While the crowds head to Royal Ascot this summer, Scotland’s horses are mostly staying this side of the border and heading to Hamilton Park. It’s not as though Scotland hasn’t had success before at Ascot, after all, Linda Perratt saddled a winner of the Wokingham Stakes, but sometimes avoiding the crowds is just nicer. With that said, there are also plenty of free bets and bonuses to celebrate the festival available online. However, whilst it is fun to bet on the Ascot action, it’s just as much fun to head to Hamilton, which is a whole lot closer to home. We’ve got everything you need to know to ensure you enjoy your day at the races as much as humanly possible.
How to Get There
Hamilton Park is a 30-minute drive from Paisley and has a large car park once you arrive, making this mode of transport really convenient. However, if you want to take public transport then you’ll need to leave yourself about an hour. Take the train to Glasgow Central Station and then from there take the train to Hamilton West. The walk from Hamilton West to Hamilton Park is about a mile, but it’s very scenic and a good chance to stretch your legs after the train journey. Alternatively, if you’d rather not walk you can get a bus to The Paddock which cuts your walk dramatically.
What to Expect
Hamilton Park always has an eclectic mixture of events on, with horse racing taking centre stage. Flat races are always the order of the day (or indeed evening) and Hamilton Park plays host to horses of a mixture of abilities. At a race meeting, you’ll be able to watch the horses up close in the parade ring, and then you’ll take your seats to watch them in the grandstand. If you’d like to place a bet then there are bookmakers and a Tote on the course, as well as the option to bet online too. Follow your horse from the finish line to the Winner’s Enclosure to cheer them home.
Alongside the racing, they also frequently host concerts and shows. Their tribute nights are hugely popular and feature an early evening racecard, followed by a tribute act on the main stage. This June they have the hugely popular Elite Elton, who provides the most authentic Elton John experience in the UK. Later on in July, Little Mix Magic and Simply Ariana will be performing on the main stage during the early evening for the family raceday. There’s a full calendar at Hamilton Park and something that should keep everyone amused.