'A World of Good' gallery opens at Wakefield Museum
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Wakefield Council has unveiled a new permanent gallery at Wakefield Museum. ‘A World of Good’ explores the life and work of the environmentalist, Charles Waterton (1782 – 1865).
Waterton campaigned against industrial pollution, protected wildlife, and created the world’s first nature park at his home at Walton Hall.
“I’m so excited for people to discover this fascinating and important new display. I’m sure visitors of all ages will be amazed by the incredible art installation and will love spotting the different features taken from Waterton’s letters.
“Conservation is more important today than ever. I hope the new gallery will inspire people to take action on the contemporary climate crisis and help us to ‘Do A World of Good’.”
Councillor Hannah Appleyard
Cabinet member for Culture, Leisure and Sport
The centrepiece of the new display is an intricate recreation of the Walton Hall nature reserve, carefully crafted out of paper by local artist, Andy Singleton. Visitors should also look out for foxes and badgers burrowing under their feet.
The beautiful artworks are complemented by an exclusive soundscape. Visitors can hear Waterton’s words introduced by Sir David Attenborough and brought to life by Michael Palin.
‘A World of Good’ explores Waterton’s life, both at home at Walton Hall and abroad, through objects from the Wakefield Museums and Castles collection. Personal items such as Waterton’s shaving mug, family porcelain and birds’ egg collection help bring him to life for visitors.
The display also includes examples of Waterton’s writings. He was a keen correspondent, penning many letters about his nature park and environmental campaigns. Waterton also kept a record of the wildlife he saw at Walton Hall, spanning 40 years. Visitors can see the original nature notebook, which is a unique record of local bird populations in the 1800s, on display in the gallery. Its poignant final entry about nightingale song has inspired the art installation and soundscape.
‘A World of Good’ also introduces the local campaigners following in Waterton’s footsteps today and explains some of the actions Wakefield Museums and Castles are taking to be more sustainable in their work.
Visitors are invited to ‘Do A World of Good’ themselves by making an eco-pledge. They can choose from a range of easy and practical changes to make in their home, garden, work or lifestyle.
The ‘A World of Good’ gallery is open at Wakefield Museum now. Opening hours and visitor information can be found at Wakefield Museum - Wakefield Museums and Castles