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Dean Village, the Water of Leith and lunch at the Pantry
A walk · Edinburgh

Dean Village – The Water of Leith Gorge, Then Lunch

About 1.3 miles on foot.

Directions
Dean VillageStartStockbridgeFinish

A few minutes from the West End, the Water of Leith runs through a deep green gorge that feels nothing like a capital city.

This easy walk follows it from the old mill houses of Dean Village, under Telford's soaring Dean Bridge and past the little temple of St Bernard's Well, into Stockbridge for lunch at the Pantry.

Time
About 45 minutes.
The path
Steep cobbled streets down into the village; the riverside walkway has steps in places.
Where to start
On foot: a short walk down from the West End of Princes Street, or along the Water of Leith Walkway from Stockbridge.
When to go
Dean Village and the walkway are open at all hours; the Pantry usually serves every day from 9am to 3pm.
Children
The river runs close by the paths.
Before you set out
A living village: the houses are homes, so go quietly.

The walk

Come into Dean Village down Bell's Brae, the steep cobbled lane off Queensferry Street at the West End of Princes Street. Mills here ground grain for the city for centuries, and the old houses still crowd the water's edge below the clock tower of Well Court.

Cross the little footbridge for the best view of them. The houses are homes, so keep voices down, and mind the cobbles in the wet.

If it rains

The walk is short and much of it is under trees, so it works in a shower; take care on the cobbles of Bell's Brae and on the path, which is slippery when wet, and let lunch run long.

The Pantry

Along the way

  1. About 5 min on foot

    St Bernard's Well

    St Bernard's Well

    An attraction

    The Water of Leith Walkway runs downstream beside the river: a short, mostly level stroll through the trees of the gorge, under the four tall arches of Thomas Telford's Dean Bridge. St Bernard's Well is the little round temple on the bank, built in 1789 over a mineral spring, with Hygieia, the goddess of health, under its dome. Its door is almost always locked, so admire it from the path.

    More about St Bernard's Well

  2. 7 min on foot

    The Pantry

    The Pantry

    Lunch

    From the well it's 7 minutes' walk on into Stockbridge, up to the Pantry on North West Circus Place, the green-painted corner café with tables out on the pavement. It usually serves brunch and lunch every day from 9am to 3pm, but check the hours on its own website before you go. The plates are generous: poached eggs with burrata and roast tomatoes, pork belly with a poached egg, avocado on toast. On a busy morning arrive early, or put your name down and wander Stockbridge until they message you.

    More about The Pantry

Before you go

  1. Book accommodation nearby

    If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.

    West End MuseClose byWest End MuseSleeps 4Old Town ChambersClose byOld Town ChambersA place to stayMoment George IV BridgeClose byMoment George IV BridgeSleeps 2The Scott Hotel2 miles awayThe Scott HotelA hotel

Where to eat