St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve

St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve is open all year round. The Nature Centre, situated next to the reserve car park, is open between 10am and 5pm, 7 days a week from Easter to the end of October. This is mostly unmanned, but contains all the information you should need to help you get the most out of your visit. The public toilets are open all day, all year round.

The reserve car park is located at NT 913 674 and is well signposted from the B6438. There is a £3 per day parking fee (free to members). Unfortunately, the car park is unsuitable for coaches; please call the Old Smiddy Coffee Shop (07773 347 209) to arrange use of their car park.

The Old Smiddy Coffee Shop is next to the Nature Centre, where you’ll also find the Number 4 Art Gallery. Neither is owned by the Trust, so if you’d like more information and opening times please contact them direct. There are also two other cafés, Ebba’s Bistro and the Ebb Carrs café, just down the road in the village of St Abbs. There are picnic benches outside the Nature Centre and neighbouring coffee shop. 

Dogs are welcome. Please keep them under close control, or on a lead near farm stock, and clear up after them. Please note that, although there are dog waste bins at the car park and near the start of the walks, there are none out on the reserve, so please come prepared (with a suitable sealable container) to carry your dog’s waste.

St Abb’s Head is a ‘no-drone zone’ between 1 April and 31 July, to prevent disturbance to breeding seabirds and other wildlife. Outwith this time, amateur unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) operators should seek permission from the Property Manager before flying. Commercial operators should contact the Trust’s Filming Manager at filming@nts.org.uk. 

For more information about planning your visit please see our frequently asked questions.

If you would like to speak to us we can be contacted by email: st.abbs@nts.org.uk  or telephone 01890 771443.