Location: Arbroath
Top Things to do in Arbroath
What to do and see in Arbroath, United Kingdom (UK): The Best Places and Tips
Arbroath (/ɑːrˈbroʊθ/) or Aberbrothock (Scottish Gaelic: Obar Bhrothaig, [opəɾˈvɾo.ɪkʲ]) is a former royal burgh and the largest town in the council area of Angus in Scotland, and has a population of 23,902. It lies on the North Sea coast, around 16 miles (25.7 km) ENE of Dundee and 45 miles (72.4 km) SSW of Aberdeen.
Restaurants in Arbroath
1. Lunan Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
Foremans Cottage is a stylish and sophisticated retreat on Lunan Bay Beach. It has been featured in many glossies and with its 3 bedrooms, one with ensuite roll top, drench showers, and open fireplaces and log burner, it is ideal for a romantic break, families and a get away from it all break. The beach at Lunan is idyllic all year round.
Reviewed By johnhouston2 - Knaresborough, United Kingdom
With attractive sand dunes, a sweep of clean, golden sands, and even a ruined castle overlooking the bay, this beach is very good indeed. I'm not sure how busy it gets in summer, but today it was perfect and the car park coped easily.
There is also a cafe - The Lunan Diner.
2. Signal Tower Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By simbocush
Superb little museum. 5 or 6 rooms packed with interest and information and no entrance fee!
Fascinating subject. The film presentation conveys the drama and importance of Bell Rock in maritime history.
Rounded our visit off with a 'smokie' from Spinks' harbourside smokehouse. Brilliant.
3. Arbroath to Auchmithie Coastal Path
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By johnhouston2 - Knaresborough, United Kingdom
This part of the coast has lots of red-coloured, rugged rocks and is very attractive, and the sleepy fishing village of Auchmithie has a certain charm, with several attractive fishermen's cottages.
The harbour here is now rather desolate, but it is interesting to read about the history of the village and the origins of the "smokie". There is also a nice, traditional Scottish restaurant.
4. Arbroath Abbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 317 reviews
Arbroath Abbey is a testament to the dynamic piety of Scotland’s medieval monarchs. It was founded in 1178 by King William I ‘the Lion’ as a memorial to his childhood friend Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was murdered in 1170.
Reviewed By Angus E - Kirriemuir, United Kingdom
Been here before but it was a very fine day on Sunday, the sun was high and the stones of this fine historic monument were at their very reddest. Arbroath Abbey is a wonderful edifice ... even as a virtual ruin, as it still stands today. The red sandstones are soft and suffer their weathering to reveal a very picturesque, almost impressionist, view of what might have been in the abbey's heyday of political intrigue and turmoil. Indeed, an old name for Arbroath itself was 'Auld Redsteen' as, of course, the whole town was at one time so built.
5. West Links Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By thetravellingmanUk - uk
We had a drive to Arbroath in the afternoon and stopped off here.
Free parking, we managed to get a space but the car park was fairly busy, even at this time of year.
Just before the commencement of the park is an amusement arcade with a small indoor funfair and cafe. The funfair and café are only open at certain times, so best checking opening times before travelling if this is of importance.
At the start of the park is a fairly large play park, more suited to younger children and it is themed around Alice in Wonderland with many Alice in Wonderland figures.
Further along is a paddling pool, and at this point the park starts to widen out with a large open green area. There is a skate park too.
Caravan site, supermarket and a fast food outlet are all well within easy reach of the park.
One can walk the length of the park, which is a fair size, on a path next to the sea, which eventually leads on to a coastal walk where the park ends.
The park offers other facilities including go-karts, mini golf, and what looks like quad biking for the younger ones, a few small retail outlets, and there is also a train which runs through the park - however, all of the above are seasonal, charges apply, but all were closed today.
The park also has Seating, picnic/barbeque benches, and would make a great family day out. Busy today with families, couples and dog walkers.
6. Webster Theatre
Overall Ratings
5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By dqhshaw - London, United Kingdom
We weren't really expecting much, but, on a Sunday morning, this theatre was quite delightful! We went to watch the local panto; Cinderella. The cast was tremendous and made everybody laugh. It was also a great opportunity for the youngsters to come up and dance. It was quite modern inside compared to the rest of Arbroath and the seats were comfy. I would recommend this theatre and Cinderella to all the family.
7. Kerr's Miniature Railway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By Jeremy W - Wroughton, United Kingdom
Nice train ride for children. Trains were hauled by a petrol driven locomotive. But there is also 2 steam engines. People running it are very helpful. Also has a collection of miniature road vehicles
8. Hospitalfield Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Dedicated to contemporary art and ideas, Hospitalfield is a place to work, study, learn, visit and enjoy
Reviewed By macclesfieldgourmand - Matlock, United Kingdom
I booked for Wednesday afternoon, with afternoon tea to follow. Alec was an excellent guide. In specifically wanted to see the picture that Patruck Allan Fraser had painted of William Henderson, vicar of St Mary's Episcopalian Church, Arbroath. William's wife was my greatx4 aunt. It was a lovely painting in a glorious setting, and the house is delightful. Well worth a visit.
9. Arbroath Harbour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Johnsvote - Erskine, United Kingdom
This is a nice place to sit on a summers day and enjoy the harbour. Get an ice cream or have a fish supper (watch out for those pesky seagulls) and watch the world go by. In autumn and winter you'll get a different experience! The harbour is quite near the local shops. Go enjoy yourself!
10. St Vigeans Stones and Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 19 reviews
It is hard to believe that this sleepy Angus village of St Vigeans was once the centre of a royal estate and of huge religious importance, bustling with prayerful pilgrims and monks. Admittedly, this was more than 1,000 years ago, so visitors could be forgiven for missing the evidence that is scattered around and in the walls of the late medieval church (not HS) perched on a striking 40ft mound in front of them.The most important indications of the village’s powerful past can be found, however, in two adjoining sandstone cottages along its only street. Within their walls in Historic Scotland’s museum are housed 38 carved stones, which had once stood up on the old church mound to broadcast early messages of the true Christian faith. The newly refurbished museum gives overdue recognition to the significance of the carvings. ‘The stones are among the last and very finest expressions of Pictish art, which makes them tremendously important – part of our national collection of the earliest art of Scotland. The quality of carving on some of the stones is as good as anything in Western Europe at that time. These included the Drosten Stone, a cross-slab dating from the early 800s and inscribed in both Latin and Pictish, carved on one side with a cross and on the other with figures and symbols; a house shrine; and a fragment of a huge freestanding cross. As well as their historical significance, there is much to intrigue visitors in the carvings, such as devilish imps, saintly figures and bizarre beasts. There are also vivid depictions of the everyday life of the Picts. They illustrate the reality of their world: details of contemporary costumes, riding equipment, and a crossbow man.
Reviewed By Jane A - Mallow, Ireland
If you're driving from the Forfar direction, the museum isn't that easy to find as there are no brown tourist signs to the attraction. The ordinary white roadsign to St Vigeans is the one you take, going through a rather unpromising industrial area and modern housing developments - but eventually a sign to the Museum and church does appear .It may be easier to find from Arbroath. The difficulty matters because the museum is only open by appointment and we were concerned that the guide might have given up on us as we were late. The hamlet of St Vigeans with its church on a hill is delightful and the museum is worth the effort of getting inside as there are wonderful things to see as well as a helpful guide to explain them. We found Meigle more enjoyable so if you are on a Pictish treasure hunt, we'd recommend saving it until after St Vigeans.
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