If the stars all align just right for me tomorrow it looks like I might have a free afternoon, and a forecast for it to be sunny too. I was thinking of heading to Aberlady beach. Is anyone else thinking of heading there to take advantage of the sun tomorrow?
Has anyone been there lately? I’ve never been so any tips would be much appreciated. I think I’ve got a reasonable handle on how to get there, but does anyone know how long a walk it is from the car park? And once on the beach how far along one needs to walk to get to the naturist bit, are there any landmarks to show where the naturist bit starts? Thanks
Hi,
I walk there fairly regularly (although I haven't been there for a couple of months).
Happy to be corrected, but the only time I have been and seen naturists was a few years ago, so I thought it had fallen out of use. That said, the walk is quite far from the car park to the beach (and quite tiring as the final section is soft sand), then take a right once you hit the beach and you keep going along heading to Gullane, once you hit the headland that is where I saw people sunbathing, close in to the sand dunes.
JamieM’s directions are spot on - it is maybe a good 20 minute walk from road to beach. I have not visited recently with the previous time being 2/3 years ago. On that occasion, it was all single men who occupied the area in the dunes. I lay beneath the dunes and briefly wandered along the water edge. A textile couple occupied the beach at the Aberlady end and paid no attention to me. I went into the dunes and spoke to a couple of the men for a short spell then returned to the beach. It’s on my radar for another visit but not today as I have prior commitments.
I love being in my skin
Hi Ed,
Did you get along to Aberlady? Were there many there?
I ended up not getting along. I was busier than I had thought.
The last time I visited Aberlady, rather than parking at the Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve car park, I parked at Gullane Bents.
http://goo.gl/maps/AyTcB3ACJuy
Seems to be a shorter walk in from there.
Follow the path west towards the headland, then round the corner into Aberlady Bay.
I've not tried that way, but you're right, it would be closer. The car park at Aberlady also gets very busy on good days, so a different place to park is a good idea.
The last time I visited Aberlady, rather than parking at the Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve car park, I parked at Gullane Bents.
http://goo.gl/maps/AyTcB3ACJuy
Seems to be a shorter walk in from there.
Follow the path west towards the headland, then round the corner into Aberlady Bay.
This is the info about Aberlady Beach that I have, approaching from the car park at Gullane:
You will need £2 (it may have gone up in price now) to park for the day. There is a pay and display machine on the side of the car park nearest the sea.
To get to the beach is about 2 kilometres on a slightly rough path. There is an alternative route, which is mostly flatter, but it’s longer and starts from the reserve car park, which is much smaller. Like most naturist beaches, it’s a bit out of the way and definitely not accessible for the mobility impaired! It does go up and down a bit. If you like walks in the countryside it’s a doddle! Wear sensible shoes.
About The Beach
This end of Aberlady beach has a long history of naturist use. However it isn’t an official beach. It is rare not to find some naked people on it when it’s warm. It is however within a nature reserve, and thus popular with people hiking along the coast. It’s quite a narrow strip of sand when the tide is in, and a huge expanse when it’s out. High tide is at about 3pm, which is usually the best time to go in the sea. It does come in and go out quite quickly.
Route
At the far end of the car park is a gate. Not the one in the lower part of the field left of the bins. That goes to the toilets. The one just beyond the tarmac road. Go through that. Keep going, stick to the main track which bears to the left. Eventually it turns left and climbs up to the edge of a golf course. Don’t go onto the golf course. Turn sharp right. You will see white arrows on green posts. Follow them. The path will take you more or less parallel to the sea, past a tee, then a narrow path goes through a line of anti-tank blocks, then down to the edge of a small beach. This isn’t it! On the other side of the beach you will see a green sign for the local nature reserve. To the left of that is a path, follow that. Just past where it turns inland/uphill turn right onto a less well defined path. Follow this across the headland. Or just follow the coast round. You should see some rocks on the right, and then a descent to the end of the beach. The path here is quite narrow. There is a small bay with a rocky outcrop on the far side.
I hope that helps?
The Naked Vegan 🌱
Good reminder, the beach is very flat so the difference between high tide and low is a good 100 metres, which means the difference between walkers trampling over your beach towel or being a figure in the distance.
Naked archer is spot on it took me years to find the short cut into aberlady beach i got chatting to a local user who informed me of the quickest way to get there after years of parking at the nature reserve and walking in for about 30/40 minutes lovely walk all the same anyway park at gullane bents £2 under the barrier and follow the coast back on yourself or park at the top of hill road which is one of the last left hand turns before gullane bents free of charge through the gate over the golf course dodge a few balls head towards the tank traps and you are there 20 minutes looking forward to getting back over soon what a lovely beach which is still well used . Ps hill road in gullane must be one of the most sought after exclusive streets in that area enjoy looking at the lovely houses and hopefully your car won't look out of place like mine ;D