Duthie Park in Aberdeen is free to get into, it opens at 8 in the morning, and hiding inside it arethe David Welch Winter Gardens. They are a set of huge glasshouses packed with plants from all over the world: cacti, orchids, tropical trees, ponds with goldfish and terrapins in them, and a talking cactus called Spike who has a chat with visitors.
Outside there is a boating pond, a Victorian bandstand, wood carvings tucked along the paths, a cafe and a big play area, so it works whatever the weather is doing. Lady Elizabeth Duthie gave the whole park to the city back in 1881.
Search Duthie Park for opening times.