Weekend in Hamilton

A grand Edwardian public library with a stained-glass dome, free Wi-Fi, and a local studies archive. Quiet reading rooms and a rotating art display.

Tip: Go upstairs to the First Floor Reading Room — the dome's light is best around 2pm. The 'Hamilton on Film' archive has free digitised footage you can watch on their PCs.

Local history museum in a Victorian lodge, covering Hamilton's industrial past, the Clydesdale horse breed, and the town's textile heritage. Small but well-curated.

Tip: Ask at the desk for the key to the 'paraffin lamp room' — a tiny exhibit of oil lamps that kids especially love. The museum has a free kids' trail sheet.

A monumental sandstone building with incredible acoustics, housing the tomb of the 10th Duke of Hamilton. The dome is one of the largest in Europe.

Tip: Stand at the centre of the floor and clap once — the echo lasts 15 seconds. Best visited on a quiet weekday morning.

A large country park with a loch, woodlands, and a watersports centre. Good for walking, cycling, and birdwatching. The Roman bathhouse ruins are a bonus.

Tip: Park by the Mausoleum and walk south along the loch — the path takes you past the bathhouse and is quieter than the main car park.

An 18th-century hunting lodge (the 'dog kennel') set in 500 acres of woodland and formal gardens. The 19th-century avenue of giant redwoods is a highlight.

Tip: Walk the 'Mill Glen' trail down to the Avon Gorge — the waterfall and old mill foundations are easy to miss from the main paths. Wear stout shoes after rain.