Dating back more than 1,000 years, Prestwick is Scotland’s oldest baronial burgh, tucked along the west coast of Ayrshire with lush landscapes and a sweeping bay overlooking the Firth of Forth. The coastal town is also the famous birthplace of Britain’s Open Golf Championship.
Things to do in Prestwick
Prestwick has three world-class golf courses all boasting perfectly manicured lawns. Tee off at Prestwick Old Course, one of Scotland’s most prestigious clubs boasting an unrivaled stretch of golfing terrain or practice your swing during a game at Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club.
Experience the atmosphere at Ayr Racecourse, the home Scottish horse racing. You can dress to impress at QTS Ladies Night or join the crowds at the Scottish Sun Race Day. Cheer on the horses from the trackside lawn, celebrate your win in the Bucks Fizz Bar and indulge in a first-class feast overlooking the track.
For spectacular views across to the Isle of Arran, walk along the Ayrshire Coastal Path from Prestwick Promenade to Troon Beach. Tuck into fish and chips from The Wee Hurrie and relax on the golden sandy shores while watching the local windsurfers. If you’d like to explore the coast from the sea, hire a boat at Troon Yacht Haven.
Retrace the story of an Ayrshire ploughman, who became one of Scotland’s best-known poets, at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Burns is famous for writing “Scots Wha Hae”, which serves as the unofficial national anthem. Tour the Burns Cottage, where the poet lived until age seven, and explore the monument garden.
Getting around Prestwick
Glasgow Prestwick Airport is a 10-minute taxi or bus from the center of Prestwick. Regular trains run between Prestwick and Glasgow within 45 minutes. Prestwick is a pedestrian-friendly town with taxis, buses and trains available.