We have chosen to pay for a family National Trust Membership, which for us has been a really good investment. We have visited the National Trust properties closest to us many times and we also use it while away on holidays.
The properties that we have visited often have nice outdoor spaces to explore, good parking, a cafe, toilets and great outdoor playparks. When on holiday (even in England) we have visited NT properties as a cheap day out or a place to stop to break up the journey down or home.
Just outside of Edinburgh, in Musselburgh, is the National Trust property, Newhailes Estate.
Newhailes has a large house (you can book in for tours and they often run special seasonal events- we haven’t ever visited inside the house), Weehailes playpark, a cafe, ice cream parlour and grounds to explore and wander.
The WeeHailes playpark is a fabulous outdoor wooden structure consisiting of quirky little buildings joined by high walkways. There is a zipwire, slides, fireman pole and numerous tunnels and paths to explore. They also have a traditional playpark area with swings, seesaw and roundabout and a toddler area with swings, ziplines, slides and sand.
There is a cafe serving hot drinks and a good selection of baked treats and lunch items. We tend to set up base at one of the picnic benches in the park and bring our own snacks! In the warmer months the ice cream parlour is also open serving a variety of flavours and toppings.
The grounds of Newhailes are a massive plus for us. There is a nice variety of trees, logs and paths for the kids to explore and clamber on! After a play in the park and a cafe or ice cream visit we burn off the last of the energy with a wander round the grounds. The path follows round the back of the park through some woods and then follows a small stream- which inevitably the squad end up paddling in! The path is buggy friendly if you have a decent all terrain buggy.
On exiting the woods the path leads you round the side of fields with beautiful views down to the coast and North Berwick. There are a few paths of slightly differing lengths that lead you round different fields, but ultimately they all head back towards the main house eventually!
Key info
Parking:
If you have a National Trust Membership parking is free in the carpark, otherwise its pay and display.
Toilets:
Available in the main courtyard.
Cafe:
Serving lunches, hot drinks and cakes.
In warmer months the ice cream parlour is also open
Top Tips
If You have a National Trust Membership entry to the WeeHailes playpark is free and is defintely worth a visit. If you don’t have a membership you can pay onsite for a really reasonable price- you can easily spend an hour or so in the park.
Definitely spend some time exploring the grounds while you visit.
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