Whilst staying at Carfrae Farm Holiday Cottages there is a huge array of exciting places in East Lothian you can discover and enjoy with friends and family. We are situated at the foot of the Lammermuir Hills in a rural countryside setting, 4 miles from the village of Gifford and only 9 miles from the beautiful coastline. Throughout this blog our aim is just to provide a small guide of our recommendations of places to eat, visit and enjoy in East Lothian during your stay at Carfrae Farm Holiday Cottages.
First up, The Waterside Bistro in Haddington. A local restaurant with a very warm welcome and a courtesy bus that can collect guests from Carfrae Farm Holiday Cottages and bring them back after their meal. The Bistro offers locally sourced produce and is situated on the River Tyne directly across from St Marys Church which is fully lit up in the evenings and provides a great backdrop whilst enjoying a meal or drink with family and friends.
If you are looking for the ultimate, traditional Scottish experience, then Glenkinchie distillery is for you! Glenkinchie is located just 10 miles from Carfare Farm Holiday Cottages and offers the experience of discovering their single malt whiskies specifically the Edinburgh Malt which are enjoyed around the world and is a vital component of Johnnie Walker whiskies. The Glenkinchie Flavour Journey is a 1.5-hour tour which allows visitors to taste and learn how the whisky is produced from field to dram. Booking in advance is recommended via their website: https://www.malts.com/en-row/distilleries/glenkinchie
Looking for some action, adventure and have a love of all things water? We highly recommend checking out Foxlake Adventures at Dunbar. The perfect place for kids to run off some steam and test their balance and bravery whilst you grab a coffee in the Boardside Café or equally join in on the fun yourself! They offer activities such as wakeboarding, foxfall, ringos, zip trail and Segway’s. Booking is required and can be done via their website:https://www.foxlake.co.uk/
East Lothian is well known for the beautiful coastline and extensive beaches, our favourites are Tyninghame Beach, Seacliff and Yellowcraigs. All beaches are within a 30-minute drive from Carfrae Farm Holiday Cottages, have public parking and a fee to park. The Ringo App will keep you up to date with the most recent charges but as of May 2021 Seacliff is £3.00 and all other beaches are £2.00.
After a stroll at Seacliff beach why not grab a coffee and cake at D.R.I.F.T café and enjoy the infinity views looking out across the Firth of Forth to the Bass Rock. Make the most of their Takeaway Trailer which offers sweet and savoury snacks and a range of hot and cold drinks. All produce is locally sourced and the menu changes seasonally giving customers a true taste of Scottish produce.
Another of our favourites is The Smithy located in Tyninghame village, the coffee shop is open five days a week and offers tasty, sweet treats which are perfect after a long walk at the beach. The popular café has both indoor and outdoor seating, a gift shop and is dog friendly in the outdoor area. The café is a short drive from the beach and is a great stop on the way back to Carfrae Farm Holiday Cottages. Be sure to try the lemon meringue cake!
Book with our friends at WhiteKirk Hill Spa to enjoy a relaxing spa afternoon after a morning walk and take advantage of their luxurious facilities. WhiteKirk Hill is only a 25-minute drive from Carfrae Farm Holiday Cottages, and they offer a range of treatments from facials to pedicures. The Spa is open Wednesday – Sunday and booking is recommended to ensure you get the treatment that’s right for you. WhiteKirk Hill completed renovations and reopened in November 2019 in a contemporary building which is now home to the Orangery Café, boutique spa and indoor children’s play area. Take a trip down to find out for yourself! https://www.whitekirkhill.co.uk/chill/
Take advantage of the various walking routes straight from your cottage door at Carfrae Farm. In your cottage you will find a map so you can plan your route and decide which places you would like to discover. We would suggest heading down to Danskine Loch or taking the right of way path and heading for Gifford. Don’t forget to take your map with you, please ensure dogs are always kept on leads, especially when near livestock and remember to close any gates which you open.
If you’d prefer to stay at Carfrae Farm, then we have plenty to offer for all ages and group sizes. Escape and discover new experiences with WanderWomen by taking part in Mindful Loch Swimming or the Forest Bathing Experience. Anna at WanderWomen specialises in taking things slow and enjoying the journey rather than the destination whilst discovering all things nature and the beautiful land which surrounds you. It’s the perfect opportunity to take some time out for some selfcare. You are sure to be left feeling refreshed, invigorated, and set up for the day ahead! Both activities take place at Carfrae Farm with the Mindful Loch Swimming and the Forest Bathing Experience on Carfrae Farm at Danskine Loch.
Lastly, we are excited to announce that Ocean Vertical will be offering SUP Yoga at Danskine Loch. Ocean Vertical are based in East Lothian and specialise in paddle boarding, coasteering, surfing, climbing, and mountaineering. The focus at Carfrae Farm will be the SUP Yoga which will allow guests to build core strength and focus on the present moment and connect to the natural environment around us. No experience is necessary, it’s all about having fun with the splash after a fall being one of the best parts!
We are proud to recommend a variety of places and activities to enjoy in East Lothian whilst staying at Carfrae Farm Holiday Cottages. It is impossible to mention everywhere so if there is something you have in mind that you would like to experience, please get in touch and we will be happy to recommend or help get you booked in.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
The team at Carfrae Farm
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