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The pond in Inverleith Park with swans on the water and the Edinburgh skyline beyond the trees, under a clear blue sky.
Edinburgh

Inverleith Park

A public park of about 62 acres beside the Royal Botanic Garden, bought by the city in 1889, with tree-lined avenues, a boating pond and views south to the Castle.

Welcome

There's something about a big, open city park on a sunny afternoon, and Inverleith Park, on the north side of Edinburgh beside the Royal Botanic Garden, is one of the loveliest.

The city bought the land in 1889, and it is still laid out with long avenues of trees, wide playing fields and grand gated entrances. Head for the pond, where wildfowl gather, model boats sail and kingfishers sometimes visit, then climb the bank on its north side for a view south over the city to the Castle. That bank is where crowds gather each year to watch the Festival fireworks. Elsewhere there's a quiet sundial garden, allotments, tennis courts, a court for ball games and a play area for toddlers and juniors. It's a great place to walk the dog or spread out a picnic. The park is free and open at all times, so it's easy to pair with a morning in the Botanics next door.

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The Daily for 30 October, from Scotland with love. Aerial view of a teal-coloured lochan cupped in a forested hollow, a scree slope rising on one side and autumn-tinged pines ringing the shore.
Close byThe Pastry Section1 min by roadSee itThe Pastry Section
Before you go

The park is open at all times and free.

The main gates are on Arboretum Place, across from the Royal Botanic Garden.

Where
Arboretum Place, Inverleith, Edinburgh, EH3 5NY.
Size
About 62 acres.
Open
At all times.
Play
A play area for toddlers and juniors, a fenced court for football and basketball, and tennis courts.
Dogs
Welcome.
Phone
0131 529 5050 (the council)

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Where it is

On the north side of the city, between Inverleith Place and East Fettes Avenue, with the Royal Botanic Garden on its east side.

Close byStockbridge and the Botanics.
  1. Poached egg and smoked salmon on a black plate with black teapotThe Scran & ScallieA gastropub on Comely Bank Road in Stockbridge, opened in 2013 by chefs Tom Kitchin and Dominic Jack, in the Michelin Guide.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. StockbridgeStockbridgeAn old village on the Water of Leith below the New Town, of Georgian terraces, a market arch of 1825 and a street of independent shops and cafés.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. Barista steaming milk on a espresso machine beneath a black pendant lampArtisan RoastThe Stockbridge cafe of Artisan Roast, one of Edinburgh's independent speciality coffee roasters, on Raeburn Place.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. The counter at Mootz General Store on Raeburn Place, with a stack of schiacciata loaves, the sandwich board lit up on the wall and framed posters above the shelves.Mootz General StoreA sandwich shop on Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, making big sandwiches on its own schiacciata bread, open every day.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. An Independent ZebraAn Independent ZebraA gift, homeware and furniture shop on Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, set up by makers in 2016, selling the work of small independent makers from across the UK.Under a mile 1 min by road
  6. Royal Botanic Garden EdinburghRoyal Botanic Garden EdinburghSeventy acres of gardens a mile north of the city centre, begun as a physic garden in 1670 and now home to one of the richest plant collections in the world.1 mile 6 min by road
  7. Water of Leith winding through Dean Village's stone tenements and old mill buildingsWater of LeithEdinburgh's river, followed by a 12-mile walkway from Balerno through Colinton, the Dean Village and Stockbridge to the sea at Leith.3 miles 9 min by road
Directions
Corner shopfront of The Pastry Section on a quiet cobbled streetCafeThe Pastry Section0.3 miles
Inside Herbie of Edinburgh on Raeburn Place: the cheese counter, a chalkboard of the day's recommendations, hams hanging behind and shelves of jars, oils and wine.ShoppingHerbie of Edinburgh0.3 miles
The purple front of Rare Birds Book Shop at 13a Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, its name in white capitals above two wide windows.ShoppingRare Birds Book Shop0.4 miles
The coral-pink shopfront of Sotto on Deanhaugh Street in Stockbridge, with green awnings, its name in the windows and steps up to the door.RestaurantsSotto0.4 miles
Artist touching a large blue seascape painting propped against a studio wallAttractionsSaorsa Gallery0.5 miles
Wooden table set with cheese boards, wine glasses and bread on white platesRestaurantsSmith & Gertrude0.5 miles
A large steak on the bone cooking over glowing coals and flames on the grill at The Captain Darling.RestaurantsThe Captain Darling0.5 miles
Fresh pasta nests, rolled shapes and gnocchi displayed in trays on a market stallAttractionsStockbridge Market0.5 miles
Green shopfront of Kestin, with clothing displayed in two windowsShoppingKESTIN0.5 miles

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Stay nearby

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

West End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from Inverleith Park
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
  • A mile from Inverleith Park
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
  • A mile from Inverleith Park
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
  • 3 miles from Inverleith Park
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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