Things To Do In St Andrews
Our shop is based in the heart of St Andrews so we thought you might like to know of other things to do in St Andrews for when you decide to pay us a visit, whether for a Watch Building Experience or to browse our range of watches, sunglasses & accessories.
GOLF
St Andrews is known globally as the home of golf and for any golf fan it's a treasure of golf history, iconic locations and shops.
If St Andrews is 'the home of golf' then the Old Course is at its heart. Considered the oldest golf course in the world, golf has been played on its location since the early 15th Century. Whilst the most famous, there are seven courses that make up the St Andrews Links. Plenty of opportunities await the keen golfer within walking distance of each other.
A truly iconic location for any golfer, the Swilcan Bridge can be visited between the 1st and 18th fairways and is a classic photo opportunity. Just watch out for golf balls as the Old Course remains a busy, in demand course every day.
The British Golf Museum is a must visit for any golf fan heading to St Andrews. Located across the road from the legendary Old Course it showcases 500 years of golfing history with more than 1700 items celebrating golf's unique place in sporting culture.
UNIVERSITY
Besides golf the other aspect of St Andrew's life than is immediately obvious on arrival is the University and it's vibrant student life. Founded in 1413 it provides a world class education and was of course where Prince William met Kate and started their modern fairy tale.
HISTORY
St Andrews is the kind of town that oozes history from every paving stone but there are a few biggies you can't miss. St Andrews Cathedral sits at the end of North St. and even in its current state is a very impressive building, the largest medieval church in Scotland with worship said to have been held on it location since the 700s and the location of the Saint Andrew's bones. Be sure to ascend the 33 meters to the summit of St Rue's tower for a bird's eye view of the town.
A 5 minute walk away is St Andrews Castle, a 450 year old structure that's been a prison, fortress and bishop's palace during it's turbulent history. Worth a visit to experience the underground mine created during medieval siege warfare in the 1500s.
THINGS TO DO
We have to head this up with a special mention for our own Watch Building Experience. Join us for a relaxed session where you select and assemble components to make your ideal watch before adding your own personalised engraving, all with refreshments & nibbles on hand. You can find out more about our Watch Building Experiences HERE.
Visiting with kids? The St Andrews Aquarium is a great way to spend a few hours with all the usual treats including seal feeding, reptile handling and a colony of meercats. The Botanic Gardens are also worth a visit and Craigtoun Country Park, just 2 miles from St Andrews, is a whole days worth of fun including a unique miniature railway.
There are also a selection of walking tours to help you get history fix.
Whatever the weather a visit to Janetta's Gelateria to sample their wide range of ice cream is another St Andrews experience to tick off.
Of course, being on the coast means St Andrews boasts not 1 but 2 great beaches, the long sweeping West Sands and the more protected East Sands. Both ideal for a paddle in the water or to laze in the Sun, or for a refreshing walk if the Sun doesn't show its face.
FOOD & DRINK
St Andrews really has a great, varied selection for options when it comes to food & drink. From Seafood Ristorante, awarded the best restaurant in Scotland last year boasting 'seafood on the seashore', the Adamsons all round excellence, to Japanese/Korean fusion from CombiniCo and the historic Criterion for great pub grub.
Special mentions go to Fisher & Donaldson (next to the Kartel shop on Church St) for their legendary fudge donuts and the Eden Mill brewery, be sure to take their tour.
SURROUNDINGS
As well as the wealth of things to do in St Andrews it's also a great base to explore the surroundings. Be sure to travel South around the coastline of Fife and experience the fishing villages of Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans and Elie. Be sure to stop at Anstruther to sample the multiple award winning fish'n'chips at the Anstruther Fish Bar on the harbour.
Travelling further North, Dundee's newly opened V&A museum is worth a visit while golfer will want to continue up the coast to Carnoustie and another famous Scottish golf town.
