20 Attractions to Explore Near Prestonpans Beach

Preston Tower is a ruined L-plan keep in the ancient Scottish village of Prestonpans. It is situated within a few metres of two other historic houses, Hamilton House and Northfield House. It stands surrounded by a walled park, which is also home to a lectern doocot. The tower can only be viewed externally, but it remains a fascinating building with a number of very unusual features.

Prestongrange is a free, family friendly open-air museum on the site of a former colliery. For centuries Prestongrange was a place of intense industrial activity. A harbour, glass works, pottery, colliery and brickworks have all left their marks on the landscape. Monks from Newbattle Abbey first mined for coal here in the 12th century. From that a coal mining industry developed and the first shaft of Prestongrange's last mine was sunk in 1830. A beam engine, modified by Harvey and Company of Hoy

Seton Castle was built in the late 1700s on the site of Seton Palace, which was demolished in 1789. The palace, near Longniddry, on the Firth of Forth, formerly belonged to the Earls of Winton and was a popular retreat for Mary, Queen of Scots. She spent time at the palace after the murder of her second husband, Lord Darnley; they had also spent their honeymoon there. The date when the original palace was built is uncertain but it was located on the lands of Seton and Winton.

Seton Collegiate Church is one of the finest surviving medieval collegiate churches in Scotland. The term "Collegiate Church" covered a variety of sins, often literally. Collegiate Churches were generally endowed by the the local laird, who paid for the maintenance of community of priests. The primary role of the college was to pray for the souls of their benefactor, his wife, and his family. The church is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, and a 4-Star Historic Tourist Attraction

This is one of the best places to stay in Scotland with Edinburgh and it's castle only 30 min's away by car. With views across the Firth of Forth and close to the beach this makes a great park. You will find plenty to do for all the family on this small but well equipped park.

Musselburgh Lagoons, at the mouth of the River Esk, were formed in 1964 by the South of Scotland Electricity Board. They constructed a large concrete sea wall encompassing four large lagoons which were used for the dumping of fly-ash from the nearby Cockenzie Power Station. As a result of this, large numbers of waders, gulls, terns and duck now use these lagoons as a high tide roost site, particularly the lagoon nearest to the river mouth.

Musselburgh Racecourse is firmly established as one of the UK’s most stylish racecourses, offering award-winning facilities in a 5-star visitor attraction located only 6 miles from Edinburgh with excellent transport links and free parking. The course offers both flat racing and National Hunt meetings and is 2 km long. In the middle of the course is a nine-hole golf course, Musselburgh Links, dating from at least 1672. The Royal Musselburgh Golf Club was founded there in 1774.

Discover the long and remarkable history of the Honest Toun through the changing displays and exhibitions, and have fun with the activities for children and families. The Museum is operated by the volunteers of Musselburgh Museum and Heritage Group with support from East Lothian Council. It has a programme of changing displays and exhibitions, so there is always something new to see. There are also activities for children and families and we welcome group visits. Just get in touch - we would be

This delightful 17th century hillside garden is awaiting your discovery. Tucked away within stone boundary walls you will find tall trees, fragrant flowers, songbirds and clear water. In the charming village of Inveresk, there is a heady mix of rare and familiar scents - a wonderful sensory experience.

Longniddry Bents is known best for its plant life. The base-rich soils have allowed a number of plants to flourish here that are only seen occasionally elsewhere in the county. The shallow bay is a popular watersports location for windsurfers, kitesurfers and sea kayaks.Many sea and wading birds frequent the area making it a regular haven for bird-watchers. A small community of rare water voles are known to reside around the several burns running out of the bents. Grey seals are often spotted t

Newhailes is one of the most impressive 17th century Palladian villas and beautiful estate in Scotland. It was home to the Dalrymple family for more than 300 years, and the Estate stretches out over 80-acres and has been in the care of the National Trust for Scotland since 1997.

Musselburgh has a short beach, but when the tide is low, you can walk far out from the shoreline, which is quite thrilling, especially when the temperature is only 1 degree.

Newhailes House is a Palladian style country house which stands in 80 acres of parkland on the edge of the small town of Musselburgh in East Lothian, Scotland. Originally named Whitehills, it is a Category A listed building which is now occupied and maintained by the National Trust for Scotland. Visitors will see the remarkable library wing, imposing Italian marble fireplaces, gilded eagles over the drawing room windows, Chinese wallpaper and an impressive art collection.

Newhailes Estate stretches out over 80-acres and is cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. At the heart of the estate is Newhailes House, one of the most impressive 17th-century Palladian villas in Scotland. The house is most notably linked with the influential Dalrymple family who acquired it in 1709 and continuously inhabited it for nearly 300 years.

Gosford Sands is a rural sand and shingle beach in the west facing Gosford Bay. High tide covers just about all of the beach. It's a great beach for kite flying and coastal walking, as you can take the John Muir Way from Cockenzie to Aberlady passing Gosford Sands en route. Also good for sandcastle building and exploring. There is no lifeguard cover so be careful swimming and paddling.

A decidious and attractive mixed woodland of confers ash birch and mixed broadleaves. There is a car park and two way-marked trails with a number of wild-life themed sculptures. The terrain is generally flat. The wood lies between Tranent and Haddington and is popular with local walkers.

The Scottish Ornithologists' Club is a Scottish ornithological body, founded in March 1936 at the premises of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. As of 2008, the SOC has 2,200 members. The Club runs the Scottish Birds Records Committee, which maintains a list of birds recorded in Scotland. In 2007, the club was awarded the Silver Medal by the Zoological Society of London.

Portobello is a popular sandy beach in the Edinburgh suburb by the same name. Being close to the city, it draws many summer visitors who flock here to swim, play in the waves and sunbathe. One of the iconic location for a holiday and also you can spend some good time in the seabank.

Seton Sands beach is a large sand and rocky beach. The beach has some rock pools to explore as the tide goes out. The beach sits on a stretch of coast between Port Seton in the west to Longniddry in the East and just 30 minutes from Edinburgh. South of the beach there is Seton Sands Holiday Park, a popular holiday destination in the summer months for many visitors, mostly families from the west coast of Scotland and the north of England.

Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve was the first site to be designated a Nature Reserve, in 1952. It comprises a complete set of habitats from low water right through to salt marsh and sand dune, unchanged by the influence of people. The area within the Reserve is extensive, and, in consequence, the paths across it take time to cover. Dogs are not welcome on the Reserve due to the potential for disturbing nesting and / or roosting birds.