I would guarantee that lots of you reading this who have not heard of Williamson Park, will indeed have seen the most prominent building in it - if you have travelled on the M6 near to Lancaster.

Williamson Park is a beautiful public park located on a hill above the city of Lancaster, Lancashire that consists of 54 acres of beautiful parkland.

The pre-mentioned building in the park, and one that dominates Lancaster for miles around, is the Ashton Memorial ( or as it is known locally - the'Taj Mahal of the North'! ) - a huge domed, folly built in the 1900s by James Williamson (Lord Ashton) as a tribute to his late wife

THE PARK

Lancaster's Williamson Park was built and opened in 1878.by millionaire James Williamson.( Lord Ashton) who became a millionaire producing oil cloth and linoleum which was exported from the port of Lancaster all over the world.
He wanted to give something back to the city where he had made his fortune, the park is only one of many of his gifts to the city.
the site of former stone quarries from which most of the city's building are built, it really is a beautiful park, and free to enter.

The park is full of small wooded areas, with many pathways winding among the trees, squirrels are seen regularly running upand down and around the trees.

Due to its elevated position on the highest hill in the city, the park offers tremendous views of Lancaster, Morecambe Bay, the Forest of Bowland and the Lake District

The Park Gates, have recently been cleaned and gilded ready welcome visitors to share in this beautiful park. It is used for poepl just wanting a sit and a brerak from city life or a good walk along the miles of accessible paths that are in the park.
Within the park you will find waterfalls, woodland dells, mature parkland, a lake, bridges, fountains and ornamantal features.All around the Park in between the lanscaped lawns are beautiful flower beds that are maintained so that the colours change with the season; there are bushes and bushes of lush rhodedendrum bushes.

Near to the Ashton Memorial is a recently renovated Children's Playground , all the equipment in the playground uses recycled materials.

Tree-lined walks lead from the memorial past the ornamental lake that winds its way from the glade of the Waterfall, past the fountain and under the stone bridge.
And remember - all of this is free!!

THE ASHTON MEMORIAL

This incredible building standing at around 100ft tall dominates Lancaster and can be seen for miles.

This Edwardian Baroque building was designed by John Belcher and was built between 1907 and 1909 by millionaire industrialist Baron Ashton in memory of his second wife, Jessy.

Over the earlier years the Memorial fell into disrepair but was completely restored in 1986-7. It now hosts exhibitions and concerts and can be hired for private functions, including wedding ceremonies

The first floor outdoor viewing gallery gives fantastic views of the surrounding countryside and across Morecambe Bay.
To the left the lovely old Lancaster Castle and the Priory Church are clear to see while to the right you can follow the path of the River Lune flows through the city and into Morecambe Bay. The Forest of Bowland, Lake District, Blackpool Tower and Isle of Man are all in view.

The Williamson Galleryis situated on the second floor of the Memorial and there are regular exhibitions there.

At Christmas the Memorial is loaned to Father Christmas so that local children can go and visit him there.

THE LANCASTER SUNDIAL

In 1907 a copper domed band stand was built, unfortunatly this has long gone but the area where it stood has nowtransformed into the Lancaster Sundial. By standing standing on the centre of the plinth you can tell the time by casting your own shadow on a series of bronze panels.This was designed by pupils of Ripley St. Thomas School ( The school that my son attends.)

THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE

The old Edwardian Palm House at the base of the Memorial is now a Tropical Butterfly House . If you don't mind things that flutter around your face, you can walk among some of the world's most beautiful butterflies - species like swallowtails, and Owl butterflies all in a natural habitat in the warm, humid atmosphere of a tropical forest.

The pupae of new butterflies can be seen in a special display case and you may even see a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis!

Mini Beast Cave

With your ticket for the butterfly house you can also go into the mini beast cave behind the Butterfly House and access is via the Palm House , this is full of lizards, snakes, spiders and other creepy-crawlies.

Bird Enclosure

After visiting the mini-beasts you can enter the free-flying bird enclosure. There are lots of exotic species flying, feeding and nesting including parakeets, finches, cockateels, various species of doves and many more.

Animal Garden

This is the last place you'll visit with your ticket - rabbits and guinea pigs live along more exotic neighbours including a family of fancy rats.

THE PAVILLION CAFE

The cafe has an indoor and out door area and is next to the gift shop and butterfly house, it serves hot and cold snacks, homemade cakes and biscuits, freshly made tea and coffee and cold beverages, alcohol is available with meals. There is a room in the cafe with smaller children in mind where they can colour in pictures etc.

THEATRE IN THE PARK

The park contains -The Dell - a natural outdoor auditorium and during the summer months the Lancaster Dukes Playhouse stages plays here. With the audience moving from scene to scene

ROAD DIRECTIONS

Morecambe, Lancaster and the Lune Valley is located in Lancashire, in the Northwest of England.
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'.

ADMISSION

Free entrance to park
For entry to Ashton Memorial and Butterfly House
Family from £18.00
Adult from £4.50
Concession from £4.00
Child from £3.50

FACILITIES

Coach Parking
Disabled Access
Picnic Area
Family Fun
Groups Acepted
Guided Tours Available for Groups
On-Site café/restaurant
Outdoor Attraction
Parking (free)
Toilets
Toilets for Disabled Visitors

All year. Daily, except 25th and 26th December and 1st January. Open 10am to 5pm April to September, Open 10am to 4pm October to March
Address - Williamson Park, Lancaster, Lancashire, England, LA1 1UX
Telephone 10524 33318

Summary: A beautiful park in the centre of a lovely little city.