St Andrews is a beautiful seaside town in Fife, on Scotland’s east coast. Home to the oldest University in Scotland (and the 3rd oldest in the English-speaking world), this town is rife with history, and there are so many wonderful things to see and do. One of the best things about visiting St Andrews is that so many of the attractions are within walking distance of each other, so you can enjoy a great day out on foot.
Here are just some of the things you can’t miss out on in St Andrews:
There could be nothing written about St Andrews that didn’t mention golf! The 'home of golf' is what St Andrews is known as worldwide. In part, because The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, founded in 1754, is the headquarters of golf, and exercised legislative authority over the game worldwide (excluding the US and Mexico) until 2004. St Andrews boasts being the most frequent venue for The Open Championship; the oldest of four major golf championships.
As a result, St Andrews is the perfect destination for any golf enthusiasts. As well as being home to the oldest golf club in the world, and many courses, there are other golf-related activities to do here. You could take a trip to the Golf Shop of St Andrews, a shop that has a wide range of golf clothing and gifts featuring the St Andrews Crest.
There’s also the British Golf Museum, showcasing a detailed history of the development of the game and the equipment, a footage archive and substantial quantities of golf memorabilia. For golf lovers, there’s no better place to visit than St Andrews.
A secret kept for 40 years – beneath a Scottish farmhouse in St Andrews is a tunnel that leads to Scotland’s Secret Bunker. Almost 100 feet below ground level, the bunker is open to the public to come and journey down the 450-foot tunnel and through the blast doors to discover the secrets of the bunker – which was built to safeguard Scotland during the Cold War in the event of nuclear attack.
This attraction is a fascinating look into Cold War history. You can discover how they would have survived a nuclear attack from the deadliest bombs. For history fans and those with a general sense of curiosity, this is not to be missed.
St Andrews is a beautiful town full of gorgeous outdoor spaces and parks where you can spend time connecting with nature. Craigtoun Park, for instance, is a free-to-enter haven of trees, grass areas, Fairy Glen and gardens, and includes payable attractions such as a miniature railway, boats and crazy golf.
There is also the St Andrews Botanic Gardens, an inspirational garden in the heart of the town with trees, scrubs, ponds, a waterfall, rock and peat gardens, a herb garden and extensive glasshouses. If you want to unwind and find a peaceful spot to enjoy nature, you won’t be short of places to do so in St Andrews.
Such a historical town is full of historic sites to visit – and no, they’re not all golf courses. St Andrews has its own castle which has had stints as a fortress, palace and a prison. It is largely in ruins from the centuries of war and high tides, but it’s still a remarkable sight to behold to any visitor. If you just can’t get enough of ruins, there is also the St Andrews Cathedral. Once the largest church in Scotland, these ruins hold the story of a once truly magnificent construction. Visitors can venture to the top for a truly spectacular view of St Andrews.
St Andrews is a wonderful holiday break destination. If you’re looking for waterside cottages in Scotland, contact Mill House Cottages today. We have a unique selection of cottages to rent in St Andrews and other parts of Scotland which are sure to meet all of your needs.
