Best parks in Edinburgh

Whether you’re planning an afternoon date, looking for places to walk the dog or thinking of ways to occupy the kids, the best parks in Edinburgh aren’t hard to find. After all, the city itself is steeped in history, meaning there are plenty of historical gardens and green areas to explore without having to go too far. You can also find several country parks and memorable walks in the surrounding countryside of West Lothian and Midlothian, making Edinburgh a rare gem of a city for nature enthusiasts.

Inverleith Park

With 54 acres of green space, Inverleith Park is easily one of Edinburgh’s largest public parks. It is free to enter and allows dogs, making it perfect for your daily dog walk or a morning jog before work. The area also serves as a venue for events throughout the year, making it an ever-changing location to treat the kids to a free trip out every so often. From sports facilities to garden allotments, Inverleith is designed to serve the city in as many ways as possible, and it could easily end up as a staple of anyone’s day-to-day Edinburgh life. 

Figgate Park

Located next to Portobello beach, Figgate Park mixes brisk sea air with a pleasant country park designed for walking, running and birdwatching. For parents with kids, the area is home to a play park in a nook to the north, and the pond is home to swans and the occasional bevy of otters, depending on the time of the year. Edinburgh’s Portobello parkrun is also hosted in Figgate, making it great for getting out and being active on a Saturday and making friends in the community.

Seven Hills Viewpoint

While it’s technically part of the Hermitage of Braid, the Seven Hills hike is an activity worthy of its own category. With nearly 17 miles of trails, the trek takes just under a full day to complete, take you through an incredible viewpoint showing a vista of the city and its hills. If you want a true Edinburgh experience and you’re willing to challenge yourself to the hike, this trail is well worth exploring - just make sure to take proper gear!

Holyrood Park

Perhaps one of the most iconic landmarks of Edinburgh, Holyrood Park is home to the crags of Arthur’s Seat, making it a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. This green space is a slice of the wild beauty that Scotland is known for. Whether you’re climbing to the overlook or staying in the Hunter’s Bog valley, the park is worth a visit for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike. The area also has plenty of ruins for the kids to discover and explore, making it worthwhile even if you don’t fancy the leg burn of climbing to the viewpoint.  

Roslin Glen Country Park

Located in Midlothian, this country park is the perfect place to escape for the day if you want to cut yourself off from the world. With little to no phone signal down in the gorge, simply take in the natural beauty of Roslin Glen around you, as you walk through clear woodland and along riverside paths. You can also take this opportunity to visit Rosslyn Chapel, which found new fame after being included in the bestselling book The Da Vinci Code.

Beecraigs Country Park

A huge country park (913 acres) located in West Lothian, Beecraigs Country Park has a lot to offer, making it a great destination for an entire day out with the family or by yourself. You can spend the day walking through the woods, take your mountain bike on the many trails and dedicated skills area or even decide to stay longer at the caravan and camping site. And if you’re feeling a little bit more adventurous, you can practice target archery and field archery with the Beecraigs Archers.

The Royal Botanic Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh are a must visit for any nature enthusiast, where you will be able to visit the imposing Arboretum or their Scottish Heath and rock gardens. While the Botanic Gardens don’t accept dogs on-site, the area is a great learning experience for children and can be a very peaceful place to wind down. If you live in the area and wander the gardens regularly, you can even choose to become a member and reap some exclusive benefits during your visits.

Starbank Park

Situated in the north part of Edinburgh and close to being derelict in 2013, this beautiful garden was restored over the years by the Friends of Starbank Park community group. Thousands of trees, herbs, shrubs and other plants have since been planted, now producing a stunning display of colours all year round thanks to the annual beds located throughout. Starbank Park also overlooks the nearby bay, making it a great place to just sit and watch ships and yachts sail pass on a sunny day.

Hermitage of Braid

Tucked away to the south of Edinburgh, the Hermitage of Braid is a cosy green space hiding the 18th century house that named it. As a nature reserve, the area is great for birdwatchers and eco enthusiasts looking for Scotland’s wildlife, including toads, little grebes, buzzards, wood mice and even swans. The park asks that you keep dogs on a lead but if your pup is under control, you’re free to walk them through the woodland and wetland of Blackford Hill and the Hermitage. See how many animals you can spot from the reserve checklist – and if you visit often enough, you may be able to see them all!

Princes Street Gardens

Located just behind Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens are the perfect place to enjoy the old town and its architecture. When the Nor Loch was drained in the early 1800s, the gardens became a public green space popular for meetups, dates and walks, and they remain well maintained to this day. Walk through the park as part of your commute, take your partner out for a stroll or treat the kids to a trip to the Christmas market held on-site when the colder months come knocking: the choice is yours!

Saughton Park & Gardens

Saughton Park & Gardens is a golf course-turned-country park in the west side of Edinburgh. With beautiful gardens, an outdoor gym and a play park for the kids, this one is perfect for the day-to-day needs of an outdoorsy family. The area even has a skate park for teens and a rose garden with a pagoda to enjoy. If your concerns are with everyday activities rather than hiking the Seven Hills or viewing Edinburgh from Arthur’s Seat, Saughton Park is the perfect location to relax. 

Portobello Beach

While not technically a park, as a dog-friendly beach, Portobello is great for dog walkers who want a sea view, be it morning, noon or night, and we felt the need to include it regardless. It’s home to two playgrounds, making it a great place to keep the little ones occupied all year round. Therefore, take a day trip to sit down and watch the tides in the summer or enjoy the quieter season with a beach-long stroll in winter. And when the weather is warmer, take the kids out to build sandcastles or let your pup play in the waves while you kick back at one of the seaside cafes and enjoy a coffee. 

The Meadows

If you’re looking for the best play parks in Edinburgh, The Meadows is a great place to let the kids run wild for a while. With two playgrounds on either side of the park and plenty of open space in between, you’ll be free to wander with them or sit and watch them play from one of many available park benches. The area also has a fantastic view of Arthur’s Seat, and if you’re interested in sports, the park provides tennis courts and football fields to make use of. 

Dalkeith Country Park

Dalkeith Country Park is a little further out from the city in Midlothian, but it makes up for it by hosting plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy. From an on-site Go Ape course to a full adventure playground, Dalkeith is the perfect place to spend a Saturday with the kids. While it’s one of the play parks in Edinburgh that you do need to pay to access, the adventure playground is great to use as a treat on a half term or during the summer holidays.

Victoria Park

Located in the Trinity area of Edinburgh, Victoria Park has two play areas of different sizes depending on how old the children are: a smaller one for toddlers and a bigger one for the older kids. There is also a large amount of green space for any outdoor activity you can think of, including a large circular path where you can take your bicycle for a spin. If that wasn’t enough, you can find a tennis court and bowling greens on either side of the south part of the park.

In love with Edinburgh’s wild and historic landscape after browsing through this list? We certainly wouldn’t blame you. And if you’re thinking of moving to Scotland’s ancient capital, why not check out our new build homes in Edinburgh to see if you can make it your new home?

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