Musselburgh offers a range of reasons to stay: local history at the museum, designed landscapes and coastal areas, as well as horse racing and other leisure activities. When planning your trip, it is worth deciding on your main focus. An event date determines the time of your visit; nature and culture offer different places and conditions to explore.
Local history and culture
Musselburgh Museum presents local history from Roman times to the present day. New themed exhibitions are added each year alongside the permanent displays. The museum thus combines a broad sweep of history with changing themes. If you are interested in how the town has developed, it offers a specific starting point for this part of your trip.
Newhailes House & Gardens is a Palladian mansion in Musselburgh that played a significant role in the Scottish Enlightenment. The offering also includes walks through a designed 18th-century landscape, with views across the River Forth. The house and its grounds provide different points of interest: architecture and history, as well as the design of the surrounding landscape.
The events programme at Newhailes House & Gardens includes family-friendly offerings such as festivals, musical performances, dog and car shows, and a monthly farmers’ market. Individual event dates may change, so check the dates if you are planning your stay around them. The Brunton currently offers additional arts and entertainment programmes at community venues in Musselburgh. As the format of events may change with the organisation’s future plans, it is advisable to check the date and venue before visiting.
Coastal scenery and trails
Levenhall Links is a 134-hectare coastal green space on the eastern edge of Musselburgh. It forms part of the John Muir Way on the section between Fisherrow Harbour and Cockenzie. Fisherrow Sands lies between the harbour and the mouth of the River Esk and is an important feeding ground for waterbirds at low tide. The two coastal areas therefore have different characteristics: Levenhall Links is notable for its size and its place on the coastal route, while Fisherrow Sands is important for birdlife at low tide.
Another named route is the River Esk Walkway, which forms part of National Cycle Route 1. This makes it distinct from the John Muir Way, whose route is described as connecting Fisherrow Harbour and Cockenzie. If you include trails in your plans, take care to identify which of the two routes you are looking for rather than treating them as the same path.
The Musselburgh Trail offers another way to engage with the town: the activity involves making rubbings of illustrated plaques, deciphering a secret phrase and redeeming a certificate. The programme materials may change. Lewisvale Park has green spaces for picnics and a playground; park facilities may also change, so it is worth checking the latest information before visiting.
Racing and other activities
Musselburgh Racecourse hosts races throughout the year, including Ladies Day and Family Racedays. The racecourse is also the venue for the Corgi Derby. The programme features 27 race days during the flat and jump racing seasons. If horse racing is the focus of your stay, event dates are therefore important. Musselburgh Racecourse is served by excellent public transport links; check current services before travelling, as this information can change.
Golf is another specific activity to consider: Musselburgh Links is a nine-hole, par-34 links golf course in the heart of Musselburgh. Unlike races, which are tied to specific dates, a visit to the golf course can be considered a separate interest; however, information about playing time or availability is not among the features described here. Overall, there is a wide range of reasons to visit: a changing museum programme, historic architecture, coastal trails, nature at low tide, events and golf. Choose the focus that will shape your stay and use it to guide your search for a hotel in Musselburgh.
Discover more destinations: Gifford, North Berwick, Prestonpans, Aberlady, Cockenzie And Port Seton, Haddington, East Linton, Tranent.
For the main travel overview: East Lothian.
