Belhaven Bay, part of the John Muir Country Park, offers a vast, golden beach backed by high dunes and swaying Scots Pines. It’s a wildlife-rich haven where seabirds soar overhead, and if you’re lucky, you might catch sight of dolphins just offshore. A scenic cliff-top path leads into Dunbar, passing dramatic sea views and rocky outcrops where gannets, shags and cormorants perch.

Dunbar, the birthplace of conservation pioneer John Muir, is a lively coastal town with plenty to explore. Independent shops line the High Street – from quirky boutiques and a record store to the Crunchy Carrot greengrocers and the ever-popular Sweetie Bank. There's also a great choice of cafés, tea rooms and pubs, plus two fascinating museums that delve into local history and Muir’s enduring legacy.

The town’s historic harbours are overlooked by the striking ruins of Dunbar Castle, once heroically defended by Black Agnes. In summer, the harbours bustle with life – grab fresh seafood from Nautie’s harbour shack or enjoy woodfired pizza from Big Blu on Thursdays. For families, there’s a leisure pool with wave machine and flume, a fantastic park and café at Lauderdale, and train safaris through East Links Family Park to meet llamas and wallabies.

Outdoor enthusiasts and golfers are spoilt for choice. Dunbar has two excellent courses – Winterfield and Open-qualifier Dunbar Golf Club – and nearby championship links at Muirfield, Luffness and Gullane. Walkers can head to Cockburnspath (8 miles), the start of the Southern Upland Way, or tackle Berwick Law above North Berwick (12 miles).

Further along the coast, visit the spectacular cliff-top ruins of Tantallon Castle or the charming gardens of Dirleton Castle. From North Berwick’s harbour, boat trips head out to the Bass Rock and Isle of May, home to thousands of seabirds including puffins and gannets.

Pretty East Linton (6 miles) is also worth a stop, especially to see Preston Mill – a photogenic National Trust site made famous by *Outlander*. For a touch of adventure, explore the tiny fishing village of Cove and its secret beach, hidden at the end of an old smugglers’ tunnel.

And with Edinburgh just 30 miles away and easy rail connections from Dunbar, The Beach House is perfectly placed for exploring the best of East Lothian and beyond.