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A stone statue stands beneath a domed colonnade surrounded by trees at St Bernard's Well.
Edinburgh

St Bernard's Well

A little Greek temple of 1789 by the painter Alexander Nasmyth over a mineral spring on the Water of Leith, with Hygieia, goddess of health, inside.

Welcome

Walk the Water of Leith from Stockbridge towards the Dean Village and, where the river bends under the trees, a small round temple appears on the bank: a ring of Doric columns under a shallow dome, and inside it a robed goddess looking down at the water.

This is St Bernard's Well. A spring was found here in 1760, its water foul-tasting and full of sulphur, and people soon came from across the city believing it could cure everything from aches and pains to blindness. In 1789 the painter Alexander Nasmyth designed the temple over it, on the model of the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli, and the statue under its dome is Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health.

The temple can be admired from the walkway at any hour. The well chamber below it is opened only now and then, on open days in summer and at Doors Open Day in September.

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The Daily for 14 November, from Scotland with love. A red kayak beached on a loch shore beneath sunlit rocky hills, Sutherland
Close byCowan & SonsA neighbourhood cafe and print shop on Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, behind a green front of stained glass, where food, drink and art meet.1 min by roadSee itCowan & Sons

Before you go

The temple is seen from the Water of Leith walkway at any time.

The well chamber below opens only now and then, on open days and at Doors Open Day in September.

Where
The Water of Leith walkway below Upper Dean Terrace, between Stockbridge and the Dean Village.

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Where it is

On the Water of Leith walkway, between Stockbridge and the Dean Village.

Close byAlong the Water of Leith.
  1. 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.SottoAn Italian wine bar and trattoria on Deanhaugh Street in Stockbridge, with more than 200 Italian wines and relaxed Italian cooking.Under a mile as the crow flies
  2. Stockbridge MarketStockbridge MarketThe Sunday market in Saunders Street, since 2011.Under a mile 2 min by road
  3. StockbridgeStockbridgeThe village on the Water of Leith at the edge of the New Town.Under a mile 2 min by road
  4. Dean VillageDean VillageA milling village of the 1100s on the Water of Leith.1 mile 5 min by road
  5. Neoclassical mansion with columned entrance reflected in a curved garden pondScottish National Gallery of Modern ArtTwo galleries and two sculpture parks on Belford Road.2 miles 8 min by road
  6. Water of Leith winding through Dean Village's stone tenements and old mill buildingsWater of LeithThe river that runs through the city to the sea at Leith.2 miles 9 min by road
Directions
The red and black front of Panda & Sons on Queen Street at night, a barbershop window under a painting of four pandas in tartan.BarsPanda & Sons0.2 miles
A large steak on the bone cooking over glowing coals and flames on the grill at The Captain Darling.RestaurantsThe Captain Darling0.2 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 Shop0.2 miles
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 Bar0.3 miles
Avery's dining room in Stockbridge, with dark stone walls, a large black and white painting and candlelit tables laid with linen napkins.RestaurantsAvery0.3 miles
A large chalk drawing of a long dinner table across the wall of Le Di-Vin, the bar's name above it.BarsLe Di-Vin0.3 miles
The dark front of Skua at 49 St Stephen Street in Stockbridge, with its name in red neon letters down the wall beside the door.RestaurantsSkua0.3 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 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.CafeMootz General Store0.3 miles

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Stay nearby

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

West End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from St Bernard's Well
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 St Bernard's Well
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 St Bernard's Well
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 St Bernard's Well
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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ArticleDean Village: A Peaceful Oasis On The Doorstep Of The CityCollectionUnusual and Interesting things to do in Edinburgh
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