Sandcastle Cottage is situated in the heart of the East Neuk village of Crail. It is a period cottage within the Crail Conservation area. It makes an ideal venue for family holidays or couples looking for a relaxing break by the sea.
The cottage sleeps from 2 - 5 and is within easy walking distance of shops, historic harbour, restaurants, pubs, beaches and children’s play areas.
Nethergate is a quiet street with ample parking.
The cottage is well equipped and modernised throughout. On the ground floor is a living room with TV, DVD, gas fire and a large selection of books and DVD’s (some temporarily removed due to COVID-19 restrictions). A large dining room and kitchen with oven, grill, gas hob, dishwasher, washer/dryer, fridge/freezer and microwave. A large selection of crockery ensures you have everything you need to prepare a great family meal. The dining room has ample room to entertain family and friends as a number of our guests have done in the past. The downstairs bathroom has a large bath with electric shower. On the upper floor there are two bedrooms: one with a double bed and en-suite shower room; the other with 3 single beds. A travel cot and high chair are provided free of charge for our younger guests.
The cottage is centrally heated throughout making it a warm place on cold days.
To the rear of the cottage there is a large garden enclosed on all sides. You can also access the garden through a gate leading on to Kirk Wynd. There is a patio with garden furniture and colourful flowerbeds. A great place to relax on hot summer days and somewhere children can play safely.
Crail High Street has a great range of shops providing everything you will need to cater for the family or a special meal. There is an excellent local butcher Penman’s; Fish, Fruit and Off-Licence (Crail Gin a speciality!) Shop Greens; Baker Barnett's where all products are baked locally. The Smoke Fired Whole Foods Shop and Co-op offer essentials and a good selection of wines, beers and spirits. There is also a Pharmacy. Look out for the local fish vans and be sure to visit the harbour or Greens for locally-caught Crail Crab. There is also a farm shop at Barnsmuir on the road between Crail and Anstruther which is worth a visit. If you still want to shop at the supermarket there is a large Co-op at Anstruther only a short drive away. For holiday treats, the Beehive has ices and a selection of sweets and confectionery as well as gifts.
If you don't want to cook then Crail has its own Crail Fish Bar or try the Golf Hotel, The Shorehead (opening 2021) or the Balcomie Hotel, all within walking distance. For coffees and light lunches the Honeypot, Crail Harbour Gallery or the Golf Hotel offer a selection of home baking and freshly prepared food.
There is lots to see and do in the local area. There are 2 children’s play parks at Roome Bay and Crail Primary School for small children. Beechwalk Park has Tennis Courts, Outdoor Gym, Football Pitch and Basketball. A Putting Green is open during the summer months. At Sandcastle Cottage you are never far away from the beach. Roome Bay is an ideal spot for rock pooling, crabbing and fishing as well as beach barbecues. There is also Crail Harbour Beach and the beaches at Kingsbarns and Elie are only a short drive away. The famous Crail Pottery and Crail Gallery are both worth a visit for gifts to take home.
For the golfer, Crail has 2 championship golf courses at Crail Golfing Society. The Balcomie Course was designed by Tom Morris. The courses of Kingsbarns and St Andrews are only a short drive away as well as Anstruther, Charleton, Elie and Lundin Links.
For the walker, the Fife Coastal Path runs past the cottage. There are also some great short walks in and around Crail for the less energetic.
For the cyclist, Crail has some quiet roads with very few cars, offering great views of the sea and surrounding countryside.
For birdwatchers there is a nature reserve at Kilminning Coast on a delightful walk along the Fife Coastal Path to Fife Ness.
There’s lots to do on wet days too. It is Scotland and that is why the countryside looks so green! Close by is the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther; the cold war Scotland's Secret Bunker; East Sands Leisure Centre in St Andrews with its indoor swimming pool; Crail Museum and Heritage Centre; Kingsbarns Distillery and Whisky tour; Eden Mill - Brewery and Distillery near St Andrews; or further afield Sensation Dundee Science Museum, Verdant Works or RMS Discovery.
For that special occasion the East Neuk has a Michelin Star restaurant: The Cellar Anstruther, and Craig Millar at 16 West End St Monans or the Dory Bistro in Pittenweem is only a short bus trip away. Great foodie experiences also at Reilly's Crail Harbour Crab and Lobster Shack, the East Pier Smokehouse St Monans and of course the famous Anstruther Fish Bar.
Throughout the summer months a programme of festivals around the East Neuk provides plenty to entertain: the Crail Food Festival: East Neuk Festival; Crail Festival and Pittenweem Arts Festival amongst others.
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We regularly share updates about things to do in the local area on our Sandcastle Cottage Facebook Page.
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