Craigtoun – fantastic family fun!
The summer holidays may be coming to and end, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Local families will all know of the fun and games that can be had at Craigtoun Country Park. As a profile for our Blog, we decided to take a wee peak and share what’s available year-round …
Craigtoun is set in 47 acres of beautiful country park – just 2 miles west of St Andrews – and the park itself is open 24/7.
Their season runs from Easter to October and they have nine seasonal attractions that are supervised by staff and for which tickets are required …
- The Rio Grande miniature railway
- The Puffin’ Billy road train
- Boating
- Putting
- Crazy Golf
- Bouncy Castles
- Pedal Cars for wee ones
- A Go-Kart track – suitable for older children and adults
- The Park Golf Course
All are ‘weather permitting’ for safety reasons. Visitors can buy individual tickets for each attraction or a day’s wristband, which gives you unlimited use of all the attractions for the duration of your time in the park. These operate every weekend – daily during the school holidays. For a full list of dates ans times for the current season (2024), please visit their Opening Hours page via this link.
Time to refuel!
Nestled right at the heart of the Park is the Craigtoun Café. Since 2016, it has been run by the Friends of Craigtoun. Visitors can enjoy a selection of hot and cold food, cakes and traybakes, teas and coffees and, of course, ice cream. Currently, the cafe is open daily from 10 am.
Step back in time …
Craigtoun has a fascinating history. The park was part of the Mount Melville Estate and was first established in 1698 for General George Melville of Strathkinness. In the late 18th Century, General Robert Melville undertook much of the landscaping – an account from 1790 mentions the purchase and planting of 230 trees. The house and grounds continued in the family’s ownership until the beginning of the last century.
In 1901, a new owner, Dr James Younger of the Younger brewing family, commissioned a new mansion house and landscaping of the park. Much of what you see today dates from this work including formal gardens, a walled garden, Cypress avenue, the rose garden, Italian garden and temple. In 1920, further work added two connected lakes and the picturesque island village which became known as the Dutch Village.
In 1947 the house and grounds were sold by the Younger family to the then Fife County Council. The grounds became Craigtoun Country Park and, by the mid 1960s, many attractions and facilities had been added. Each season’s end was marked with the ‘Craigtoun Illuminations’ – a spectacular fireworks display.
The mansion house became a maternity hospital – and many people living locally will have their own stories of friends and relatives being born there. It closed in 1992. More than thirty years on, it awaits its new chapter after lying derelict for many years.
A new century …
Craigtoun has a new lease of life under the watchful eye of the Friends of Craigtoun.
They have secured the Park’s legacy and it continues to attract all ages from far and wide to enjoy beautiful woodland walks, gardens and family attractions. The best value? For anyone living within a drive of the park, they offer annual passes – for individuals and groups. The passes give you amazing access and 10% off at the cafe.
You can find more and book by clicking on the image below …
Upcoming events …
Craigtoun run a series of annual events. Coming up this autumn? Tickets are now on sale for their Halloween event.
Just click on the image below for more and to but your tickets. But don’t delay, they are limited and will sell out!
Discover more …
This is just a snap shout.
There is much happening on the site including Craigtoun’s support for St Andrews Men’s Shed who now have their watertight shed – secured with all doors, fire-doors and roller doors. This has been a massive project for all involved including many sponsors and supporters. There’s still a great deal of work to do, but all of this has been achieved in the last 12 months. Incredible!
If you want to discover more on Craigtoun Park, you will find much more on their own website – planning your visit, accessibility, a downloadable map of the park, information on volunteering as well as details of venue hire (click on the images below if this is of interest).
Their website can be found via this link. You can email them via this link or call 01334 472013. For directions, this is their postcode for your SATNAV – KY16 8NX
You can follow them on social media – Facebook and Instagram. Oh … and well behaved dogs are welcome!
