Though comparatively small, St Andrews is world-renowned because the place the place golf was invented and its prestigious college (which is the third oldest within the English-speaking world). That being mentioned, past golf and college is a medieval historical past that dates again centuries. Better of all, there are heaps of the most effective issues to do in St Andrews dotted all throughout this cosy little city.
After dwelling in St Andrews for a few years, and learning at St Andrews College, I’ve come to understand how unimaginable the city is. It’s one of many finest locations in Fife to go to for a day journey from Edinburgh or a wider Scottish highway journey.
Sure, it may be small but it surely has a lot going for it.
So, that will help you get probably the most out of your time, I’ve jotted down some locations to go to that I like. You’ll have a tremendous time visiting St Andrews. Have enjoyable!
1.) St Andrews Cathedral
St Andrews Cathedral may be in ruins but it surely’s one of many oldest buildings in St Andrews. Based again in 1158, it’s been round for almost one thousand years.
Simply shy of East Sands (on the east of the city), visiting the cathedral is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in St Andrews if you wish to discover the area’s Medieval historical past. You see, this was (and nonetheless is) the most important church development within the historical past of Scotland.
With out dipping into an excessive amount of historical past, in the course of the Reformation, Henry VIII started to separate the Church of England from the Roman Catholic religion. This led St Andrews Cathedral to be ransacked and left to smash within the 1500s.
Now, though the cathedral was left to smash, there’s nonetheless fairly a little bit of the grounds and the partitions to see and discover. As soon as right here, ensure to walk across the Jap wall and go to St. Rule’s Tower, too.
You’ll spend round half-hour exploring the positioning and it’s by no means too busy.
Visiting from Edinburgh? Ebook this St Andrews and Fife village day tour that may take you round a few of the prettiest locations in Fife. It’s effectively price it if you happen to’re brief on time and straightforward as they plan all of the transport and timings for you.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to in Scotland
2.) St Andrews College
I do know, I’m biased after learning at St Andrew’s, however it’s important to discover a few of St Andrew’s historic college buildings. In any case, like I mentioned earlier than, it’s the third oldest college within the English-speaking world.
Based within the 1400s, the college buildings are dotted throughout St Andrews (and never in a single huge campus). This makes it very easy to identify some key websites and historical past as you’re strolling by means of city.
Ensure that to go to St Mary’s Quad, which is simply off South Avenue. Right here, throughout the centre of the quadrangle, you will see the hawthorn tree which was planted by Mary, Queen of Scots within the 1500s.
Mary Queen of Scots lived in St Andrews for a while and it’s mentioned she even determined to marry once more while in St Andrews. It’s even mentioned that Mary Queen of Scots helped (in some half) within the founding of a library for the college. She had determined to go away her huge number of Latin books.
Oh, and don’t overlook to see the historic Principals Home inside St Mary’s Quad, too.
Afterwards, make sure you pop into St Salvator’s Chapel which was based in 1450. It’s so unimaginable to see.
Lastly, if you wish to be taught extra in regards to the College of St Andrews (and its artefacts), ensure to go to the Museums of The Wardlaw Museum and the Bell Pettigrew Museum that are each free to enter and within the city centre.
3.) St Andrews Botanic Backyard
Okay, so don’t anticipate a Kew Backyard-style botanic backyard right here – but it surely’s nonetheless price somewhat go to nonetheless.
Established in 1889 by the College of St Andrews it’s residence to a big assortment of unique and native vegetation which is free to enter if you happen to’re a scholar.
Though small, the view right here is wonderful there are gardens round and a small Riverside setting to see the assorted vegetation and flora which have been collected over the previous couple of centuries. There are totally different ‘areas’ devoted to totally different species and this could simply explored on foot as you wander round.
Nonetheless, only a heads up, St Andrews Botanic Backyard is small and I wouldn’t make a concerted effort to go to until you’re passing by Canongate or actually desirous about Botany.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to in Scotland
4.) St Andrews Fort
Proper on the rugged shoreline of the city, visiting the fort is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in St Andrews to discover the city’s lengthy historical past.
Though in ruins, it’s an effective way to step again in time in the direction of the 13th century and be taught all about this medical fort that stands overlooking the shore.
As soon as right here, ensure to see into the bottle dungeon – which is without doubt one of the oldest prisons on this space of Scotland. You’ll additionally get to see a few of the Seige tunnels that also exist, courting again to the 1500s. They have been constructed below St Andrews itself and, though fairly claustrophobic, they’re unimaginable to see.
There’s a small entrance payment to pay, but it surely’s price it when visiting St Andrews.
5.) West Sands Seashore
St Andrews has some unimaginable seashores, with West Sands being my absolute favorite. Stretching all of the size of the brand new course (golf), it follows the spit of land from the Outdated Course Clubhouse to the mouth of the River Eden.
It’s simply top-of-the-line issues to do in St Andrews if you happen to’re seeking to see the pure magnificence across the city, too. I used to stroll right here each different day and liked it.
Additionally, you would possibly recognise some elements of West Sands. It turned well-known internationally because the place the place Chariots of Hearth a 1981 movie was made utilizing this Seashore for its opening scene.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to in Scotland
6.) Stroll round St Andrews
Okay, so, in my view, top-of-the-line issues to do in St Andrews is to take a stroll round city. Wherever between, The Scores and South Avenue are sometimes thought-about the ‘previous city centre’ with a lot of little cafes, retailers, pubs and eating places, too.
As you wander round, ensure to pop into Central Bar (which was my previous watering gap once I studied right here). It’s a correct pub, if that’s your factor they usually serve up an excellent fish and chips, too.
One other spot for dinner is Forgan’s that’s on Market Avenue. It’s simply shy of Central Bar and effectively price consuming within the night. Their shepherd’s pie is so scrumptious.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to in Scotland
9.) PH Signal
As you stroll North Avenue, make sure you look out for the PH cobblestones (at this level on Google Maps). You see, these cobbles are the positioning the place Patrick Hamilton was burned on the stake in 1528. He refused to resign his protestant beliefs and paid together with his life at solely 24.
Hamilton’s initials have been then set into the cobbles and may nonetheless be seen as we speak, with the cobbles depicting ‘PH’. Additionally, if you happen to lookup, above the faculty gateway, you would possibly even spot an eerie face in a single brick. Native legend states that is the face of Hamilton, however make of that what you’ll.
Now, there’s additionally mentioned to be a curse the place if any scholar walks over the PH signal, they may fail their diploma. I wholeheartedly by no means stepped on it for that very purpose!
Learn extra: Finest locations in Fife to go to
10.) Butts Wynd
After viewing the PH cobbles, ensure to wander down the fondly named, Butts Wynd. It’s a small alley that takes you from North Avenue to The Scores.
It may be a brief 2-minute stroll but it surely’s effectively price going. In any case, you’ll simply discover the Wardlaw Museum on the finish.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to in Scotland
11.) St Andrews Harbour
Sure, St Andrews Harbour is tiny however it’s proper at the beginning of East Sands. Which, is one other nice seaside to go to, particularly round dawn. In the event you’re an early riser, head over to the pier and stroll the realm and beachfront itself.
The views are beautiful because the solar rises over the North Sea.
Plus, you may seize a chew from The Tacky Toast Shack for breakfast. Arms-down, they make a mac and cheese toast which is equally gluttonous and scrumptious.
Belief me, seize a chew right here! It’s top-of-the-line issues to do in St Andrews, which is one thing of a neighborhood establishment.
Learn extra: Finest locations in Fife to go to
11 Finest Issues To Do In Fife, Scotland
7.) St Rule’s Tower
In St Andrew’s Cathedral, heading to the highest of St Rule’s Tower is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in St Andrews once you’re exploring the east of the city.
St Rule’s Tower stands over the Fort and St Andrews Cathedral ruins, which you’ll’t miss. It predates the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral and was constructed within the early 1100s; almost 1,000 years in the past!
There may be additionally a terrific span of graveyards contained in the tower floor and it’s a sight to behold at the same time as ruins. Standing at 33 meters excessive, the view from this tower is spectacular; although be ready for a couple of steps to get to the highest. Effectively, 168 for that matter.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to in Scotland
8.) St Andrews Golf Course
Nestled on the western fringes of St Andrews, you may’t miss the world-famous golf course. You’ll simply spot the brand new course and the previous course if you happen to’re heading to West Sands for a stroll.
Now, if you happen to fancy a sport, inexperienced charges vary from £150-£250 (roughly). It’s somewhat steep however the course is unimaginable. In any case, that is the place golf began… on this very course! Which, by the way makes it the oldest golf course on the planet.
Now, I can’t say my handicap could be very low… which means I’m not nice at golf! Nevertheless it’s effectively price a spherical while you’re right here and you may simply hire golf golf equipment on the town, too.
Better of all, St Andrew’s Outdated Course is public and open to all and is definitely top-of-the-line issues to do in St Andrews once you go to.
To make issues simpler, e-book this guided tour of St Andrews that’s run by a neighborhood professional caddie that used to stroll these programs day-after-day. It’s a lot enjoyable and effectively price reserving to get an excellent historical past of the city.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to in Scotland
9.) PH Signal
As you stroll North Avenue, make sure you look out for the PH cobblestones (at this level on Google Maps). You see, these cobbles are the positioning the place Patrick Hamilton was burned on the stake in 1528. He refused to resign his protestant beliefs and paid together with his life at solely 24.
Hamilton’s initials have been then set into the cobbles and may nonetheless be seen as we speak, with the cobbles depicting ‘PH’. Additionally, if you happen to lookup, above the faculty gateway, you would possibly even spot an eerie face in a single brick. Native legend states that is the face of Hamilton, however make of that what you’ll.
Now, there’s additionally mentioned to be a curse the place if any scholar walks over the PH signal, they may fail their diploma. I wholeheartedly by no means stepped on it for that very purpose!
Learn extra: Finest locations in Fife to go to
10.) Butts Wynd
After viewing the PH cobbles, ensure to wander down the fondly named, Butts Wynd. It’s a small alley that takes you from North Avenue to The Scores.
It may be a brief 2-minute stroll but it surely’s effectively price going. In any case, you’ll simply discover the Wardlaw Museum on the finish.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to in Scotland
11.) St Andrews Harbour
Sure, St Andrews Harbour is tiny however it’s proper at the beginning of East Sands. Which, is one other nice seaside to go to, particularly round dawn. In the event you’re an early riser, head over to the pier and stroll the realm and beachfront itself.
The views are beautiful because the solar rises over the North Sea.
Plus, you may seize a chew from The Tacky Toast Shack for breakfast. Arms-down, they make a mac and cheese toast which is equally gluttonous and scrumptious.
Belief me, seize a chew right here! It’s top-of-the-line issues to do in St Andrews, which is one thing of a neighborhood establishment.
Learn extra: Finest locations in Fife to go to
11 Finest Issues To Do In Fife, Scotland
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