Bird’s Eye Building (now demolished)

Audio Transcript

You are standing on the site of the former Birds Eye Building, one of Walton’s most distinctive modern landmarks.

Built in 1961 and designed by the architects Sir John Burnet, Tait and Partners, the building served as the headquarters of Birds Eye Foods. At the time, the company was one of Britain’s most innovative food businesses and was among the first major firms to move its offices out of central London to a modern suburban headquarters.

The building was highly unusual for its time. Its striking geometric design, reflective pools and landscaped courtyards made it an important example of 1960s architecture. Inside were sculptures, water features and even small animals, including flamingos and penguins, which formed part of the building’s courtyards.

Birds Eye was also ahead of its time in other ways. The staff restaurant served frozen meals produced by the company, and special testing rooms were used to assess new products.

The building became a familiar landmark in Walton for almost sixty years and was granted Grade II listed status because of its architectural importance. It also appeared on screen, featuring in the television series 24: Live Another Day starring Kiefer Sutherland and the film Legend, starring Tom Hardy.

Despite efforts to save it, the building was demolished in 2019 and the Walton Court Gardens apartments now occupy the site.

Before you leave, take a look at the modern sculpture called Welcome Home. Created by artist Stuart Melrose, it celebrates the site’s history. Viewed from one direction, it resembles a penguin — a nod to the Birds Eye headquarters and the penguins that once lived in its courtyard. From another angle, its shape becomes a Spitfire, commemorating Flight Sergeant Charles Sydney, whose aircraft crashed nearby during the Battle of Britain.

Although the building has gone, this sculpture beautifully links Walton’s architectural, industrial and wartime heritage in a single piece of public art.

From here, return to the traffic lights and turn left onto Hersham Road. Continue back to the War Memorial, then follow New Zealand Avenue into Ashley Park Avenue, where the short and long routes meet again.

Did You Know?

• The Birds Eye headquarters was built in 1963 and was a leader in modern architecture at the time. The building was empty from 2007 until the land was bought for redevelopment
• The building was Grade II listed because of its architectural importance.
• The headquarters featured reflective pools, sculptures, landscaped courtyards and even flamingos, penguins and alligators.
• The company restaurant was one of the first in Britain to serve only frozen meals.
• Product tasting rooms used special lighting to remove colour so staff could focus entirely on flavour.
• The building appeared in 24: Live Another Day with Kiefer Sutherland and the film Legend starring Tom Hardy.
• Despite local opposition, the building was demolished in 2019 and replaced by Walton Court Gardens apartments.
• The sculpture called Welcome Home was funded by the developers of Walton Court and Elmbridge Borough Council. Artist Stuart Melrose said of the project: “I loved working on this project and the challenge of combining the site’s rich heritage and Birdseye’s innovative vision. I hope the community will enjoy the sculpture and see it as an appropriate symbol merging past, present and future”.