Thurston Manor Leisure Park in Dunbar - a beautiful Scottish countryside holiday park
A couple of weeks back we spent a few days at Thurston Manor Leisure Park and loved every minute of it. This was our first visit to one of Verdant Leisure's holiday parks and post our stay I can confidently say that we would definitely go back to Thurston Manor or one of Verdant Leisure's other holiday parks.
Verdant Leisure are a bespoke holiday park operator with award-winning parks across Scotland, Northumberland and County Durham. They offer a wide range of holiday options to suit all budgets and tastes. So whether you are after a cosy caravan or a spacious luxury lodge, they have it all. When we were invited to experience one of their holiday parks, I knew we would pick one of their luxury lodges, the only thing left to decide was the location. We had been in the process of planning a trip to Scotland at that time and so my choices of holiday parks were Scoutscroft (in Berwickshire and just a short distance from the beach), Pease Bay Leisure Park (also in Berwickshire) or Thurston Manor Leisure Park (in Dunbar). After much deliberation, we picked Thurston Manor due to its countryside location in the heart of East Lothian. Under an hour from Edinburgh, it felt like an ideal location for our holiday and it turned out to be just that.
Located in Dunbar, the park was very easy to find. On arrival, we headed to the reception. A warm welcome and a quick check-in later we made our way to our luxury lodge - our home for the next few days. Thurston Manor has three types of lodges - Classic lodges, Superior lodges and Deluxe lodges. We were staying in one of the Deluxe lodges - a high specification lodge with a lovely, contemporary design, abundance of space and all the comforts of a home. The lodge had 2 bedrooms (one double, one twin), 2 bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, dining area and a comfortable lounge. There was also an outdoor seating area and a large decking area as well. Plus private parking in front of the lodge. Excellent. The lodge was spacious and luxurious and had all the trappings of a comfortable stay.
The bedrooms were tidy with the beds made up and towels provided. The bed was comfortable and we had a great night's sleep on all the three nights we spent there. Both the bathrooms had showers.
The kitchen was fabulous - equipped with an array of integrated, modern appliances including a dishwasher and washing machine. I cooked a few times whilst there and the kitchen had everything I needed. Again, it was very clean and also had some wonderful welcome touches including a bottle of wine, biscuits, bread, jam, eggs and milk among other things.
Everything was immaculate and finished to a high standard. We loved it.
Although there are a number of lodges dotted across the site, there is still an element of privacy. We also felt that the lodge was quite sound-proof as in we couldn't hear much of the outside noise (which was quite low in any case) when the windows/doors were closed.
Thurston Manor is set in 176 acres of beautiful countryside and has a number of on-park facilities – swimming pool, sauna, gym, fly fishing lake, a shop, launderette, play park, woodland walks and much more.
There are two venues where you can grab a meal - Hunter’s Bar & Restaurant or Muir’s Cafe both serving freshly prepared meals. There is also a dedicated family room with seasonal entertainment and a games room and arcade. All the staff we encountered in these areas were friendly and helpful.
In the lodge, there was a comprehensive welcome pack with all the information about the park and its facilities, including details of weekly entertainment as well as information about local pubs, restaurants, doctors etc.
The whole East Lothian region is really picturesque and there was so much to see right near the park and in Dunbar itself. We spent a day exploring the coastal towns of Dunbar and North Berwick. Beautiful sea views, coastal walks, some historical attractions and a spot of shopping - everything right at the doorstep. It was fun. If you are planning to explore the local attractions (Tantallon Castle, Preston Mill, Foxlake Adventures, Dirleton Castle and Gardens, Musselburgh Museum etc.) during your stay, talk to the team at the Reception. They have a number of discount offers with a range of local attractions and activity providers.
Thurston Manor is also an ideal base to explore areas further afield, like Edinburgh. Just under an hour from Edinburgh, an early start in the day gave us enough time to explore the city leisurely.
Thurston Manor Leisure Park is an excellent base if you are planning to explore the East Lothian region of Scotland. It is close to lovely, little coastal towns, a number of historical attractions, sandy beaches and of course the city of Edinburgh. Being located at the foot of the Lammermuir Hills means there are a number of walking routes nearby as well.
The park is a very peaceful and tranquil place - the perfect location for a couples getaway or to spend some quality time with family & friends. All the staff are very helpful and friendly. The amenities are good and there is so much to see and do in the region. You could also go for a lovely walk down by the park's fishing lake. And you might also spot a number of birds or even see some deer in the park. We spotted one darting across the pathway very near our lodge.
Overall, we had a wonderful stay at Thurston Manor Leisure Park and would definitely consider visiting one of their other parks.
Prices for a three nights stay in a Classic Lodge start from £307.30, a Superior Lodge from £366.80 and a Deluxe Lodge from £395.50 (prices are based on staying from 1st June – 4th June 2018).
Thurston Manor | Innerwick, Dunbar - EH42 1SA
Phone | 03300 539058
- Set within 175 acres of stunning countryside, the park offers accommodation in caravans and lodges.
- Just off the A1 and under an hour from Edinburgh
- Check-in from 3pm
- Reception is open from 9am - 6pm
- Season open from 15th February to 3rd January
- Wi-Fi available in the reception and restaurants but not in the lodges.
We were guests of Verdant Leisure for the purpose of this article. Opinions, as always, are solely our own.
Verdant Leisure are a bespoke holiday park operator with award-winning parks across Scotland, Northumberland and County Durham. They offer a wide range of holiday options to suit all budgets and tastes. So whether you are after a cosy caravan or a spacious luxury lodge, they have it all. When we were invited to experience one of their holiday parks, I knew we would pick one of their luxury lodges, the only thing left to decide was the location. We had been in the process of planning a trip to Scotland at that time and so my choices of holiday parks were Scoutscroft (in Berwickshire and just a short distance from the beach), Pease Bay Leisure Park (also in Berwickshire) or Thurston Manor Leisure Park (in Dunbar). After much deliberation, we picked Thurston Manor due to its countryside location in the heart of East Lothian. Under an hour from Edinburgh, it felt like an ideal location for our holiday and it turned out to be just that.
Thurston Manor Leisure Park - The Deluxe Lodge
Located in Dunbar, the park was very easy to find. On arrival, we headed to the reception. A warm welcome and a quick check-in later we made our way to our luxury lodge - our home for the next few days. Thurston Manor has three types of lodges - Classic lodges, Superior lodges and Deluxe lodges. We were staying in one of the Deluxe lodges - a high specification lodge with a lovely, contemporary design, abundance of space and all the comforts of a home. The lodge had 2 bedrooms (one double, one twin), 2 bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, dining area and a comfortable lounge. There was also an outdoor seating area and a large decking area as well. Plus private parking in front of the lodge. Excellent. The lodge was spacious and luxurious and had all the trappings of a comfortable stay.
The bedrooms were tidy with the beds made up and towels provided. The bed was comfortable and we had a great night's sleep on all the three nights we spent there. Both the bathrooms had showers.
The kitchen was fabulous - equipped with an array of integrated, modern appliances including a dishwasher and washing machine. I cooked a few times whilst there and the kitchen had everything I needed. Again, it was very clean and also had some wonderful welcome touches including a bottle of wine, biscuits, bread, jam, eggs and milk among other things.
Everything was immaculate and finished to a high standard. We loved it.
Although there are a number of lodges dotted across the site, there is still an element of privacy. We also felt that the lodge was quite sound-proof as in we couldn't hear much of the outside noise (which was quite low in any case) when the windows/doors were closed.
On-park facilities
Thurston Manor is set in 176 acres of beautiful countryside and has a number of on-park facilities – swimming pool, sauna, gym, fly fishing lake, a shop, launderette, play park, woodland walks and much more.
There are two venues where you can grab a meal - Hunter’s Bar & Restaurant or Muir’s Cafe both serving freshly prepared meals. There is also a dedicated family room with seasonal entertainment and a games room and arcade. All the staff we encountered in these areas were friendly and helpful.
In the lodge, there was a comprehensive welcome pack with all the information about the park and its facilities, including details of weekly entertainment as well as information about local pubs, restaurants, doctors etc.
Things to do
The whole East Lothian region is really picturesque and there was so much to see right near the park and in Dunbar itself. We spent a day exploring the coastal towns of Dunbar and North Berwick. Beautiful sea views, coastal walks, some historical attractions and a spot of shopping - everything right at the doorstep. It was fun. If you are planning to explore the local attractions (Tantallon Castle, Preston Mill, Foxlake Adventures, Dirleton Castle and Gardens, Musselburgh Museum etc.) during your stay, talk to the team at the Reception. They have a number of discount offers with a range of local attractions and activity providers.
Thurston Manor is also an ideal base to explore areas further afield, like Edinburgh. Just under an hour from Edinburgh, an early start in the day gave us enough time to explore the city leisurely.
Book your holiday
Thurston Manor Leisure Park is an excellent base if you are planning to explore the East Lothian region of Scotland. It is close to lovely, little coastal towns, a number of historical attractions, sandy beaches and of course the city of Edinburgh. Being located at the foot of the Lammermuir Hills means there are a number of walking routes nearby as well.
The park is a very peaceful and tranquil place - the perfect location for a couples getaway or to spend some quality time with family & friends. All the staff are very helpful and friendly. The amenities are good and there is so much to see and do in the region. You could also go for a lovely walk down by the park's fishing lake. And you might also spot a number of birds or even see some deer in the park. We spotted one darting across the pathway very near our lodge.
Overall, we had a wonderful stay at Thurston Manor Leisure Park and would definitely consider visiting one of their other parks.
Read about our next stop - Wigwam Holidays Brampton!
Prices for a three nights stay in a Classic Lodge start from £307.30, a Superior Lodge from £366.80 and a Deluxe Lodge from £395.50 (prices are based on staying from 1st June – 4th June 2018).
Thurston Manor | Innerwick, Dunbar - EH42 1SA
Phone | 03300 539058
Good to know
- Set within 175 acres of stunning countryside, the park offers accommodation in caravans and lodges.
- Just off the A1 and under an hour from Edinburgh
- Check-in from 3pm
- Reception is open from 9am - 6pm
- Season open from 15th February to 3rd January
- Wi-Fi available in the reception and restaurants but not in the lodges.
We were guests of Verdant Leisure for the purpose of this article. Opinions, as always, are solely our own.
I think I’ve looked at this place before as we regularly book log cabins, I love these types of holidays for getaway weekends and family time. This one has great facilities too so will add to my list for our next trip
ReplyDeleteIt is a very peaceful site and the lakeside lodges are lovely. And best of all is its location. We loved it.
DeleteThurston manor looks soo cozy! What I like most about this place is that its surrounded by nature whi h offer a lot of hikes. As a family hiker, we always appreciate places where we can easily hit the trail.
ReplyDeleteYes, the park's location is excellent. There are many wonderful walks in the area. One that is very popular is the 'Lammer Law and Hopes Reservoir'. It is not very near. You need to drive to Longyester and then begin the walk.
DeleteWhat a nice place for a quiet getaway! The word that comes to mind is "peaceful". That kitchen really is something--nicer than 99% of kitchens I've used in the last two years of traveling that's for sure! Looks like a great base to explore the surrounding area, too--that manor is beautiful! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, a very peaceful and lovely site. And a great base to explore East Lothian.
DeleteWow the lodge looks really spacious! I am impressed with how clean and well-maintained your room is. The kitchen has all the modern appliances you need!
ReplyDeleteYes, the lodge was quite spacious and well-furnished. Everything was clean as well which is one of the key factors we always tend to look out for.
DeleteI had never heard of East Lothian before, but it does look like a picturesque location with interesting sights. The property looks quite comfortable. The kitchen would be especially useful if you have limited dining options and/or dietary restrictions.
ReplyDeleteThis certainly looks like a great place to stay. I prefer something spacious when on the holiday and having a comfortable bed is a deal breaker.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so quaint and cozy I think Thurston manner it looks really interesting. We will actually be in Edinburgh in about a week so we will have to check this place out as it looks like the perfect place to relax.
ReplyDeleteOne of my first trips, many years ago, was to Peebles. It was beautiful in the Scottish countryside and we could hop over to Edinburgh to see the big city. Thurston Manor looks very beautiful and with over 100 acres you can find plenty of peace and quiet.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that despite visiting the region a few times, I had not even heard about Verdant Leisure Park. I love the idea of a bespoke holiday park and it's service seems to be impeccable. Else why would it win awards. Bookmarked it for my next holiday.
ReplyDelete