We were so excited to view Walton Hall for a venue because it ticked so many boxes. When we arrived we were shown around by the manager. He talked a lot and didn’t ask us much about ourselves but he seemed nice and friendly. He told us about local celebs (not really an interest of ours) and stories from his past. One of the concerns we had was that the Hall stays open to the public during the wedding. Understandable at such an affordable price (for a wedding anyway). We wanted to know if members of the public could (in theory) stand close to the guests when the wedding was taking place or walk by chatting during the ceremony, since we wanted an outdoor ceremony. When we broached the subject with the manager, he started talking about how “you wouldn’t want to put big metal fences all around these beautiful surroundings” which was a bit odd because we never mentioned anything about fences. We continued the tour and broached the subject again, he said (jokingly, but still) “you’re in Warrington, this isn’t Stockport” (where we’re from) and something about people being more respectful. Still not a very satisfactory answer but we continued to tour and listen to him talk about the venue and other things. My partner asked later on again about the public aspect and he said “well it’s a legal requirement for the ceremony to be accessible to the public in case your girlfriend is actually married to someone else… it gives people the opportunity to come and dispute the wedding”. He mentioned big metal fences (again). We’re both non confrontational so didn’t want to challenge why he wasn’t really answering our questions there and then, but afterwards we both immediately spoke about how he wasn’t really listening to us and would speak over us.

We looked at our chosen reception area, The Riding School, and felt he was quite dismissive and almost like he wanted to put us off hiring it. He said it was essentially a blank events space, we could MAYBE use the golf toilets but that we might want to hire porta potties instead (not what a bride envisions using on her wedding day). He didn’t show us around the toilets in the golf club, so we had no idea if they were suitable. We overlooked his impression of it because the space was exactly what we wanted - casual, rustic, edgy with loads of potential.

During that first visit, he told us that the catering contract wasn’t in place for another 6 months. He said that because there wasn’t a contract in place, couples could book their own caterers. We were confused about this because our wedding date would be 6 months after the contract was agreed on, so we asked him to clarify a few times. We said “even though our wedding is in May, we can get our own catering suppliers?” He said yes, because “the venue doesn’t want to miss out on bookings, since they know people won’t want to book without knowing who the supplier will be,” We thought this was great as we had a specialist menu in mind so we went home and started researching caterers.

We went back and viewed the space again and managed to have a look at the golf toilets, which were OK, better than porta potties. I sent the senior admin a few emails about logistics, upon the advice of friends who had gone through the booking experience themselves. I told the senior admin how excited we were about being able to book our own caterers. I had spent hours researching the best caterers and found an independent local supplier who was perfect and could meet very specific dietary requirements for all our guests. I told her I wanted to go ahead with the booking process and pay the deposit. She replied that a meeting in person would be better and that we should come in. Me and my partner booked a day off work, thinking we would be sitting down with the admin staff and paying our deposit etc.

When we arrived, we were surprised to be greeted by the manager, and not an admin staff. He said “oh you’re here to see the Riding School?” We thought that was odd since we had already seen the Riding School twice but we wanted to measure a few things in there so went along with him to see it again. On our way over, he said “I’m sorry but you won’t be able to use your own caterers, I was given the wrong information.” At this point I was confused because it had been exactly 2 weeks since I had told the admin how excited I was that we could chose our own caterers and she had answered my email without telling me this was incorrect, and had told us to come and speak to them in person.

Considering I had spent hours of research, several back and forth email and phone calls with the caterer, planning a completely personalised menu, I was extremely disappointed to have not been told this earlier. We had our hearts set on both the venue and the caterers as I’m massively into photography and my partner loves to cook. The venue had beautiful and varied photography locations and our caterer gave us a completely bespoke menu of all our favourite food at a great price. At this point I was completely conflicted, but we agreed to go and look at the Riding School. Once in there, I asked if he had received any information from the admin about the questions I had asked. I had previously sent an email with several questions which weren’t answered (due to being told to come in person). He had no idea about the email, or what questions I had. Some of the questions related to the size of the tables and availability of chairs. I told the manager I wanted a U shape arrangement. He said a few things that made me think he didn’t understand (or wasn’t listening) so I drew a little drawing of a squared, upside down U-shape so he knew what I meant. I had planned the seating chart already so I needed to know how many chairs could go on each side of the tables. As I was talking about the arrangement, he said “well you’d also have a chair on either end” I said, “no because they’d be joined up, in a U shape.” At this point, after being told incorrect information about the catering, being ignored, talked over and not listened to, my patience was wearing thin. I asked him about the chairs, and he said we could use the benches, which I told him I didn’t want, so I asked him if the dining chairs would be available (I had previously asked this is an email). He said “oh I wouldn’t know if those would be available until nearer the time because there might be an event on in the hall.” So as a couple planning a wedding, we’re just expected to wait until “nearer the time” not knowing if we need to hire chairs? Another staff member helped measure the table as I wrote down the dimensions. Then he says “well you’ll want round tables won’t you?” I couldn’t believe he was suggesting round tables, when I had already said several times what our plans were.

I knew there and then that we weren’t going to go ahead with the booking. Not just because of the catering situation, but the terrible (apparently non existent) communication between the admin and the manager, the lack of listening skills, the dismissiveness and overall attitude of the manager. I deal with councils with work and I know how unorganised they can be. For anyone considering booking this venue, please understand, this is council run. For me, the “low” price just isn’t worth it. I genuinely felt like crying as I walked out of the venue. I had completely wasted 6 weeks from my first enquiry to this visit - planning photography locations and decor, getting excited about the venue, showing friends and family, multiple visits and time booked off work.

To add salt to the wound, when I sent an email upon leaving the venue, to say how disappointed we were, I received no reply. Several weeks later, still nothing.

This is our experience dealing with the booking process for a wedding at Walton Hall and Gardens in Warrington. Hopefully others will have a better experience than we did!

Ps, there was a wedding on during one of our visits, and their ceremony was taking place at the Bandstand. We noticed members of the public sat on the benches facing the ceremony, well within shouting distance. We realised we don’t want spectators so close to us on our special day

Our wedding was organised wonderfully, easily accessible and a lot of room for everyone.
The Hall was stunning very original and beautifully kept. Our Coordinators were lovely, they made sure we had everything we needed for our special day. The music was also timed perfectly too.

Absolutely shocking customer service !!!! Me and my partner viewed the hall which we initially loved . Ryan who showed us around is amazing and us under utilised by the company but that's we're it ends . Contacted the hall originally on the 15th of July to get a price and book a date they took my email and phone number to speak to the correct people and get back to me . After a few days nobody had tried to contact me so I called again . The staff I spoke to took my details again and said they would forward it to a correct manager. Still nothing. Then I called again and was told that I would have to call the catering company( carringtons ) as they controlled the price. Spoke there receptionist who once again took all my details and requirements and said that I would be contact after the weekend on Monday 19th , 20th of the latest . Still nobody contacted us . I called on the 20th and spoke to the lady who runs the company ( Helen) who promised me they would contact me before the weekend with details and prices . Once again the weekend passed . Nearly 2 weeks after I eventually got a price which was an estimate as its 2023 we was booking and they couldn't be sure . I find this ridiculous as you wouldn't pay anyone a deposit on a price that they could realistically make up. Not once did walton hall email or call us . We had to call , email and pester to just get a price out of them and when we got it it seem a joke. Nobody from the hall seem bothered about anything apart from Ryan who showed us around . If they can't respond to calls and emails about just a price . Would you trust a company to plan your day Definitely not . The excuse we used was . Someone said they would call you or pass the details on to a manager . This place is beautiful but I would trust them to organise a simple email or phone call let alone your big day

Walton Hall and gardens is my favourite place in the north. I made the move 3 yrs ago from down South 200 miles away and all I ever said was, I’d love to get married here, and now we are. The recommended events planners are so helpful, they have great ideas and nothing is too much trouble. The hall is beautiful, the caterers seem awesome and the gardens are just stunning.

I love this venue! It’s beautiful and so nice in the middle of the park. Getting married here in august and can’t wait!

Lovely stately home set in extensive grounds with a petting zoo and kids play area making it perfect for big family weddings