Though comparatively small, St Andrews is world-famend because the place the place golf was invented and its prestigious college (which is the third oldest within the English-talking world). That being mentioned, past golf and college is a medieval historical past that dates again centuries. Best 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 finding out at St Andrews College, I’ve come to understand how unbelievable the city is. It’s top-of-the-line locations in Fife to go to for a day journey from Edinburgh or a wider Scottish street journey.
Sure, it may be small but it surely has a lot going for it.
So, that will help you get essentially 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 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, 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 break within the 1500s.
Now, though the cathedral was left to break, 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 30 minutes exploring the positioning 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 number 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 finding out 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 mentioned earlier than, it’s the third oldest college within the English-talking 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 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 that 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 depart her vast number of Latin books.
Oh, and don’t neglect to see the historic Principals Home inside St Mary’s Quad, too.
Afterwards, be sure you pop into St Salvator’s Chapel which was based in 1450. It’s so unbelievable to see.
Lastly, if you wish to study 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 count on a Kew Backyard-model 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 dwelling to a big assortment of unique and native crops which is free to enter for those who’re a scholar.
Though small, the view right here is wonderful there are gardens round and a small Riverside setting to see the varied crops and flora which were 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.
Nevertheless, 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 keen on Botany.
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4.) St Andrews Fortress
Proper on the rugged shoreline of the city, visiting the fort is among the greatest issues to do in St Andrews to discover the city’s lengthy historical past.
Though in ruins, it’s an excellent wayto step again in time in direction of the 13th century and study all about this medical fort that stands overlooking the shore.
As soon as right here, ensure to see into the bottle dungeon – which is among 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 had been constructed below St Andrews itself and, though fairly claustrophobic, they’re unbelievable to see.
There’s a small entrance charge to pay, but it surely’s value 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 top-of-the-line 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 components of West Sands. It turned effectively-recognized internationally because the place the place Chariots of Fireplace a 1981 movie was made utilizing this Seaside for its opening scene.
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6.) Stroll round St Andrews
Okay, so, for my part, top-of-the-line issues to do in St Andrews is to take a stroll round city. Anyplace between, The Scores and South Avenue are sometimes thought-about the ‘outdated city centre’ with numerous little cafes, retailers, pubs and eating places, too.
As you wander round, ensure 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 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 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 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 excellent 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. Properly, 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-well-known golf course. You’ll simply spot the brand new course and the outdated 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 planet.
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 may simply lease golf golf equipment on the town, too.
Best of all, St Andrew’s Previous 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, guide 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 value reserving to get an excellent historical past of the city.
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9.) PH Signal
As you stroll North Avenue, be 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 surrender his protestant beliefs and paid along with his life at solely 24.
Hamilton’s initials had been then set into the cobbles and might nonetheless be seen immediately, with the cobbles depicting ‘PH’. Additionally, for those who search for, 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 are going to 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 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 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. In case 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 may seize a chew 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 chew right here! It’s top-of-the-line issues to do in St Andrews, which is one thing of a neighborhood establishment.
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