What is there to see at the Wardlaw Museum?
With thematic galleries, a programme of changing exhibitions, a wide range of gifts in the shop, events, audio tours and one of the best views in St Andrews, the Wardlaw Museum offers something for everyone.
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The Research Studio is an experimental space where you'll find the latest new thoughts, discoveries and ideas from experts at the University of St Andrews.
Content is created by the researchers themselves, often in short timescales to ensure you can encounter the latest findings.
Ways of Undoing presents: video essays in the archive
Professor Lucy Fife Donaldson, Dr Colleen Laird and Dr Dayna McLeod
In the Research Studio from 17th September to 29th October.
How can video essays animate an archive?
This exhibition presents work created by 19 video essayists from around the world during the ‘Unthinking the Archive’ workshop in St Andrews and Dundee in July 2026. Exploring personal, institutional and even imagined archives, participants experimented with absence, materiality, and obsolescence through a series of exercise prompts, working with the University of St Andrews’ Collections and printmaking at Dundee Contemporary Arts.
Credits: Supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and the Department of Film Studies, University of St Andrews.
Featuring work by: Jiří Anger and Veronika Hanáková, Nilüfer Neslihan Arslan, Lucy Fife Donaldson, Cormac Donnelly, Lily Ford, John Gibbs, Catherine Grant, Marilia Kaisar, Ritika Kaushik, Christian Keathley, Colleen Laird, Dayna McLeod, Fahad Naveed, Viktoria Paranyuk, Alison Peirse, Andrew Philip, Maksim Selezniov, and Charlotte Scurlock.
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If you don't have much time, you can see the key highlights of the museum in 15 minutes, available via our Bloomberg Connects guide. Our staff will also be happy to recommend things to see.
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Whether you're an art lover, a history buff, keen on science or something else entirely, there's a good chance the museum will have something that interests you. Tell our staff about your special interest to get recommendations for your visit.
Exhibitions change several times a year and our events programme offers a range of talks, workshops and chances to meet experts. See what's on right now, or email museumlearning@st-andrews.ac.uk to join our mailing list.
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If you're part of a big group or an organised tour it's a good idea to phone before your visit. This will allow us to prepare for your arrival and make it an enjoyable experience.
We also offer free guided tours for groups. You can request this when you phone, or by speaking to a member of staff when you arrive.
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If you would like to visit the Museum when it's quiet, try:
- quiet openings:
- the first Sunday of the month between 10am and midday
- the third Thursday of the month between 2pm and 5pm
- free relaxed drawing sessions on Wednesdays between 3pm and 5pm, where you can sit in the galleries and sketch what you see (all materials are provided and all abilities are welcome)
Our events programme is designed around the Five Ways to Wellbeing.
Links to external sites and information
The University is not liable for external web content and may not be aware when this content is changed or removed.
- quiet openings:
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The Wardlaw Museum aims to offer a warm welcome to families. You will find:
- free activity backpacks to encourage deeper engagement with the displays
- free sensory backpacks for those who need them
- a variety of hands-on interactive elements to encourage exploration of the galleries
The Learning Loft
Only available when not used for events, the Learning Loft offers:
- a quiet space for breastfeeding (welcome throughout the museum)
- craft activities, toys and games
- a space to eat your packed lunch
See more on facilities at the Wardlaw Museum.
Free events
- 'Wee Wardlaws' for pre-school children and whoever looks after them, on the first Friday of every month.
- Regular workshops during school holidays.
- Family fun days three times a year.