Are you looking for Edinburgh’s most beautiful gardens? In order to take a leisurely stroll, observe people, or enjoy your meal in quiet, this book describes the city’s well-known green areas as well as lesser-known hidden urban parks. All of these Edinburgh gardens are open to the public for free unless otherwise noted.
1. Princes Street Gardens
The park in Edinburgh with the most publicity is Princes Street Gardens.
The garden is divided in two and is situated halfway between the Old Town and the New Town of Edinburgh. The gardens cover just around 40 acres in total.
West Princes Street Gardens is located between The Mound and Lothian Road (West End), whereas East Princes Street Gardens is adjacent to Edinburgh Waverley Train Station.
Many locations, including Waverley Bridge via Princes Street, Market Street nearby the Edinburgh Dungeons, The Mound, and King Stables Road, provide entrance to the park.
For the protection of the public, the park closes at dusk.
On the bluff overlooking the gardens’ western end, Edinburgh Castle is located. In the spring, the cherry blossom trees create stunning backdrops for the castle.
Even if there won’t be a flurry of copper tones like in places like Perthshire during the autumn, there are still a few shots worth grabbing your camera for!
2. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The 70-acre Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, commonly called the Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh, is located in the city’s New Town and consists of four parks.
The Botanics contain about 100,000 plants, some of which date back 350 years.
Although the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens are most known for their beautiful Victorian Temperate Palmhouse, there are actually ten glasshouses that are home to more than 3,000 exotic plants in total.
The Heath Garden has an area dedicated to native Scottish plants.
There is a tiny bit of history where the Botanics are situated.
The renowned Mons Meg fired a gunstone to commemorate Mary Queen of Scots’ marriage in 1558, and it landed at what is now the Royal Botanic Garden. Today, you can go see Mons Meg at Edinburgh Castle.
The Gardens are a mile north of the city center and are accessible via public transportation.
Instead of hibernating in the cold Scottish winters, crowds of people flock to the annual Botanic Gardens Lights display.
3. The Meadows Community Gardens
South of Edinburgh, there is a 63-acre public park called The Meadows.
This urban park, which once served as Borough-Loch’s residence, is well-liked by children, families, runners, and bikers all year long.
The Meadows (Park) is in the foreground, with Edinburgh’s skyline in the background. Scottish, British Isles
The Scottish Power wall behind the park has an intriguing collection of murals called “Processions” by the artists Astrid Jaekel and Rachel Woolf.
The Meadows Community Garden, which has an orchard, a wildflower plot, a small meadow, and an open classroom, is located inside the park.
Visitors are always welcome at the Meadows Community Garden, which hosts regular community gatherings on Saturdays from 11 am to 1 pm.
You are welcome to stop by at this time to observe the crew in action and lend a helping hand.
The volunteers are enthusiastic about supporting biodiversity and the survival of birds and insects.
The Meadows Garden’s raised beds are accessible to people using wheelchairs and strollers, and the neighborhood picnic seat is well-liked.
4. George Square Gardens
You most likely only visit George Square Gardens during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe unless you are a student at the University of Edinburgh.
The Assembly Company festival shows take over this garden for three weeks in August, filling it with bars, food trucks, outdoor seating, and live performances.
This is one of my favorite places to hang out during the Fringe because it also has a great atmosphere and a wide selection of food and drink.
This is a serene area surrounded by academic buildings outside of August.
The Edinburgh Labyrinth is tucked away in the northwest corner of George Square Gardens, next to the Hugh Robson Building.
While moving around this circular area, individuals are encouraged to calm down their pace of life.
5. St Andrew Square
At the east end of George Street lies a park called St Andrew Square.
St Andrew Square is frequently used by locals as a route to and from George Street, Rose Street, or Princes Street.
The Melville Monument, which serves as the center of attention, is 140 feet tall and features Henry Dundas, a politician.
The Secretary of State for War who was removed from office was Dundas. He is also to blame for the postponement of the end of the slave trade.
Due to his influence, Scotland’s slave trade persisted for an additional 15 years.
A contentious character in Edinburgh’s past.
In the summer, St Andrew Square hosts outdoor movie screenings, among other events.
The ice skating rink for Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations used to be here.
In the square, there is a Costa skillfully camouflaged in rustic tones, and there are several walls to pull up a perch while people-watching.
6. Nicholson Square Garden
The south of the city’s Nicholson Street is home to the tiny on-street green area known as Nicholson Square Garden.
You can get lunch at Elephant and Bagels and eat it outside, or you can get curry from The Mosque Kitchen and eat it while taking in the scenery of the surrounding plants and trees.
The Brass Founders’ Pillar, a monument built in 1886 by Sir James Gowans, is located in the center of the park.
7. Lauriston Castle Gardens
When we tell people that Edinburgh has its own Japanese Garden, they always look pleasantly pleased.
Free entrance is available to the garden of Lauriston Castle.
There are scheduled activities costing £5 if you want to enjoy a guided tour of Lauriston Castle and the surrounding area.
Additionally, a number of events are managed by volunteers.
Lauriston Castle is accessible by public transportation, and parking is available.
A coffee shop is located there. However, it isn’t usually open.
