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 dwelling in St Andrews for a few years, and learning at St Andrews College, I’ve come to understand how unbelievable the city is. It’s one of many best places in Fife to go to for a day journey from Edinburgh or a wider Scottish road trip.
Sure, it is likely to be small nevertheless it has a lot going for it.
So, that can assist you get essentially the most out of your time, I’ve jotted down some locations to go to that I like. You’ll have an incredible 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 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 biggest church building 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 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, be certain 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? Book this St Andrews and Fife village day tour that may take you round a number of the prettiest locations in Fife. It’s properly price it in case you’re brief on time and straightforward as they plan all of the transport and timings for you.
Read more: Best places to visit in Scotland
2.) St Andrews College
I do know, I’m biased after learning at St Andrew’s, however it’s a must to discover a few of St Andrew’s historic college buildings. In any case, 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 large campus). This makes it very easy to identify some key websites and historical past as you’re strolling by city.
Make sure that to go to St Mary’s Quad, which is simply off South Road. Right here, throughout the centre of the quadrangle, one can 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 you pop into St Salvator’s Chapel which was based in 1450. It’s so unbelievable to see.
Lastly, if you wish to be taught extra concerning the College of St Andrews (and its artefacts), be certain 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 price a bit of 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 in case you’re a pupil.
Though small, the view right here is superb 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.
Nonetheless, only a heads up, St Andrews Botanic Garden is small and I wouldn’t make a concerted effort to go to until you’re passing by Canongate or actually eager about Botany.
Read more: Best places to visit in Scotland
4.) St Andrews Fortress
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 awesome wayto 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, be certain 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 number of the Seige tunnels that also exist, courting again to the 1500s. They have been constructed underneath St Andrews itself and, though fairly claustrophobic, they’re unbelievable to see.
There’s a small entrance payment to pay, nevertheless it’s price it when visiting St Andrews.
5.) West Sands Seaside
St Andrews has some unbelievable 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 Previous Course Clubhouse to the mouth of the River Eden.
It’s simply among the finest issues to do in St Andrews in case you’re trying 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 elements of West Sands. It turned well-known internationally because the place the place Chariots of Fireplace a 1981 movie was made utilizing this Seaside for its opening scene.
Read more: Best places to visit in Scotland
6.) Stroll round St Andrews
Okay, so, for my part, among the finest issues to do in St Andrews is to take a stroll round city. Anyplace between, The Scores and South Road are sometimes thought of the ‘previous city centre’ with numerous little cafes, retailers, pubs and eating places, too.
As you wander round, be certain to pop into Central Bar(which was my previous watering gap after I studied right here). It’s a correct pub, if that’s your factor they usually serve up a very good fish and chips, too.
One other spot for dinner is Forgan’s that’s on Market Road. It’s simply shy of Central Bar and properly price consuming within the night. Their shepherd’s pie is so scrumptious.
Read more: Best places to visit in 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 Fortress and St Andrews Cathedral ruins, which you’ll be able to’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’s additionally an awesome 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 just a few steps to get to the highest. Properly, 168 for that matter.
Read more: Best places to visit in Scotland
8.) St Andrews Golf Course
Nestled on the western fringes of St Andrews, you’ll be able to’t miss the world-famous golf course. You’ll simply spot the brand new course and the previous course in case you’re heading to West Sands for a stroll.
Now, in case you fancy a sport, inexperienced charges vary from £150-£250 (roughly). It’s a bit of steep however the course is unbelievable. In any case, 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 could be very low… that means I’m not nice at golf! Nevertheless it’s properly price a spherical while you’re right here and you’ll simply lease golf golf equipment on the town, too.
Better of all, St Andrew’s Old Course is public and open to all and is definitely among the finest 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 day by day. It’s a lot enjoyable and properly price reserving to get a very good historical past of the city.
Read more: Best places to visit in Scotland
9.) PH Signal
As you stroll North Road, make sure you look out for the PH cobblestones (at this point on Google Maps). You see, these cobbles are the positioning the place Patrick Hamilton was burned on the stake in 1528. He refused to surrender his protestant beliefs and paid together with his life at solely 24.
Hamilton’s initials have been then set into the cobbles and might nonetheless be seen right now, with the cobbles depicting ‘PH’. Additionally, in case you search for, above the school 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 are going to fail their diploma. I wholeheartedly by no means stepped on it for that very motive!
Read more: Best places in Fife to visit
10.) Butts Wynd
After viewing the PH cobbles, be certain to wander down the fondly named, Butts Wynd. It’s a small alley that takes you from North Road to The Scores.
It is likely to be a brief 2-minute stroll nevertheless it’s properly price going. In any case, you’ll simply discover the Wardlaw Museum on the finish.
Read more: Best places to visit 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. Should you’re an early riser, head over to the pier and stroll the realm and beachfront itself.
The views are gorgeous because the solar rises over the North Sea.
Plus, you’ll be able to seize a chunk from The Cheesy 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 among the finest issues to do in St Andrews, which is one thing of an area establishment.
Read more: Best places in Fife to visit
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