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A sign reading 'World's End Close' marks a dark stone archway passage.
Edinburgh

World’s End Close

A narrow close off the High Street by the old Netherbow Port, where the town wall once ran and the walled city ended.

Welcome

Halfway down the Royal Mile, where the High Street meets St Mary's Street, a dark, low passage opens off the pavement beside a corner pub.

Its sign reads World's End Close, and the name is a piece of the city's history.

This was once the edge of Edinburgh. The town wall built after the Battle of Flodden ran across here, and across the street stood the Netherbow Port, the great gate between the burgh and the separate town of the Canongate. For the people who lived inside the walls, whose tolls and ties kept them there, the gate really was the end of their world, and the close beside it took the name.

The close is narrow and steep, and it has been known by other names over the centuries. The World's End pub beside it keeps the old name alive.

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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.
Round the cornerWedgwoodA restaurant on the Canongate run by Paul and Lisa Wedgwood since 2007, cooking Scottish produce with herbs the chef forages himself.1 min by roadSee itWedgwood
Before you go

The close runs off the south side of the High Street beside the World's End pub, and is open at all hours.

Where
The High Street at St Mary's Street, beside the World's End pub.

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Where it is

On the High Street where it meets St Mary's Street and the Canongate.

Close byThe Netherbow.
  1. Ivy trimmed into a heart shape on a townhouse wall beside blossomChessel’s CourtA quiet court of 'mansion flats' of the 1740s off the Canongate.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Scottish Textiles Showcase, EdinburghScottish Textiles ShowcaseUnder a mile 1 min by road
  3. John Knox HouseJohn Knox HouseA townhouse of about 1470, one of the oldest on the Royal Mile.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. The Scottish Storytelling CentreThe Scottish Storytelling CentreThe world's first purpose-built centre for storytelling.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. Man in black cap kneads fudge on marble slab in shopFudge KitchenA fudge shop on the Royal Mile where the fudge is made in the shop.Under a mile 1 min by road
  6. The World’s EndThe World’s EndUnder a mile 1 min by road
Directions
The front of the Black Grape on the Canongate, its sign over arched windows in a white building.RestaurantsThe Black GrapeA step away
Restaurant tables set with wine glasses beside a large potted monstera plantRestaurantsThe White HorseA step away
Restaurant dining room with pendant lights, stone walls and set tablesRestaurantsWedgwoodA step away
Small statue mounted on a stone corner between an arched window and sash windowsAttractionsMorocco LandA step away
Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding and red wine on a wooden tableRestaurantsChop HouseA step away
Sugared doughnuts topped with cream and blueberries sit in a bakery trayCafeRoom & RumoursA step away
Guide leads a whisky tasting group seated at a long purple-clothed tableToursEdinburgh Gin DistilleryA step away
Two bowls of ramen at Ikigai on South Bridge: a creamy tonkotsu with pork belly and a soft egg, and a dark mushroom broth, by glasses of water with lemon.RestaurantsIkigaiA step away
The green shopfront of Mother India Cafe on Infirmary Street in Edinburgh, its name in gold letters above the door.RestaurantsMother India's Cafe Edinburgh0.2 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

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

A 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 World's End Close
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 World's End Close
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
  • A mile from World's End Close
Check datesWest End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from World's End Close
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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What we have written about it, the collections it is in and more in Edinburgh.

From the magazineUnusual & Interesting Things in EdinburghCollectionUnusual and Interesting things to do in Edinburgh
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