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A row of colourful beach huts lines a grassy slope, a large house visible on the hilltop above.
Scottish Borders

Coldingham Bay

A sheltered sandy bay on the Berwickshire coast near St Abbs, with old beach huts, surfing, rock pools and clean water in a marine reserve.

Welcome

Tucked between rocky headlands on the Berwickshire coast, Coldingham Bay is one of the loveliest beaches in the south of Scotland.

A curve of soft sand, sheltered from the worst of the weather, it has won the Keep Scotland Beautiful Beach Award for its clean water and care.

A row of pastel beach huts stands along the slope above the sand. There are about 60 of them, all leased, and they give the bay its cheerful look. The water draws surfers and kayakers, and at either end the rocks are good for rock-pooling, for the bay lies within a marine reserve famous for the richness of its sea life.

There is a car park, toilets and a beach cafe, and lifeguards watch over the beach in the bathing season. The Berwickshire Coastal Path runs past, a kilometre from St Abbs and the same from Coldingham village.

Before you go

Open at any hour and free; lifeguards in the bathing season.

Where
1km south of St Abbs.
Award
Keep Scotland Beautiful Beach Award.
Huts
About 60.

Did you know

A rocky cove streaked with green seaweed curves beside calm water, a grassy headland and coastal path leading down to the shore.
Did you know

A marine reserve.

The bay lies within the Berwickshire Voluntary Marine Reserve, known for the abundance and variety of its sea life.

A row of pastel-coloured beach huts lines a path above a sandy beach, a headland and open sea visible beyond.
Did you know

A ballot for huts.

All of the bay's 60 or so beach hut sites are leased, and new ones come up only by ballot.

Ben Lerwill

From our guide to The Borders

A few short miles north of Exmouth lies this picturesque bay, home to one of the best beaches in Berwickshire. Sheltered, spacious and gently curved, the golden crescent of sand still has a deeply traditional feel, with a row of old-fashioned beach huts and plenty of opportunity for rock-pooling.

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Where it is

Between Coldingham village and St Abbs, with a car park at the top of the beach road.

Close byThe Berwickshire coast.
  1. Inside the beach café: wooden floor and tables, with chalkboard menus above the white counter.Coldingham Beach CaféA small white café on the sand at Coldingham Bay near St Abbs, for coffee, milkshakes and cake beside the beach huts.1 mile 2 min by road
  2. St AbbsSt AbbsThe fishing village up the coast.1 mile 3 min by road
  3. St Abb’s Head National Nature ReserveSt Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve1 mile 3 min by road
  4. Prawn and salad roll beside a takeaway cup of juice on a picnic tableEbbcarrs CafeA small cafe in a stone cottage on the harbour at St Abbs, with fresh food, crab and coffee after a coastal walk.2 miles 4 min by road
  5. Number Four GalleryNumber Four GalleryA relaxed contemporary art and craft gallery at Northfield Farm by St Abbs, with prints, paintings, ceramics and crafts.3 miles 6 min by road
  6. The bright dining room of the Clubhouse at Eyemouth, tables and chairs below a coastal mural and windows to the sea.The Clubhouse, EyemouthSeafood with a view in Eyemouth.4 miles 12 min by road
Directions
Giacopazzi's café and Boutique del Gelato, with orange awnings and planters outsideRestaurantsGiacopazzi's3.1 miles
Fishing boats moored in Portsoy harbour beneath the grand harbourmaster's houseAttractionsGunsgreen House3.5 miles
Fishing boats moored in Bullers of Buchan harbour beneath a grey stone buildingAttractionsEyemouth Harbour3.6 miles
A green headland and dark sea cliffs curving away above a rocky shore by Siccar Point under a pale blue sky.AttractionsSiccar Point8.8 miles
Grassy headland overlooking a rocky shoreline and calm coastal watersAttractionsBerwickshire Coastal Path10 miles
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.CockburnspathBlue Cabin by the SeaSleeps 4 · 11 miles
Sandstone mansion with pediment roof, stone steps leading through terraced garden bordersAttractionsPaxton House12 miles
Low sun through the café's sash windows and glazed garden door, wooden chairs at the tables and green fields outside.CafeThe Woodlands Café16 miles
The Daily for 20 October, from Scotland with love. The broken stone walls of a lochside castle rise from a small tree-covered island, autumn foliage glowing orange against the dark water and forested hillside beyond.

The Daily

Arrives at 5am every day.

A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the bay, 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
  • 8 miles from Coldingham Bay
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in the Scottish BordersAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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Find out more

For further reading, before you go.