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Swilken Bridge - The Home of Golf

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About Swilken Bridge

The Swilken Bridge (also Swilcan Bridge) is a stone arch bridge located in St. Andrews Links golf course, Scotland. It spans the Swilcan Burn, a small stream that flows into the North Sea. The Swilken Bridge is one of the most photographed landmarks in golf and is often referred to as the "Home of Golf". It is an iconic symbol of golf and a popular spot for tourists visiting St. Andrews.
Address : 17 The Links, St Andrews KY16 9JE, UK

Hotels near Swilken Bridge

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Rusacks St. Andrews
0.18 km away from here
This Property Offers:
Breakfast
WiFi
64 Reviews
8.7
$278.46 per nightSelect
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Ardgowan HotelThis Property Offers:
WiFi
13 Reviews
9.2
$84.43 per nightSelect

Things to Do at Swilken Bridge

Swilken Bridge has been featured in many films and television shows and is a popular spot for photographers. The size and shape of the bridge are unique, and it has been copied all over the world. Also, be sure to spend some time exploring the rest of the St. Andrews Links - there's plenty to see and do for golfers of all skill levels.


Top Activities Near Swilken Bridge

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History of Swilken Bridge

The first recorded mention of the Swilken Bridge dates back to 1400, and it is thought to have been built in the early 1300s to help shepherds cross the stream with their livestock. Although the bridge has been rebuilt several times over the centuries, it has retained its original medieval design. Today, the Swilken Bridge is a cherished symbol of the history and tradition of golf, and it continues to welcome players from all over the world to one of the oldest golf courses in the world.

For all its popularity, the Swilken Bridge itself is quite small. At its longest extent, it measures 9 meters long, 2.4 meters wide, and 1.8 meters tall, styled like a Roman arch. The popularity of the bridge also comes from its advantage of having great backdrops on three of its sides- the grand royal and acient clubhouse and Hamilton Grand building on one, often packed enthusiasts on another, and rolling hills facing towards the north sea.


Best Time to Visit Swilken Bridge

Swilken Bridge has been a witness to some of golf's greatest moments. Visitors come from all over the world to walk across the bridge and feel its history. While any time is a good time to visit Swilken Bridge, the best time is early morning when the mist is still rising off the nearby North Sea. The air is fresh and clean, and the light has a magical quality. The Old Course is quiet at this time of day, and it's easy to imagine that you have stepped back in time.


Tips for Visiting Swilken Bridge

  1. Bring a really good camera. Swilken Bridge is an Instagram-worthy and iconic spot.

Interesting Facts and Trivias About Swilken Bridge

  1. Champions of golf are known to show publicly some sort of respect for the structure.
  2. The Swilken Bridge is one of the most photographed landmarks in Scotland.
  3. There is a life-size stone replica of Swilken Bridge at the World Golf Hall of Fame museum in St. Augustine, Florida.

How Much Time Did Visitors Spend at Swilken Bridge

Swilken Bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in the world. The average time to spend at Swilken Bridge is about 30 minutes. There are often people taking photos or simply enjoying the view from the bridge.


How to Reach Swilken Bridge

There are several ways to reach Swilken Bridge. The most direct route is by car. From the city of Edinburgh, take the M90 and A91 north for approximately 90 kilometers. Exit at St. Andrews and you will not miss Swilken Bridge. Another option is to take a train from Edinburgh to Leuchars Station. From there, it’s a short drive to Swilken Bridge.


Entrance Fee of Swilken Bridge

There is no entrance fee for Swilken Bridge.


Opening Hours of Swilken Bridge

Swilken Bridge is open 24 hours a day, all days a year.


Attractions Near Swilken Bridge

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Old CourseThe Old Course at St Andrews, also known as the Old Lady or the Grand Old Lady, is considered the oldest golf course in the world. It is a public course over common land in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland and is held in trust by the St Andrews Links Trust under an act of Parliament. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews clubhouse sits adjacent to the first tee, although it is but one of many clubs that have playing privileges on the course, along with some other non-clubhouse owning clubs and
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The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St AndrewsIt is considered the oldest golf course in the world. It is a public course over common land in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland and is held in trust by the St Andrews Links Trust under an act of Parliament. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews clubhouse sits adjacent to the first tee, although it is but one of many clubs that have playing privileges on the course, along with some other non-clubhouse owning clubs and the general public.
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The R&A World Golf MuseumThe R&A World Golf Museum is located opposite the clubhouse of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in St Andrews, Scotland. The R&A owns and operates the museum. The museum, which opened in 1990, documents the history of golf from Medieval times to the present, including the men's and women's games, British and international, both professional and amateur. Exhibits include historic equipment, memorabilia and art work, documentation, the history of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, and the rules and t
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St Andrews MuseumThe St Andrews Museum is a museum focusing on the history of the town of St Andrews in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. The Museum holds a permanent collection of objects of historical value that are related to the town of St Andrews. It explores the history of the town from its beginnings to the present day; as well as also hosting temporary exhibitions.
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St Andrews Botanic GardenSt Andrews Botanic Garden is a beautiful living treasure in the heart of historic St Andrews. It contains more than 8000 species of native and exotic plants. These are laid out in zones of woodland, meadow, shrubbery, herbaceous bedding, a large rockery and a series of ponds. There are also vegetable and herb gardens, and several large greenhouses, one of which contains a butterfly house.
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St Andrews CastleSt Andrews Castle is a ruin located in the coastal Royal Burgh of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. The castle sits on a rocky promontory overlooking a small beach called Castle Sands and the adjoining North Sea. It housed the burgh’s wealthy and powerful bishops while St Andrews served as the ecclesiastical centre of Scotland during the years before the Protestant Reformation. In their Latin charters, the Archbishops of St Andrews wrote of the castle as their palace, signing, "apud Palatium nostrum

Discover More Attractions in Fife, Home of Swilken Bridge

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Fife
Fife is a council area, historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries with Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire. Fife is Scotland's third largest local authority area by population. It has a resident population of just under 367,000, over a third of whom live in the three principal towns, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes.

Location of Swilken Bridge


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