Princes Street Gardens
Address: Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2HG
Princes Street Gardens is a large public area, which sits along the south side of Princes Street, beneath Edinburgh Castle. The park is a peaceful haven right in the city centre. The gardens are actually made up of two adjacent parks, East Princes Street Gardens and West Princes Street Gardens. East Princes Street Gardens has always been a public park, while West Princes Street Gardens was privately owned until 1876.
The gardens lie in the valley between Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town, on the former site of the Nor Loch. This polluted loch or lake was drained in the 1760s and work began on the gardens around ten years later. Today, Princes Street Gardens are popular with tourists and local residents as a place to walk and picnic. There’s a lot to see over 37 acres of parkland, including many monuments and statues. Several annual events are held in the gardens too.
5 things to do in Princes Street Gardens
- See the garden’s impressive collection of statues and monuments – notably the Scott Monument, David Livingstone statue, Royal Scots Regimental Memorial and the Scots American War Memorial.
- Visit the Ross Fountain, a huge water feature which stands right in front of the castle, a perfect photo opportunity!
- From July to October, the Floral Clock is another highlight. A beautiful floral display which is also a fully functioning clock.
- There’s also a children’s play park and a choice of cafés and snack bars.
- The park holds an outdoor concert venue, the Ross Theatre or Bandstand. This hosts many large events including the Edinburgh International Festival Fireworks Concert and Hogmanay Concert.
