West Sands Beach

About this place

Long sandy beach in St Andrews popular for walks and family days out.

This two-mile stretch of sand became instantly recognisable as the beach where the runners train in the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire, and it's still just as striking today, backed by the dunes of the Old Course golf links at one end. It's a proper beach for a full day out - wide, flat and sandy enough for building, kite-flying and long walks - rather than a quick paddle spot, though there are no facilities on the beach itself, so it's worth stopping in St Andrews first. Dogs are welcome, and the scale of the beach means there's usually room to spread out even on a busy day.

Make a day of it — within 5km