Edinburgh Green Spaces – Close to Central Area
Edinburgh has 144 parks, making up almost half of the city. Phd student Ita (literally) walks us round some of these green spaces!
Studying can at times be hard, even when you are very passionate about and enthralled by your subject. The brain, just like any other part of your body, occasionally needs a rest. Fortunately, there are plenty of ‘green-getaways’ near the Central Area (around George Square Gardens), spots where you can enjoy a coffee or lunch in nature, where you can take a leisurely stroll and admire beautiful blossoms, where you can just relax, even if only for a moment. You can also find places Ita visited a little further from the Central Area in her blog, ‘Green Spaces – ‘In and Around’ Edinburgh’.
The Meadows and Bruntsfield Links
The Meadows are very conveniently located just outside the Main Library, so whether you are stuck inside for a long study session or have just finished a lecture, seminar or tutorial somewhere around George Square, you can take a break (even a very short one) and relax for a bit in nature. Moreover, there are plenty of little cafes and food/coffee vans on and around the Meadows, so it is easy to grab a little pick-me-up. Just be prepared, that the Meadows can be quite crowded in fine weather and especially during the cherry blossom season.
A few steps further (actually on the other side of Melville Drive) and you will reach Bruntsfield Links. I usually think of it as an ‘extension’ of the Meadows. It is another, perhaps somewhat less busy, spot where you can enjoy some lunch and there are plenty of options to choose from – multiple cafes and bistros along Leven Street and Bruntsfield Place.
Holyrood Park
Just a bit further away from the Central Area (but still within 15-20 min walking distance) is Holyrood Park. There you can enjoy a hike up the various hills (Arthur’s Seat being just one of them), visit the ruins of St Anthony’s Chapel, admire swans at St Margaret’s Loch, or have a picnic at the parade ground near Holyrood Abbey and the Scottish Parliament. Plus, you might be lucky enough to spot some pheasants when strolling around the park.
 Cherry blossoms at the Meadows. |
 St Margaret’s Loch and St Anthony’s Chapel in Holyrood Park. |
 Rhododendrons in Princes Streat gardens East. |
Princes Street Gardens
Again, a little bit further than the Meadows, but still close-by (and if you are by chance visiting/studying at the New College, then they are literally on its doorstep). Located in the very heart of the city centre, Princes Street Gardens (East and West) offer a nice opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some beautiful blossoms all year round. Additionally, you can also admire the castle and occasionally enjoy some live-music. Plus, if it suddenly begins to rain, you can hide inside the National Gallery and enjoy beautiful paintings instead.
The Grange and Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemeteries
Cherry blossoms at the Grange Cemetery.
Also, on the ‘doorstep’ of the Central Area, two of my favourite little spots.
The Grange Cemetery is located just 10-15 min walk away from the Main Library and is a good choice if you are looking for some quite place where you can still enjoy some nature, but perhaps in a quieter way, plus, after you have recharged, if you follow Marchmont Road back to the Central Area, you will find plenty of local, quaint places where you can grab lunch.
Greyfriars Kirkyard, on the other hand, is quite popular with tourists and locals alike, but you can still find some peace and quite there as, everywhere else, there are ‘off-peak’ hours. It is a small, old cemetery which also has a little herb garden and there are lunchtime concerts in the church, so if you like music you might want to drop by. Additionally, it also offers a nice way of reaching the Grassmarket where you can find plenty of bistros, cafes, pubs, and shops. Again, quite a touristy area but still with a certain old-town charm to it.
These are just a few green spaces near to the Central Area. For more photos visit the HCA Instagram Profile where you will find a whole series of post on different green spaces in Edinburgh. I hope you enjoyed the blog. In the next post I will be sharing some of my favourite ‘green-getaways’ that are a bit further away from the Central Area – perfect for when you feel a bit more adventurous (or simply want a break from University).
See the places Ita visited on a map
Disclaimer
University of Edinburgh Student Ambassadors are financially compensated to tell their stories.
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