Chatelherault

📌 Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
★★

It’s only a mile from Hamilton town centre and not much further from the edge of Glasgow. But Chatelherault Country Park manages to pack an elegant hunting lodge, gardens, ruined castle and a deep, wooded gorge which the Avon Water runs through into a relatively small area. This page is mostly about the elegant former hunting lodge and summer house providing a focus for the park, built in 1732 for the Dukes of Hamilton. The east portion now forms a visitor centre providing an introduction to the park, while the West Lodge has been restored to its original appearance. Subsidence due to local sand quarrying has led to the latter part sitting at a noticeable tilt: noticeable enough that you could leave the building feeling slightly dizzy. Fresh air might be needed afterwards – check out our walk route along the top of the Avon gorge or just stroll across Duke’s Bridge to Cadzow Castle.