Preston Mill car park

The car park at Preston Mill sits right next to one of Scotland's best-preserved water mills, just outside Dunbar on the East Lothian coast. It's functional rather than fancy - a proper little lay-by really - but it's the starting point for something genuinely worthwhile. The mill itself dates back to the 17th century and still has its original machinery intact, which is rare enough to make the visit feel special.

Walkers use this as a base to explore the wider area, and it's well-positioned for a coastal ramble. The mill operates as a visitor attraction run by the National Trust for Scotland, and you can pop inside to see how grain was milled centuries ago. It's educational without being tedious, and the old building has real character - the kind of place that makes you actually think about how people worked.

If you're staying at Belhaven Bay Caravan Park, it's barely four miles away, making Preston Mill an easy afternoon stop. You're looking at maybe an hour if you combine a mill visit with a quick walk along the Water of Tyne. It's not going to blow your mind, but it fills a gap well in an East Lothian itinerary. Admission is charged - modest fees - and opening varies seasonally, so ring ahead before you go. The car park itself is free, though you'll want to pop into the mill shop while you're there.