Please call us to discuss package options for school trips, birthday parties and group visits. We have ample space for coach parking. Please note that handling sessions are only available for children aged 5 and over, in line with BIAZA guidelines.

Children's Birthday Parties - (Max. 15 children, aged 5+)

Butterfly House and Mini beast tour and activities

Treat your birthday boys and girls with a special party at Williamson Park.

Celebrate this special day with an hour guided tour with one of the Zoo Keepers. There will be a chance to feed our meerkat mob, a tour of the Butterfly House filled with exotic species, and then onwards to the mini-beast cave - crammed with creepy crawlies. Brave guests can even handle some of the residents for themselves.

Children will learn all about the work of the zoo keepers and how the animals at the zoo are cared for.

• Jungle party bookings are available seven days a week at either 10:30am or 2pm
• A group of up to 20 children (minimum 10) costs £70.
• Please note 3 adults/guardians of the Birthday child are allowed in for free, however any additional adults must pay the standard entry fee.
• Please also be aware we can only accommodate a maximum of 3 adults in the Education Room, where the handing session will take place, due to limited space.

Party Food

At this time we are unable to reserve an area in the café due to limited capacity. However we can provide picnic bags for you for £5 each at the end of your party, that can be taken away and enjoyed within the park grounds.

To book and check availability, please contact the gift shop on 01524 33318.

Additional activities are also available at Williamson Park including the children’s play area (free and open during normal park hours), orienteering and children's holiday activities.

Educational trips

Williamson Park offers everything you would need for an amazing school trip. There are acres of parkland to explore by woodland walkways, lawns for games and picnics and a play area. The Ashton Memorial, The Butterfly House and Mini-Zoo is an ideal venue for pupils of all ages and offers a variety of activities linked to the National Curriculum. Trained staff are on hand to answer questions and provide an exciting and stimulating experience.

Option 1

Choose a guided tour of the Butterfly House, followed by a self-guided visit to the aviary and zoo. This tour costs only £5.00 per person and takes 30 minutes.

Option 2

Guided tour of the Butterfly House to see butterflies, terrapins and koi carp and more. Learn about each stage of a butterflies lifecycle. Then, off to the Education Room where you will meet and handle some of our resident animals. Continue your safari, self-guided, through the mini beast cave and out into the zoo to enjoy a close encounter with free flying birds, and on to the guinea pigs and rabbits not forgetting a very cheeky and inquisitive family of meerkats. A full tour costs only £6.00 per child and lasts one hour.

Option 3

Visit the Butterfly House, Education Room and go on a Mini Beast Hunt in our woodland habitat, with a guide who will explain all about life cycles, animal behaviour and habitats plus the chance to handle some of our resident animals.  This tour costs £9.00 per child and lasts one hour 45 minutes.

New option now available, Pond Dipping!

Firstly you will visit the Butterfly House, followed by a handling session in the Education Room. You will then head over to our pond, here you will then explore our resident pond species and have a closer look at the place they call home. Due to the nature of pond dipping we can only accept a total group size of 20, as we wish to protect natural habitats in the park. This tour costs £5.50 and lasts one hour 45 minutes.

• Trips with children aged 5 or over include 1 free adult to every 6 children
• Additional adults to pay relevant per person entry fee

New option now available, Pond Dipping!   Please remove this section in red - no longer available
Firstly you will visit the Butterfly House, followed by a handling session in the Education Room. You will then head over to our pond, here you will then explore our resident pond species and have a closer look at the place they call home. Due to the nature of pond dipping we can only accept a total group size of 20, as we wish to protect natural habitats in the park. This tour costs £5.50 and lasts one hour 45 minutes.
•    Trips with children aged 5 or over include 1 free adult to every 6 children
•    Additional adults to pay relevant per person entry fee
 

*Please be aware there may be limitations on group sizes dependent on the day. Please call our gift shop on 01524 33318 or email wpzoobookings@lancaster.gov.uk  to book or check availability.