Things to do in St Andrews when it rains

Wardlaw is a useful first choice when the forecast removes the beach from your plans. Its galleries span several subjects, so a group does not have to share one specialist interest. Allow an hour to an hour and a half, then decide whether to continue with the current exhibition or take a meal break. Check the exhibition programme before travelling for a particular show, and ask whether the Learning Loft is available if someone needs a quieter pause. The World Golf Museum offers a different indoor focus near the western end of the seafront. It is paid, with family concessions and free carer admission under the current policy. You do not need a tee time or a previous interest in playing to follow the equipment, clothing and people behind the sport. Some galleries have low lighting; stools, sensory resources and the Learning Room can help make the visit more comfortable. Ask staff about access to the raised putting platform. St Andrews Museum in Kinburn Park is a free alternative close to the bus station. Its permanent A–Z exhibition gives a grounding in the town, alongside changing art displays. Check the day carefully: the normal schedule is Monday–Saturday, not Sunday. The side ramp and call point provide the accessible entrance, with a lift to the upper floor. Allow roughly an hour before lunch rather than depending on a small museum to occupy a whole wet day. For a full indoor day, choose two museums that appeal to you, with at least an hour for food and the transfer. Wardlaw to the golf museum is roughly fifteen to twenty minutes on foot as a planning estimate, and that walk is still outdoors. Use a taxi if the weather or your mobility makes it uncomfortable. Check both closing times before buying a late ticket; a ticket slot is not proof that every facility stays open afterwards. For a shorter day, keep one museum and an unhurried meal. The castle visitor centre provides an indoor introduction, but the ruins remain exposed; the cathedral grounds are roofless and its museum is closed. The Botanic Garden is an outdoor visit, with no old heated-glasshouse escape to rely on. Save those places for better conditions instead of spending a wet afternoon travelling between limited patches of shelter.