Haddington is a historic county town with a small population of around 10,000 people. This beautiful Scottish town is part of East Lothian, Scotland, and is situated beneath the Garleton Hills on the banks of the River Tyne.

The town is known as ‘the hidden toun,’ and it is often called the gateway to Edinburgh for its location along the Great North Road. Haddington also serves as the administrative centre for East Lothian Council Area and has a rich history. In this post, we will explore the town's history and give a list of things to do in Haddington. Let's discover this quaint Scottish town!

History and Heritage

The Scottish town of Haddington has its roots going back to the 12th century, when King David I made it one of Scotland’s first royal burghs. Although Haddington is small today, it was once the fourth biggest town in Scotland during the Middle Ages.

After its founding as a Royal Burgh, the town quickly became a religious hub with the building of St. Mary’s Collegiate Church in the 14th century and Haddington Abbey in 1178. St. Mary’s Collegiate Church is one of the three great pre-reformation churches in Lothian and is known as ‘the Lamp of Lothian’. The church is the largest parish church in Scotland and features the Lauderdale Aisle, which contains the mausoleum of the Maitland Earls of Lauderdale.

Haddington was also involved in the Rough Wooing during the Battle of Haddington (1548-1549), when French and Scottish forces laid siege to the town held by the English. In the centuries after, the town was often afflicted by marauding armies throughout the Middle Ages, including English armies, and even suffered from flooding and destruction.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Haddington expanded further, with new public buildings and improved infrastructure. The introduction of the railway in the 19th century facilitated greater economic growth and connectivity.

In the 19th century, the arrival of the railway connected the town, but it still remained largely agricultural. Today Haddington still has much of its old character, with St. Mary’s Church being a big part of that.

Things to do in Haddington

St Mary's Parish Church

St Mary's Collegiate Church, also known as St Mary's Parish Church, was originally destroyed by the English in 1356. Shortly after, in 1375, a newer church began construction, this took almost 100 years to complete and was completed in 1487. However, the church was substantially demolished again during the 1548–49 Siege of Haddington, which followed Henry VIII's Rough Wooing. The church was left in poor condition until the 1970s, when major restoration took place.

Today the church sits as one of the most beautiful in the region and serves as part of the Church of Scotland. It now lies peacefully on the banks of the River Tyne with its majestic architecture and enduring beauty for the town to see.

The St. Mary's Collegiate Church is more of a functioning church than a tourist site; this means you can either view the church from the outside or visit during their particular weekend visiting hours, which are 1.30pm to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Nungate Bridge

Nungate Bridge is an historic landmark and one of the oldest bridges in Scotland. The 30-meter bridge was formerly the major route into town. As an entry point to the town, this bridge was used by various invading armies, and it is thought the original bridge was actually destroyed during the siege of Haddington in 1548. What stands today was likely reconstructed after the siege. Nonetheless, this beautiful medieval bridge sits calmly on the River Tyne near St. Mary's Church.

The surroundings of Nungate Bridge are the most beautiful in the area, and if there is one spot I would recommend visiting, it would be the Nungate Bridge and riverside area. It's the perfect place to have a picnic and spend the afternoon in a serene environment.

Haddington Town Centre

Haddington has a number of historic buildings, including the Haddington Town House, the corn exchange, and the county courthouse. Many of these buildings are located in the town centre which revolves around the High Street and Market Street. It's known for its traditional wynds and closes and features a mix of shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Court Street is another street that runs up to the High Street and Market Street. This historic street is home to a number of historic buildings, including the old courthouse and the Haddington Farmers Market. The town centre area is the perfect place to absorb the culture of Haddington and experience the town's many museums, landmarks, and cuisines.

Traprain Law

Traprain Law is a big hill in East Lothian, Scotland, with a rich history and great views. 250 m (820 ft) tall, it has panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and coast. Historically, it was the site of an Iron Age fort that was inhabited by the Votadini tribe during the Iron Age. Archaeological digs have uncovered Roman artifacts and a sizeable hoard of silver, which has given us a glimpse into the past and how the site was once used.

Today visitors can walk and hike to the top of Traprain Law, where the ruins of the ancient fort and the remains of the defensive walls once lay. The surrounding area is great for nature lovers with birdwatching, picnicking, and hiking. Haddington is within 10 minutes drive of this historic site, which makes it a convenient place to visit during your stay. The area is also great for visiting other nearby attractions like the Lammermuir Hills or the coastal towns of North Berwick and Dunbar.

Lennoxlove House

The Lennoxlove House is a stately home belonging to the Duke of Hamilton. With roots dating back to the 14th century, the mansion was originally designated as a royal hunting lodge and evolved into a grand house over the centuries of Scottish history.

The architecture of the Lennoxlove House combines medieval stonework with Renaissance and Georgian additions. Today the house is the family home of the Dukes of Hamilton, which means the house is a private residence, but the beautifully preserved interiors and grounds, including the famous walled garden, are open to the public from time to time.

The house also has an impressive collection of art and antiques, making it a cultural and historical treasure in Scotland. Visitors can book a tour through the house's website; this is currently the only way of visiting.

Amisfield Walled Garden

The Amisfield Walled Garden is a lovely restored historic garden near Haddington, showing off traditional horticulture. Surrounded by big stone walls, this peaceful haven has a variety of plants, flowers, and heritage vegetables to explore.

The Amisfield Walled Garden is part of the Amisfield Estate, and the garden has been restored to promote biodiversity and sustainable gardening. There is no entry fee, but they do accept donations to help with the upkeep of the garden.

It also has workshops, events, and volunteering opportunities for the community to get involved with nature and learn about gardening. The peacefulness and scenery make Amisfield Walled Garden a great place to relax while discovering nature.

The John Gray Centre

The John Gray Centre in Haddington is a bustling community hub with a library, museum, and archive all under one roof. Named after the local legend John Gray, it has a wide range of resources, books, digital materials, and exhibitions that tell the story of East Lothian.

The center is well equipped with modern facilities and dedicated spaces for community events, workshops, and educational programs. The centre brings people together and learning to residents and visitors alike. The John Gray Centre is a must for history buffs and visitors who want to learn more about Haddington’s heritage.

Haddington Farmers Market

The Haddington Farmers Market is the best place to buy local produce and explore some Scottish culture. This little market has a wide range of food, drinks, and arts and crafts, sold by friendly vendors who either farm or create their goods themselves.

Haddington Farmers Market is located on Court Street within the town centre. Although it is a small market of around 25 stalls, there are still plenty of things to buy here, and I highly recommend visiting to get a taste of the local flavors and experience the Scottish hospitality.

Visit a Nearby Beach

Haddington is strategically placed along the East Coast of Scotland, with plenty of incredible beaches nearby. This is a great base for beach lovers to explore some unique beaches. There are a huge variety to choose from, such as Aberlady Bay, Longniddry Bents, Gullane Bents, North Berwick Beach, Tyninghame Links, and Dunbar East.

These are just a few of the popular beaches near Haddington, but there are plenty more in East Lothian, and the best part is the beaches are within a few minutes drive of the town. This makes it very easy to visit a beach during your stay, and I highly recommend it as a way to explore the nature of East Lothian.

Explore the Boarder Town - Berwick Upon Tweed

The Royal Boarder Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed is a small town located on the English side of the Scottish Boarder. It’s had a rich history and has been in English and Scottish hands many times, a testament to its importance in medieval conflicts. The town is famous for its Elizabethan town walls, which surround much of the town centre and give you great views of the surrounding landscape and coast.

Berwick Castle, the Royal Border Bridge, and the Berwick Lighthouse are all incredible places to visit in the town. Berwick-upon-Tweed is situated in Northumberland and only a 45-minute drive from Haddington. This makes it a great place for a daytrip from Haddington, especially as this Northumberland town is packed with unique history.

Hotels in Haddington

Haddington is a small town, which means accommodation is limited to a few hotels and several guesthouses. There are some great options around the town, but it doesn't have many large modern hotels. It does, however, have some luxury accommodations, which are presented in the form of country houses and small boutique hotels.

It's possible to find budget hotels in Haddington too, but these are mostly guesthouses. If you find it difficult to find the right place to stay in Haddington, then there are plenty of towns and cities nearby to stay, such as Edinburgh. It might be a good idea to stay there and visit Haddington on a day trip or vice versa.

Getting Around East Lothian

Haddington is 17 miles east of Edinburgh and easily accessible via car or public transport. It is served by bus routes like the East Lothian Courier and has a train station at Longniddry.

The town is close to the A1 and A199 roads, making it easy to explore the surrounding countryside and historic towns. North Berwick offers additional transport links and amenities.

Summary

Haddington is a beautiful little Scottish town in the historic county of East Lothian. Its convenient location makes it a great place to stop by on your way to Edinburgh or even as a weekend trip to enjoy some quiet time in a quaint Scottish town. I believe Haddington is one of the best places to visit in East Lothian, although quiet Haddington provides a peaceful retreat from the bustling streets of big cities.