St John's Church from Gardenstown
St John's Church from Gardenstown
St John's Church from Gardenstown
4.5
Full view
The area
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Best nearby
Restaurants
2 within 5 kms
Attractions
20 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
23 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
7
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
ja1
16 contributions
Jul 2020
The views back to Gardenstown are good. There are information boards, explaining the links of the area back to the Danes. The path from the beach has warning signs at either end. There is a single track road, not suitable for long camper vans though and a car park to make it a short walk on a good track if you prefer not to walk over rough ground.
Written 27 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan R
15 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
We were staying in Gardenstown and could see the Church from the beach but we decided to take the car round. The road is awful - huge potholes and single track! We got there though and parked in the car park. Its a walk of about a mile further on and uphill to the church and graveyard. Its also known as the Church of the Skulls and has a very interesting history. The views are incredible and well worth the walk.
Written 17 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wattjohna
Fraserburgh, UK7 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
The ruins of St John's Church and Churchyard stand as a sentinel to the fishing village of Gardenstown (or Gamrie) as it is known as by the local villagers. This Church dates back to 1004 and the 'Battle of the Bloody Pots'.
The harbour is possibly one of the most iconic features of the village with a capacity for about 70 pleasure and fishing boats at high season.
The Store at the harbour is open during the summer months where you can acquire a tea or Harbucks coffee accompanied with a huge freshly cooked pancake, for a donation to the harbour fund. It is manned by local volunteers.
Other eateries are the newly opened 'Teapot' at the Bog Corner, The Gallery Tea Room at the New Ground (also seasonal), the Fish Restaurant at the harbour or the famous Garden Arms Hotel at the end of Main Street.
The harbour is in the middle of two beaches, the sandy beach under St John's Church or the shingle beach also called the Sneuk which leads to the neighbouring village of Crovie.
The Sneuk beach is a geologist's dream where you can find volcanic rocks going back to the beginning of time.
A few miles round the coast to the east is the Gannet's roost, one of the largest in the world. It might be best to charter a boat trip for this one but it is well worth the few pounds on one the local boats.
A wonderfully safe place for children and adults alike, artists, authors or those recuperating from illness.
Gardenstown has its own mystical charm and treasures waiting to be discovered.
Situated 8 miles east of Banff or 14 miles west of Fraserburgh.
The harbour is possibly one of the most iconic features of the village with a capacity for about 70 pleasure and fishing boats at high season.
The Store at the harbour is open during the summer months where you can acquire a tea or Harbucks coffee accompanied with a huge freshly cooked pancake, for a donation to the harbour fund. It is manned by local volunteers.
Other eateries are the newly opened 'Teapot' at the Bog Corner, The Gallery Tea Room at the New Ground (also seasonal), the Fish Restaurant at the harbour or the famous Garden Arms Hotel at the end of Main Street.
The harbour is in the middle of two beaches, the sandy beach under St John's Church or the shingle beach also called the Sneuk which leads to the neighbouring village of Crovie.
The Sneuk beach is a geologist's dream where you can find volcanic rocks going back to the beginning of time.
A few miles round the coast to the east is the Gannet's roost, one of the largest in the world. It might be best to charter a boat trip for this one but it is well worth the few pounds on one the local boats.
A wonderfully safe place for children and adults alike, artists, authors or those recuperating from illness.
Gardenstown has its own mystical charm and treasures waiting to be discovered.
Situated 8 miles east of Banff or 14 miles west of Fraserburgh.
Written 17 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Torkm68
Pitmedden, UK897 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
At the end of a dirt road a mile west of Gardenstown are the remains of the Church of St John the Evangelist which was built in 1513, and celebrates the defeat of the Danes at this site in 1004 in the 'Battle of the Bloody Pits'. , the skulls of the defeated Danes were kept in the church as a macabre war memento up to as recently as 130 years ago. Today the church is in ruins but the graveyard is full of ancient stones and memorials and it commands a fantastic view across Gamrie Bay to Gardenstown and Crovie.
Written 5 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen B
Huddersfield, UK37 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
Walking across the beautiful sandy beach you come to a break in the dark red sandstone cliffs, the path takes you up towards the ruins, the path follows a stream and is surrounded by wild flowers and full of insect life. It is not a long walk 15-20 minutes once you leave the beach. Once at the old church it is fascinating to look at the old weather worn grave stones and what is leftvof the building
It has stunning views of Gardenstown and Crovie. I have stayed in Gardenstown with my family many times over the last 20 years and always have visited St John's Church. A lovely family walk.
It has stunning views of Gardenstown and Crovie. I have stayed in Gardenstown with my family many times over the last 20 years and always have visited St John's Church. A lovely family walk.
Written 29 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KDT250817
Dundee, UK30 contributions
Sept 2020
Beautiful views and an excellent look into the history of the area. It is a bit of a trek to get there but well worth it.
Written 2 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gjlw21
Tamworth, UK22 contributions
Apr 2017
The pictures say it all - love the walk up though you can drive round and park up if it's too much from Gardenstown. Some very interesting gravestones to read
Written 18 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DONNA P
87 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
What a view from this churchyard, we were told this is the 2nd oldest churchyard in Scotland. We took the track up from the beach, steep in places but not that far, well worth the hike. The path also carries on up the hill. Views of Gardenstown and Crovie are brilliant.
Written 7 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JWBruce
Scotland30 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
This is an interesting site, so try to do a little background reading. It can be approached by car, though the road is winding and narrow, but better, in fine weather, to walk up the path from lower Gardenstown. The view is spectacular.
Written 20 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
babs089
York, UK52 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
A lovely walk from Gardenstown beach, following a stream, wonderful views from the old churchyard at the top.
Written 4 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good Morning, Please could you tell me how to access the Ruins of St John's Church Gardenstown by car?
Written 28 July 2017
You could take a sharp turn off the road above the ruins, it is signposted, but it is a tight space and I suggest walking up from beach.
Written 28 July 2017
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