Walks

Starting at the car park, head towards the courtyard and then take the path on the right by the archway, skirting round the courtyard buildings. 

Loop to the right to pass the giant NEWHAILES letters.

Follow this wide path into the woodland, with Newhailes House on your right.

After about 100m, a narrow path heads up to the right. You can pop up here for a short detour to see the Earl of Stair Monument. 

Return to the main path to continue through the woods.

In around 50m, you will pass the Shell Grotto, which dates from the early 18th century and once formed part of the elaborate water gardens in this designed landscape. The walls were originally encrusted with shells and semi-precious stones, but these were sadly stolen along with the lead from the roof in the late 1900s.

The path now runs alongside a burn to your right.

Turn right when you reach the ruined Tea House and cross the bridge. 

The summer tea house was built over water to create a tranquil place for the Dalrymple family to enjoy picnics and tea parties. A storm in the 1960s caused a tree to fall, destroying much of the structure.

The path climbs up a set of wide steps built into the hillside to reach a crossroads of paths at the top. 

Follow the path straight on to reach the edge of a large crop field. 

Head along the edge of the field for around 200m.

At a large interpretation sign for the Ladies’ Walk, take the path that heads out across another crop field.

[You can take the shorter route along the Ladies’ Walk to arrive back at the Earl of Stair Monument if you prefer.]

The field path crosses for 500m and offers lovely views out across the Firth of Forth (to the left) and to the house (to the right). 

At the end of the field path, turn right to rejoin the perimeter path.

After 150m, take the path that leads straight ahead through the East Grove to end up back at the car park.