Haw Park Wood is the area of woodland between Walton, Ryhill and Crofton, and has great heritage and cultural value.
The site has historical links with the adjoining Walton Hall Estate (now the Waterton Park Hotel and Waterton Park Golf Club) once owned by Charles Waterton, creator of the world’s first nature reserve.
The nine foot high wall, which he built to protect the animals found within the estate and to keep out poachers, can be seen in the north of the woodland.
Within this wall Charles built several watchtowers which he used to observe the wildlife. In 2005 Wakefield Rotary Club obtained Lottery funding and restored the watchtower within the woodland.
