Haugh Park

The Haugh at Musselburgh is proper East Lothian countryside - a sprawling nature reserve where the River Esk does its thing and the birds get most of the attention. It's a working landscape, not some manicured park, which means you'll find genuine habitat here rather than ornamental planting. Otter sightings happen, herons are common, and in winter the wildfowl numbers can be impressive.

Walkers get the most from this one. The paths wind through grassland and scrubland without being fussy about it, and there's a real sense of getting somewhere rather than just ticking off a loop. Birdwatchers will bring binoculars and stay for hours. Families with young kids might find it a bit thin on attractions - there's no playground or café - but older children who can walk a decent stretch will enjoy spotting wildlife without the crowds you'd get at more formal nature reserves.

Access appears to be free, though I'd check locally as these things can change. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're serious about it, longer if you're taking your time with the binoculars. Early morning is when you'll see most life.

If you're based at Haven Seton Sands just down the road, this is the sort of place to walk off a rainy morning before heading back for lunch. It won't wow you with drama, but it's genuine, local, and does what a nature reserve should do without pretension.