Newhailes House & Gardens

Newhailes is a Palladian villa on the edge of Musselburgh, built in 1686 by the architect James Smith for himself and enlarged by the Dalrymple family, who made it a gathering place of the Scottish Enlightenment; Dr Johnson called its library the most learned room in Europe. The National Trust for Scotland took it on in 1997 and chose to conserve rather than restore, so the rococo plasterwork, Italian marble fireplaces, Chinese sitting room and faded silks are shown as time left them on the guided tours. The 18th-century designed landscape has woodland walks, a water garden and a shell grotto, and the stables hold a cafe, gift shop, second-hand bookshop, a potter's studio and the Weehailes adventure playpark. Reviewers rate the tours and the playpark, one of the best they have seen. Tips from visitors: house tours are pre-booked and run late morning to mid-afternoon, the paths can be muddy in winter, the playpark charges separately and bans dogs, and the car park is free for members.