An East Lothian town has been named as the best staycation location in Scotland for next year.
Beautiful Haddington has seen online searches for their holiday cottages go up by 100 per cent over 2022 as tourists look to flock to the idyllic area as they attempt to save money by holidaying closer to home in the cost of living crisis, according to Lottie, a care home search service.
The designation of being the “ultimate” spot for a staycation will come as no surprise to those that have previously visited the community as it boasts a host of activities for the whole family.
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These include buildings steeped in history like St Mary’s Church and St Martin’s Kirk to quirky shops and activity centres. town, according to the Daily Record.
Below you will find the top ten things to check out during your trip to Haddington:
John Gray Centre
Where else to start other than the John Gray Centre in the heart of Haddington. This includes the East Lothian museum, library and a local historical centre all on the one site.
There are also temporary exhibition galleries and the East Lothian Archives for any history buffs.
St Mary's Church
The impressive church which was built almost 700 years ago can be found just a short walk away from the town centre. It was renovated in the 1970’s but is ideally located by the banks of the River Tyne with architecture that will blow you away.
Jabberwocky Soft Play
It is always worth considering what can tire out the kids when going away on a wee staycation and there are few activities better than soft play. Jabberwocky is not just any kind of soft play however, as the centre is dragon-themed throughout with plenty of puzzles that will challenge little tucker's brain power.
There is also a café on site where adults can enjoy a bite to eat and something to drink.
Lennoxlove House
Lennoxlove is the Ancestral home of the Duke of Hamilton and boasts impressive architecture as well as an amazing art collection featuring one-of-a-kind portraits.
There is also some fine furniture to peruse along with aristocratic ceramics.
Nungate Bridge
Amazingly the Nungate Bridge is amongst one of the oldest in Scotland as it dates back to the 16th century. But do not be fooled by its beauty as the bridge has a troubling past as it was used to hang criminals in the distant past.
Haddington Golf Club
If you love hacking about in bunkers and rough then there is no better day out than a visit to Haddington Golf Club. The course is one of the oldest in the world and is situated in a secluded environment which makes it ideal for a spot of golf.
Byre's Hill and Hopetoun Monument
Located on Byres Hill outside of Haddington, the Hopetoun Monument overlooks the landscape surrounding it. On a clear day, views of the Firth of Forth and Fife can be seen.
Amisfield Walled Garden
Amisfield walled garden is one of the largest of its kind in Scotland and dates back to the 18th century.
Within its walls there are herbaceous borders, fruit and vegetable beds as well as a wildflower meadow. It is quickly becoming one of the most well visited sites in the town.
The Cheese Lady
Any tourist visiting the town would be daft not to pop into The Cheese Lady which is an award-winning cheesemonger.
The shop prides itself on sourcing the best quality artisanal cheeses that focus on sustainability during the creating process.
St Martin's Kirk
St Martin’s Kirk is understood to have been constructed in the 110s and is said to be one of the earliest surviving kirks in the country.
The ruins are worth visiting just to see the strange square holes in the walls that even today have historians stumped.
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