Hailes Castle

The ruins of Hailes Castle sit on a bend of the River Tyne, a few miles south of Dunbar, and they're genuinely worth seeking out if you're staying in the area. What remains are substantial stone walls from a 14th-century fortress - towers, gateways, the bones of what was once a proper stronghold. You can walk right up to the ruins; there's no fence keeping you out, which is rather refreshing.

The site itself is peaceful. The river runs alongside, trees provide shelter, and on a clear day you get decent views across the Lowland countryside. Allow twenty minutes to half an hour to have a proper look around - it's not a sprawling complex, so you won't spend hours here. The ground's a bit uneven in places, so it's not ideal if you're pushing a buggy, but walkers will find it accessible enough.

Historically minded visitors will appreciate the medieval detail work still visible on the stonework. Kids might enjoy the scramble aspect and the river setting, though the ruins themselves don't tell much of a story without prior knowledge. It works well as a stop during a walk through the surrounding farmland rather than a destination in its own right.

If you're based at Belhaven Bay Caravan Park, you're barely five miles away. It makes sense as a half-hour detour before or after exploring Dunbar itself. Free to visit, no facilities on site, and best in dry weather when you can actually get close to the stonework without slipping.