Hamilton Park
Date of Review: 12th August 2025
RCA Reviewers: Dave & Ray
Address: Bothwell Road, Hamilton, Scotland, ML3 0DW
Website: https://hamilton-park.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HamiltonParkRacecourse
X: https://x.com/hamiltonparkrc
Email: enquiries@hamilton-park.co.uk
Phone: 01698 283 806
Accommodation: https://www.booking.com/city/gb/hamilton.en-gb.html
Track Layout: (Images acknowledged & credited to Timeform & At The Races)
Course Information: It is said that Hamilton resembles Goodwood racecourse in its shape. However, in our opinion, it has a striking similarity to Salisbury Racecourse in that it looks like an old-fashioned darning needle. It is a right-handed, sharp and has several pronounced undulations. It has a steep rise heading towards the home turn, and it is then downhill as you come into the straight. It then, from three furlongs out, has a very tough uphill approach to the winning post. Due to its tight, “button hook”-shaped turn, it suits front-runners and horses that prefer to race prominently, and they have an excellent record at this course. Therefore, keep your eye out for horses that have won previously at this track. The 5 and 6 furlong sprint races are held on the straight course and generally get off to a swift pace as the first three furlongs are downhill, but the leaders often come back to the pack as they hit the demanding uphill finish. Due to the above, peculiar characteristics, the racecourse can only hold races up to a maximum distance of one mile and five furlongs.
The Racecourse Advisor Guide to Hamilton Park Racecourse: The racecourse is located 40 miles south of Edinburgh and 14 miles from Glasgow.
Location Map – Hamilton Park Racecourse
Horseracing in Hamilton dates back to 1782 when jump races were held in the nearby location of Chatelherault. This course closed in 1907. In 1926, a new course was opened at the current location for flat racing only. The racecourse boasts a couple of unique firsts: it was the first British racecourse to hold an evening meeting in 1947 and also the first course to have a morning meeting in 1971. In 1973, a trust was established to secure racing at Hamilton for the future, with all profits generated being reinvested in the racecourse.
The most prestigious race held at Hamilton Park is the Listed Class Glasgow Stakes, which is for 3-year-olds and is run over a distance of 1 mile and 3 furlongs. The race was initially held at York Racecourse for many years before being moved to Hamilton Park in 2006. The prize money for this race is £55,000. The course also hosts the historic Lanark Silver Bell race, which is said to be one of the oldest trophies for any sporting event in the world, having been first held in 1617. The prize money this year for that race is £100,000. The racecourse hosts 18 flat race meetings annually, from May to September.
Course Access: By Road: The access in and out of the racecourse is superb. It is also very well signed from a long way out. The directions are: From the West, leave M74 at Junction 5, at the roundabout take the Hamilton exit and follow brown signs. From the East: Leave M8/A8 at Bellshill/East Kilbride exit A725. Follow signs to M74 and leave at Junction 5.
By Rail: Hamilton West railway station is approximately a 15-minute walk to the racecourse. Direct trains are available from Glasgow Central.
By Air: The nearest airport to Hamilton Park is Glasgow (GLA), located 16 miles away. Edinburgh (EDI) is 29 miles away, and Glasgow/ Prestwick Airport (PIK) is 30 miles away.
Parking: Free parking is available in the main public car park, accessible through Gate 4 on Bothwell Road, directly in front of the Hampton by Hilton hotel. It is around a 50m walk to the main entrance. Dedicated parking bays are available for Blue Badge holders in Duke's car park, accessed via Gate 1. Rating: 9/10.
Pricing: On the day of our visit, it was a Tuesday evening “Scottish Trophy Racenight” flat meeting fixture. It was a seven-race card, consisting of one Class 3 race, two Class 4 races, two Class 5 races, and two Class 6 races. So, moderate-level racing. The pricing on the gate was £22.00 However, if booked in advance, online tickets could have been had for £22.00. Concession tickets were also available for students and the over-60s for £16.00. Under 18s, if accompanied by an adult, get in for free.
There was also a plethora of upgrade packages if that took your fancy, such as the Overton Farm Grill Package, which for £31.00, included your admission, a burger and a £2 Tote betting voucher. A family package of the same for two adults and two children could be had for £75.00. The Barrel & Stone Pizza Package for £40.00 was similar to the above, but with a pizza and a drink. The Family Package was £75.00.
There was also a good number of hospitality packages being offered, such as a table for two in a shared private box that included admission, a two-course meal, a racecard and a parking pass for £87 + VAT (£104.40) per person. Next up was the “Dukes Experience” in Dukes restaurant, which has views of the home straight, for £107 +VAT (£128.40) per person, which got you admission, a glass of fizz on arrival, a three-course meal, a raceday program, and a parking pass. The “Dukes Gold Experience” was a car park pass, admission, a raceday program, a glass of fizz on arrival, a three-course meal, half a bottle of wine, a cheeseboard and a £2 betting voucher for £131 +VAT (£157.20) per person. Overall, decent levels of pricing to suit all tastes and pockets.
Racecard: The racecard was priced at £3.00 for this meeting, and it had us puzzled as it flattered to deceive in that it had a fantastic introduction from Ashley Moon, Managing Director, who also did a great Q&A from the winners' enclosure, followed by a page of track facts and then 8 consecutive full pages of adverts. The whole document was 48 pages long, and exactly half that was full-page adverts, a little too many in our opinion. The big head scratcher, though, was that there was a comment on the bottom of each of the 7 Race pages that read (for Conditions of this race see page 47). There wasn’t a Page 47, and in fact, none of the pages were numbered. Quirky…. but when we numbered the pages manually, it kept one of us busy, it was correct, and the Race Conditions were on page 47. What's next, Sudoku and a Word Search? Rating: 10/10.
Viewing: The overall viewing experience at Hamilton Park Racecourse is good. The horses can be seen for around 90% of the time while in running and are only out of sight for a short time (around 15 seconds or so) in any race that is a mile or further, due to some trees that obstruct the view as the horses go up the back straight.
The Sir Ian Good Stand – Hamilton Park Racecourse
The racecourse has one main viewing enclosure, which is the Sir Ian Good Stand, a large, modern affair with three levels. The ground level has eight concrete terraced steps along its whole length, but no seating at all. The good news is that it is covered, so there is shelter from the elements should it be needed. The second level is the Panorama Bar, which is a floor-to-ceiling glass-fronted area, and the third level is for corporate hospitality with a private viewing balcony. There is also a good number of picnic-style tables and benches on the perfectly manicured lawns, directly in front of the stand. Overall, it is an impressive structure, and it is very well maintained. There is also a large portable TV screen positioned just before the winning post on the home straight. Rating: 8/10.
Parade Ring / Winners Enclosure: The Parade Ring is picturesque, decorated with several colourful hanging baskets, and has several large trees at the rear.
The Parade Ring & Winners Enclosure –Hamilton Park Racecourse
It is positioned immediately behind the Main Enclosure on a large expanse of lawned area, which is kept in immaculate condition. All of the lawns are very neatly trimmed and have been edged. The superb conditions and attention to detail of the area do show, and are a credit to the ground staff, and they are to be commended for their efforts. A good number of racecourses in Great Britain could learn a lot from these guys. Rating: 10/10.
Bookmakers / Betting Facilities: The main on-course bookmakers' concourse is located directly in front of the main Grandstand.
The Main Bookmakers Ring – Hamilton Park Racecourse
on a large sloping concourse. There were a dozen or so bookies who had pitched up, which was more than adequate for the attendance that evening. There was also a large William Hill betting concession located at the back of the Grandstand. This, with the numerous Tote outlets scattered across the racecourse, means placing a bet and picking up your winnings is the least of your problems. Rating: 10/10.
Catering: Here at Racecourse Advisor, we enjoy doing “racecourse reviews” rather than restaurant reviews. We do not pretend to be food critics. We simply aim to provide you with an overall idea of the culinary options and prices available at the racecourse on race days.
The first bar we visited was the Hill Bar & Restaurant, which is located at the back of the Main Grandstand. It’s a very smart place with high ceilings, wooden floors and proper tables and chairs. There was also a small outside dining/drinking area which has picnic-style tables and chairs, parasols and is cordoned off by some raised planters with very colourful flowers. It really is a nice place to be on a sunny day. It had a very comprehensive drinks listing of draught beers such as Foster’s Lager at £5.95 a pint. Birra Moretti £7.30, Strongbow Cider at £6.60 and draught Guinness at £7.00 a pint. A glass of red, white or rosé wine was £7.00, or bottles for £28.50. If you are feeling flush and want to get fizzicle, then a bottle of Moet Chandon champagne will set you back £90.00, or if you really want to push the boat out, then a bottle of Dom Perignon is a mere bagatelle at £353 a bottle. There is also a wide selection of spirits ranging in price from £5.10 to £6.60, depending on your choice. Soft drinks range from £2.95 to £6.20.
The Hill Bar & Restaurant – Ayr Racecourse
The food options were Soup of the day for £4.00. Beef Lasagne £5.00. Three cheese macaroni for £12.00. Sausages and mash at £12.50. Chicken stroganoff with rice for £13.00 or Chicken Caesar salad for £11.00. It was also serving a selection of stone-baked pizzas with a variety of toppings for between £12.95 and £13.95. It also had a choice of sandwiches from £5.80 each, hot pies for £5.80 or a sausage roll for £3.95. It was also serving a selection of teas and coffees.
Our next stop was the Panorama Bar on the second floor of the main grandstand.
The Panorama Bar – Hamilton Park Racecourse
This is another very smart-looking area with wooden floors, comfy chairs, tables and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the home straight and offer fantastic views of the racecourse. It was serving the same selection of drinks as the Hill Bar & Restaurant at the same prices.
There is also the Racing TV Bar, which is tucked away at the very end of the main grandstand.
The Racing TV Bar – Hamilton Park Racecourse
A cosy little place with a wooden floor and plenty of tables and chairs. Again, selling the same drinks at the same prices as the other bars. A handy little place if you want to escape the hustle and bustle for a while.
The last bar we looked into was the Bravehearts Bar at the opposite end of the main grandstand, which shares a space with the William Hill betting concession. Again, all very nice, wooden floors, leather seats and marble-topped tables.
Bravehearts Bar & William Hill Concession – Hamilton Park Racecourse
The racecourse also has Dukes Bar and the Reds Wine, but on the day of our visit, both of those were closed to the general public as they were hosting corporate hospitality functions.
The other food outlet on the racecourse was a kiosk called the Overton Grill, which was located on the lawn behind the main grandstand and adjacent to the Parade Ring.
The Overton Grill – Hamilton Park Racecourse
This was serving up a beefburger or steak roll for £6.50, as was a baked potato with cheese, tuna, or coleslaw. A portion of chips (cooked in beef dripping!) for £5.00 and a Scottish delicacy called a “Stovie”, which is a hearty concoction of potatoes, onions, and meat slowly stewed together for £3.80. It looked good, so we gave it a go, and it was delicious! Further to the above, the Hampton by Hilton hotel is located next door to the racecourse, halfway down the home straight, and racegoers can also use the food and drink facilities on offer there. Overall, a more than decent selection of bars, all of them top-notch and a great choice of food at prices that would embarrass most of the English-based tracks we have visited previously. Rating: 7/10.
Guinness Standard: Draft Guinness was available at all of the bars for £7.00 per pint, which is reasonable, and it was a half-decent pint too. Nicely chilled with a good creamy head. Rating: 8/10.
Friendliness of Course Staff: All of the course staff we met were extremely polite and very helpful. One chap on the gate even interrupted his lunch to sort out our entrance tickets before the racecourse had even opened, so all credit to him for that. Rating: 10/10.
Pros & Cons: Overall, in our opinion, Hamilton Park is an absolute gem of a racecourse! All of the areas, such as the bars, restaurants, and grounds, are in pristine condition. They even have Molton Brown hand soaps in the toilets! After visiting Ayr Racecourse the day before, it was a breath of fresh air, to say the least.
The pros are plentiful, and the only real con for us was the viewing in races over a mile or more. As always, here at Racecourse Advisor, we ask ourselves the question, would we return? The answer is yes, we would, in a heartbeat! It really is a cracking little racecourse, and if you are in Scotland and looking to go racing, then Hamilton Park should be very near the top of your list. The team that runs and operates the racecourse genuinely deserves a pat on the back. A lot of time, effort, and money have been invested into the racecourse and its facilities, and it shows. Rating: 8/10.
Wi-Fi/Internet Connection:
No problem whatsoever getting online at this racecourse. Just enter your name and email address, and you're all set to go.
Overall Racecourse Advisor Rating: 9.0/10.
The entire day's racing results can be found here: https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/2025-08-12/hamilton/113662
Facilities & Location Map of Hamilton Park Racecourse (image acknowledged & credited to Hamilton Park Racecourse Company Ltd.)
Aerial View of Hamilton Park Racecourse (Image acknowledged & credited to Google Earth)
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