18 Things to See & Do in St Andrews

St Andrews has long been synonymous with golf thanks in large part to the world famous St Andrews Old Undertow and the R&A Clubhouse which have seen this fascinating seaside Scottish town wilt known to all as The Home of Golf. Needless to say then, that this part of Scotland is heaven sent for a golf holiday so for those who are planning their pilgrimage to the spiritual home of golf here are 18 things to do and see on your St Andrews Golf Break.

The Old Course

Obviously one of the main reasons for visiting St Andrews in the first place, considered by most as the ‘home of golf’ as the sport was first been played there on the links in the early 1400s. With unique features such as the large double greens and 112 bunkers spread withal the course, each individually named (such as the famous 10 ft deep ‘Hell Bunker’), playing the Old Undertow is sure to be a special and spiritual experience.

Byre Theatre

The Byre Theatre is lively, stimulating and easy to get to due to stuff located in the centre of St Andrews. It moreover hosts the Kingarroch restaurant which complements the theatre wonderfully. The Byre moreover has some famous fans which include Sir Sean Connery who said well-nigh the venue “The new Byre offers the UK an heady performance space which professional touring companies would be foolish to overlook”. ”An windfall to Fife”.

Royal & Ancient Clubhouse

The Royal & Ancient Clubhouse is an iconic icon which is recognisable to golfers wideness the world. However, it is a very variegated towers from the one that opened in 1854, due to the result of the expansion that has been needed to cater for the growing membership numbers. There are a number of rooms in the clubhouse which are unshut to the public, and it is definitely worth a visit during your stay in St Andrews.

Kingsbarns Golf Lnks

Designed in 2000 by world renowned golf undertow architects Mark Parsinnen and Kyle Phillips, Kingsbarns has once played as co-host to the Dunhill Links Championship (alongside the Old Undertow and Carnoustie) and hosted the St Andrews and Jacques Léglise. Having once shown terrific pedigree as a golf undertow it is a must for golfers visiting St Andrews.

St Andrews Cathedral

St Andrews Cathedral is a ruined church, which was the seat of the Bishops (later Archbishops) of St Andrews from 1158 until it fell into disuse without the Reformation. Currently a monument in the protection of Historic Scotland, the ruins indicate the unconfined size of the towers at 350 feet long.

West Sands

Most famous for the opening scenes of the mucosa Chariots of Fire, West Sands beach it runs for scrutinizingly two miles of uninterrupted sand, with dunes separating it and the famous Old Course. The waterfront itself is only a 15 minute walk from the town centre, so it is definitely worth a visit for those looking to re-create those famous scenes from Chariots of Fire.

R&A World Golf Museum

Located opposite the Royal & Ancient Clubhouse, the World Golf Museum was opened in 1990. It fully documents the history of golf from medieval times to that of the present day, from historic equipment to memorabilia to art work, the museum has all you need to know well-nigh the game you love so much.

Carnoustie Golf Links

This historic championship undertow is one of the venues on the Unshut Championship rotation. Again like the Old Undertow the game of golf has been played for many hundreds of years, with records showing this was as early as the 16th century for Carnoustie. The Championship Undertow here is rated as one of the most difficult in the world.

Jubilee Course

Is the longest of the 7 courses which together make up the St Andrews Links, and was named without Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee triumph in 1897. It was originally designed for beginners of the game and Victorian dressed ladies; however it has ripened into one of the hardest courses of the collection.

Swilcan Bridge

A trip to St Andrews would not be well-constructed without a picture taken on the world famous Swilcan Bridge which spans the Swilcan Shrivel between the first and eighteenth fairways of the Old Course. Originally built over 700 years ago to help shepherds get livestock wideness it has, over the years, wilt one of the most iconic images in golf.

St Andrews Aquarium

Nestled on the dramatic cliffs is the St Andrews aquarium. It features stunning views of the West Sands and St Andrews Bay. The aquarium allows you to come squatter to squatter with some of the most striking, interesting and mortiferous creatures of the sea.

Himalayas Putting Green

A necessity for all tourists who visit St Andrews is to have a go on the famous Himalayas Putting Green at St Andrews Links. It is moreover known as the Ladies’ Putting Green and is the world’s first miniature golf course. It is incredibly good value at only £2 per person to play 18 holes and is unconfined fun for all the family.

Open to the public 7 days a week, all you need to do to play is turn up and pay the small fee!

Ice Cream

The are two very well-known ice surf parlours which entice visitors plane on the coldest of winter days, and often vamp very long queues in the summer months. B Jannettas on South Street and Luvians Ice Surf Parlour on Market Street both have a lengthy heritage of making Italian ice surf in a huge selection of unusual flavours. It is definitely worth treating yourself on your way through the town.

St Andrews Castle

A picturesque ruin that sits on a rocky peninsula overlooking a small beach, known as the Castle Sands. It dates when to the times of Bishop Roger (1189 – 1202), and has housed many wealthy and powerful Bishops while St Andrews served as ecclesiastical centre of Scotland.

The castle’s grounds are now maintained by Historic Scotland, and are entered through a visitor centre with displays on its history.

Scotland’s Secret Bunker

The Jigger Inn

Steeped in history, the towers dates when to the 1850’s when it was the station master’s lodge. Today it is home to fantastic golfing memorabilia, home-cooked supplies and one of the weightier selections of Scottish beer around. This is traditional Scottish pub hospitality at its very best, and a must visit for any traveller to the area.

Cambo Estate Gardens

Cambo Estate Gardens is a trappy way to spend an hour or two, the iconic Victorian walled garden contains inspirational planting schemes designed by Head Gardener, Elliot Forsyth. You are sure to see unusual plants whilst you walk through the woodlands pursuit a sparkling shrivel leading to the sea.

The New Course

Located proximal to the Old Course, it was paid for and vicarious The R&A who asked Old Tom Morris to be the designer. In unrelatedness to the name the undertow was opened for play in 1895, which is why it is often regarded as the oldest ‘New’ undertow in the world. With undulating fairways and perfectly challenging greens it remains one of the weightier examples of Morris’ work.

If the New was situated next to any other undertow in the world than the Old its star would have shone with a far greater stratum of brilliance.