"Edinburgh might be famous for its medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town, but it’s also home to a clutch of village-style enclaves on its fringes. One of these is picture-postcard Stockbridge, just down the cobbled hill from the New Town and close to the Botanical Gardens. A small river, the Water of Leith, runs through it and it’s peppered with delis, cafes and one cosy boutique hotel. The Raeburn is a 19th-century listed mansion with just 10 bedrooms; think wooden floors, roll-top tubs and a smattering of tartan. There’s a bar and restaurant but there’s no shortage of gourmet eateries on the doorstep. Ideal for those who prefer to dip into the city centre – but bed down in a quieter, quainter quarter. " - Lucy Gillmore