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 stated, 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 residing 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 greatest locations in Fife to go to for a day journey from Edinburgh or a wider Scottish highway journey.
Sure, it is likely to be small nevertheless it 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 is likely to be in ruins nevertheless it’s one of many oldest buildings in St Andrews. Based again in 1158, it’s been round for practically one thousand years.
Simply shy of East Sands (on the east of the city), visiting the cathedral is likely one of the greatest 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 biggest church building within the historical past of Scotland.
With out dipping into an excessive amount of historical past, through 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 spoil within the 1500s.
Now, though the cathedral was left to spoil, there’s nonetheless fairly a little bit of the grounds and the partitions to see and discover. As soon as right here, ensure that to walk across the Japanese 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 among the prettiest locations in Fife. It’s nicely value it if you happen to’re quick on time and simple as they plan all of the transport and timings for you.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 spite of everything, like I stated 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 massive campus). This makes it very easy to identify some key websites and historical past as you’re strolling by city.
Ensure to go to St Mary’s Quad, which is simply off South Avenue. Right here, throughout the centre of the quadrangle, you’ll find 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 stated she even determined to marry once more while in St Andrews.It’s even stated 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 large collection of Latin books.
Oh, and don’t overlook to see the historic Principals Home inside St Mary’s Quad, too.
Afterwards, make sure to pop into St Salvator’s Chapel which was based in 1450. It’s so unimaginable to see.
Lastly, if you wish to study extra concerning the College of St Andrews (and its artefacts), ensure that 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 – nevertheless it’s nonetheless value a bit of go to nonetheless.
Established in 1889 by the College of St Andrews it’s dwelling to a big assortment of unique and native vegetation which is free to enter if you happen to’re a pupil.
Though small, the view right here is wonderful there are gardens round and a small Riverside setting to see the varied vegetation and flora which have been collected over the previous couple of centuries. There are completely different ‘areas’ devoted to completely different species and this will simply explored on foot as you wander round.
Nevertheless, only a heads up, St Andrews Botanic Backyard is small and I wouldn’t make a concerted effort to go to except you’re passing by Canongate or actually fascinated about Botany.
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4.) St Andrews Citadel
Proper on the rugged shoreline of the city, visiting the citadel is likely one of the greatest issues to do in St Andrews to discover the city’s lengthy historical past.
Though in ruins, it’s a terrific wayto step again in time in the direction of the 13th century and study all about this medical citadel that stands overlooking the shore.
As soon as right here, ensure that to see into the bottle dungeon – which is likely one of the oldest prisons on this space of Scotland. You’ll additionally get to see among the Seige tunnels that also exist, relationship again to the 1500s. They had been constructed beneath St Andrews itself and, though fairly claustrophobic, they’re unimaginable to see.
There’s a small entrance price to pay, nevertheless it’s value it when visiting St Andrews.
5.) West Sands Seaside
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 probably the greatest 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 may recognise some components of West Sands. It turned well-known internationally because the place the place Chariots of Hearth a 1981 movie was made utilizing this Seaside for its opening scene.
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6.) Stroll round St Andrews
Okay, so, in my view, probably the greatest issues to do in St Andrews is to take a stroll round city. Anyplace between, The Scores and South Avenue are usually thought of the ‘outdated city centre’ with numerous little cafes, outlets, pubs and eating places, too.
As you wander round, ensure that to pop into Central Bar(which was my outdated watering gap after I studied right here). It’s a correct pub, if that’s your factor and so they serve up a great 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 nicely value consuming within the night. Their shepherd’s pie is so scrumptious.
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7.) St Rule’s Tower
In St Andrew’s Cathedral, heading to the highest of St Rule’s Tower is likely one of the greatest issues to do in St Andrews once you’re exploring the east of the city.
St Rule’s Tower stands over the Citadel 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; practically 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 whilst ruins. Standing at 33 meters excessive, the view from this tower is spectacular; although be ready for a number of steps to get to the highest. Effectively, 168 for that matter.
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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 outdated course if you happen to’re heading to West Sands for a stroll.
Now, if you happen to fancy a recreation, inexperienced charges vary from £150-£250 (roughly). It’s a bit of steep however the course is unimaginable. In spite of everything, that is the place golf began… on this very course! Which, by the way makes it the oldest golf course on this planet.
Now, I can’t say my handicap may be very low… which means I’m not nice at golf! However it’s nicely value a spherical while you’re right here and you may simply lease golf golf equipment on the town, too.
Better of all, St Andrew’s Outdated Course is public and open to all and is definitely probably the greatest 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 an area professional caddie that used to stroll these programs each day. It’s a lot enjoyable and nicely value reserving to get a great historical past of the city.
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9.) PH Signal
As you stroll North Avenue, make sure to 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 had been then set into the cobbles and might nonetheless be seen as we speak, with the cobbles depicting ‘PH’. Additionally, if you happen to lookup, above the faculty gateway, you may 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 stated to be a curse the place if any pupil walks over the PH signal, they’ll fail their diploma. I wholeheartedly by no means stepped on it for that very cause!
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10.) Butts Wynd
After viewing the PH cobbles, ensure that to wander down the fondly named, Butts Wynd. It’s a small alley that takes you from North Avenue to The Scores.
It is likely to be a brief 2-minute stroll nevertheless it’s nicely value going. In spite of everything, you’ll simply discover the Wardlaw Museum on the finish.
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11.) St Andrews Harbour
Sure, St Andrews Harbour is tiny however it’s proper initially of East Sands. Which, is one other nice seashore to go to, particularly round dawn. Should you’re an early riser, head over to the pier and stroll the world and beachfront itself.
The views are gorgeous because the solar rises over the North Sea.
Plus, you may seize a chunk from The Tacky Toast Shack for breakfast. Fingers-down, they make a mac and cheese toast which is equally gluttonous and scrumptious.
Belief me, seize a chunk right here! It’s probably the greatest issues to do in St Andrews, which is one thing of an area establishment.
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