• Language
    Language

To build your own Itinerary, click Add to Excursion to add an item to your Itinerary basket.

Already saved an Itinerary?

Williamson Park - Ashton Memorial and Butterfly House

Type:Municipal Park

Quernmore Road, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1UX

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1283 reviews1283 reviews

Tel: 01524 333 18

Add Williamson Park - Ashton Memorial and Butterfly House to your Itinerary

Williamson Park - Ashton Memorial and Butterfly House

Williamson Park comprises 54 acres of beautiful parkland with enchanting walks and play areas and breathtaking views to the Fylde Coast and the Lake District.

The newly renovated tropical butterfly house, Mini-beasts, bird enclosure and small mammal section will fascinate all the family and add a touch of the exotic to a visit to Lancaster's leading tourist attraction. Enjoy the pleasant surroundings of the Pavilion Cafe or browse around our Gift Shop packed with all kinds of exciting gift ideas.

Williamson Park includes the Ashton Memorial (a famous Edwardian folly on the skyline overlooking Lancaster, also newly renovated) which was a gift to the City from Lord Ashton, set within the parkland created by his father, James Williamson. The "structure", as it became known locally, was a memorial to Lord Ashton’s second wife. The park was created out of the quarries from which came the stone for most of Lancaster’s buildings. Inside the recently restored Memorial is the Williamson Gallery, with breathtaking views to the Fylde Coast and the Lake District.

The Park is the venue for many exciting events and festivals throughout the year including concerts, art exhibitions, guided walks and the ever popular Dukes Theatre outdoor performance.

 

THE CAFE IS OPEN OVER CHRISTMAS EXCEPT ON DEC 25 & 26 AND JAN 1

Book Tickets

Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult Ticket£3.90 per ticket
Concession£3.40 per ticket
2 ad & 2 children£12.50 per ticket
3-16 yrs£2.90 per ticket
Entrance into the Memorial Gallery£0.50 per ticket

Admission to the Butterfly House as above. Children under 3 are free
Admission to the Memorial is 50p via the donation box.

Opening Times

Open until dusk (2 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday10:00 - 16:00*

* Closed on Christmas day, Boxing day and New Year`s day.
The Memorial, Café and Butterfly House are open 10am - 5pm April - October, and 10am - 4pm Nov - March

Dates and times marked with a '*' are provisional and may be subject to change

Events

Monday, 8th April 2024 - Thursday, 11th April 2024

The Wind in the Willows at Williamson ParkThe Wind in the Willows at Williamson ParkJoin Mole, Ratty, Mr Toad and Badger on a fun and family-friendly adventure down by the riverside as the band of merry friends take you on a theatrical journey you will never forget.
more info

Friday, 19th July 2024 - Sunday, 25th August 2024

The Dukes Play in the Park : Alice in WonderlandMarvellous madness awaits as you step into the world of Alice in Wonderland. An immersive theatrical experience that will transport you to a wonderland like no other.
more info

Gradings

  • VAQAS VB Attraction
VAQAS VB Attraction

Awards

  • Sub-Regional AwardsPartner of Visit Lancashire Partner of Visit Lancashire 2018
  • National AwardsGreen Flag Award Green Flag Award 2009

Directions

Road Directions

To reach Williamson Park by car, leave the M6 at jct 33 or 34 and follow the signs for Lancaster City Centre. Once in the city follow signs for 'Ashton Memorial' or 'Butterfly House'.

Public Transport Directions

There are three buses that can be boarded at Lancaster bus station or Common Garden Street. The bus number 8C leaves at 27 minutes past every hour and takes 5 minutes to arrive at Williamson Park and bus number 8A leaves at 3 minutes before every hour and takes around 20 minutes to arrive at Williamson Park, available Monday to Saturday. No buses on Sundays.Bus 18 runs every 2 hours from 09.10 from the bus station and Common Garden Street, Monday to Saturday.Taxis are available Monday to Sunday. (01524 32090 01524 848848)

Facilities

Other

  • Encourage Use of Public Transport
  • Energy Saving Measures - Heating
  • Energy Saving Measures - Lighting
  • Event Venue
  • Family Fun
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • On-Site café/restaurant
  • Open All Year
  • Outdoor
  • Outdoor Attraction
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
  • Protect & Encourage Local Flora & Fauna
  • Recycling Policy - Garden Waste
  • Recycling Policy - Glass
  • Toilets
  • Toilets for Disabled Visitors
  • Use and Promote Local Produce

Establishment Features

  • Conference Facilities

Parking & Transport

  • Car Parking
  • Coaches Welcome
  • On site parking
  • Parking (free)

Payment Methods

  • Delta accepted
  • MasterCard accepted
  • Solo accepted
  • Switch accepted
  • Visa accepted

Provider Preferences

  • Groups accepted
  • In countryside

Venue Facilities

  • Green Lantern Environmental Policy Statement

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      860
    • Very Good
      347
    • Average
      48
    • Poor
      13
    • Terrible
      15

    Recent Reviews:

      Follow Us

      What's Nearby

      What's Nearby

      What's Nearby

      1. Giggles Play and Adventure

        Giggles - Lancaster’s newest indoor playcentre and party venue providing entertainment…

        0.34 miles away
      2. Lancaster Cathedral

        Lancaster Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Lancaster, home to Catholics…

        0.43 miles away
      3. Lancaster Charter Market

        A wonderful, traditional street market in Dalton Square, held every Wednesday and…

        0.54 miles away
      1. Lancaster Town Hall

        Based in Dalton Square, Lancaster Town Hall was officially opened on the 27th December…

        0.55 miles away
      2. Dukes Theatre and Cinema

        Cultural centre and theatre in Lancaster screening a wide range of films and own produced…

        0.6 miles away
      3. Lancaster Canal Boats - Kingfisher Cruises

        Operating year round cruises along the beautiful Lancaster Canal. During the peak season…

        0.62 miles away
      4. Lancaster Canal

        Built to carry trade between Kendal and Preston, Lancaster Canal is now a haven for…

        0.63 miles away
      5. Lancaster Grand Theatre

        Britain's 3rd oldest theatre from 1782, in centre of Lancaster, offering a range of…

        0.65 miles away
      6. Lancaster Escape

        Lancaster Escape is an entertaining and exciting Escape rooms within the Heart of…

        0.66 miles away
      7. Lancaster City Museum

        Discover more about Lancaster's past from the Romans to the present day and trace the…

        0.74 miles away
      8. Litfest

        A literature development agency that organise Lancashire's annual literature festival.…

        0.81 miles away
      9. Cycling in Lancaster – Bike Hire and Cycling Routes

        The Lancaster District is rightly proud of its extensive cycling network - the largest in…

        0.83 miles away
      10. The Storey

        The Storey Institute has been remodelled as a newly designed centre for the creative…

        0.84 miles away
      11. The Cottage Museum, Lancaster

        Step back in time to Lancaster in the 1800s!. Spread over five tiny…

        0.86 miles away
      12. Judges' Lodgings Museum

        The Judges' Lodgings dates back nearly 400 years on a site that has been at the centre of…

        0.86 miles away
      Previous Next

      Related

      Pavillion CafePavillion Cafe, LancasterA destination in its own right, the café draws on the local area's finest produce to deliver simple yet satisfying breakfast and lunch snacks with plenty of vegetarian options and children's portions.

      Sign up for e-newsletter

      Don't Miss

      Don't Miss

      Don't Miss

      Don't Miss

      Don't Miss