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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Sean Murphy

Beautiful East Lothian beach named among best spots in UK to watch sun rise and set

This week will see the arrival of the summer solstice and with it the longest day of the year, each year this important date is celebrated all around the northern hemisphere with people gathering to celebrate that big yellow ball in the sky.

While Stonehenge is the focus of the celebrations down south, in Scotland it's the perfect excuse to get out and rediscover some of the best places to enjoy a sunrise or sunset.

With that in mind, holiday park operator, Verdant Leisure, has analysed Trip Advisor reviews, weather reports, social figures and distance from car parks to reveal the 10 best, and just as stunning, Stonehenge alternatives that offer the best views of the sun, at the start and end of each day.

And, unsurprisingly, the two Scottish entries in the top 10 for the UK are both in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

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While Arthur's Seat and the Salisbury Crags were an obvious pick for the top spot, another hidden gem beach in East Lothian was also included with Belhaven Beach being described as a "small paradise".

Speaking about the stunning beach, which is the home to the now iconic ‘bridge to nowhere’, the team wrote: "Only a short distance from Edinburgh, this beach has a 4.5 rating on Trip Advisor, and is a must-see sight for sunrise seekers who also want to take in views of the coast.

The 'Bridge to Nowhere' at Belhaven Beach (Verdant Leisure)

"A quieter and more tranquil sunrise setting, the beach offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the sky, allowing you to take in every minute of the sun coming up next to the waves. If you’re lucky enough to be there for the whole day, you can catch the sunset and stroll out to the bridge when the tide is out."

While those looking to stay closer to the city, a wee jaunt up Arthur's Seat (take a few torches and sturdy footwear and stick to the trails) is described as a "fantastic selfie spot" with views out over the capital as the sun rises or sets in the background.

Francesca Houldsworth, travel expert at Verdant Leisure commented: “Along with the excitement that builds around summer, the UK provides so many diverse locations where you can visit to watch sunrises and sunsets. From the tops of mountains to beaches and country parks, we want these moments to be as memorable as possible, so choosing the location that best fits your lifestyle is essential.

“Whether you want somewhere closer to home, or you’re willing to take a road trip, or even a minibreak, make sure to get there with plenty of time before the sunrise, and have a camera to hand to capture the magical moment.”

Here are the top 10 locations that you should visit for the ultimate sunrise scenes:

This list is compiled of sandy stretches of beaches, and mountainous hills and ruins, covering a vast range of locations, that can be enjoyed throughout the summer season.

Name

Rainfall

Walk distance

Location tags

Insta hashtags

TikTok hashtags

TripAdvisor rating

No. of reviews

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh

72

3.00

252000

298000

6900000

4.5

21575

Primrose Hill, London

64

4.00

351000

294000

42400000

4.5

2095

Dartmoor National Park, Devon

59

6.4

91000.00

174000.00

91800000

4.80

14403.00

Ullswater, Lake District, Cumbria

75

1.00

113000

4000000

10900000

5.0

394

Seven Sisters, Sussex

55

4.00

214000

359557

20900000

5.0

1361

Mam Tor, Derbyshire

61

0.70

143000

121000

13500000

4.5

185

Malvern Hills, Herefordshire

49

9.00

66900

186000

2500000

5.0

1006

Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland

46

12

37000

131000

8300000

4.5

713

Belhaven Beach, East Lothian

45

5.5

12800.00

1000.00

8661

4.50

171.00

Whitby Abbey, Yorkshire

61

1.00

100

106000

3800000

4.5

5807

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