Wakefield Museums and Castles

Our new permanent gallery is now open at Wakefield Museum! A World of Good explores the life and work of environmentalist Charles Waterton (1782 – 1865).

Waterton’s conservation work was pioneering. He campaigned against industrial pollution and protected wildlife. Waterton created the world’s first nature park at his home at Walton Hall.

The centrepiece of the new display is an intricate recreation of the Walton Hall nature reserve. It has been carefully crafted out of paper by local artist Andy Singleton.

Charles Waterton's wildlife reserve recreated in paper sculptures. By Andy Singleton.

You should also look out for foxes and badgers burrowing under your feet!

The beautiful artworks are complemented by an exclusive soundscape. You can hear Waterton’s words introduced by Sir David Attenborough. His writing is brought to life by Michael Palin.

A World of Good explores Waterton’s life, both at home and abroad. Personal items such as his shaving mug, family porcelain and birds’ egg collection are on display.

The display also includes examples of Waterton’s writings. He wrote many letters about his nature park. He ran campaigns to protect the environment.

Waterton also kept a record of the wildlife he saw at Walton Hall, spanning 40 years. You can see his original nature notebook in the gallery. It is a unique record of local bird populations in the 1800s. Its poignant final entry about nightingale song has inspired the art installation and soundscape.

A mini paper Charles Waterton, recreated by Andy Singleton