A Walk at Ravensheugh Beach

A great walk back in mid June in East Lothian, an area I know well but have never been to this beach. Joined by Dan for the day we enjoyed a great walk through woodland, past lots of anti tank blocks and on the beach, a lovely picnic, views over to Dunbar, lots of orchids and wild flowers, paddling and relaxing, finishing off with a coffee at the Tyninghame Smiddy. A great day out and a 3.25 mile walk through woodland and along the coast.

This walk starts from the carpark for Tyninghame beach, reached by driving down the long straight known as Lime Tree Walk. Its not a big carpark so can be busy at popular times. We were lucky to get a space, but there are always cars leaving. Once we had paid and displayed we headed to the far end of the carpark and followed the track round the the right, soon reaching two gates. Take the left gate which heads down through the edge of the woods, with a fence and fields on the right. Keep on this path until you reach the coast and the views open up over Tyninghame Bay with Dunbar across the water. 

Enjoying the coastal views

The path meanders along the edge of the beach, if the tide is out you can drop down and walk along the beach, or just stick to the path which goes back and forward into the trees and back out to the beach again. Part of the path squeezes in between huge concrete tank defences from the second world war. Now surrounded by trees, ferns and rhododendrons they are a stark reminder of past conflict.

More great East Coast geology

Near the end of the woods you can either take the path left over the grassy hill or drop down onto the beach and walk along until you see steps and a path heading up through the bushes onto the grassy headland. This will depend on whether the tide is in or out. From here keep walking to the headland known as St Baldred's Cradle where there is a bench with great views out over the sea to the Bass Rock and Dunbar. We stopped here and had one of our classic picnics and as usual the food all bought at Whitmuir Farm shop. It was lovely to spend some time sitting here, eating good food in great company, watching the sea birds and the waves crashing on the rocks below. There was still some sea thrift in flower and plenty other wild flowers in the grass. 

Me and my wee boy

Picnic time

Beautiful views and sea thrift

This area was once home to St Baldred, a Northumbrian monk who founded a monastery at Tyninghame in the 8th century. He lends his name to nearby St Baldred’s Cradle, the headland looking out over Tyninghame beach and Dunbar. He spent time on the Bass Rock where he lived as a hermit which you can see to the north from the headland.

The Bass rock in the distance

After our picnic we headed north along the coast along the top of the cliffs enjoying the hundreds of orchids flowering in the grass. The views open up over another bay where we saw lots of ducks in the water and sea birds further out. Keep on the path heading towards the big lump of rock that blocks the beach. The path enters the woods, head straight ahead until you see a path to the right which takes you towards the back of the big rock and more concrete tank defences. Follow the path up around the rock and through the scrub until you see a stand of pine trees. 

Beautiful orchids

Views over bay looking north

More tank defences

Geraniums in the grass

The stand of pines

Walking under the pines on a hot day as it was that day, the scent of the pines was so strong and reminiscent of the pines along the beaches in the south of France. From the trees you drop down onto the pristine sands of Ravensheugh Beach. The walk now heads along the beach heading north (this may not be possible at high tide, so be tide aware and check the times before you set out).

Happy days, a paddle on a beach

Family time, so important

Jelly fish

A long perfect beach

Eventually high dunes reduce in height and a path heads off between them taking us off the beach and down to a track. When you reach the track turn left and stay on it as it makes a sharp turn to the right. Keep on the path as it passes through trees and comes out between fields, eventually arriving back at the car park.

Heading off the beach through the dunes

Once back in the car we headed to Tyninghame village where we enjoyed a great coffee and cake at the Tyninghame Smiddy. We've stopped here before and its always lovely, especially if you can sit out in the court yard and is importantly dog friendly too. 

Dan and Maisie watching the local bus

 

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