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St Andrews · Historical
St Andrews Cathedral and Castle
Start with the free cathedral ruins, then add the clifftop castle if your children still have an appetite for history. They are separate sites, so you can keep this to a short stop or visit both before lunch in St Andrews. Most of the visit is outdoors, and several indoor areas are currently closed.
- Best ages
- School-age children and older
- Entry
- Free cathedral grounds · paid castle
- Weather
- Mostly outdoors · limited shelter
- Allow
- 2-3 hours for both · shorter for cathedral only
Our family take
The cathedral ruins and castle courtyards give families two different glimpses of medieval St Andrews, with the town close by for a break. This is best for school-age children and older who enjoy ruins and Scottish history, with time for another stop in St Andrews.
The practical details
Plan your visit
- Cathedral or both?
- Cathedral grounds are free. The castle has separate admission: online adult £10, child (7-15) £5; under-7s free but need a ticket. In-person adult £11, child £5.50.
- Current closures
- The cathedral museum and shop are closed, with parts of the graveyard fenced off. At the castle, the mine, countermine and Bishop's Apartments are closed.
- Winter opening
- Both sites open daily, 10am-4pm, from October to March. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing. Both close on 25-26 December and 1-2 January.
- Two entrances
- Cathedral: The Pends, KY16 9QL, via the memorial gate. Castle: The Scores, KY16 9AR. The map pin below is for the cathedral.
4 October 2026
Visit official websiteA little more detail
Make it work for your family
What the visit is like
The cathedral is an open-air ruin and graveyard, with tall surviving walls showing how large the church once was. At the castle, the open courtyards, towers and interior spaces offer more to look around, and the visitor centre has an exhibition with audio-visual displays. The closed tunnels should not be the reason you book.
Younger children can come too, though the appeal is the ruins and stories. Keep the history stop short if they mainly need room to run, and leave time for Craigtoun Country Park. In wet or windy weather, the castle exhibition gives you a break indoors, but it cannot turn both sites into a sheltered day out. St Andrews Aquarium is a nearby indoor alternative; check its access limits if you use a buggy or wheelchair.
St Rule's Tower and choosing your day
Free cathedral guided tours can include an opportunity to climb St Rule's Tower at the end. Email standrewscathedral.vo@hes.scot for timings and availability before promising the climb to your children. Ask about the climb's suitability for your family if stairs or mobility are a concern.
In April-September, both sites open daily, 9.30am-5.30pm, with last entry 45 minutes before closing. Book a castle arrival slot in advance to guarantee entry, adding a free ticket for each under-7. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Buggies, steps and getting there
The cathedral memorial gate gives level access to a compacted gravel path. Away from the main paths, expect steps, raised thresholds and gravestones underfoot. Keep children clear of fenced areas and close by around the gravestones.
At the castle, a ramp leads into the level visitor centre. The route to the courtyard crosses reinforced grass and a wooden bridge, while upper floors and towers involve stone steps, including spiral stairs. With a buggy or wheelchair, plan around the courtyard and visitor centre rather than expecting access to every level.
There is nearby on-street parking, but no dedicated castle visitor car park. One accessible bay is outside the castle; cathedral drop-off is by the war memorial at the top of North Street. If you arrive by bus or park elsewhere in town, allow for the walk to the two entrances.
Toilets, changing and lunch
The castle has toilets, including an adapted toilet beside the exhibition. Do not rely on toilets at the cathedral; plan a stop in town if you are only visiting the free grounds. Baby changing is not confirmed, so email standrewscastle.vo@hes.scot if that will affect your plans.
There is a picnic area and self-service tea and coffee at the castle. For a family lunch, leave time for St Andrews town rather than expecting a full café meal on site.
Plan the rest of your day
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