Perfect kids' day out

North Berwick, East Lothian

Nothing like sea air, fish 'n' chips and an ice cream to make you feel like you’ve had a good day out and North Berwick has it all. With a frequent train service from Waverley Station, this charming seaside town has a choice of sandy beaches, cool and quirky shops and even hosts its own mini festival: Fringe by the Sea runs from the 6-12th August with Mr Boom, The Journey Dance Company and Fischy Music Kid’s Concerts all performing in local venues.

Glentress Forest and Go Ape, near Peebles

If you have thrill seeking older children then head to this Scottish Borders attraction where you can hire mountain bikes and sample some world-class trails. The site is also home to the new treetop zip wire adventure course, Go Ape. Even with little ones who aren’t yet on two wheels it’s a great place to explore with easy parking, lots of walks to chose from and a coffee shop for re-fuelling or calming your nerves. Be sure to check out nearby Peebles on the banks of the River Tweed with its many parks, restaurants and shops.

East Links Family Park, near Dunbar

This place has something for all ages and you could easily spend the whole day here looking at farm animals, throwing yourselves round the huge four level multi activity ‘Fortress’, shooting each other at the ball blast arena or taking a ride on the park train – the list is endless. With 20 acres to explore, even on busy days it never feels overcrowded and it has the added bonus of having just as many activities to do inside as out; handy for this part of the world.

Firth of Forth walks, Cramond and South Queensferry

You don’t need to travel far from Edinburgh to find water and wide-open spaces; the small village of Cramond is perfect for a scoot or cycle along the wide promenade by the Firth of Forth. Time it right and you can walk out to Cramond Island, just make sure you keep an eye on the tide or else you could be there for the night. But for the best close up views of the Forth Bridges head to South Queensferry where you can also get a boat to nearby Inchcolm Island, passing seals on your way.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh

Every Edinburgh parent has been here at least once, it’s hard to beat for sheer size of open green space. Admission is free to the gardens which are perfect for running, hiding and making secret dens in. The huge Victorian Glasshouses are worth the admission charge and not just for their warmth, they’re fascinating and you can often find art students sketching the exotic looking plants, which only adds to the atmosphere. Be warned that the café is rather pricey and busy; my advice is to pack a flask.