Longniddry Bents

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Longniddry Bents is a beach just north of Longniddry in East Lothian, Scotland.

The beach is almost 2 miles in length, which includes Gosford Bay to the east side, and the rockier Seton Sands to the west. Along the beach are the remains of a wall of concrete tank traps erected during World War II as protection from any attempted German invasion. Many of these are now hidden in the surrounding sea-grass and bushes.

The area is popular, mostly in the summer months, with local families, holidaymakers, picnicers, horseriders, ramblers, metal detectors, dogwalkers and the occasional kite buggy. The shallow bay is a popular watersports location for windsurfers, kitesurfers and sea kayaks.

Many sea and wading birds frequent this area making it a regular haven for bird-watchers. A small community of rare water voles are known to reside around the several burns running out of the bents. Grey seals are often spotted to the west of the bay.

There are three car-parking areas here and the largest has good views west across the bay to Edinburgh's skyline and the Forth Bridges. Overnight parking is prohibited.

Longniddry Bents are part of the the John Muir Way coastal walk and were presented with a Seaside Award (Rural) in 2006.