Things to do in St Andrews
-
A
British Golf Museum
The British Golf Museum has an extraordinarily comprehensive overview of the history and development of the game and the role of St Andrews in it. Favourite fact: bad players were formerly known as ‘foozlers’. Interactive panels allow you to relive former British Opens (watch Paul Azinger snapping his putter in frustration), and there’s a large collection of memorabilia from Open winners both male and female.
reviewed
-
B
Doll’s House
With its high-backed chairs, bright colours and creaky wooden floor, the Doll’s House blends a Victorian child’s bedroom with modern stylings. The result is a surprising warmth and no pretensions. The menu makes the most of local fish and other Scottish produce, and the two-course lunch for £6.95 is unbeatable value. The early-evening two-course deal for £12.95 isn’t bad either.
reviewed
-
C
St Andrews Old Course
Everyone knows that St Andrews is the home of golf, but few people realise that anyone can play on the Old Course. Although it lies beside the exclusive, all-male (female waiters are, unsurprisingly, allowed) Royal & Ancient Golf Club, it's a public course and not owned by the club. If you baulk at the green fees, stroll the Old Course in the evening instead.
The trust runs frequent guided walks of the Old Course; these take half an hour and will take you to famous landmarks like the Swilcan Bridge and the Road Hole bunker. If you play on a windy day, expect those scores to balloon: Nick Faldo famously stated that when it blows, 'even the seagulls walk'.
Advance bookings …
reviewed
-
D
Old Course
Golf has been played at St Andrews since the 15th century, and by 1457 it was apparently so popular that James II had to ban it because it was interfering with his troops' archery practice. Few people realise that anyone can play the Old Course, the world's most famous golf course. Although it lies beside the exclusive, all-male Royal & Ancient Golf Club, the Old Course is a public course and is not owned by the club.
Getting a tee-off time is - literally - something of a lottery. Unless you book months in advance, the only chance you have of playing here is by entering a ballot before 14:00 on the day before you wish to play. Be warned that applications by ballot are nor…
reviewed
-
E
St Andrews Castle
Not far from the cathedral and with dramatic coastline views, the castle is mainly in ruins, but the site itself is evocative. It was founded around 1200 as the bishop's fortified home. After the execution of Protestant reformers in 1545, other reformers retaliated by murdering Cardinal Beaton and taking over the castle. They spent almost a year holed up, during which they and their attackers dug a complex of siege tunnels, said to be the best surviving example of castle-siege engineering in Europe; you can walk (or stoop) along their damp mossy lengths. A tourist office gives a good audiovisual introduction and has a small collection of Pictish stones.
reviewed
-
F
St Andrews Cathedral
The ruins of this cathedral are all that's left of one of Britain's most magnificent medieval buildings. You can appreciate the scale and majesty of the edifice from the small sections that remain standing. Although founded in 1160, it was not consecrated until 1318, but stood as the focus of this important pilgrimage centre until 1559 when it was pillaged during the Reformation.
St Andrew's supposed bones lie under the altar; until the cathedral was built, they had been enshrined in the nearby Church of St Regulus (Rule). All that remains of this church is St Rule's Tower, worth the climb for the view across St Andrews. The tourist office includes a museum with a collecti…
reviewed
-
Fife Coastal Path
The tourist office has a list of local walks and also sells OS maps. The Fife Coastal Path, stretching from the Forth Road Bridge to the Tay Bridge (Dundee) – a distance of 78 miles – is a wonderful long-distance walk, but the section between St Andrews and just north of Crail is recommended for experienced walkers (particularly the section between St Andrews and Boarhills), as the path is not as clearly defined and includes tidal and rough terrain. The tourist office has a detailed map.
reviewed
-
G
Aikman’s – the Cellar Bar
Aikman’s – The Cellar Bar Want to get away from clipped accents and enjoy a real beer or two? Any bar that has spent 19 years in the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Good Beer Guide is all right by us. Here you’ll find the best selection of real ales in town and a dimly lit cellar bar to enjoy them in. It’s worn around the edges (and in the middle too), but geez the beer is good. An antithesis to the more prissy bars in town.
reviewed
-
H
Byre Theatre Bistro
A happy, buzzy spot with comfy couches, works of art on the wall and a well-developed menu that encompasses some delicious fusion cooking. Lunchtime sandwiches come with interesting fillings, such as hummus and red pepper. Dinner gets more sophisticated, featuring dishes such as seared tuna steak on sultana-and-nutmeg couscous with smoked-tomato dressing.
reviewed
-
I
Seafood Restaurant
The Seafood Restaurant occupies a stylish glass-walled room, built out over the sea, with plush navy carpet, crisp white linen, an open kitchen and panoramic views of St Andrews Bay. It offers top seafood and an excellent wine list, and has won a clutch of awards. Look out for its special winter deal – three-course lunch for £15, or dinner for £20.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Zest
Serving toasties, paninis and filled rolls along with a good coffee selection, this slick place is popular with students. French doors opening onto the street make it a great spot for people-watching on a breezy summer day. The juices and smoothies here are great, and priced very fairly.
reviewed
-
K
Grill House
This cheerful, sometimes boisterous restaurant offers something for every taste and bank balance, with a big selection ranging from Mexican, pizza and pasta to char-grilled salmon and quality steaks. The upbeat atmosphere and service are pluses, as is the £5 lunchtime deal.
reviewed
-
L
Zizzi
Beloved of local students, this Italian eatery has atmosphere without the tack. Rather than Mona Lisas, moribund love songs and phallic pepper grinders, it’s got contemporary decor, an open kitchen, a chatty buzz and fast service. The food won’t wow but it will satisfy.
reviewed
-
Andrew Keracher
St Andrews has a great range of eating options. Places compete heavily on price for the student custom, so there are good deals to be had everywhere. A great option for self-catering or picnic fare is the fine fishmonger Andrew Keracher.
reviewed
-
Peat Inn
The Peat Inn is one of the best restaurants in Scotland, housed in a rustic country inn about 6 miles west of St Andrews. Its award-winning French-influenced menu is culinary heaven. To get there, head west on the A915 then turn right on the B940.
reviewed
-
Tailend
Delicious fresh fish sourced from Arbroath just up the coast put this new St Andrews arrival a class above most chippies. The array of exquisite smoked delicacies at the counter will have you planning a picnic or fighting for a table out the back.
reviewed
-
M
Ziggy’s
This small, darkened restaurant has an offbeat recording-studio theme. There’s an open kitchen and a menu that does a bit of everything, including pizza, burgers, a range of steaks, and Mexican, seafood and veggie dishes. Good kids menu.
reviewed
-
N
Victoria
Upstairs at the Victoria is popular with all types of students and serves good bar meals. There's a grungy cafe-bar here with plenty of natural light or a classier lounge bar where you can sink into a sofa. Check out the jazz on Sunday nights.
reviewed
-
O
St Andrews Museum
Near the bus station, St Andrews Museum has interesting displays that chart the history of the town from its founding by St Regulus to its growth as an ecclesiastical, academic and sporting centre. Local preservation work is a focal point.
reviewed
-
P
Witches Tour
There is a Witches Tour that recounts the history and folklore of St Andrews in an unusual fashion, with tales of ghosts and witches enlivened by theatrical stunts. It starts outside Greyfriars Hotel on North St.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
St Andrews Aquarium
Family-friendly St Andrews Aquarium has a seal pool, rays and sharks from Scottish waters and exotic tropical favourites. Once introduced to our finny friends, you can snack on them with chips in the cafe.
reviewed
-
Q
West Port
Just by the gateway of the same name, this sleek, modernised pub has several levels, and a great beer garden out the back. Cheap cocktails rock the uni crowd, mixed drinks are above average, and there’s some OK bar food.
reviewed
-
Balaka
Long-established Bangladeshi restaurant with both standard choices and more inspiring discoveries − all delicious and seasoned with herbs the owners grow themselves. The £6.95 lunch deal is a bargain.
reviewed
-
R
Vine Leaf
Classy, comfortable, and well-established, the friendly Vine Leaf offers a changing menu of sumptuous Scottish seafood, game and vegetarian dishes. It’s down a close off South St.
reviewed
-
S
B Jannetta
B Jannetta is a St Andrews institution, offering 52 varieties of ice-cream from the weird (Irn-Bru sorbet) to the decadent (strawberries-and-champagne).
reviewed
