Seacliff

Seacliff Beach is a true hidden gem and an absolute must-visit for anyone looking for a breathtaking and tranquil escape on the East Lothian coast. Tucked away just outside North Berwick, this private beach offers a secluded and magical experience that feels a world away from the crowds. The moment you arrive and pay the small honesty box fee, the view that opens up is simply unforgettable. The sweep of golden sand is beautiful in itself, but it's the spectacular backdrop that makes Seacliff so special. To the east, the dramatic ruins of Tantallon Castle stand proudly on the cliffs, while out at sea, the iconic Bass Rock rises majestically from the water, often circled by thousands of gannets. What truly sets Seacliff apart, however, is its unique and historic charm. Tucked into a rocky outcrop at the western end of the beach is the quaint harbour, reportedly the smallest and oldest in Britain, hand-carved directly out of the sandstone. It’s an incredible sight and a testament to the area's rich history. Whether you're visiting for a quiet walk, a picnic with an incredible view, or to simply take in the magnificent scenery, Seacliff delivers. Its peaceful atmosphere, combined with the stunning natural and historical landmarks, makes it an unforgettable place. It's the perfect spot to find a moment of calm and feel a genuine connection with the rugged Scottish coastline.

Fantastic beach. £5 entry, card or cash. Beware of the narrow road down to the car park, slippery and potholes, but totally worth it.

Absolutely love this spot! I privately owned beach that costs £5 to enter (2025) but ie worth every penny. Side paths are well maintained, the front seat view of Bass rock is beautiful. Scotlands smallest Harbour is interesting too, carved in the rocks 🪨

£5 entrance by car is fully worth it. What a bidden gem!

Stunning beach overlooking the Bass Rock. Costs £5 to enter, but definitely worth it. Was quite busy when we went, but kept walking to the far end and found a lovely private cove. A really beautiful place to visit.

Astonishing beautiful beach with an amazing view on the castle ruin and the light house on the small island. Lots of parking spots available. Accessible until the sun goes down.

This is a beautiful beach but getting more and more busy. Costs 5 pound to park can pay cash or card. The road down to car park isn't in good condition very bumpy. Toilets need a lot of work. They smell and were filthy. However the beach is a nice one. Nice views. Nice sand. Just need some more work on the road and toilets.

Out of the way lovely beach so you really need a car and they charge £5 to enter the private road to the beach. But worth every penny as the beach is scenic surrounded by trees that offer tranquil private sandy areas to sit and enjoy your family day out.

A wonderful, secluded beach just past Tantallon Castle as you head away from North Berwick. Not easy to find but well worth the effort. A private road with an old sign will put most visitors off but if you persevere you'll see that it tells you about access to the beach and that it costs two Pounds. We drove down the well paved private road which then lead to an unpaved bumpy track and the access barrier. The barrier was up and the machine wouldn't accept our money so our visit was free. It then leads to a small car park and some pretty steep steps down to the beach: not ideal for anyone with mobility problems. The beach is amazing with a great view of Bass Rock and I'm told you can also see the Castle if you're prepared to clamber over some very slippery rocks. We weren't. We had the beach pretty much to ourselves for about half an hour although it was a weekday in May.

Seacliff beach is great. It's not far from Edinburgh so pretty easy to get to by car, just remember to take a few pound coins as you need to pay to get through the barrier (£3 at time of writing this review). Like any costal location it's constantly changing so it's great for photographers. If you've got a young family it's a good place to go too, what with the wide expansive sandy shoreline. As well as a tiny wee harbour (smallest in Scotland I believe) it's also got nice views out towards the Bass Rock and Tantallon Castle just to the west. I like it due to the lack of light pollution at night. Great for viewing stars on a clear evening, or if you're very lucky even the Aurora (see attached images). Don / www.edinburghphotowalks.com

Seacliffe Beach is a hidden gem that once you have been to will be a place that you'll return again and again. Head out of North Berwick on the A198 past Tantallon Castle and eventually you'll come to a 90 degree bend, instead of going round the bend carry along the farm track until you reach the barrier. It's probably the only beach I know of in Scotland where you have to pay to enter if you are driving to it but the £2 entry fee is well worth what you find on this long and winding track. The beach is the cleanest I have seen with a beautiful stretch of sand between two rocky outcrops that are great for exploring the rock pools. To one side of the beach lies the smallest port in the UK, just big enough to hold one fairly small boat and has great views over the water towards Tantallon Castle. If we get a warm sunny day in Edinburgh, head out to this wonderful location and you could almost imagine yourself in the middle of the Mediterranean.