Lancaster's highest point is the 22-hectare spread of this elegant park, from which there are great views of the town, Morecambe Bay and the Cumbrian fells to the north. In the middle is the Ashton Memorial, a 67m-high baroque folly built by Lord Ashton (the son of the park's founder, James Williamson) for his wife.

More beautiful, however, is the Edwardian Palm House, now the Tropical Butterfly House, full of exotic and stunning species. Take bus 25 or 25A from the station, or else it's a steep short walk up Moor Lane.