Seafield Pond

Water this shallow shouldn't feel quite so atmospheric, but Seafield Pond near Dunbar pulls it off. It's a modest freshwater loch ringed by reeds and rough grassland, the sort of place that demands at least one proper wander to properly understand it.

The main draw here is birdwatching. Bring binoculars and patience - you'll spot grebes, tufted ducks, and if you're lucky, the odd heron picking its way through the shallows. In autumn and spring the migrant waders make it worth the trip alone. The paths aren't formal, which means you can pick your own route around the water's edge depending on what's nesting where and what the wind's doing.

It's the sort of spot that appeals to serious ornithologists and photographers rather than families wanting thrills. Kids will manage half an hour before restlessness sets in, though it's free and accessible, which counts for something. The muddy banks are genuinely muddy - decent boots essential, especially after rain.

Stay at Belhaven Bay just down the road and you're sorted. Dunbar itself offers decent fish and chips if you're peckish after. The pond works best as part of a broader coastal walk rather than a standalone destination - head east towards the cliffs and you've got a proper morning sorted. Spring and early summer are best, when nesting activity peaks and the light stays long.