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A rusted metal footbridge and steps lead across a sandy beach at low tide under a grey sky, a small stone jetty in the distance.
Lothian

Belhaven Bridge

A footbridge over a stream on Belhaven Bay near Dunbar, known as the Bridge to Nowhere because at high tide it stands alone in the sea.

Welcome

On the wide sands of Belhaven Bay, just west of Dunbar, a small metal footbridge with steps at each end crosses a stream running out to the sea.

At low tide it is simply the way onto the beach. When the tide comes in, the sands around it disappear and the bridge is left standing on its own in the water, leading nowhere at all.

That is how it earned its name, the Bridge to Nowhere, and it has become an icon of the East Lothian coast, with the Bass Rock rising on the horizon behind it.

The bay is part of John Muir Country Park, a long sweep of golden sand, dunes and salt marsh where surfers ride the waves and cormorants, eider ducks and waders gather along the shore. There is a car park on Shore Road, and Dunbar station is a fifteen minute walk away. Check the tide times before you set off if you want to cross.

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The Daily for 14 November, from Scotland with love. A red kayak beached on a loch shore beneath sunlit rocky hills, Sutherland
A short drive awayDunbar Castle4 min by roadSee itDunbar Castle

Before you go

Open land, there at any time; crossable at low tide, and cut off by the sea when the tide is in.

Where
Belhaven Bay, near Dunbar.
Cross
At low tide.
Parking
Shore Road car park.

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Where it is

On Belhaven Bay, west of Dunbar, by the Shore Road car park; a fifteen minute walk from Dunbar station.

Close byBelhaven Bay.
  1. Waves breaking on a sandy beach under a blue sky with scattered cloudsDunbar Clifftop Path to Belhaven BayThe clifftop path from Dunbar.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. John Muir's Birthplace on Dunbar High Street, a white-harled house with flowers by the open door.John Muir's BirthplaceThe naturalist's house in Dunbar.1 mile 3 min by road
  3. Fishing boats moor beneath Dunbar Castle's red sandstone ruins on the harbourThe Creel Loaders1 mile 3 min by road
  4. Railed path leads from grassy clifftop down to a rocky shorelineDunbar High StreetIt’s worth having a look along the High Street in Dunbar to grab a souvenir in one of the many wee gift shops.1 mile 3 min by road
  5. Dunbar High Street under a blue sky, the white Town House with its tower and spire among the old buildings.Dunbar Town House Museum & GalleryDunbar's 16th-century tolbooth on the High Street, with its witch's hat tower, now a free museum and gallery of the town's history.1 mile 3 min by road
Directions
The ruins of a red sandstone tower and harbour walls stand on a rocky promontory, small boats sheltering in the water beside them.AttractionsDunbar Castle1.3 miles
The Creel Restaurant lit up on a wet street corner at nightRestaurantsThe Creel, Dunbar1.3 miles
Aerial view of North Berwick's twin harbours, rooftops and coastline stretching inlandAttractionsDunbar Battery1.4 miles
White clubhouse with red tiled roof beside a links golf courseAttractionsDunbar Golf Course2.1 miles
Grassy dunes overlook a curving sandy beach with Bass Rock offshoreAttractionsTyninghame Links2.4 miles as the crow flies
Purple shelves of new books at Night Owl Books in East Linton, with a vase of flowers on the table of books in front.ShoppingNight Owl Books4.5 miles
Stone dovecot with conical tiled roof and outside stair, set in grassAttractionsPreston Mill5.8 miles
Ruined stone castle with wooden staircase leading to an arched doorwayAttractionsHailes Castle6.3 miles
A field of sunflowers in full bloom at Balgone under a wide, cloudy sky, with a grass path running along its edge.AttractionsBalgone Estate6.7 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the bridge, and when each is next free.

A landscape view of the Blue Cabin at the foot of the brae, lamps lit by its red door and boats drawn up on the grass.Blue Cabin by the Sea
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Cockburnspath
  • 9 miles from Belhaven Bridge
Check datesAn orange leather sofa draped with a sheepskin faces a stone fireplace beneath a timber ceiling, a staircase rising behind.The Old Stable
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Pittenweem
  • 16 miles from Belhaven Bridge
Free 14–16 NovThe Crow’s Nest, FifeThe Crow’s Nest
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Pittenweem
  • 16 miles from Belhaven Bridge
Free 16–19 NovFifies, FifeFifies
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Pittenweem
  • 16 miles from Belhaven Bridge
Free 15–17 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in LothianAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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