Most StAnza events take place at the Byre Theatre, our festival hub on Abbey Street. We also use some of St Andrews' most beautiful historic and modern spaces, all within walking distance of the Byre.
Every venue below has access information. If you have any questions about getting into or around a venue, email stanza@stanzapoetry.org or see accessibility at the festival.
Festival hub
The Byre Theatre
The Byre foyer is the place to meet, browse the bookstall and catch your breath between readings.
The Byre is our festival hub, where you can buy tickets, eat and drink, and where most of the festival's events and exhibitions take place. The theatre's history reaches back to 1933; the current building (2001) was designed by award-winning architects Nicol Russell Studios of Broughty Ferry, Dundee, and is owned by the University of St Andrews.
StAnza spaces: Auditorium, Studio, Conference Room and exhibition spaces.
Access
The Byre is fully accessible, with level access to both public entrances and a lift to all floors. There are wheelchair spaces with unrestricted views in both performance spaces.
The Auditorium and Studio both have a hearing loop. Let the Byre know before you book and they'll have a hearing loop pack ready for you. Their systems also work with the 'T' setting on hearing aids.
Detailed information is on the Byre's accessibility page, or contact the box office on byreboxoffice@st-andrews.ac.uk or 01334 475000 during opening hours.
- Address
- Abbey Street, St Andrews
- Website
- byretheatre.com
- Phone
- 01334 475000
Venue
Parliament Hall
Parliament Hall was the meeting place of the Scots Parliament in 1645 and 1646. It sits in St Mary's Quadrangle at St Mary's College, where a large holm oak is around 275 years old and another ancient tree - a thorn - is said to have been planted by Mary Queen of Scots in the sixteenth century.
It's home to our Poetry Market on the Sunday of the festival.
Access
There is a step up into the venue. A portable ramp is available for wheelchair access - let StAnza or the Byre box office know in advance and we'll be happy to help. Email stanza@stanzapoetry.org or call the Byre on 01334 475000.
There is level access to an accessible toilet on the ground floor.
- Address
- St Mary's Quadrangle, South Street
- Website
- ace.st-andrews.ac.uk
Venue
Wardlaw Museum
The Wardlaw Museum takes visitors inside the University, with four galleries on its groundbreaking research and global impact, showcasing its art, history, science and natural history collections.
With temporary exhibitions, interactive experiences for all ages and a beautiful sea view from the terrace and garden, it's a major cultural space for St Andrews and hosts collaborative, cross-artform events at StAnza.
Access
The building is wheelchair accessible, with wide automatic doors at the entrance, a lift to the first floor and an accessible toilet on the ground floor. The galleries have wide walkways.
More detail is on Euan's Guide.
- Website
- st-andrews.ac.uk/wardlawmuseum
- Phone
- 01334 461660
Venue
North East Fife Community Hub
The North East Fife Community Hub is a sustainable community facility with a wide range of activities to reduce loneliness, support mental and physical wellbeing, and promote social inclusion. It welcomes the whole community, especially anyone facing health needs, social isolation or financial hardship.
StAnza partners with the Hub on free 'Bring your own poem' sharing events, where everyone is welcome.
Access
There is level access throughout and accessible toilets. For more detail, email office@nefch.org.
- Website
- nefch.org
Venue
The Laidlaw Music Centre
The Laidlaw Music Centre is a purpose-built music centre designed by Flanagan Lawrence architects and completed in 2020. Its McPherson Recital Room is a state-of-the-art auditorium with world-leading acoustics, and the building sometimes hosts festival performances and exhibitions.
Access
There is step-free access throughout. Some corridor doors need opening by hand, but festival and venue staff will be on hand to help at all StAnza events. There are accessible toilets on the ground and first floors.
- Website
- st-andrews.ac.uk/music
- Phone
- 01334 462226
Other venues we use
Depending on the year's programme, we also hold events in these venues.
Venue
Holy Trinity Church
The most historic church in St Andrews, dedicated in the 13th century. The current building dates from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.
StAnza spaces: the Nave, the Hunter and Memorial Aisle, and the Vestry.
Access
There is an accessible main entrance with a ramp, and access throughout.
- Website
- holyt.co.uk
Venue
The Cosmos Centre
A community centre founded in 1971 to support community education and offer recreation, sport and leisure for people of all ages in and around St Andrews. We've used its sports hall and coffee area for our Poetry Market and showcase events.
Access
The Cosmos Centre is fully accessible.
- Website
- cosmoscentre.org.uk
- Phone
- 01334 474140
Venue
St Andrews Heritage Museum and Garden
This 17th century house and garden sits in the oldest part of St Andrews and was one of the area's earliest homes. The museum shines a spotlight on social, working and domestic life in the town.
Access
Because of its historic construction, the building has a narrow entrance and stairs up to the gallery, so it is not currently accessible to wheelchair and mobility scooter users. Everyone is welcome in the garden and outdoor areas - email museum@stapt.org.uk or call 01334 477629 and the staff will be happy to support your visit. Read the museum's accessibility statement.
- Website
- standrewsmuseum.com
Venue
Bell Pettigrew Museum
The University of St Andrews' natural history museum.
Access
The museum is on the ground floor and is accessible for wheelchair users. Accessible parking is at Door C, with vehicle access from Queen's Terrace.
Venue
J & G Innes
On the corner of South Street and Church Street, J & G Innes is one of St Andrews' historic bookshops and has hosted book launches and exhibitions for many years. It stocks books by all of the festival poets and helps us run a pop-up bookshop at events.
StAnza spaces: the pop-up bookshop in the Byre, and the exhibition space upstairs in the shop.
Access
The shop is at street level with two doors, including one wide door with no steps. The upstairs gallery is up a flight of stairs, with no wheelchair access.
- Website
- jg-innes.co.uk
- Phone
- 01334 472174
Venue
The Senior School Yurt, St Leonards School
Where better to hold our intimate round tables than in a yurt with an open fire! StAnza volunteers will meet you in the main St Leonards quad and show you the way. Please arrive at least five minutes before the event starts.
Access
There are four steps up into the yurt, so it is not accessible for wheelchair users.
- Website
- stleonards-fife.org
- Phone
- 01334 472126
