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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

St Andrews

27 replies

Reusername · 26/04/2021 15:14

Hi, we are going up to stay in St Andrews in August to allow my DS to see the town (before applying to uni). I am struggling to understand the town layout when looking on airbnb.

I want to pick somewhere so that my son can have a walk round each day and get a feel for the town. So.....can I ask which streets are actually the nicest? Where is the main town centre? Are there any areas full of cafes etc which are nice but lively?

Thank you.

OP posts:
Chemenger · 26/04/2021 15:23

St Andrews is very small. South St and Market St are where all the shops etc are. Most of North St has university buildings on one side. Those three streets make up the "city centre" such as it is! The main areas he will be interested in are round there, the science campus which is slightly out of the centre, opposite the golf courses and maybe the big David Russell halls of residence out on Buchanan Gardens. Anywhere in St Andrews will be fine for walking around, nothing is very far away. It will be busy in August (Covid permitting) with tourists, but no students, out of season it is quieter.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 26/04/2021 16:09

Yes its tiny, and very walkable, as the PP has said, anything city centre will be fine. Yoh should definitely take a visit to Janettas the ice cream shop, and thd Balgove steak barn is the best steak I've ever eaten, its also got Veggie options too

Chemenger · 26/04/2021 16:24

I love the steak barn. Janetta's queue is always massive in summer, but worth the wait. If you like queuing the Anstruther Fish Bar is also worth a visit Grin, in Anstruther not St Andrews. The fishing museum there is good too.

Spring2021 · 26/04/2021 17:32

F

Original poster
Reusername · 26/04/2021 18:27

I love that there is a Fishing Museum.

So should I aim for something North Street, South Street or Castle Street?

I actually have mobility issues currently due to bad joints so less walking the better !!

OP posts:
Chemenger · 26/04/2021 18:38

I’d say south St or Market St puts you closer to more shops and cafes although North St is fine too. The streets linking them, Church St or Bell St would be good too, but I’m not sure about parking (which can be tricky in central St Andrews anyway).
I would want to be close to Fisher and Donaldsons bakery for easy access to their amazing cakes as well, but you can send your DS out for those (more queuing).

Chemenger · 26/04/2021 18:40

The fishing museum is in Anstruther not St Andrews, about 10 miles away. You should explore the East Neuk villages while you are there, very pretty.

Layray · 26/04/2021 18:44

Most of my family live in St Andrews so I know the area well. There’s not much between the streets you have mentioned, all within a 5 min walk of each other. Those streets are all flat so that should make walking easier. The issue you will have if you get somewhere so close to the centre is parking as most Airbnb’s with parking will be slightly further out.

TheCanyon · 26/04/2021 18:53

@Chemenger

The fishing museum is in Anstruther not St Andrews, about 10 miles away. You should explore the East Neuk villages while you are there, very pretty.
Anster is my home town, not been to the fisheries in at least 20 years and swear it's fusty smell is ingrained in my brain.

You won't want to stay anywhere South of kinness burn otherwise there's big hills to climb up to the town. Try get somewhere on the scores/East scores

Original poster
Reusername · 26/04/2021 19:02

Great. I'll check out about the parking for any airbnbs. Hadn't thought about that as an issue.

OP posts:
Icannever · 28/04/2021 09:00

Parking and stairs are your issue in the middle of town I’m afraid, most town centre properties will be flats, also you might struggle to find anything at all in st.Andrews. You might be best with a couple of days in a hotel in the middle
Of town and then a holiday somewhere else? It really would only take a couple of days to see everything you need to. Just bear in mind the atmosphere in summer is very different to when the uni is back. Summer is all golf tourists and bad traffic 😀

Original poster
Reusername · 28/04/2021 09:22

Thanks. We only want a couple of nights as we are enrolee to our main holiday in the Highlands.

Out of interest, to those of you who live there, what is it like when the students are there? I can imagine busy but I was wondering if there is lots going on and how lively it is. I am a bit worried that DS would feel quite isolated in a a little town 500 miles from home!

OP posts:
Ohdeariedear · 28/04/2021 09:27

You could literally do it in a day - why not stay in Dundee, go to the V&A and go over to St A for a day (or an afternoon/evening).

I love St Andrews, it’s my favourite day trip to go and have a mooch around the shops, walk to the beach/along the Scores, get a Fisher and Donaldson box for the drive home and a Janettas ice cream for the walk back to the car. Heaven.

Wbeezer · 28/04/2021 09:32

It's very busy, the student culture in St Andrews has evolved to compensate for the small town setting and they "make their own entertainment" with very active student socities and events (normally). There are no large nightclubs but you can always go to Dundee if you like that sort of thing, they have a very large well reviewed student union. It helps if you are a joiner in type but my more introverted son found clubs that suited him and now runs one of them.

UCOinanOCG · 28/04/2021 09:32

I live in St Andrews. It is basically three streets and fairly easy to get around. Some of the streets are cobbled but the pavements are wide and good. The bit by the harbour is very steep for getting up and down to the town. There are lots of B&Bs down Murray Park and some small hotels along North Street. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants everywhere in the town and all are easily accessible. I hope you have a great visit. If you want a guide when you are here then let me know! My DH and I are alumni of the uni and I am back there as a student now I am retired doing a part time degree.

Wbeezer · 28/04/2021 09:34

I'd agree that a one day is fine to see St Andrews, more if you want to explore the East Neuk too.

rainbowthoughts · 28/04/2021 09:37

There won't be a 'normal' amount of students around in August. A couple of hours to walk round town, have a coffee etc will be more then enough. If he wants a 'feel' for the place with students I would say to go in October nice the freshers have settled and things are becoming normal for them all. Excepting covid of course.

Wbeezer · 28/04/2021 09:37

@Ohdeariedear we do that too, and stop off at the chip shop in Cupar on the way home.
Toppings bookshop is a must visit.

Ohdeariedear · 28/04/2021 09:40

@Wbeezer which chippie? Asking for a friend.....😂

Wbeezer · 28/04/2021 09:43

Lubos 🙂

Ohdeariedear · 28/04/2021 09:48

Noted! Thanks.

Icannever · 28/04/2021 10:26

Be careful with your Janettas ice creams and the walk back to the car. This year the seagulls are extra evil! 😀.
Also Luvians actually does better ice cream, less choice but more flavour and smaller queues

Horehound · 28/04/2021 10:30

It's busy with students but they are all nice students! The whole place is lovely!

Original poster
Reusername · 29/04/2021 19:40

I'm looking forward to the trip now!

OP posts:
TheCanyon · 30/04/2021 21:14

When I was a kid Janettas had THE best pick n mix, I hope for your sake they still have it. I worked at Castlemount b&b on the scores as a teen, it's front rooms and dining room especially look over at Andrews castle, the view is unreal. Linda-anne and Jerry are so wholesome and just homely. My dm works at the ardgowan and playfair, don't stay there!!!

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