Princes Street Gardens, settled in the shadow of the grand Edinburgh Castle, is a set of public parks right in the middle of Edinburgh. The Princes Street Gardens are divided into an east and a west side. While both sides have plenty to offer, their experiences can be quite distinct considering the different attractions available at each. Fortunately, it's easy to visit both by traveling across The Mound as you please.
When visiting on a sunny day, you could spend hours at these parks without running out of things to do, though you'll likely spend more time on the west side given its larger size. The vibrant greenery of the park is inviting for visitors looking to relax, go for a stroll or play sports. On both sides, you'll find several monuments crafted with remarkable attention to detail that note important figures and events from Scottish history.
Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh - one of the highlights of 11 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Edinburgh and 11 Instagrammable Places in Edinburgh (Read all about Edinburgh here)
Princes Street Gardens highlights
To understand the best of Princes Street Gardens, it's helpful to look at each side individually. On the east side of the park, you'll find several monuments including statues of David Livingstone and John Wilson. The most iconic monument is the neo-Gothic spire built in honor of Sir Walter Scott. Visit during the winter, and you'll find the east gardens transformed into a winter wonderland with a Christmas market and amusement park rides.
The west side of the park is a bit denser with attractions, as it's home to the opulent Ross Fountain as well as a multitude of monuments. Among the more interesting is the monument to Wojtek the Bear, a World War II veteran and later Edinburgh Zoo resident. Of course, no trip to the west side would be complete without a look at the iconic Floral Clock.
Princes Street Gardens history
Much of the history behind Princes Street Gardens involves fighting efforts to develop buildings on the land. For much of the history of the east side, numerous development ventures on the land were warded off by legal action until the land was firmly established as a public park. The west side's history is much more complex.
The west side officially became a public park in 1876, but this was met with fierce opposition from the local residents of the area. These residents were using the land as their own private recreational zone that was only open to the public on Christmas, New Year's Day and one other day every year. Since the west side was declared a public park, it has been protected alongside many of the monuments inside. There is talk, however, of replacing the Ross Bandstand with something grander, as the 1935 relic feels outdated.
Good to know when visiting Princes Street Gardens
When you're visiting Princes Street Gardens, you don't have to think much about which side you want to visit. All that's separating them is The Mound and the bridge connecting New Town to Old Town. Crossing that threshold is easy, so you don't have to limit yourself during your visit. Additionally, consider what kind of activities to plan for when you visit. Summer travelers may see outdoor concerts, while winter travelers can find amusement park rides.
Princes Street Gardens is close to a wide variety of other attractions that are well within walking distance. The Scottish National Gallery is the easiest place to visit, as it's conveniently located between the 2 sides. Additionally, you'll find Edinburgh Castle on the southwestern side of the park. If you're curious which direction that is when you're in the park, simply look around until you see the castle towering in the distance.
Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh
Location: Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2HG, UK
Open: Daily from 7 am to 10 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1315 297921
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