Getaways in the Lothians
Whitekirk Hill
A198, Whitekirk, North Berwick
EH39 5PR
Perfect for families looking to mix countryside, coast and resort-style treats:
Location & access: Set in 140 acres, short drive away from Tyninghame Beach, Seacliff and local walks, with Edinburgh just 28 miles away.
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Swimming pool & spa: On‑site Leisure Club includes a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spa bath and gym—all complimentary for lodge guests.
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Indoor Play Barn: Bespoke children’s Play Barn with climbing structures, slides, imaginative zones and quiet corners—excellent for all‑weather play
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Family lodges: Choose family‑friendly lodges like The Laidlaw with children’s bunk room, or Townsend, Irvine and Telfer, each offering 2–3 bedrooms, flexible configurations, kitchen, bathrooms, outdoor terraces and some with private hot tubs
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Dining: The Orangery & Walled Terrace serve brunch, lunch and afternoon tea; children’s menu available
Harvest Moon
Lochhouses Farm, Tyninghame,
East Lothian, EH42 1XP
Quirky, nature‑focused glamping that's especially great for younger children:
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Distance: About 45 minutes from Edinburgh; closest to Tyninghame Beach and countryside walks
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Accommodations: Treehouses, beach‑cabins and a charming cottage—all self‑catering, with wood‑burning stoves, en‑suite toilets and hot showers
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Animal interaction: On‑site chickens, alpacas, lambs and pygmy goats provide sweet animal‑friendly experiences for little ones.
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Relaxed atmosphere: Fire‑pit and BBQ areas, honesty shop, campfires, ideal for under‑5s and nature‑loving families. No swimming pool, but the beach is just a stroll away.
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Thurston Manor Leisure Park
Innerwick, Dunbar EH42 1SA
A versatile, entertainment‑rich park that suits toddlers up to teens, under an hour from Edinburgh:
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Location advantages: Situated in wooded countryside near the coast, close to Dunbar, beaches and castles—Edinburgh about 32 miles (under an hour)
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Indoor swimming pool & wellness: Heated indoor pool, gym, sauna, steam room, solarium and Jacuzzi—all included for lodge/caravan guests.
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Kids activities & soft‑play: Outdoor playground and family room/kids club with seasonal entertainment (e.g. toddler Sunrise Mornings, crafts, foam‑dart wars, themed shows) keep youngsters engaged
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Games & arcade: On‑site games room/arcade offers rainy‑day amusement
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Accommodation: Selection of 2–3 bedroom caravans and luxury lodges with kitchens, open living spaces, and family features like travel cot/highchair availability.
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Other facilities: On-site restaurant and pub, shop, launderette, fly‑fishing lake, discovery trail and EV charging.
Preston Mill & Phantassie Doocot
Preston Road, East Linton EH40 3DS
Opening times
Please visit their website for opening times
Cost
Adult £11.00
Family £31.50
One adult family £21.00
Concession £8.50
Child £6.50
What they say
When you first see Preston Mill you might think you’ve taken a step back in time. With its curious Dutch-style conical roof, the mill is an architectural oddity that will beguile visitors as much as it delights painters and photographers.
Preston Mill was used commercially until 1959 and was the region’s last working watermill. Guided tours reveal the gruelling nature of the miller’s work, from heavy lifting to dealing with floods, mice and dust.
Just across the River Tyne lies the unusual structure of Phantassie Doocot, built in the 16th century to house 500 pigeons.
Nestled within an idyllic location, the grounds surrounding Preston Mill offer access to several tranquil walks, where you can spot the locations featured in the hit TV series Outlander.
Inveresk Lodge Garden
24 Inveresk Village Rd, Inveresk, Musselburgh EH21 7TE
Opening times
1 January to 31 March, 10am to 4:30pm
1 April to 30 September, 10am to 5pm
1 Nov–31 Dec, 10am to 4.30pm
Cost
Adult £3.50
Children free
What they say
Tall trees, fragrant flowers, clear water – these walled grounds tucked away in the charming village of Inveresk, near Edinburgh, have all the ingredients for a garden paradise.
This hillside plant haven offers a sanctuary of tranquillity and a year-round feast for the senses. It is home to colourful borders and a heady mix of scents, including roses, honeysuckle and herbs.
The garden is split into two main areas, with sloping lawns and borders at the top of the hill and the wilder woodland and ponds below.
Children can follow a discovery trail highlighting some of the garden’s flora and fauna. They can also bring their own nets and go pond dipping from the platform on the larger pond.
Chesters Hill Fort
Drem, East Lothian
Opening times
Open all year
Cost
Free
What they say
Explore one of Scotland’s best-preserved Iron Age hillforts, defended by elaborate ramparts and ditches.
Chesters Hill Fort was probably built in the first millennium BC, and was occupied into the Roman occupation of Britain in the early centuries of the first millennium AD. It remains an impressive and imposing monument despite the intervening 2,000 years.
The remains of several houses are visible within the fort, some of which appear to be later than the ruined defences.