North Berwick in East Lothian is a short 30-minute train ride out of Edinburgh, providing sweeping views of the Firth of Forth, some great places to eat and the North Berwick Golf Club
A seaside town that has been a fashionable holiday hotspot for over 100 years is perhaps the perfect place for a UK holiday.
North Berwick in East Lothian is a short 30-minute train ride out of Edinburgh, roughly 20 km along the coast to the east. On a clear, wind-free day, it can be reached from the Scottish capital by bike in just over an hour.
The arrival of the railway in the 19th century brought holidaymakers to North Berwick, which has been called the ‘Biarritz of the North’ by some. It is perhaps most famous for the North Berwick Golf Club, which was founded in 1832 and delivers stunning views and challenging holes.
North Berwick is becoming increasingly popular as a place to live, thanks to the rising property prices in Edinburgh that are pushing people further out of the city. The Capital’s loss is North Berwick’s gain.
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In recent years the movement of younger people to the town has brought with it trendy coffee shops, fun bars and a new lease of life. Which is why the Telegraph named North Berwick it’s number one place for a “genteel” weekend break.
Whether a genteel weekend breaker or someone who enjoys getting whipped in the face by the sea breeze, North Berwick promises something for everyone. Nature lovers will be in their element with bird watching at the Scottish Seabird Centre and Bass Rock.
Tantallon Castle and Dirleton Castle, located east and west of North Berwick respectively, are ready to spark your visitor’s imagination. Tantallan Castle, just a short drive from the town, sits dramatically on a cliff edge, offering ancient dungeons and battlements ripe for exploration.
Dirleton Castle, one of the country’s oldest structures, features towers dating back to the 13th century and beautiful Victorian gardens. Among the must-see spots are the Archerfield Walled Garden and North Berwick Law, a strikingly steep conical hill behind the town itself, offering unparalleled views of the surrounding area.
However, one location has received high praise from tourists: Seacliffe Beach.
Visitors to this charming spot are met with dazzling blue seas and soft golden sands, offering a perfect retreat for some chill-out time when the sun makes an appearance. The coastline is simply breathtaking, with dramatic rock formations reaching into the sea and imposing cliffs providing an awe-inspiring setting.
Food enthusiasts will find much to love in North Berwick with its plentiful eating out options like the hip Steampunk Cafe or Drift, which offers stunning cliff vistas. If you have a sweet tooth, then Bostock Bakery is your destination, or you might opt for the day’s freshest catch at North Berwick Fry.
Ethical food lovers will also want to check out the famous Lobster Shack – all of these places come highly recommended by Time Out’s glowing critiques.
Bass Rock, an unmistakable landmark on the Firth of Forth horizon, is home to the world’s biggest colony of northern gannets. It provides stunning wildlife spectacles that even Sir David Attenborough has described as one of the “wildlife wonders of the world”.
For those keen on adventure, from April to September, the Scottish Seabird Centre organises boat tours to witness these natural wonders firsthand – a definite bucket-list item for anyone visiting North Berwick.