15 Amazing Parks in Edinburgh That You Must Visit
The green areas in Edinburgh are ideal for walking, picnicking and for participating in exercise. This post lists the best green spaces and parks in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is a hilly city with many parks that give great views of the historic city, including Firth of Forth and Edinburgh Castle. These places include Holyrood Park, Calton Hill and Blackford Hill.
Other parks such as The Meadows and Inverleith Park are important for hosting large festivals and sporting events throughout the year.
Some of the most beautiful parks in Scotland are located in Edinburgh, these are Princes Street Gardens and the Royal Botanical Gardens. Other parks offer a wide variety of wildlife, these parks are Braidburn Valley Park and Blackford Pond.
Edinburgh was awarded the most green flags out of any Scottish Council. These epic parks offer so much to do, they are the perfect location to relax with a book on a nice day, or for an afternoon stroll.
Princes Street Gardens
At the foot of Edinburgh Castle, in the valley between the old town and new town, you can visit Princess Street Gardens. The gardens are one of the easiest green spaces to access from the centre of Edinburgh.
Interestingly, a loch once sat in this space, however, the city began draining it in the 1770s, finishing in 1820. Throughout the park you can follow the wide paved paths for full accessibility, roaming across fields of wildflowers and wooded areas.
Also, keep an eye out for several public monuments and memorials including the Scott Monument and Ross Fountain.
Every year Princes Street Gardens is the destination for Edinburgh Markets, Winter Wonderland and the Hogmanay Celebrations. During the warmer months, there are numerous concerts at the Ross Bandstand.
Calton Hill
A popular destination for locals to get amazing views across the city. A very easy destination to access from the centre of Edinburgh.
Also, Calton Hill is best known for its monuments and as a great place to view fireworks during the Hogmanay celebrations.
Moreover, Calton Hill is the site of many festivals that take place in Edinburgh, these include the Beltane Fire Festival at the end of April, the Edinburgh Science Festival in June, the Edinburgh International Festival each August and the Samhuinn Fire Festival each Halloween.
Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscape from the Nelson Monument. The monument looks like a telescope and was built in 1816.
From the monument you can see Parliament, Holyrood Place, the Crag, Arthurs’s Seat, the Firth of Forth and Leith behind it.
Also, visitors can view the National Monument, which is a replica of Athen’s Parthenon, and marks the soldiers who were killed in the Napoleonic Wars.
As you may notice, the monument only represents partial ruins fo the Greek building, this is because funding for the construction ceased in 1829.
Another important landmark on Calton Hill is the City Observatory. The City Observatory was built in 1818 to ensemble the Greek Temple of the Woods.
Once, the observatory was an important centre of astronomical research, often considered a rival to the observatory in Greenwich. There are toilet facilities, a restaurant and good vendors here.
Holyrood Park
On the east side of the centre of Edinburgh, you will find Edinburgh’s largest and most prominent park, Holyrood Park. The park is 260 hectares big, and encompasses a hill, which used to be a volcano.
From the centre of Edinburgh, Holyrood Park can be reached by foot in fifteen minutes. Arthur’s Seat is the highest point in the park, reaching a height of 251 metres.
The peak can be reached by hike from any of the several well-established trails, which approximately takes two hours depending on the weather.
From the top of Arthur’s Seat, you will be rewarded with views of Edinburgh Castle and the Firth of Forth.
The southern entrance is the most popular way to trek Arthur’s Seat. This is also an easier approach for those who want to walk along the tops of Salisbury Crags, the park’s stunning volcanic cliffs.
There are two more beloved attractions in the park. These are Mount Margaret’s Well, a holy well which dates back to 1860 and the ruins of St. Anthony’s Chapel, most likely built during the 12th century.
Visitors can learn more about the history of the park at the information centre. The information centre has exhibits about the area’s history.
Also, archaeologists have found bronze and iron age artefacts in the park which date back to 7,000 to 10,000 years ago.
The Meadows
Located along the southern edge of Edinburgh’s Old Town, just west of Holyrood Park. The green space is popular for hosting events, including traveling faits, circuses, concerts and other gathering.
Also, the space if popular for many sporting competitions including cricket, football, rugby, tennis and croquet. A stunning glass structure was erected in 1886 after the Meadows was transformed from an artificial loch into parkland.
Unfortunately, the building was taken done and visitors can find the last remnants on the west side of the park – pillars made of sandstone and topped with unicorns.
The Meadows is a popular place for the University of Edinburgh students to hang out. From the centre of Edinburgh, the Meadows is only one mile south.
Bruntsfield Links
The park was formerly part of the Burgh Muir, a woodland cleared in 1508 under an order by King James IV in order to gather timber for construction in Old Town.
A great city park which has nice views of Edinburgh Castle. Bruntsfield Links is popular for dog walkers, exercising, golfing and sledging in the winter time.
Located next to the Meadows in the south side of Edinburgh.
Inverleith Park
A popular site for relaxing, recreation and gardening which has been a city park since the late 19th century. This 22 hectare green space is located on the north side of the New Town and adjacent to the Royal Botanic Garden.
Inverleith Park is in the heart of Edinburgh’s urban centre and is one of the biggest urban parks in Scotland. One of the favourite sports grounds for locals as there is rugby, football and cricket fields.
Also, there is a running track and outdoor fitness equipment. Moreover, facilities include basketball courts, tennis courses and table tennis.
The park is split into four sections. Residents have a dedicated area int he northwest section to grow fruit and vegetables on garden plots.
The southern park of the park is covered by Inverleith Pond which is good for boating, a water garden and swans. From the pond, there is excellent sightings of the city skyline and there are plenty of benches to sit back and enjoy the view.
If you head east from the pond you will come across Sundial Garden and wildflower meadow.
The children’s area is not far, this is a great place to enjoy a picnic or head to one of the vendors that sell refreshments in this section of the park.
From the centre of Edinburgh, Inverleith Park is a one and a half mile walk, which take 30 minutes to complete.
Royal Botanic Garden
The Royal Botanic Garden is locally known as “The Botanics”, it is one of the most picturesque parks. Providing 70 acres of stunning flora and panoramic views of Edinburgh and the castle.
Located right next to Inverleith Park, one and a half miles north of the city centre of Edinburgh.
Some of the notable collections are the Rhododendron Collection, the Arboretum, the Woodland Gardens, with its Giant Redwoods and the Heath Garden, home to the Scottish Native Plants Collection.
Also, there is a lovely Rock Garden, which is decorated with mountain plants from all over the world. Moreover, there is the Chinese Hillside, which has 1,600 varieties of plants native to China.
Visitors can view the educational exhibits – Biodiversity Garden and Demonstration Garden – to learn about the evolution of plant life and growing food.
Inverleith House is located in the Botanics, it is an exhibition hall for artwork related to the gardens. Also, in the Glasshouse you can admire tropical flowers and plants.
Many festivals and events are held in the Botanics throughout the year. Every Christmas season, there are festive lights lighting up the trails.
Saughton Park & Gardens
One of Edinburgh’s hidden jewels has been open since 1910. Located southwest of the city, is the 34 acres of Saughton Park.
Much of the work done in this green space is organised by the Friends of Saughton Park.
Parts of the park date back to the 12th and 13th century with the Rose and Winter Gardens being the oldest part.
In addition, the beautiful gardens, including the walled garden, physic garden and community orchards are home to a variety of insects.
There is a variety of wild and tropical flowers and plants which are all very colourful. Look out for otters, kingfishers and herons along the banks of the Water of Leith.
There is the Garden Bistro Cafe. Saughton Bandstand was home to live shows in the 1960s and 1970s.
Then in the 1980s it was removed and made its revival in 2016. Located three miles west of the centre of Edinburgh.
Figgate Park
A wetland area on the north eastern side of the city once named Figgate Moor. The main focal feature is Figgate Pond, and Figgate Burn which runs into the nearby Firth of Forth.
The large pond was converted from a clay pit, surrounded by boardwalks with views of the swan and goose hideout of Heron Island. Figgate Park is three miles east of the city centre, approximately a fifteen minute drive.
Walking and cycling along the paths is a popular activity among visitors. In the background, you can catch a glimpse of Arthur’s Seat.
Also, Figgate Park is a popular place for bird-watchers, who enjoy resident waterfowl, swans, moorhen, herons and mallards.
Also, if you are lucky you will have the chance to spot other freshwater residents including otters.
Blackford Hill & Pond
Located southwest of Holyrood Park, in the Morningside neighbourhood you will find Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve. This area is four miles south of the city centre, just a fifteen-minute drive.
There are excellent views to enjoy from Blackford Hill’s vantage point. At the summit, you will find the stunning 19th-century National Observatory.
For those interested in history and research, this observatory is an active research facility with a visitor centre. Also, there is a wide variety of paths leading you around the green space.
Blackford Pond is a wetland area home to a variety of wildlife including swans, herons, mallard ducks, skylarks and linnets. There is a great pathed area around the pond, with any benches for resting and admiring the view.
Braidburn Valley Park
Located in south Edinburgh, near Oxgangs/Morningside. This park is five miles south of the centre of Edinburgh, approximately a twenty-five-minute drive.
Braidburn Valley Park is a pretty area located in the sloping valley surrounding Braid Burn, a large brook that runs to the Firth of Forth.
Braidburn Valley has 27 acres of green space, picnic areas and wildflower meadows. There is a wide variety of wildlife in the park, otters or herons may be spotted near the water and bats swoop down in the evening.
Fly Walk is located along the north western end of the park, this path was once frequently visited by Robert Louis Stevenson. On the opposite corner of the park, rows of approximately 400 cherry trees form a trefoil shape.
Interestingly, the girl guides planted these trees in 1935 in honour of King George V, every year, the locals work together to replace the oldest trees.
Water of Leith Walkway
Water of Leith Walkway is a footpath and cycleway which runs alongside the titular river. The project was completed in 2002 and is managed by The City of Edinburgh Council Parks, Green Space & Cemeteries.
The river begins at Balerno, passes through lovely Dean Village neighbourhood then ends at the Leith docks. Overall, the whole walk is thirteen miles long and will take five hours to complete.
It is a wonderful spot for walking, jogging or cycling among all the lovely greenery and rushing water.
Lochend Park
Lochend Park stretches out over 21 acres with a charming loch at its centre and a walkway that skirts around it. There is a large grassy area which is perfect for a picnic. Located in Lochend, one and a half miles east of Edinburgh’s centre.
The Doocot and Pump House are located near the play park. These structures have played an important part in the history of the park. Doocot is beehive-shaped and was a nesting place for pigeons.
The hexagonal pump house dates back to when Lochend Loch was the main water supply for the Port of Leith. Lochend Castle is located at the east end of the park.
The castle once belonged to the Logan Family who were wealthy landowners that possessed the Barony of Restalrig from the 14th century.
In the 16th century, Lochend Castle was destroyed, the Lochend House was built in 1820 and incorporates the remaining gable of Lochend Castle.
Leith Links
This 46 acre park is located in Leith, a developed green space which was once an old industrial area. A huge and beautiful park in the heart of Leith which has plenty of space for walking, exercising, or enjoying a BBQ.
This is where the first recorded rules of gold were created and the bronze statue of John Rattray, surgeon, Jacobite this monument commemorates this.
There is a very alive but peaceful atmosphere here, especially in the summer months. Leith Links in the location so the annual Leith Festival and free Mela Edinburgh.
To get to Leith Links, visitors can take a ten minute drive from the centre of Edinburgh or get the 49 bus which takes approximately twenty minutes.
Starbank Park
From this colourful park you can get impressive views across the Firth of Forth and over to the Kingdom of Fife. Starbank Park is a well-manicured 2.7 acre green space located in Newhaven.
Edinburgh Council along with volunteers of the Friends of Starbank Park care for this Victorian sloped park. Starbank Park was first constructed in 1815 and parts of the garden stretch back to the 1800s.
Starbank House belonged to Alexander Goalen who was the uncle of Victorian Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone. At one point, the Starbank House and Victorian Rose Garden was a museum.
There are is a variety of themed seasonal events which are held throughout the year by the Friends of Starbank Park.
Also, volunteers from Victoria Primary School created a nature trail which was inspired by the author Hans Christian Anderson.
Also, there is a tardis-shaped free library so you can grab a book and chill out at one of the benches.
Located in Leith, next to the River Forth. Starbank is two and a half miles away from Edinburgh City Centre.
Nearby Accommodation: Apartment by Leith’s Shore
Final Note
This post lists the epic parks in Edinburgh. From riverside walks, to strolls around a lake or admiring colourful flowers in a walled garden, there is so much to explore in the parks of Edinburgh.
Green spaces in the city is a great place to go to unwind, exercise or relax and picnic with friends. Most of the parks have amazing views across the city of Edinburgh, including Edinburgh Castle, River Forth and Arthurs Seat.