Gaylet Pot

You'll need proper walking boots and a torch for this one. Gaylet Pot is a modest cave system tucked into the Aberdeenshire landscape, about four miles from Arbroath - the kind of spot locals know about but most tourists miss entirely. The entrance is unassuming, frankly, but once you're inside it opens up into a series of chambers with water features and decent rock formations that feel genuinely worthwhile if you're into underground exploration.

It's free, which is the main appeal for families on a budget. Allow a good hour if you want to explore properly without rushing, though keen cavers might spend longer picking their way through the passages. The walk in takes fifteen minutes or so from the nearest parking, and it's not arduous - more a gentle ramble through woodland than a serious trek.

This works best as part of a longer day out in Aberdeenshire rather than a standalone trip. Pair it with a stay at The Grange Glamping nearby if you want to make a proper weekend of it, or combine it with a coastal walk around Arbroath itself. The cave appeals most to older kids and adults who actually enjoy caving rather than families with small ones who'll get bored after twenty minutes. Go in spring or early summer when the water levels are manageable and daylight hours are longer. Bring a good light source - the torch on your phone won't cut it.