Broxmouth Park

Extracts from Queen Victoria’s diary of 1878

August 24th

The park is fine, with noble trees and avenues. It is only a quarter of a mile from the sea, which we could see dimly as we drove from Dunbar. The house ... has been added to at different times, and was much improved and furnished by the Duke's mother, who lived there. It is built on a slope; consequently on one side there is a storey more than on the other.

August 25th

A fine hot morning. After breakfast, walked with Beatrice down under the trees to the left, along a broad walk next to the Broxburn, on to the end of the walk which led to the garden wall, on which roses were growing, and which is quite on the sea, which was of a deep blue.

August 26th

There is a pretty view from this walk to the sea over a small lake, with trees, beyond which Dunbar is seen in the distance. Then I sat out in the garden and wrote. After that, when Beatrice returned from a walk near the sea with Duchess, I went to look at the gravestone of Sir William Douglas, which is quite concealed amongst the bushes near the lawn.