Craigtoun Country Park facts for kids

Craigtoun Country Park is a super fun place to visit! It's about 4 miles from St Andrews in Fife, Scotland.

The 'Dutch Village' at Craigtoun Country Park.

This park used to be part of a big estate called Mount Melville. In 1947, Fife Council bought 47 acres of it to create the park we know today. Since 2012, a charity called Friends of Craigtoun Park helps run all the cool activities there.

A Look Back: The Park's Story

The land where Craigtoun Country Park now sits was once part of the Mount Melville Estate. The Melville family owned this estate since 1698. In the late 1700s, General Robert Melville helped design the gardens. He added lots of trees and fruit orchards.

Later, in 1901, a new owner named Dr. James Younger bought the estate. He was from a famous brewing family. Dr. Younger hired an architect named Paul Waterhouse to design a new house and park. Waterhouse created many of the beautiful parts of the park you can still see today. These include the walled garden, the Cypress avenue, and the rose garden.

In 1920, Waterhouse added lakes and a charming island village. This village is now known as the 'Dutch Village'.

In 1947, Fife Council bought the Mount Melville house and gardens. The big house became a hospital. The gardens were turned into Craigtoun Country Park for everyone to enjoy. Over the years, new attractions were added. These include a bowling green, a stage, and a miniature railway.

In 2012, a group called the Friends of Craigtoun was formed. They work with Fife Council to run the park's fun activities. Since 2013, the Friends of Craigtoun have been operating the attractions. Fife Council still takes care of the park's grounds and gardens.

What Can You Do at Craigtoun Park?

There are so many exciting things to do at Craigtoun Country Park!

Ride the Puffin' Billy Tractor!

One of the most popular rides is the 'Puffin' Billy' vintage tractor. It's a fun way to see parts of the park.

Explore the Dutch Village Lake

You can also enjoy the 'Dutch Village' lake. Here, you can rent rowing boats or pedalos. It's a great way to relax on the water.

Fun Activities for Everyone

• Craigtoun Miniature Railway: Hop aboard the little train for a ride around the park.
• Bouncy Castle: Kids love jumping and playing on the bouncy castle.
• Putting Green: Test your golf skills on the putting green.
• Nature Trail: Grab a free map from the ticket office and explore the park's nature trail.
• Geocaching: If you like treasure hunts, there are four geocaches hidden in the park.
• Fairy Glen: Discover the magical fairy glen.
• Italian Garden: Stroll through the beautiful Italian garden.

Every Saturday morning, there's a free 'Parkrun'. It's a 5-kilometer (about 3.1 miles) run around the park. It's a great way to get active!

Nature's Wonders: Plants and Animals

Craigtoun Country Park is home to many different plants and animals. It has woodlands, water areas, and marshlands. There are also open grassy areas and beautiful gardens.

You can see some special trees planted by Paul Waterhouse. These include the Portuguese Laurel, yew trees, and giant Wellingtonia trees.

The park is also a home for lots of wildlife. You might spot graceful mute swans on the lake. There are also mallards, grey herons, and even red squirrels! Keep an eye out for European water voles too.

Images for kids

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  James Younger, who owned the estate from 1901 to 1946.

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  Cypress Avenue, designed by Paul Waterhouse.

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  The Craigtoun Park train.

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  Boats on the lake at Craigtoun Park.

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  A summer day at the boating pond.