Arden House

The scent of the Firth of Forth carries on the morning breeze, salt-sharp and bracing, as gulls wheel overhead and the old harbour town of Musselburgh stirs to life beyond the garden gate.

This is one for couples after a proper bed and a cooked breakfast, or small families wanting the ease of a guest house with a touch of camping flexibility — there's a pod in the grounds if you fancy something in between. Musselburgh sits just east of Edinburgh, close enough for city days out but with its own character: the racecourse, long beaches for dog walks, and the kind of East Lothian coastline that feels genuinely away from it all. Dogs are welcome by arrangement, so worth asking ahead if you're travelling with a four-legged friend.

You're looking at traditional guest house comfort with breakfast included, plus the option of that camping pod if you want your own space under the stars. Campfires need checking on arrival — they'll let you know what's possible. It's open year-round, so whether it's a winter escape or a summer base for exploring the coast, Arden House keeps things low-key, welcoming, and refreshingly straightforward.