Chatelherault Trails to the Past

Trails to the past

Free admission Welcome to Chatelherault Country Park and Visitor Centre palace on the southern end of the grand avenue. The Palace and Chatelherault both fell victim to coal mining subsidence, with the Palace eventually being demolished in the early 1920’s. Chatelherault however survived as a ruin until 1979 when it was restored by Historic Scotland and the former Hamilton District Council, and in 1987 the buildings, courtyard, and gardens around them were opened Located on the southern boundary to the public. of the town of Hamilton in the heart of South Lanarkshire, Chatelherault Now a five star Visitor attraction Country Park hosts over 500 acres of containing a gift shop, café, stunning countryside where the river heritage exhibition, and display Avon meanders through a beautiful gallery, the facility also caters for woodland gorge on its way to join weddings, conferences, and large the river Clyde. Built over 250 years open air events. ago and the key feature to the park Chatelherault Country Park holds is the 18th century hunting lodge many historic attributes, such as and summer house to the former Cadzow Castle, The Dukes Bridge, Dukes of Hamilton now home to the The Ancient Oaks Meadow, The venues Visitor Centre. Dukes Monument and The famous Designed by the famous Scottish White Cattle. architect William Adam, the hunting Chatelherault also provides a wealth lodge was built on the eye catching of services, events, competitions and hill top location at the south end of full activities programme which has the former Hamilton Palace Grand something for everyone all year round. Avenue, an avenue of trees that ran from the palace as part of the “Great Design” a grandeur landscape which was planned by the Duchess Anne. The Hunting Lodge Commissioned by James 5th Duke and Grandson of Duchess Anne in 1732, the hunting lodge and kennels were completed in 1744, and as the location suggests it was built to deceive as it’s shear grandeur gave the impression of an additional Adventure playground A totally integrated playground that has equipment to suit all age groups. From toddler to teenager this play facility has equipment to challenge and stimulate both the physical and mental abilities of all children.

Choose your walk Feel close to nature with over 10 miles of stunning woodland and gorge trails which follow the course of the river Avon from Hamilton to Larkhall. All the official trails listed below start from the information point at the entrance to the Visitor Centre.

Quick trail guide

Time Elevation gain Average Trail Distance Fast and equivalent Gentle pace calories pace in stairs The Green 5m 1hr 690ft = 2 Hrs 50min 500 Bridge 8km 40min 1,000 stairs

Cadzow 0.5m 100ft = 17 min 10 min 50 Oaks* 0.8km 145 stairs

The Deer 1.4m 138ft = 45 min 30 min 140 Park/hunts 2.3km 200 stairs

2.2m 385ft = Hoolet Row 1hr 15 min 50 min 220 3.5km 560 stairs

Mineral 2m 282 = 1hr 10m 40 min 200 Railway 3.2km 410 stairs

1.3m 190 = Monument* 45 min 30min 140 2.1km 275 stairs

* Cadzow Oaks and Monuments trails are linear and times and distance are one way. The Green Bridge Trail The Cadzow Oaks Trail From the Visitor Centre, heading on a The Cadzow Oaks Trail takes you from south, south easterly direction along the Visitor Centre along the front of the edge of Rickarton golf course, the the Hunting Lodge, and trail follows a line across the top of the past the function car park. Avon gorge. From here you descend down the steps After approximately 3km the trail adjacent to the sandstone quarry, descends steeply down the winding where stone for the Hunting Lodge steps to the green bridge. was originally cut by the Duke’s master Once over the timber constructed stonemason, Robert Mein. bridge, the path takes a gradual Remains of the quarry stone can be climb where at the summit; there is a seen here along the path edge. beautiful view of the Avon gorge below. The trail then takes you west and down over the Dukes Bridge which stands 80ft high across the Avon gorge. The path then heads up to the remains of Cadzow Castle built in the early 15th century and home to the former Dukes prior to the building of Hamilton Palace. Continuing heading westward the trail reaches the site of the Iron Age earthworks, where stand the famous ancient oaks some of which have been dated to over 500 years old. The trail returns to the Visitor Centre by the same route. Now following the west side of the gorge, the trail meanders through the broad leaved woodland and past the old White Bridge, which is currently closed to access for health and safety reasons, then continuing on through Divoty Glen towards the site of the ancient Oaks, and Iron Age earthworks. Now nearing the end of the walk, the trail heads past the remains of Cadzow Castle and down over the Dukes Bridge up a gradual climb and back to the Visitor Centre. The Deer Park Trail The Mineral Railway Trail The Deer Park trail heads north Heading from the Visitor Centre, from the front of the Visitor Centre the trail follows the forest road for following the Grand Avenue across the approximately 40 yards before turning former deer park, where you may see left heading south down towards some of the famous White Cadzow Hoolet Row. Cattle, a rare As the path reaches breed of cattle the gorge floor the which roamed trail turns sharp the ancient Oaks right following meadow since the the course of the 1500’s and are said river and under to be some of the the Dukes Bridge, few remaining survivors of the wild where you ascend cattle indigenous to Britain. the metal steps and follow the trail to The path then takes a westerly the old Avon Bridge. direction on to the path known as From the Avon Bridge follow the tar the Huntsman’s Ride which cuts across road for 100 yds, then the trail turns the open fields before turning south southeast and connects to the deer park through the ash and hazel coppice. path passing the Wham Pond on your The path continues to head back left and on back to the Hunting Lodge. towards the Visitor Centre brining you out at the site of the old Quarry and function car park. The Monument Trail From the Visitor Centre the Monument The Hoolet Row Trail trail heads down and over the Dukes Bridge. Keep right and follow the road From the Visitor Centre, the Hoolet through the ruins of Cadzow Castle, up Row trail follows a southerly direction to the cattle grid junction. along the east bank of the river passing through a variety of woodland types. From here you turn right and follow the path which borders the famous Reaching Oak meadow on your left. the riverside beaches you The trail continues to head through the will discover coniferous woodland until it branches the ruins off left and meets the Barncluith road a of Hoolet’s tar surfaced roadway which brings you Row the to the Dukes Monument. remnants of This structure was what were constructed once miners to commemorate William cottages. Alexander 11th Duke The trail then turns left up the Clay of Hamilton who died Bank steps, a steep climb to the top of in 1863. The trail then the gorge where you head left along returns to the visitor the golf course path back towards the centre by the same route. Visitor Centre. . d H d a

R Æ a m o n ilt R o o v n h A t Useful information i

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Reproduction by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2012. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100020730. Chatelherault opening times For further information The Lodge House, Visitor Centre and For further information on café are open daily throughout the Chatelherault Country Park year, except Christmas and New Year please refer to our website public holidays. The West Lodge may www.slleisureandculture.co.uk be closed on Friday’s and Saturday’s and the Outdoor and Active section. due to formal bookings. Contact reception for confirmation. or contact Reception - phone: 01698 426213 Chatelherault Country Park Monday - Sunday 10.00am - 5.00pm Ferniegair, Hamilton ML3 7UE Phone 01698 426213 Oaks Café Fax 01698 427741 Monday - Sunday: 10.00am - 5.00pm email: chatelheraultcountrypark@ The Country Park itself is open from southlanarkshireleisure.co.uk dawn to dusk throughout the year. How to get there The entrance to the country park is within the village of Fernigair, 2.5 km south east of Hamilton on the A72 Hamilton, Larkhall / Lanark, Clyde Valley tourist route. The park is also accessible by train with daily half hour service stopping at Chatelherault Station on the Hamilton, Larkhall line.

B7071 to Bothwell A724 A723 to Blantyre to Motherwell M74 Junction 5

A72 M74

Chatelherault Country Park Train station

A72 to Lanark

If you need this information in another language or format, please contact us to discuss how we can best meet your needs. Phone: 01698 476202 Email: [email protected] www.slleisureandculture.co.uk

Produced for South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Limited by South Lanarkshire Council Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. 558/Sep12 South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Limited is a recognised Scottish Charity, No. SCO32549