Winterfield Park

The walk into Winterfield Park from Dunbar takes you through proper coastal scrub - gorse and bramble giving way to open grassland that rolls towards the Forth. It's not dramatic, but it's got a certain spare beauty that grows on you the longer you're there.

This is a nature reserve run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, so expectations should be set right: you're here for birds, wildflowers and the chance of spotting roe deer if you're quiet and lucky. Spring and early summer are best, when the place erupts with nesting activity and the grassland flowers are at their peak. Autumn brings migrating waders. Winter is genuinely peaceful, if a bit bleak.

The paths are straightforward - nothing steep or technical - making it fine for families with older kids, though younger ones might find it a touch dull if wildlife spotting doesn't grip them. Bring binoculars and a proper bird book. Allow two to three hours if you're doing this properly; you'll only need an hour if you're just after a quick stroll.

It's free to access, which is brilliant. The nearest caravan option is Belhaven Bay, less than a mile away, so you could easily base yourself there for a long weekend. Pair it with a walk around Dunbar itself or a trip south to Thornton Glen to round out your time in the area. The reserve works best as part of a broader East Lothian coastal wandering trip rather than a standalone destination.