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Circus Lane

A curving cobbled mews of the early 1800s behind Royal Circus in Stockbridge, closed at one end by St Stephen's clock tower.

Welcome

Tucked behind the elegant terraces of Royal Circus in Stockbridge, Circus Lane is a short, gently curving cobbled mews of low two-storey houses.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

Ivy and climbing roses cover the old stone walls, pots of flowers crowd the doorsteps, lanterns hang by the doors, and at the far end the tall clock tower of St Stephen's rises above the rooftops, closing the view.

In spring the blossom along the lane turns it into one of the prettiest corners of the New Town, and photographers come for it. It is a quiet, lived-in street rather than an attraction, so walk it gently and let the residents be. Combine it with a wander along St Stephen Street, with its independent shops, cafés and bookshop, a few steps away.

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Before you go

Circus Lane is a public lane in Stockbridge, free to walk at any time, but the mews houses are homes: go quietly.

Where
Behind Royal Circus, in Stockbridge.

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Did you know

A cobbled mews street lined with ivy-covered cottages leads toward a church clock tower.
Did you know

Built for horses and carriages.

The lane was built in the early 1800s as mews behind the grand houses of Royal Circus. Look for the old arched carriage doors, now filled with windows, at the double coach house at numbers 13 and 15.

A cobbled mews street lined with terraced cottages and hanging lanterns curves past parked bins.
Did you know

The longest row of mews.

Its north side is the longest unbroken row of mews in Edinburgh's Second New Town, and it curves because it follows the curve of Royal Circus.

A cobbled mews street lined with flowering plants leads toward a church clock tower.
Did you know

Playfair's tower.

The clock tower that closes the view at the end of the lane is St Stephen's Church, designed by William Henry Playfair in 1827 and 1828.

A cobbled street runs past sandstone terraces climbing with ivy and flowering shrubs.
Did you know

Plaques reading 19-90.

Among the doors and dormers, number 5C carries round metal plaques with a date: 19-90.

A cobbled mews street lined with ivy-covered cottages leads toward a church clock tower.
Did you know

A piece of great town planning.

The lane is part of a group of buildings that make up one of the most important and best preserved examples of town planning in Britain, the Second New Town.

Ben Lerwill

From our guide to Edinburgh

A curving vision of greenery and cobbles – and big on Instagram – this charming residential street was originally lined with stables. It’s close to St Stephen Street in the Stockbridge area.

Read more
A cobbled mews street lined with flowering plants leads toward a church clock tower.
What is on

What is new across Edinburgh, day by day.

New places, news and stories, as we find them.

What is on in Edinburgh
01 / 07

Where it is

In Stockbridge, behind Royal Circus in Edinburgh's Second New Town.

Close byThe places nearest the lane, in Stockbridge.
  1. Cowan & SonsCowan & SonsA family-run neighbourhood art gallery and café behind stained glass windows.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. The PantryThe PantryBrunch in Stockbridge since 2012, tables spilling onto the pavement.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. St Stephen Street curving towards St Stephen's church tower.St Stephen StreetA street of independent shops in Stockbridge, among them Golden Hare Books.Under a mile 2 min by road
  4. Golden Hare BooksGolden Hare BooksA small bookshop named the UK's best independent bookshop at the British Book Awards.Under a mile 2 min by road
  5. Plate of fudge, truffles, biscuits and cake with "Happy Anniversary" piped in chocolatePurslaneA small restaurant on St Stephen Street run by its chef and owner, Paul Gunning.Under a mile 2 min by road
  6. Candle and cocktail on a glass table beside an open fireplaceThe Last WordA relaxed cocktail bar in Stockbridge.Under a mile 2 min by road
  7. TreenTreenA vegan fashion shop for sustainable clothing and lifestyle goods.Under a mile 2 min by road
Directions
Glass jars of dried herbs and flowers lined up on a wooden shelfRestaurantsMossA step away
Houseplants crowd wooden shelves and hanging baskets in a plant shopShoppingGrow UrbanA step away
Kay's Bar on Jamaica Street West, a small stone building with red windows, white doors and John Kay lettered above them, on a cobbled lane.BarsKay's Bar0.2 miles
Wellington Coffee shopfront beside stone steps leading down to a basement doorwayRestaurantsWellington Coffee0.2 miles
Bruschetta topped with cherry tomatoes, pesto and basil on black platesRestaurantsNovapizza Vegan Kitchen0.2 miles
Blue-fronted Leo's Beanery shopfront at 234, coffee food company lettering on windowCafeLeo’s Beanery0.2 miles
The salmon-pink front of Little Capo at 18 Howe Street, its name painted above a big window lined with wine bottles and a black door at the top of the steps.RestaurantsLittle Capo0.2 miles
The basement room at Capetto under Little Capo, with a long banquette, small brass-edged tables and the bar lit warm at the far end.CafeCapetto0.2 miles
Jorum Studio perfume bottles labelled Arborist and Medullary Ray displayed on a shop shelfShoppingJorum Studio0.3 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the lane, and when each is next free.

West End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from Circus Lane
Check datesA hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from Circus Lane
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from Circus Lane
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • 2 miles from Circus Lane
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Make a day of it

A Week in Edinburgh

Circus Lane is stop 30 of 35 on 7 days we have planned, with the drives worked out.

  1. Illuminated LOUDONS sign above dark glass entrance doors, reflecting nearby buildings01BreakfastLoudons New WaverleyA short walk
  2. Antique plates and framed portraits line the walls of a lace-tabled tea room02CoffeeClarinda's TearoomA short walk
  3. Palace of Holyroodhouse03Palace of Holyroodhouse5 min by road
  4. Framed pictures line an exposed brick wall beside a yellow-topped bar with beer taps04LunchArcade Bar5 min by road
  5. Söderberg's glass front on Simpson Loan, tables outside and cakes in the window.05Söderberg The Meadows5 min by road
  6. Candlelit tables and wooden chairs beneath an oval plasterwork ceiling in a restaurant06LunchThe OutsiderA short walk
  7. A plate of crispbreads and pâté at Angels with Bagpipes.07LunchAngels with Bagpipes5 min by road
  8. Calton Hill08Calton Hill5 min by road
  9. The counter at Papii, pastries on the counter.09Papii5 min by road
  10. The Georgian House10The Georgian House5 min by road
  11. The dining room of the Scottish Cafe & Restaurant at the National Gallery.11CoffeeThe Scottish CafeA short walk
  12. Red gallery walls hung with gilt-framed paintings above set dinner tables and a marble statue12Scottish National Gallery15 min by road
  13. Empty plates and coffee cups on a wooden table overlooking a sandy beach13The Beach House, PortobelloA short walk
  14. Cyclist rides past a mural-painted pink kiosk on the promenade under coloured flags14Portobello Promenade5 min by road
  15. Cyclist rides past a mural-painted pink kiosk on the promenade under coloured flags15LunchCiverinos SliceA short walk
  16. Cove shop front listing gifts, skincare and jewellery, covescotland.com signage above16Portobello’s High Street15 min by road
  17. Café interior with yellow chairs, wooden tables and a chalkboard menu on the wall17CoffeeEdinburgh Larder10 min by road
  18. Holyrood Park18Holyrood Park15 min by road
  19. Dr Neil’s Garden19Dr Neil’s GardenA short walk
  20. Sheep Heid Inn20LunchSheep Heid InnA short walk
  21. Water of Leith winds through Dean Village beneath timber-fronted tenements and stone walls21Around Duddingston village10 min by road
  22. Holyrood Park22Holyrood Park10 min by road
  23. Restaurant tables set with wine glasses beside a large potted monstera plant23LunchThe White Horse10 min by road
  24. Cairngorm Coffee24CoffeeCairngorm CoffeeA short walk
  25. Dean Village25Dean Village5 min by road
  26. Neoclassical mansion with columned entrance reflected in a curved garden pond26Scottish National Gallery of Modern ArtA short walk
  27. Neoclassical mansion with columned entrance reflected in a curved garden pond27Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art15 min by road
  28. Water of Leith winding through Dean Village's stone tenements and old mill buildings28Water of Leith10 min by road
  29. The Pantry29CoffeeThe PantryA short walk
  30. Circus LaneYou are here30Circus LaneA short walk
  31. St Stephen Street curving towards St Stephen's church tower.31St Stephen StreetA short walk
  32. Cowan & Sons32LunchCowan & SonsA short walk
  33. Bicycles parked on a pavement outside Peperino café on a tenement-lined street33Stockbridge’s High Street5 min by road
  34. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh34Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh5 min by road
  35. Plate of fudge, truffles, biscuits and cake with "Happy Anniversary" piped in chocolate35DinnerPurslaneThe end of the day
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From the magazineNew Town Walking TourCollectionThings to Do in Edinburgh on a Shoestring
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