You can almost hear the crunch of carriage wheels pulling up as you stand before this incredible house. You’ll be shown around by guided tour, so you won’t miss any of the fabulous details that make it so special.
Admire the sumptuous decorative details at every turn, including the early 18th-century trompe l’oeil decoration. Then, pass through the service corridor downstairs to discover an altogether eerier world. The old kitchen and scullery were locked between the 1940s and the 90s, and we’ve left them as we found them, abandoned workspaces from a bygone age.
You'll leave the house the same way the servants did, through a tunnel designed to keep the grounds clear of the sight of workers rushing to and fro.
Take a walk in the grounds and see if you can find the 18th-century tea house, the mysterious shell grotto and the Ladies’ Walk – an elevated promenade designed to lift both body and mind. Visit the Stables courtyard to enjoy a delicious treat from the café, view a short video about the house or to browse the shop with its good range of gifts.
Children will love running around the amazing new adventure play park, Weehailes, which will remind visitors of something they might find in a children's fairy tale book.
If you’re keen to explore further, take one of our monthly ‘behind the scenes’ tours which will show you round parts of the house that are otherwise off-limits. Budding nature detectives will especially enjoy our minibeast safaris and ranger-led walks. Or go in search of bugs and beasties yourself with one of our Explorer Packs.
House (guided tours only, from 12–3.30):
30 Mar–30 Jun, Thu–Mon
Jul–Aug, daily
Sep–Oct, Thu–Mon
Estate:
Open all year, daily, sunrise–sunset
Transport
By road
Newhailes is on Newhailes Road (A6095), Musselburgh
By bus
Lothian Buses number 30 comes to Newhailes Road (front gate) (200m from Newhailes) every 10 mins during the day and every 15 mins during the evening from Clovenstone, Balgreen, Princes Street West End, Prestonfield and Fort Kinnaird. Lothian Buses numbers 26 and 44 stop near the north gate through the estate from Edinburgh city centre.
First Buses numbers 140 and 141 also stop nearby; tel 0871 200 2233.
By train
You can travel to Newcraighall Station by First ScotRail services, which run regularly from Waverley Station in Edinburgh. Newhailes is a 20-minute walk from Newcraighall Station along Newhailes Road.
