Williamson Park in Lancaster: 16 Reasons to Visit

Of all the attractions there are to enjoy in Lancashire, my favourite place to spend time as a family is at Williamson Park in Lancaster. It is less than half an hour from my home, and it is a wonderful place to spend time outdoors. There are many different aspects of this attraction to enjoy, as it has something for everyone. Here are just some of the reasons to visit Williamson Park in Lancaster.

1. Explore the Beautiful Parkland at Williamson Park

One of the best features of Williamson Park is the 54 acres of parkland, most of which is covered in woodland. The park is set on a hill, so there are lots of slopes and some manmade cliffs. There is also a large pond near the main entrance to the park. My children love exploring the woods and climbing up the slopes. It is a fantastic place for them to enjoy some freedom and let off some steam, which is why we consider it one of the best things to do in Lancaster.

2. Enjoy Multiple Walks Around Williamson Park

There are multiple walks you can enjoy. I have been visiting Williamson Park for years, and I seem to find a new trail every time I visit. Some of the walks are on concrete pathways, while others take you over land that is covered in soil and tree roots. These are uneven and can involve some uphill walking.

3. Admire the Views from the Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park

Central to Williamson Park and sitting at the highest point is Ashton Memorial, a Grade I listed building in Lancaster. Due to its elevated position, this domed structure is visible for miles around and is an iconic landmark of the city. According to The Crazy Tourist, it is a neo-Baroque structure that Lord Ashton had built in memory of his second wife in the 1900s. The structure was designed by architect John Belcher.

In addition to admiring both the exterior and interior of this building, visitors can climb to the balcony around the base of the dome. From this position, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the park, Lancaster, the River Lune, and Morecombe Bay.

4. Visit the Butterfly House at Williamson Park

The Butterfly House is a large Victorian conservatory set behind Ashton Memorial. It is home to a vast array of butterflies, insects, birds, fish, terrapins, and plants. There is a tropical feeling inside as it is warm and humid.

You can walk around with the butterflies fluttering around you, or you can sit on one of the benches to admire the creatures. On the walls, there are glass cases with cocoons and information and the various butterfly species.

Although most aspects of the park are free, there is a fee to enter the Butterfly House. You enter the Butterfly House via the gift shop, which is also where you will buy your tickets to enter.

5. See the Animals in The Reptile House

As you leave the Butterfly House, you will walk down a small path that leads to the Retile House. This is included in the price of your visit to the Butterfly House. In this section of Williamson Park, you will see not only reptiles but also insects and amphibians.

6. Sit in The Bird Garden

When you walk out of the Reptile House, you enter a pretty bird garden. There are aviaries to house the birds, and the garden is covered by netting to contain them. Although the birds will not let you touch them, they sit and fly quite close as they are accustomed to being around people. There are beautiful plants in the garden that omit wonderful aromas along with some attractive water features.

7. Take the Kids to the Small Animal Area

The next area you will find is a small animal area. There, you will see rabbits, meerkats, ferrets, guinea pigs, and several other small animals. This is a section of the park that will appeal most to younger visitors.

8. Grab an Ice Cream from the Gift Shop

At the gift shop, you can buy various souvenirs, trinkets, and novelty items. It also sells ice cream and lollies. If you are visiting on a warm day, buy ice cream from the gift shop and bask in the sunshine on the lawned hill.

9. Admire the Interesting Structures Around Williamson Park

All around the park, you will see interesting structures. These include stone pagodas, statues, and bridges. Many of these are worthy of taking a photograph, so the park is popular amongst photography enthusiasts. Some of these structures are along the main paths, while others are in unexpected locations in the woodland.

10. Picnic on the Williamson Park Hill

My family is on a tight budget, so I tend to pack us a picnic to take along with us to the park. There are plenty of benches and picnic tables where you can sit to enjoy an al fresco lunch. You can also sit on the steps that lead to the Ashton Memorial. However, our favourite place to eat is on the grassy hill that leads to the memorial and the Butterfly Park.

11. Have Fun on the Zip Wire

There are two separate playgrounds within Williamson Park. One of these is a rope playground that sits at the bottom of the hill opposite Ashton Memorial. It has a rope climbing frame, a large tyre rope swing, and a fun zip wire. As my children range from 7 to 22 (at the time of writing), this is our favourite of the two playgrounds. Even my partner and I like to go on the zip wire if it is quiet and there is no queue of children.

12. Let the Kids Play in the Playground

The second playground at Williamson Park sits next to the gift shop, Ashton Memorial, and the Butterfly House on the side of the hill. It is the larger of the two playgrounds, and I would recommend that this playground is best suited for children under the age of 10. There are multiple things for children to enjoy in this playground, and there is seating where adults can sit to watch and supervise their children.

13. Have Lunch in The Pavilion Café

If you need to reboot your energy levels to explore more of the park, then you can grab a bite to eat at the Pavilion Café, which is at the top of the hill next to the Ashton Memorial. 

14. Watch an Outdoor Performance at Williamson Park

Throughout the year, there are various performances held at Williamson Park, ranging from Shakespeare productions to musical events. The performances are held outdoors at amphitheatre-style areas around the park, and some involve travelling around the park to watch different scenes in different areas. Unfortunately, shows were put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic but check out what is on in the future to plan your visit and make sure you book your tickets in advance.

15. Enjoy an Event

Williamson Park is also used for various events throughout the year. Check out their website to see if anything is going on in the park when you are visiting. 

16. Book your Wedding at Williamson Park

If you are engaged, it might interest you to know that Williamson Park is one of the most desirable wedding venues in the city. Ceremonies take place within the Ashton Memorial before moving to an event space. Guests are free to explore the grounds throughout the day.

• Where to find Williamson Park: Quernmore Road, Lancaster, LA1 1UX
• Opening Hours: 10 am to 4 pm daily, with later openings for events and performances
• Website: http://www.lancaster.gov.uk/williamsonpark 
• Accessibility: Although the main paths are concrete or pvaed, many paths cover uneven terrain. Also, the park is on a hill, so there are areas of steep elevation that may pose difficulties for people with mobility issues.