caterer you choose for your food.

  • Barretts provide a full pay bar.
  • The bar is cashless and accepts card payments only.
  • Barretts provide 2 bar staff at £15 per hour each plus VAT (£18.00 per hour including VAT), for 4 hours each.
  • Additional staff may be needed, depending on the number of guests to be served.

Cold buffets from HC Walton Event Catering

A local, family run business providing fresh, high-quality cold buffets. Tables are dressed in white linen, with clear labelling and smooth service for a stress-free, elegant experience.

  • Classic Buffet Menu (£20 inc. VAT): Per person. Fine cheeses on wooden boards with chutney. Fresh baguettes in a woven basket. Freshly prepared garden salad. Sandwiches: ham salad, cheese salad, tuna mayo, plain ham, plain cheese. Artisan pork pies and sausage rolls. Chocolate brownies, millionaire slices, raspberry and pistachio tray bakes and red velvet cake. Fresh apple and orange juice, and freshly brewed coffee and tea.
  • Premium Buffet Menu (£25 inc. VAT): Per person. Fine cheeses and deli meats with chutneys, served on wooden boards. Fresh baguettes in a woven basket. Freshly prepared garden salad. Sandwiches: ham salad, cheese salad, tuna mayo, plain ham, plain cheese. Artisan pork pies, sausage rolls and artisan quiches. Chocolate brownies, millionaire slices, raspberry and pistachio tray bakes and red velvet cake. Fresh apple and orange juice, and freshly brewed coffee and tea.

Catering booking terms

  • Vegan, gluten-free and plant-based options are available. Please tell us about any allergies.
  • Payment is required in full two days before the event.
  • Final guest numbers are required one week before.
  • Allergen information is required one week before the event.
  • Bookings for under 40 people incur a service charge of £150 inc. VAT.

How to find the function car park

Walton Hall's function car park is a little way from the main road. Here is the route, step by step.

  • A road junction with a red arrow pointing right, towards a signpost and a bench Step 1: on the A56, follow signs for Walton Hall and Gardens. When you turn out of the junction you will see The Walton Arms pub on your left. Take an immediate right turn, following signs for the Walton Hall Golf Course.
  • A narrow road between trees with a red arrow pointing straight ahead, and a Walton Hall Golf Course sign on the right Step 2: head up this small road and you will come to a hump back bridge. Go straight over it and continue along the road until you see the signs for Walton Hall Golf Course on your left. Turn in here.
  • A gravel yard beside a brick building with a red arrow pointing right, towards a small road and picnic tables Step 3: continue straight down this road until you see the Golf Club House on the left. Drive straight past the house and follow the small road to the right. There is signage for Walton Hall deliveries and the function car park.
  • A tarmac path curving left through trees and grass, with a red arrow pointing left Step 4: continue slowly straight up this road. Please go slowly and stay alert, as a lot of people walk in this area. As you come out of the trees you will see a fence on the left. Follow the road round and you will find the function car park on your left.

Route photographs are from Walton Hall's car park directions.

See more of Walton Hall

Our gallery has more photographs from services and gatherings at Walton Hall.

Talk to Houghtons about your plans

Whatever you have in mind, start with a conversation with us. Current fees, catering, timings and availability are confirmed when you get in touch, with no obligation.