The beaches
East Lothian has more than forty miles of coastline. Two of the best beaches are a twenty-minute walk from the gate, and half a dozen more are inside half an hour.
Within walking distance
Both of North Berwick’s town beaches are reachable on foot from the park, downhill on the way there and a bit longer coming back.
West Beach
Wide golden sand a short walk from the town centre, with views straight across the Firth of Forth to the Bass Rock and Craigleith. Good for family days, paddleboarding, long walks and, if you stay late, the sunset.
Milsey Bay, the East Beach
Next to the harbour and the Scottish Seabird Centre, and the better of the two if you have younger children. Soft sand, rock pools to work through and a safe paddling pond.
The islands out front
What makes these beaches different from most is what you are looking at from them. Four islands sit in the Firth of Forth just offshore, and boat trips run out to them from North Berwick harbour.
- Bass Rock
- The world’s largest colony of northern gannets.
- Craigleith
- An important seabird sanctuary.
- Fidra
- Believed to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.
- The Lamb
- A small volcanic island just offshore.
A short drive away
Drive times are from the park gate.
| Yellowcraig | Fidra and its lighthouse straight out in front, a play park, woodland walks and dunes. Accessible viewing platform and pathways, toilets, showers and parking. | 5 min |
|---|---|---|
| Gullane Bents | A huge stretch of sand backed by dunes, with room even in August. Walking, picnics, dog walking, and kite surfers to watch. | 10 min |
| Seacliff | The closest mainland view of the Bass Rock, with Tantallon Castle above the beach and the UK’s smallest working harbour. A small parking charge keeps it as it is. | 10 min |
| Aberlady Bay | Scotland’s first Local Nature Reserve. Salt marsh, sand flats and bird watching. Bring binoculars. | 20 min |
| Tyninghame | Hidden behind woodland and genuinely quiet, with forest walks out to a wide sandy beach. | 20 min |
| Belhaven Bay | Near Dunbar. Surfing, paddleboarding and the Bridge to Nowhere, one of East Lothian’s most photographed things. | 25 min |
| Longniddry Bents | Quieter again, with dunes, woodland and easy access. Good for long walks and cycling. | 25 min |
Twenty minutes from the sand
Book a lodge, a caravan or a glamping cabin on the hill above the beach.