Okay, so I'm not going to lie, these places can't exactly be called 'unknown'... but they're certainly less talked about, and less frequently visited by students. For me, finding the best spots often means going a little off the beaten track or finding yourself somewhere new completely coincidently. So, during your time in St Andrews, these are all places that I would recommend taking a look at, or at least good places to start your own exploring!
Lade Braes Walk
The Lade Braes path lasts around 2.5km and follows the route of an old mill lade with a history stretching back to the middle ages. This beautiful walk covers fields and runs down the river, making it a perfect place to visit in St Andrews. It runs from Little Carron on Hepburn Gardens all the way to Lade Braes Lane. There are plenty of benches and grassy areas to sit down and spend time along the way. Whether you're looking for a walk or simply just a nice place to spend an afternoon, Lade Braes is a stunning path to explore.
2. Mozza
Despite being a small town, St Andrews is home to a number of restaurants and cafes. At first, you might be drawn to the larger chains like Nandos or Pizza Express, but there are some incredible independents out there that are completely deserving of a visit! Mozza is an Italian restaurant found on Bell Street (the road that links South Street with Market Street). Their pizzas taste amazing and their every day menu is reasonably priced. However, their 6 before 6 deal (£6 for any pizza before 6pm) makes it one of the best value meals out in the town!
3. DRA Duck Ponds
This one sounds a little odd, but bear with me! David Russell Apartments is one of the university owned halls of residence, which might lead you to think that it's a place to avoid. But this is absolutely not the case! The estate is home to two ponds and some beautiful views. Benches and grassy areas surround them offering a lovely place to have a picnic or simply enjoy the scenery. Towards the spring time, ducks (as well as the most adorable ducklings you have ever seen) can be found wandering the DRA paths and ponds. Definitely worth a visit!
4. Library at the Gateway
Let's face it, as a student you're likely to spend a lot of time studying, frequently in the library. Unfortunately, the main university library on North Street is often crowded and noisier than you'd hope for in a work space. The library in the Gateway is a great alternative. Located on the lower floor of the Gateway building on the North Haugh, the space offers a far quieter area to study in. There's normally very few students in there, which means more available tables and computers. It's a perfect substitute for the main library!
5. West Sands + Golf Course Walk
This spectacular stretch (made famous in 'Chariots of Fire') crosses the West Sands beach and the Eden Estuary Nature Reserve before passing through the famous Old Course Gold Course. The path follows the sandy dunes providing stunning views of the sea and the town; it really is a lovely walk and one of the unique places that makes the town so special!
Overall, St Andrews is a spectacular place to be; you can always find stunning views, good food and effective work spaces. But sometimes it's nice to explore some of the less well known spots! I hope you enjoy these suggestions!
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