Parks
Edinburgh Zoo on Corstorphine Hill
performers in the Meadows
view of Edinburgh Castle from Holyrood Park
Inverleith Park © Kenny Lam
For a relaxing day out, why not check out the variety of beautiful parks around Edinburgh which offer a chance to enjoy the great outdoors?
With its wilderness, woodlands, lochs, ponds and links, it is fair to say that Edinburgh is a green city. Make the most of the wide variety of parks and green spaces the city has to offer.
Holyrood Park
Discover a wilderness in the heart of Scotland’s capital with a trip to the stunning Holyrood Park. The park has been a Royal park since the 12th century and encompasses the extinct volcano Arthur's Seat, which at 823 ft, is the highest point in Edinburgh and offers unparalleled views of the city. The park offers fantastic walks which will take you on a journey past small lochs, craggy cliffs and unique flora and fauna. Steeped in history, the park is home to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, home to Scottish monarchs for hundreds of years. Within the grounds of the palace you will find the magnificant ruins of Holyrood Abbey. The Abbey was built by King David I on the site where he nearly met his end.
The Meadows
With its close proximity to the University of Edinburgh, the Meadows is a popular haunt of students, either partaking in university sports or passing the time of day on the grass in the sun. The park encompasses a large space so it is ideal for dog walkers and for those want to enjoy a friendly game of football, Frisbee or even rounders. The park also includes a children's playground, a croquet club, tennis courts and cricket pitches.
Figgate Park
Once an urban wasteland, after a regeneration, Figgate Park is now a great park which is popular with locals, who use it to walk their dogs and take their kids to feed the ducks at the pond. The park offers amazing views of Arthur’s Seat.
Leith Links
Watch a game of cricket on the attractive public space of Leith Links, home to the Leith Cricket Club since 1826.
Corstorphine Hill
For the wildlife enthusiast, Costorphine Hill is a real treat. A Local Nature Reserve, this park allows you to get close to nature right in the middle of the city. As you a ramble through the woodland, look out for great spotted woodpeckers, tawny owls, kestrels, sparrowhawks and even badgers.
Inverleith
This award-winning park, situated beside the Royal Botanic Garden, is a beautiful place for a stroll with great cityscape views. Inverleith once formed part of the estate owned by the Rocheid Family since 1665. Encompassing a lovely boating pond and bog garden, the park also contains a children’s play park, tennis courts and a basketball and petanque court.
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Edinburgh and the Lothians sits on the eastern side of Scotland's central belt, in the heart of the country.
