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 very best 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 greatest locations in Fife to go to for a day journey from Edinburgh or a wider Scottish highway journey.
Sure, it is perhaps small but it surely 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 perhaps 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 among 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 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 wreck within the 1500s.
Now, though the cathedral was left to wreck, there may be nonetheless fairly a little bit of the grounds and the partitions to see and discover. As soon as right here, be certain that to walk across the Jap wall and go to St. Rule’s Tower, too.
You’ll spend round half-hour exploring the location and it’s by no means too busy.
Visiting from Edinburgh? Guide this St Andrews and Fife village day tour that can take you round a few of the prettiest locations in Fife. It’s effectively value it for those who’re quick on time and straightforward as they plan all of the transport and timings for you.
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2.) St Andrews College
I do know, I’m biased after learning at St Andrew’s, however you must 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 large campus). This makes it very easy to identify some key websites and historical past as you’re strolling via city.
Be certain to go to St Mary’s Quad, which is simply off South Avenue. Right here, inside the centre of the quadrangle, you can 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 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 broad number of Latin books.
Oh, and don’t overlook to see the historic Principals Home inside St Mary’s Quad, too.
Afterwards, you should definitely pop into St Salvator’s Chapel which was based in 1450. It’s so unbelievable to see.
Lastly, if you wish to study extra concerning the College of St Andrews (and its artefacts), be certain 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 – but it surely’s nonetheless value slightly 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 for those who’re a pupil.
Though small, the view right here is superb 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 completely different ‘areas’ devoted to completely different species and this may 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 except you’re passing by Canongate or actually fascinated about Botany.
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4.) St Andrews Fort
Proper on the rugged shoreline of the city, visiting the citadel is among the greatest issues to do in St Andrews to discover the city’s lengthy historical past.
Though in ruins, it’s an ideal 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, be certain that to see into the bottle dungeon – which is among 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 had been constructed below St Andrews itself and, though fairly claustrophobic, they’re unbelievable to see.
There’s a small entrance payment to pay, but it surely’s value it when visiting St Andrews.
5.) West Sands Seashore
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 Outdated Course Clubhouse to the mouth of the River Eden.
It’s simply among the finest issues to do in St Andrews for those who’re trying to see the pure magnificence across the city, too. I used to stroll right here each different day and beloved it.
Additionally, you would possibly recognise some elements of West Sands. It grew to become well-known internationally because the place the place Chariots of Fireplace a 1981 movie was made utilizing this Seashore for its opening scene.
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6.) Stroll round St Andrews
Okay, so, in my view, among the finest issues to do in St Andrews is to take a stroll round city. Anyplace between, The Scores and South Avenue are sometimes thought of the ‘previous city centre’ with a lot of little cafes, outlets, pubs and eating places, too.
As you wander round, be certain that 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 and so they serve up a very good 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 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 among the greatest issues to do in St Andrews whenever you’re exploring the east of the city.
St Rule’s Tower stands over the Fort 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 ideal 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. Nicely, 168 for that matter.
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8.) St Andrews Golf Course
Nestled on the western fringes of St Andrews, you possibly can’t miss the world-famous golf course. You’ll simply spot the brand new course and the previous course for those who’re heading to West Sands for a stroll.
Now, for those who fancy a recreation, inexperienced charges vary from £150-£250 (roughly). It’s slightly steep however the course is unbelievable. 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 the earth.
Now, I can’t say my handicap may be very low… which means I’m not nice at golf! But it surely’s effectively value 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 Outdated Course is public and open to all and is well among the finest issues to do in St Andrews whenever you go to.
To make issues simpler, guide this guided tour of St Andrews that’s run by an area professional caddie that used to stroll these programs every single day. It’s a lot enjoyable and effectively value reserving to get a very good historical past of the city.
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9.) PH Signal
As you stroll North Avenue, you should definitely look out for the PH cobblestones (at this level on Google Maps). You see, these cobbles are the location 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 had been then set into the cobbles and may nonetheless be seen at the moment, with the cobbles depicting ‘PH’. Additionally, for those who search for, above the school 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 stated to be a curse the place if any pupil walks over the PH signal, they may fail their diploma. I wholeheartedly by no means stepped on it for that very motive!
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10.) Butts Wynd
After viewing the PH cobbles, be certain 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 perhaps a brief 2-minute stroll but it surely’s effectively 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 in the beginning of East Sands. Which, is one other nice seashore to go to, particularly round dawn. For those who’re an early riser, head over to the pier and stroll the world and beachfront itself.
The views are beautiful because the solar rises over the North Sea.
Plus, you possibly can seize a chew from The Tacky Toast Shack for breakfast. Palms-down, they make a mac and cheese toast which is equally gluttonous and scrumptious.
Belief me, seize a chew right here! It’s among the finest issues to do in St Andrews, which is one thing of an area establishment.
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