East Links Family Park – Guide to Attractions, Prices and Tips

East Links Family Park offers families a sprawling 20-acre farm-themed adventure destination just minutes from the Firth of Forth coastline in Dunbar, East Lothian. This Scottish attraction has established itself as one of the region’s most comprehensive family days out, packing over 60 activities onto a single site where visitors can ride a miniature train through animal paddocks, race around go-kart tracks, and encounter highland cows, llamas, and wallabies—all within one ticket price. Located approximately 45 minutes from Edinburgh, the park draws both local families and tourists seeking structured outdoor entertainment with the convenience of on-site facilities. The park’s self-contained nature makes it particularly appealing to parents looking to maximise their children’s play time without the complication of purchasing individual activity tokens or travelling between separate venues.

Originally developed as a farm-focused family venue, East Links has progressively expanded its offerings to include higher-octane attractions while maintaining its agricultural heritage. The result is a hybrid destination that successfully caters to different energy levels within a family group—from toddlers seeking soft play areas to teenagers drawn to the go-karts and trampolines. Visitor feedback consistently highlights the park’s organisational efficiency and the generosity of including most activities within the standard admission fee, though some families note that the pricing structure, which charges adults and children similar rates, requires consideration when planning a larger family visit. The park operates year-round with adjusted seasonal hours, closing only on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day to allow staff and animals their annual rest.

What is East Links Family Park?

East Links Family Park represents a significant investment in family-focused tourism infrastructure within East Lothian, positioning itself as an all-inclusive day destination rather than a traditional theme park with à la carte pricing. The park’s central philosophy centres on providing unlimited access to its activity catalogue through a single admission charge, meaning visitors who secure go-kart sessions, play on the multi-level Fortress structure, or navigate the musical maze all do so without reaching for their wallets again. This approach simplifies the visitor experience considerably, though it does mean that the upfront ticket cost reflects the breadth of available entertainment rather than a modest selection. Families frequently report taking advantage of this model by pacing their visit across the full day, rotating through different zones as energy levels and interests shift.

Key Insights for Planning Your Visit

• All activities are included in admission—no extra charges for go-karts, train rides, or animal encounters
• Online booking offers significant savings compared to gate prices (approximately £3 per person discount)
• The park accommodates all weather conditions with substantial indoor and covered areas
• Season tickets provide better value for local families visiting multiple times annually
• Average visitor stay spans 3–5 hours, though many families with younger children report shorter visits
• Accessible design includes ramps and wheelchair access throughout, including the train and fortress summit

Where is East Links Family Park Located and How to Get There?

The park occupies a spacious rural setting on the outskirts of Dunbar, a historic coastal town on East Lothian’s North Sea shore. Visitors travelling from Edinburgh will find the journey straightforward via the A1 trunk road, making the approximately 45-minute drive the most practical option for families with children. The route passes through East Lothian’s characteristic farmland scenery, with the park’s location just off the main road providing easy identification for first-time visitors. Those using satellite navigation systems can input the postcode EH42 1XF directly, which guides vehicles to the park’s entrance without ambiguity. Public transport options are more limited—Dunbar railway station sits approximately two miles from the park, and while taxi services operate in the town, visitors without private vehicles should factor this into their planning.

Parking and Arrival

Free parking is available on-site within the park’s grounds, with the rural setting providing ample space for vehicles throughout the operating season. The parking area connects directly to the main entrance, minimising the distance families need to walk with young children or pushchairs. Visitor accounts suggest that the car park can become busy during peak summer weekends and school holidays, though the park’s size generally accommodates demand without severe congestion. Arriving close to opening time typically provides the most manageable parking experience and allows families to establish themselves in the park before larger crowds gather. The entrance gate leads directly to the ticket office and welcome area, where staff can answer initial questions and direct visitors toward facilities such as baby changing rooms or the on-site café.

Accessibility and Facilities

East Links Family Park has incorporated accessibility features throughout its grounds, recognising that families with members who have mobility requirements need confident information before committing to a visit. Ramps provide access to all areas, including the upper levels of the popular Fortress playground structure and the boarding platform for the train safari—a consideration that distinguishes the park from some adventure venues where such features are added as afterthoughts. Wheelchair and pushchair users will find the terrain generally manageable, though the agricultural setting means some grassed areas may present challenges after wet weather. Baby changing facilities, high chairs in the café, and a microwave for warming baby food demonstrate the park’s acknowledgement of its youngest visitors’ needs, while kennels at the entrance allow families with dogs to visit without leaving their pets at home.

What Activities and Attractions Are Available?

The activity catalogue at East Links Family Park spans a deliberately broad range of experiences, combining high-energy attractions with more contemplative encounters designed to appeal across generational and developmental lines. The 1km train safari remains a flagship experience, with the miniature railway threading through animal paddocks where highland cows, llamas, and goats graze in fields adjacent to the track. This juxtaposition of manufactured entertainment with genuine agricultural settings characterises much of the park’s approach—using the farm theme not merely as decoration but as an authentic connecting element between different activity zones. The Fortress playground dominates the outdoor landscape with its multi-level structure incorporating slides, tunnels, climbing nets, and rope bridges, providing sufficient complexity to occupy older children for extended periods while remaining safe and supervised.

Outdoor and Active Attractions

Beyond the train and fortress, the outdoor zone encompasses family go-karts on a purpose-built circuit, an 18-hole crazy golf course with challenging holes suitable for varying skill levels, and a dedicated pedal kart track designed with younger children in mind. Trampolines offer bouncing opportunities, while the JCB young drivers area lets children operate miniature versions of the construction vehicles under safe, controlled conditions. The hay barn provides covered climbing walls and active play for days when the Scottish weather makes outdoor activity less appealing, and the musical maze challenges children to navigate sound-based puzzles through its corridors. Traditional fairground-style games scattered throughout the grounds add variety, though families should note that these typically operate on a separate token or coin system rather than being included in admission.

Animal Encounters

The animal experience at East Links Family Park operates across two distinct areas: the outdoor paddocks visible from the train route and throughout the park grounds, and the dedicated indoor small animal barn. Outdoor residents include the park’s highland cows with their distinctive shaggy coats, several llamas that visitors can observe from close proximity, a collection of goats, prairie dog burrows where these small mammals can be watched going about their daily activities, and a wallaby enclosure providing an unusual encounter for Scottish visitors unfamiliar with Australian wildlife. The indoor barn houses smaller creatures including rabbits, guinea pigs, and seasonal chicks, providing sheltered encounters during inclement weather and giving younger children a chance to interact at a more intimate level than the outdoor paddock settings allow.

Pricing, Tickets, and Booking Information

Understanding East Links Family Park’s pricing structure requires attention to two distinct categories: gate prices for walk-up visitors and the reduced rates available through advance online booking. The park operates a policy of including all major activities within the single admission fee, meaning families do not face additional charges when accessing go-karts, the train safari, crazy golf, or animal areas after entry. This approach simplifies budgeting for parents who might otherwise find unexpected costs accumulating throughout a visit, though it does mean that the admission price reflects a higher baseline than attractions charging separately for individual activities. The current pricing ladder distinguishes between adults and children aged three and above, children aged two (who pay a reduced rate), and concession categories covering senior citizens and visitors with disabilities alongside their carers.

Current Admission Prices

Gate prices for visitors paying on the day stand at £19 per person for adults and children aged three and above, with children aged two admitted at £9.50. Concession rates of £15.20 apply to visitors aged 60 and over, as well as disabled visitors and their registered carers. A family ticket for four people costs £72 at the gate, with each additional family member receiving a £1 discount. Online booking reduces these figures significantly: adults and children pay £16 each online, two-year-olds £8, and concessions £12.80, bringing the family four-pack down to £60. These savings represent approximately 16% off gate pricing, a difference that becomes meaningful for larger families. Season tickets provide an alternative for local families or visitors planning multiple trips within a year, with adult and child season passes available at £70 and £35 respectively.

How to Purchase and Book

Tickets can be purchased through the official East Links Family Park website, which handles online transactions and delivers e-tickets directly to purchasers’ email accounts. Third-party platforms including Trip.com and Eventbrite also list tickets for the attraction, offering the same online pricing but potentially with different delivery mechanisms. Groups of ten or more visitors should particularly consider advance booking, as this often qualifies for additional group discounts and ensures adequate space during busy periods. The park’s policy grants whole-day access with a single admission, meaning visitors can leave and return on the same day if needed—a flexibility that proves useful when combining a morning at the park with an afternoon at nearby Dunbar beach, which lies within easy driving distance.

Opening Times and Practical Visitor Tips

East Links Family Park maintains different operating schedules across the year, reflecting the seasonal variations in daylight and weather that characterise Scottish life on the North Sea coast. From March through October, the park opens daily at 10am, closing at 5pm as a standard time, though summer months often see extended hours until 6pm during peak holiday periods. Winter operation from November through February operates on a reduced 10am to 4pm schedule, with one day per week typically closed for maintenance and staff rest—families should verify current arrangements through the official Facebook page, as specific closure days can vary. The park closes entirely on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, and occasional closures in January and February for annual maintenance mean that spontaneous winter visits require confirmation of current operating status.

Special Events and Seasonal Activities

Throughout the year, East Links Family Park supplements its core activity catalogue with special events that provide additional reasons to visit or offer seasonal variations on the standard experience. Dinosaur Days, held in mid-March, transforms the park with dinosaur-themed activities and displays that particularly appeal to younger children fascinated by prehistoric creatures. The Christmas event in December brings seasonal entertainment including festive themed activities and the opportunity to combine adventure park visits with holiday celebrations—though families should note that specific December dates remain to be confirmed for the current year. These special events typically operate within the standard admission framework with all activities included, though certain events may require separate booking or carry premium pricing that families should verify before visiting.

Average Visit Duration

Visitor feedback suggests an average stay of three to five hours provides sufficient time to experience the majority of activities without rushing, though families with very young children often find their visits complete within two to three hours. The park’s layout—with distinct zones for different activity types—encourages a natural rotation approach, with many families beginning at one end of the site and working through systematically. Returning visitors frequently mention that subsequent visits allow for more targeted experiences, focusing on favourite attractions rather than attempting comprehensive coverage. The on-site café provides a natural break point for lunch, though families preferring to bring their own food will find picnic areas available within the grounds.

Understanding What We Know and What Remains Uncertain

Reviewing the available information about East Links Family Park reveals a solid foundation of confirmed facts alongside several areas where details remain subject to change or lack independent verification. Families planning visits should understand this distinction to calibrate their expectations appropriately and ensure they have accurate information when making travel decisions.

The most reliable sources for current information remain the official East Links Family Park website and their active social media presence, which receive direct updates from park management. Third-party sources, including travel review platforms and local tourism guides, offer valuable contextual information but may contain outdated details regarding pricing and operating hours. Families are encouraged to verify specific arrangements within 48 hours of planned visits, particularly during transitional periods between seasons when operating procedures may be adjusting.

The Broader Context: East Links Family Park in Scottish Tourism

East Links Family Park occupies a particular niche within East Lothian’s visitor economy, serving as a reliable rainy-day alternative for coastal holidaymakers whose beach plans have been disrupted by the unpredictable Scottish weather that characterises the North Sea coastline. The park’s proximity to Dunbar—itself a destination for beach walks, coastal walks, and historical exploration around the ruined castle—allows families to construct multi-activity days that combine outdoor natural attractions with structured entertainment. For Edinburgh residents seeking affordable family days out that don’t require lengthy motorway journeys, East Links has become a recognised default option, with season ticket purchases particularly concentrated among families within comfortable driving distance.

The park’s farm heritage provides a point of differentiation from the roller-coaster-focused attractions that define larger theme park experiences, positioning East Links as closer to an educational visitor attraction that happens to include exciting rides rather than the reverse. This balance is reflected in visitor demographics, which skew toward families with children under ten but include significant numbers of mixed-age groups and extended families seeking activities that don’t exclude grandparents or younger siblings. The animal encounters, in particular, offer intergenerational appeal that purely mechanical attractions cannot replicate, while the variety of activity intensities means family members can self-select their participation rather than being funnelled through a one-size-fits-all experience.

What Visitors Are Saying

“The kids absolutely loved the train safari—we went three times in one visit. The animals are well looked after and the setting is beautiful.”

— Parent review, aggregated from visitor feedback

Visitor reviews consistently highlight the train safari and Fortress playground as standout attractions that reliably delight children across the target age range. The go-karts receive particular mention for their well-maintained condition and appropriate sizing for younger drivers, while families with toddlers praise the soft play barn and the accessibility features that allow even the youngest visitors to participate in major attractions. The general consensus among positive reviews centres on value for money when considering the breadth of activities included, particularly for families who maximise their visit by staying for the full day and rotating through multiple zones.

“It’s not the cheapest day out, but when you add up everything that’s included—especially for a family with older kids who want to do everything—it works out reasonably well.”

— TripAdvisor visitor, Dunbar, East Lothian

Critical feedback focuses primarily on the pricing structure, with some families expressing surprise that adult and child tickets are priced identically given that younger children may not engage with all activities. The uniform adult/child pricing has drawn particular commentary from visitors with children under two, where the reduced rate is available but parents question whether the full child experience justifies even the discounted admission. Families considering season tickets frequently cite value calculations that depend heavily on their proximity to the park and anticipated visit frequency, with visitors living within 30 minutes generally finding annual passes worthwhile while those travelling from further afield may prefer to calculate per-visit costs against specific trip plans.

Summary and Key Takeaways

East Links Family Park delivers a comprehensive family day out through its 20-acre site near Dunbar, combining over 60 included activities ranging from highland cow encounters and miniature train safaris to go-karts, trampolines, and multi-level play structures. The all-inclusive pricing model simplifies budgeting—though online booking delivers meaningful savings—with current gate prices of £19 per adult or child providing unlimited access to the major attractions throughout a typical three-to-five-hour visit. The park’s accessibility design and dedicated toddler facilities make it particularly suitable for families with young children, while the variety ensures older children remain engaged. Checking the official website for current pricing, hours, and any special event requirements remains the most reliable preparation step before visiting.

For those exploring similar Scottish attractions or planning broader East Lothian itineraries, additional resources like the Top of the Rock – Complete Visitor Guide to Views and Tickets offer destination comparison options, while Sharm El Sheikh Holidays – Best Times, Deals and Guide provides context for international travel planning.

Frequently Asked Questions