If you’re visiting Dunbar and looking for inspirational activities and family days out during your stay, here’s some great ideas for brilliant things to do with the kids in Dunbar and the surrounding area…
John Muir Country Park
Situated adjacent to the beautiful Belhaven Bay, John Muir Country Park is a stunning wooded area with lots of well-worn paths through tall fir trees and saltmarsh leading to the dunes and outstanding beach. There’s plenty of parking and a great play park for kids (and big kids!) with picnic tables. There’s a handy toilet block with outdoor showers for rinsing off sandy kids before you get back in the car.
Coast to Coast Surf School
If beach life is your thing, head to Coast to Coast Surf School next to Belhaven Bay car park and experience learning to surf in the beautiful surroundings of Belhaven Bay. Through the expert tuition from the Coast to Coast team, you’ll be up and surfing in no time! You can also hire quality surfboards, bodyboards, wetsuits, stand-up paddle boards (SUPs) and surf skates. Book a lesson here
East Links Family Park
Next to John Muir Country Park is East Links Family Park that hosts a whole range of animals that can be viewed, and fed, from the parks very own train. Take the family for a spin around the park on a four-person quad cycle and stop off to meet the animals. The park boasts a giant wooden fortress, huge Jelly Belly trampoline, sledging slope, 18-hole crazy golf course, go-karts and plenty of other attractions to keep the kids occupied for the whole day. There’s a great café to refuel plus plenty of picnic spaces if you’ve brought your own food. Find out more here
Lauderdale Park
Just a stone’s throw from the sea is Lauderdale Park. With a great playpark separated into three different age groups, a café that serves great coffee and delicious homemade food, and beautifully maintained gardens, Lauderdale is a must for those with kids that might need to let off some steam! You’ll also find pétanque courts and plenty of green space for a kickabout or to enjoy your picnic.
Dunbar Leisure Pool
If the weather isn’t playing ball, or beaches aren’t for you, head to Dunbar Leisure Pool. It has a huge water slide and wave machine great for kids and adults alike. Afterwards, enjoy a hearty meal in the café before heading out into Dunbar for your next adventure. View opening times here
Foxlake
This is another great place for water lovers. The award-winning Foxlake boasts wakeboarding, an aqua park, open water swimming, ringos and Segways amongst the many activities available. Based on the edge of John Muir Way, to the west of Dunbar, Foxlake is the ideal place for the whole family to have fun. Once your adrenaline has been drained, treat yourself to great food and drink at the award-winning Jay Birds Larder café. View the Foxlake website
Soft Spott
If you have younger children, soft play is always a great option. Softspott Soft Play on Spott Road, is a brilliant indoor soft play centre with a handy café, too. It’s not somewhere to enjoy a spot of peace and quiet, but it is perfect for the kids to use up lots of energy while you enjoy a great coffee and delicious slice of cake. View the website
Dukes of West Barns
Recently opened, Dukes of West Barns combines great art with superb food. On display you’ll find incredible art by local, national and international artists, plus access to brilliant classes for those who want to learn about pottery, painting, upholstery and more. To the rear is the eatery, which serves delicious food prepared and cooked on site using locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients. View the website
Dunbar Harbour
Spend a leisurely afternoon around Dunbar Harbour and soak up the fishing heritage of the town. Fresh seafood is often available once the local lobstermen have returned with their catch.
Beautiful Beaches
As well as the stunning Belhaven Beach, Dunbar and the surrounding area is blessed when it comes to its coastline. Seacliff, Tyninghame and Whitesands are just three of the area’s outstanding beaches. Seacliff Beach is a private beach, with access through a coin-operated barrier, but well worth the small cost. Largely unspoilt, this quiet corner of East Lothian, with its tiny sandstone harbour, is perfect for dog walkers, picknickers and surfers. Tyninghame Links is a hidden gem and one of the finest beaches in south Scotland. Unspoilt sands, dramatic views and peace and quiet is guaranteed. Whitesands is a long stretch of golden sand with rocks and pools at either end. Barns Ness Lighthouse dominates the views, with Bass Rock in the distance. Popular with dog walkers and rock pool enthusiasts, Whitesands is a great destination that will help you unwind and relax.
Dubar High Street
The High Street in Dunbar is a brilliant place to find a gift to take back after your holiday. Spend a relaxing few hours browsing through the handful of independent shops where you’ll find gifts and produce from local artists, farmers and makers. Then sit a while in one of the many coffee shops, cafes and restaurants before you head out again to enjoy the rest of your stay in Dunbar.
John Muir Birthplace
Also on the High Street is the house in which John Muir, the famous conservationist, was born. John Muir Birthplace is a family-friendly interactive museum with displays over three floors of his family home. John Muir was instrumental in saving Yosemite Valley in America, founding the Sierra Club and being an early advocate of protecting the natural environment for the health of the planet. Dunbar is the start of the John Muir Way, a coast to coast route that traverses the diverse landscapes and rich heritage of central Scotland. Find out more here
Edinburgh by Train
Dunbar Station allows quick and easy access Scotland’s capital city. Only 20 minutes away from Dunbar by train, Edinburgh is famous for its castle, views, shopping, food and drink and, of course, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of the world’s greatest celebrations of arts and culture. Held every August, The Fringe is an exciting, funny and enlightening experience for the whole family.
Great Golf
Dunbar has two stunning courses – Dunbar Golf Club and Winterfield. Both of which offer a challenge to all levels of golfers and provide stunning views of the East Lothian coastline. A 20 minute drive up the coast will bring you to the world famous Muirfield, Renaissance and Gullane courses.
Scottish National Museum of Flight
This is a great day out for aircraft enthusiasts and just 20 minutes from Dunbar. On site you’ll find Concorde, a Vulcan and many more exhibits. There’s also regular ‘Conversation Hangar Talks’ and behind the scenes tours for those who want to find out more. For the younger visitors, there is a fun ‘I Spy Trail’ for under 5s and a ‘Flying into the Future Trail’ and ‘Second World War Trail’ for older flight fans. Find out what's on here.