Glasgow Football Tour: Three Hampdens Walking Tour

For football enthusiasts visiting Glasgow, the Three Hampdens Walking Tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the city’s rich football heritage. Spanning two hours, this engaging tour guides participants through the historical significance of the three Hampden Parks, providing an insider’s perspective on the evolution of the sport. With an experienced local leading the way, visitors can expect captivating stories and a deeper appreciation for Scotland’s footballing legacy. Whether a die-hard fan or a casual observer, this tour promises to uncover fascinating details that may surprise even the most knowledgeable.

Key Points

• A 2-hour walking tour exploring the historic football sites of Glasgow, including the three Hampden Parks known as the ‘cradle’ of modern football.
• Highlights the development of football by Scots and its global impact, with a focus on the first purposefully built international football stadium.
• Offers an opportunity to capture moments at the 1st Hampden mural and explore the abandoned Cathkin Park, the Second Hampden Park.
• Provides a guided experience by a local guide who shares passionate stories about football’s history and the evolution of the Three Hampden Parks.
• Meets at the Skatepark in Queens Park Recreation Ground, with easy access to public transportation and nearby attractions.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The Glasgow Football Tour: Three Hampdens Walking Tour is a 2-hour exploration that takes visitors on a journey through the historic sites that shaped the development of modern football.

A 2-hour exploration through historic sites that shaped the development of modern football.

Priced from $28.54 per person, this English-language tour is wheelchair accessible and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Guests can reserve their spot with no upfront payment.

The tour highlights the evolution of football grounds that set the template for stadiums worldwide, inviting participants to capture memorable moments at iconic locations like the first purposefully built international football stadium.

Historical Significance

The Three Hampden Parks are known as the ‘cradle’ of modern football. The tour highlights the evolution of football grounds that set the template for stadiums worldwide.

Football, developed by Scots over centuries, is enjoyed by over 3.5 billion people globally. The tour visits the site of the first purposefully built international football stadium and explores Cathkin Park, the abandoned Second Hampden Park with original terracing.

Participants will also stand in front of Hampden Park, the Third Hampden, featuring the Rose Reilly mural. The guide shares incredible, revolutionary, and heart-wrenching stories about football’s history, modernisation, and impact.

Tour Highlights

First, the tour takes visitors to the site of the first purposefully built international football stadium.

Participants can:

1. Capture moments at the 1st Hampden mural commemorating Scotland’s 5-1 victory over England on March 11, 1882.

2. Explore Cathkin Park, the abandoned Second Hampden Park with original terracing.

3. Stand in front of Hampden Park, the Third Hampden, featuring the Rose Reilly mural.

The tour highlights the evolution of football grounds that set the template for stadiums worldwide.

Visitors gain an appreciation for football’s development by Scots over centuries, enjoyed by over 3.5 billion people globally.

Guided Experience

A passionate and knowledgeable local guide leads the Glasgow Football Tour. They share incredible, revolutionary, and heart-wrenching stories about football’s history, modernization, and global impact.

Guests learn how the Three Hampden Parks set the template for stadiums worldwide. The guide highlights the evolution of these football grounds, from the first purposefully built international stadium to the abandoned Second Hampden Park with its original terracing.

At the Third Hampden, the guide points out the Rose Reilly mural, honoring a pioneering Scottish footballer. Throughout the tour, the guide’s enthusiasm and expertise bring the rich history of Glasgow football to life.

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Meeting Point

Across from Hotel Number 10, the meeting point for the Glasgow Football Tour is the Skatepark in Queens Park Recreation Ground. Participants can check availability for start times and easily find the location.

The tour guide will be waiting at the skatepark, ready to lead the group on an engaging exploration of Glasgow’s football heritage.

The tour guide will be waiting at the skatepark, ready to lead the group on an engaging exploration of Glasgow’s football heritage.

The meeting point offers several key features:

1. Ample space for the group to gather comfortably.

2. Easy access to public transportation and nearby attractions.

3. A visually interesting setting with the skatepark and recreation ground.

Exploring the First Hampden Park

As the tour begins, participants are led to the site of the first purposefully built international football stadium.

This historic venue, known as the First Hampden Park, was constructed in 1892 and hosted the first international match between Scotland and England.

The guide shares captivating stories about the ground’s revolutionary design and the pivotal role it played in the evolution of football stadiums worldwide.

Visitors have the opportunity to capture moments at the 1st Hampden mural, which commemorates Scotland’s 5-1 victory over England in 1882, a landmark moment in the sport’s history.

Visiting the Abandoned Second Hampden Park

From the first Hampden Park, the tour then takes participants to explore the abandoned Second Hampden Park. This former home of Scottish football offers a glimpse into the sport’s past.

Visitors will:

1. Examine the original terracing, a reminder of the intimate spectator experience of early football stadiums.

2. Wander through the eerie silence of the abandoned grounds, imagining the roar of the crowd and the thrill of past matches.

3. Appreciate the poignant contrast between the park’s former glory and its current state of disrepair, reflecting on the evolution of football culture.

Standing in Front of the Third Hampden Park

The tour then leads participants to Hampden Park, the Third Hampden and the current home of the Scottish national football team. Standing before the iconic stadium, the guide shares its rich history and significance. Participants are captivated by the Rose Reilly mural honoring the pioneering female footballer. The guide delves into the stadium’s architectural evolution, transforming from a mere field to a state-of-the-art facility that has hosted numerous historic matches.

| Feature | Description |

| — | — |

| Capacity | 52,000 |

| Opened | 1903 |

| Location | Glasgow, Scotland |

| Tenant | Scotland national football team |

| Significance | "The Home of Scottish Football" |

Frequently Asked Questions

Can We Visit the Stadiums During a Match?

The tour doesn’t allow visitors to enter the stadiums during matches. However, guests can explore the exteriors and learn about the stadiums’ history from the knowledgeable guide, even when no events are taking place.

Is There an Audio Guide Available for the Tour?

No, there’s no audio guide available for this tour. The tour is led by a passionate, knowledgeable local guide who shares the historical stories and details about the three Hampden Parks throughout the walking experience.

How Much Walking Is Involved During the Tour?

The tour involves a moderate amount of walking, covering approximately 2 miles over the 2-hour duration. Guests can expect to move between different historical football sites around Glasgow. Comfortable shoes are recommended for this guided walking experience.

Are There Any Restroom Facilities Along the Tour Route?

The tour route includes public restroom facilities at Queens Park Recreation Ground, the starting point. Participants can use the restrooms before and after the tour, but there are no scheduled stops for restroom breaks during the 2-hour walking tour.

Can We Take Photos Inside the Stadiums?

Participants are welcome to take photos during the walking tour, including inside the stadiums. However, photography may be restricted at certain sites, so guests should follow the guide’s instructions. It’s best to check with the tour operator before the tour.

The Sum Up

The Glasgow Football Tour: Three Hampdens Walking Tour offers an immersive exploration of the city’s rich football history. Participants will uncover the fascinating stories behind the evolution of the three Hampden Parks, from the first international stadium to the abandoned Cathkin Park. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, this wheelchair-accessible tour promises an engaging and enlightening experience for any football enthusiast visiting Glasgow.

You can check availability for your dates here: