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Gosford Sands is a picturesque beach located on the East Lothian coast of the Firth of Forth, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance.
Gosford Sands is a west-facing sand and shingle bay, popular with walkers, bird watchers, and kite-flyers. The beach is set against a backdrop of forest and cliffs, and is just a short drive from Edinburgh. The bay is situated near the magnificent Georgian mansion of Gosford House, which is still privately owned but open to the public during the summer.
The beach is west-facing, and the westerly winds have caused erosion of the sand over the years. However, measures have been taken to stabilise the sand, including the use of sea-lyme grass and dead buckthorn as sea defences along the shoreline at the southern end of the bay. At low tide, a large expanse of sand and shingle beach is exposed, providing ample space for activities. When the tide is in, the coastal road running alongside the beach limits the area available for games and other activities.
The beach is home to a variety of wildlife, including curlew, plovers, and other wading birds, which can be seen in the mud flats at low tide. The beach also features the remains of wartime defence blocks between the road and the shoreline.
Sand Shingle
Today | ![]() |
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Chance of rain | 51% |
Max temp. | 24°C |
(feels like | 23°C) |
Wind 7mph | ![]() |
Max UV Index | ![]() |
Tonight | ![]() |
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Chance of rain | 41% |
Min temp. | 16°C |
(feels like | 16°C) |
Wind 7mph | ![]() |
The tide at Gosford Sands is currently falling. Low tide will be at approximately 1:35 PM, and the next high tide will be at approximately 8:12 PM.
Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low
Approximate sea surface temperature:
14.1°C
The car park lies adjacent to the B1358 and A198 coast road and is well signposted. Parking is free all year round.
Dogs are allowed.
No lifeguard cover at this beach
Water quality not measured here
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Seton Collegiate Church (1.3 miles)
Longniddry Golf Club (1.4 miles)
Alba Game Fishing (3.2 miles)
Gullane Golf Club (3.4 miles)
The Old Clubhouse (3.5 miles)
John Gray Centre (5.2 miles)
Prestongrange Museum (5.4 miles)
Archerfield Links Golf Club (5.4 miles)
St Mary's Church (5.5 miles)
All distances are approximate
around 6 miles northeast as the seagull flies, around 8 miles by road.
around 13 miles east as the seagull flies, around 16 miles by road.
around 11 miles east-northeast as the seagull flies, around 13 miles by road.
less than a mile south-southwest as the seagull flies, less than a mile by road.
around 3 miles southwest as the seagull flies, around 3 miles by road.
around 8 miles west-southwest as the seagull flies, around 9 miles by road.
around 9 miles west-southwest as the seagull flies, around 10 miles by road.
around 9 miles west-southwest as the seagull flies, around 14 miles by road.
Location: Craigielaw
Location type: Village
Nearest village: Longniddry
OS Grid: NT444785
Country: Scotland
Local Authority: East Lothian
Nearest postcode: EH32 0PX
(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)
Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.
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