Tour of Prestwick

Right is a view showing Prestwick Cross with the road straight ahead leading to the airport and the road to the left leading to the rail station, Old Prestwick Golf Course and beach. This area of Prestwick has a good variety of pubs for food and entertainment and restaurants.

A right turn at the train station leads to the old church of St Nicholas built in the 1100s. There is a cycle lane from the train station that runs past this church all the way to Troon.

Only a few hundred yards west of Prestwick Cross, next to the Train Station, is Prestwick Golf Club, known by many as Old Prestwick. This was the first course to host the Open Championship when the tournament began in 1860.

There are another two fine courses in Prestwick along with many more only a few miles north at Troon and Irvine. Some Prestwick hotels have great views over the course.

Website: www.prestwickgc.co.uk.

All courses: www.ayrshirescotland.com/ayrshiregolf

Past the train station and Old Prestwick golf course is the beach area. The view left shows the indoor play area to the north of the beach with a large car park free of charge.

Prestwick has a long sandy beach with grassland that runs alongside. There is an outdoor kids play area midway along the beach.

Left is a view of the south end of the beach where the Prestwick Sailing Club is situated. Looks like there is a race about to begin.

Bruce’s Well is situated to the south of Prestwick on Maryborough Road. Robert the Bruce drank from the well when conducting his guerrilla campaign against the English occupiers of Scotland. He thought the water from the well reduced the severity of his skin disease, probably leprosy. This led to him returning to the well as often as possible. It is believed St Ninian’s chapel (now a ruin west of the well) was built or restored by Bruce after his ascension to the Scottish throne.

Prestwick tennis, badminton and fitness centre is situated on Whinfield Place off Ayr Road, south of Prestwick Cross. The indoor and outdoor tennis courts are open to members and non-members from 7am - 11pm with the outdoor courts being free of charge.

Non-members rates for the indoor courts are about Adult £14.40per hour off peak or £17 per hour peak, juniors £7.60 off peak and £10 peak. For further information on these facilities phone 01292 474 700 or visit the website at www.prestwicksportsandleisure.co.uk.

Prestwick Indoor Bowling Club is situated off Ayr Road to the south of Prestwick town centre. This private bowling club can be visited by members of other clubs throughout the world or as guests of members. For enquiries phone 01292 477 802. There is a mid sized indoor swimming pool next to the bowling club.

Prestwick Flying Club is situated at the south end of Prestwick Airport. Information on joining the club, looking to gain your pilots licence or just curious about flying and would like a test flight visit the website www.prestwickflyingclub.co.uk.

For more information on Prestwick and its airport history, visit the website www.mcintyre.demon.co.uk.