Name: Prestongrange Museum
Rating: 5.0

Prestongrange Museum

Prestongrange Museum, Prestonpans EH32 9RX, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Prestongrange Museum is a fascinating site in East Lothian that captures over 800 years of Scottish industrial history. As one of the best things to do with kids in Prestonpans, this former industrial complex allows families to explore the remnants of coal mines, brickworks, and glass factories. With plenty of open-air space and interactive indoor displays, it is an ideal destination for an educational and active day out.

Entry to the museum site is free, making it a budget-friendly option for families. While some guided tours and activities carry a small charge, the grounds and core outdoor exhibits can be enjoyed at no cost throughout the year.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, Prestongrange Museum offers a unique blend of nature and history. It is a fantastic spot for curious children to roam through monumental relics while learning about Scotland’s industrial heritage in an engaging, hands-on environment.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Industrial Heritage Trail: Explore monumental ruins, including a vast brick kiln and 17th-century glass works.
Interactive Discovery: Engage with activity sheets and outdoor games designed to make industrial history fun for younger visitors.
Educational Day Out: Learn about the lives of monks, miners, and engineers who shaped the local landscape over eight centuries.
Atmospheric Grounds: Enjoy a peaceful, nature-filled site that overlooks the Firth of Forth, perfect for walking and picnics.

What to See

The Cornish Beam Engine: Discover the only Cornish beam engine left in its original location in Scotland; it’s a massive piece of machinery that kids find truly impressive.
Pithead Winding Gear: See the towering equipment once used to lower and raise miners and coal from deep underground.
The Hoffman Kiln: Explore this unique, vast brick-making oven which stands as a stark and fascinating reminder of the site's manufacturing past.
Engine Shed Locomotives: Visit the newly opened shed to see a collection of historic railway locomotives and wagons that helped move coal.
The Power House: Step inside the building that once generated electricity for the entire site, now housing historical museum galleries.

Facilities

Accessibility: The site is largely accessible, with paved paths for buggies and wheelchair users.
Pithead Canteen Café: Located in the Visitor Centre, offering snacks, cakes, and hot/cold drinks.
Toilets: Available within the Visitor Centre.
WiFi: Free guest WiFi is available on-site for visitors using the audio tour or exploring the site.

Pro-Tips

Audio Tour: Download the audio tour before you arrive using the site's free WiFi or from the John Gray Centre website to hear stories narrated by local voices.
Check the Weather: As much of the museum is outdoors, wear sturdy shoes and dress for the Scottish weather.
Wee Wednesdays: Visit during the season (April–September) on Wednesdays for special activities tailored for babies and toddlers.

Targeted FAQs

Is it worth it for toddlers? Yes, the museum is very family-friendly, particularly on "Wee Wednesdays," which feature songs, stories, and games designed specifically for babies and toddlers.
How long does a visit take? Most families spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the ruins, the Engine Shed, and the Visitor Centre exhibitions.
Where is the best place to park? There is ample free parking available directly on-site at the museum, making it a very convenient stop for families driving to the area.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

The expansive outdoor space allows children to run around freely, making it a stress-free environment for parents.
The knowledgeable staff and volunteers are frequently praised for their passion and ability to explain complex industrial history simply.
It is a quiet, hidden gem that rarely feels overcrowded, even during the summer months.

What Visitors Don't Like

As it is an industrial site, some areas have uneven ground, requiring extra supervision for very young children.
The Visitor Centre has specific seasonal opening hours, which can be frustrating if you arrive outside the April–September window.

What to see

Detailed Inventory

The museum site and its collections feature several significant historical remnants:
16th-Century Harbour (Morison's Haven): The site of early shipping and trade.
17th-Century Glass Works: Remains of early Scottish glass production.
18th-Century Pottery Site: Excavated areas showcasing local clay-working history.
Cornish Beam Engine: A rare, large-scale steam engine.
Hoffman Brick Kiln: A massive, iconic structure on the landscape.
Coal Wagons: Relics of the railway system.
Steam Crane: A heavy piece of historic industrial hardware.
Visitor Centre Exhibits: Displays covering the wider industrial scope of the area, including soap and chemical production.

Beyond the Main Attraction

John Muir Way: The museum is a stop on this famous coastal trail, ideal for families who enjoy walking and cycling.
Battle of Prestonpans Site: Visit the nearby area where the famous 1745 battle took place to broaden your history tour.
Coastal Communities Museum: Located in North Berwick, this is a great follow-up for those interested in local heritage.

What’s New for 2026: Prestongrange Museum

The 2026 season at Prestongrange Museum is marked by exciting developments in the site's ongoing transformation into a dedicated Heritage Park:
Pithead Baths Redevelopment: A significant highlight for 2026 is the completion of the restoration project on the historic 1952 Pithead Bath House. This project has secured the building's future, creating a new, carbon-neutral volunteer hub and activity space to better support community use and education.
Heritage Park Progress: Visitors will notice continued improvements across the wider site as it transitions from its industrial past into a rewilded, repurposed Heritage Park.
Easter Trail: Starting from April 1, 2026, families can enjoy a seasonal Easter trail that guides them around the museum grounds, offering a fun way to explore the industrial landscape.
Return of Wee Wednesdays: A popular favourite for local families, "Wee Wednesdays" returned on April 7, 2026, providing weekly "Bookbug" sessions and craft activities tailored for children aged 0–5.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

For private group visits, school trips, or event hire inquiries, please contact the team via email. Email: [email protected]

Easter Bank Holiday: Prestongrange Museum Visitor Centre will be open Friday 3 April, Saturday 4 April and Sunday 5 April. We will be closed on Monday 6 April.
Prestongrange Museum Visitor Centre: Opens from 1 April to 30 September 2026 Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 4.30pm.

Address: Prestongrange Museum, Prestonpans EH32 9RX, UK

Post Code: EH32 9RX

Council: Prestonpans

County: Edinburgh and Lothia

By train: Wallyford and Prestonpans Stations are both about 30 minutes walk from the museum
By bus: there are a bus stops right outside the museum, just follow the signs to the Visitor Centre (about 5 minutes walk from the stops at the bottom of Drummohr House Road)
By bike: Visitors on bikes are welcome and you can securely lock your bike just outside the Visitor Centre
On foot: we are just off the John Muir Way and welcome walkers
By car: we are signposted off the A1 and the B1348 and B1361, there is free parking is available on site and coaches are welcome. Electric car charging points are available at the Wallyford Park and Ride
Parking: There is free parking is available on site and coaches are welcome. Electric car charging points are available at the Wallyford Park and Ride.