Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

A wonderful place to visit. We went during the winter light displays which was exceptional. Something that is accessible and memorable. There is an occasional slope and little walking bridge to navigate however I think many people of different levels of ability can visit. Really super for young children however there is plenty to engage the adults

So many different fauna and beautiful plots to explore! Didn't get the chance to view the glass greenhouse as it was cordened off, and we visited during the day so we didn't get to witness the Christmas lights in all of its glory, but it was great to walk through and admire. Perfect for couples and families as a day out.

This is a completely free, large botanical garden that runs completely on donations. Their map costs £2, and i highly recommend utilizing it. Most paths here are wheelchair safe, those that aren't are clearly marked. There is a lot of walking involved with some hills - nothing too strenuous. I had a lot of fun looking at all the plants. It is beautifully landscaped. Their staff has done an incredible job.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is an absolutely beautiful place to visit – peaceful, well-kept, and full of stunning plants from all over the world. It’s perfect for a family day out, a relaxing walk, or just to enjoy nature in the city. Accessibility is very well thought through. There is dedicated disabled parking available, and the accessible entrance makes it easy for everyone to enjoy the gardens without hassle. A really thoughtful touch is the free water refill stations provided by Scottish Water – great for staying refreshed while exploring. The glasshouses, seasonal displays, and variety of plants are truly impressive, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Highly recommended for both locals and visitors to Edinburgh!

The botanical garden's Christmas lights were truly an amazing experience. We were so excited to see the dazzling display, and it made for a wonderful evening. This location is an excellent choice for a festive outing. We highly recommend it as a delightful place to visit during the holiday season. It's a beautiful setting to enjoy the festive spirit.🤩🤩

A must-visit in Edinburgh — calm, green, and full of charm. Perfect if you enjoy nature, photography, or simply want a break from the busy city. Even though it’s within the city, it feels peaceful and spacious, making it a great stop for nature lovers.

Christmas lights at the botanics. Wonderful and evocative. The music was linked to the lights to create different atmospheres as you walk. Beautiful and different. Only criticism is the cost of food on site. To be honest though this is not unique and captive markets always elicit a big price hike. Would definitely recommend. Took 1h 30 mins to walk round the experience.

Went to see the Christmas lights display and it was fabulous. So colourful and bright with nice music the whole way round. All food and drink a tad overpriced but that was to be expected. Fresh crepes and donuts were delicious but the burger and garlic fries were not that nice at all... Overall fantastic experience, tasty sweet treats available but I'd recommend avoiding the savoury stuff.

I love a botanical garden and this one is very lovely indeed. We walked here from Deans Village, which was quite a nice green walk on it's own. Coming in from the outside, they ask that you wipe your feet off. I've never seen this but it seems to make sense. I love the idea of trying to protect what's there. The welcome center is large with seating and bathrooms. There is also a git shop/garden center and a café to eat at. I wanted to go to the greenhouses, but they were still closed while we were visiting. The different themed areas were delightful and I could have spent way more time in this garden than we did.

What a beautiful place. I loved the shoe washing at the entrance so that you didn't drag any invasive plants or weird dirt in. The gift shop was huge and had so many unique things. The grounds themselves were green and lush and full of every kind of plant you could imagine. The signage was great, you always knew exactly what you were looking at. We also had lunch at the cafeteria which was really good and reasonably priced

A gorgeous, large, and beautifully constructed botanical garden/arboretum in central city, easy to get to. Free admission! All sorts of pretty themed sections. Very nice restaurant and gift shop/plant store, reasonably priced.

Enjoyed a fabulous afternoon wandering the botanic gardens in Edinburgh. I used to go regularly a child on school trips etc and it was a really nice walk down memory lane to return. Loved the lily pond and had a nice pit stop at the cafe for a tea. My family particularly liked the allotment area where you could see student gardens. Well worth the visit!

Took family to the Christmas lights and it was spectacular and the mulled wine was the best I have ever tasted!!

Spectacular setting! No matter the weather, it's such a gorgeous place to take a stroll.

Love, love, love the Royal Botanical Garden. It's one of my favorite spots in the city. I always find my way here whenever I'm visiting because it really is a special place that honors all things nature. I genuinely love how it attracts people looking to find certain flora; and people looking to just find tech-free time with their family and friends. As of 2020, they were turning 350 years old! "Our vision is to nurture a world that increasingly values, protects, and benefits from plants," they say on their website and yes! That's exactly what they're doing here! Outside in the beautifully manicured landscape you'll find the Woodland Garden, a pond, a rock garden, the Chinese Hillside, a native plants collection, and more. The indoor glasshouses that showcase various climatic zones (home to over 3K exotic plants from all across Earth!), are NOT to be missed - I could hang out with the kois forever! Their dedication to conservation is admirable and inspiring; and, there are so many community events on here that include such a diverse range of topics. Be sure to check out their calendar! If we lived in Edinburgh, I have no doubts that we'd be attending things frequently to support The Botanics!

Absolutely a must-stop at the location while in Edinburgh. Be aware that their greenhouse is closed for a while - still worth it.

This was really great place went to the light show and wow what a great experience. The different displays in each section were really good and mesmerising. This is one of the best light shows i have been too. Can wait to see it in the day. The food here was also very nice. Would recommend visiting if nearby.

A gorgeous, peaceful oasis in Edinburgh. I went on a Monday, so it was not very busy. The gardens are immaculately maintained with a variety of flowers, plants, and trees. Horticulture is not really my thing, so I can't really describe what is truly unique, but there is more than 13,000 living species in the gardens. I was fascinated by the Monkey Puzzle Trees, which I don't think I've seen before. They would make for a very interesting Dr. Seuss like Christmas Tree. All I could think about when looking at them was that I want to decorate them with lights and ornaments. The other quite special area is the Queen Mother's Garden, which is design with a small English maze designed with interlocking E's. The inside of the Memorial is decorated with a pattern of seashells. And there are plants and flowers to represent the different continents. There is a beautiful rock garden, which I thought would be rock sculptures, but it was more rock formations which you could walk and explore. They also grow edibles here, and there is area is used to teach people to grow their own food. There is a lot to discover here. I wandered around for a few hours, and wish I had more time. The Edinburgh Botanic Gardens is worth a visit, and is definitely a top attraction in Edinburgh.

The Royal Botanic Gardens are well worth a visit. They've got plants from all over the world, from New Zealand to Japan to any other region you can think of. The grounds are all well kept, and it's easy to kill a few hours here. The best part is that access to the grounds is free of charge. There is a section that you can pay to go into (which is well worth it), but this is one must-see stop that won't break the bank.

Very nice walk around large tree and bushes. Lots of flowers. The specimens are fabulous. The walk is free. A map of the grounds is £1. To tour the several greenhouses has admission. If you like plants this is a must.

Very Covid safe activity and wonderful place to see. So many different trees, lichen, plants, and small habitats for squirrels and other small animals. I really enjoyed walking around with my friend since I'm unable to go indoors for long periods of time still, and she even had a chat with a squirrel while we were there that lasted at least a few minutes. Charming.

This place is stunning I highly recommend the Christmas at the botanics event, one word; magical.

Just beautiful. My wife, a gardener, and I, not a gardener, loved it. We drooled over the Japanese and alpine gardens the most - lots of cute little plants we wish we could grow without fuss in our own yard, along with a renewal of our excitement for creating a real rock-garden landscape. Free, though we recommend donating at least the suggested amount if you can afford it. Those monkey puzzle trees don't grow themselves! OK, maybe they do, but somebody's got to weed around 'em. Go there!

Amazing light show at Christmas time Make sure you buy tickets early and not at the weekend Smart tip - bring your own marshmallows and sticks

Very nice botanical garden park in the Warriston section of Edinburgh has a great variety of plants and gardens. Beautiful to come in late May to early June when the rhododendrons are in full bloom. They also have rock, alpine, forest and Chinese gardens along with the large green houses. General admission is free but to enter the green house is £6.50 which is worth it. A good place to come on a sunny day and recommended.

I recently joined the Botanic Lates and enjoyed this evening very much. The entry was about £14 and you could walk around the gardens, visit Innerleith House presenting part of the British Art Show, explore the west gate entrance restaurant part with a science exhibition including cancer research, robots, ceilidh and silent disco. There were Scottish brewed drinks and Beuccluth Scottish burgers and Scottish ice cream. Must say that the burgers were a bit overpriced for what you got :-( I was not able to explore the gardens yet, but I will be back!

Beautiful lights at christmastime , corona safe too. And ofc the plants are stunning as always :)

I enjoy a good park and Edinburgh has plenty... plenty... plenty! This one is more of a garden but it has loads of lawn area and one of the best views of Edinburgh, so I'll still consider this a park. This place is free and has a small exhibit of plants just before the entry way to the gardens. The garden is sectioned off based on the types of plants grown in the area and the design of the garden. A highlight of this place is the lawn overseeing an amazing view of Edinburgh. You can sit on the grass and have a picnic while overlooking the castle and the city's many iconic skyscrapers. If you feel like trekking along, the garden has a Victorian glass house filled with different tropical flowers and plants. There is an entry fee of £5 if you want to see the whole thing. Otherwise the front part of the glass house is free. This place will excite any person into plants, but this is also a great place to take a stroll if you want some peace and quiet or a place to think and reflect. It's not that far from city centre so it's really an awesome place to escape the hustle and bustle of it all to recharge. The garden has various special events so check their website for the "happenings". If you need to take a "breather," this place is a great place to chill before facing that great big busy world again!

A unique place close to the Stockbridge area, well worth checking out if you're nearby. Free entry to the gardens, but you'll need to pay a small fee if you want to see the glasshouses- 10 in total that are definitely worth going through. They're super lush and peaceful and have plants and trees you wouldn't normally see in Scotland. A great place to explore, apparently it's the largest rhododendron collection in the world and which is pretty cool to note. There's a cafe on site which has an array of food and snacks. Always worth keeping an eye out for any events happening, especially on a weekend either at the gardens or the Inverleith Park adjacent to the gardens. Well worth taking the time out to explore!

This was the perfect first stop on my most recent trip to Edinburgh, especially considering the sun was out & the temperature outside was perfect. The gardens are located a very quick taxi ride 5-15 minutes from hotels in the city center, Royal Mile, or Old Town areas, depending on traffic. It's the perfect green oasis to kill a few hours and breathe some fresh air in a beautiful setting. Admission is free, with a separate charge to visit the glasshouses. I did visit the glasshouses, and while they weren't expensive for the 6 GBP or so admission fee it took to visit, I wasn't overly impressed with them as they didn't offer anything special which I hadn't already seen at other garden attractions I've been to (this comes from the perspective of a spoiled person who has visited some really great garden locations worldwide). Overall, I recommend a visit to anyone visiting Edinburgh, as the grounds can be covered in 45 minutes at a steady pace, but I recommend a leisurely stroll allowing at least 90 minutes if not a few hours, especially if the weather is nice.

Other than Edinburgh Castle, if there is another must-see it is the Gardens. When I visited Malaysia I thought I had seen every flower in the Universe --- until I came here. You'll need to make sure your camera is fully-charged as there is no shortage of beautiful flowers from all over the world. Both the grounds and the glasshouses are immaculate. Breathtaking place.

Love walking around the gardens. Such a beautiful place in Edinburgh to go for a wander. Lots of lovely trees, flowers, herbs and squirrels! When we went there was apple tasting in a tent and we got to taste lots of different types of apples and vote on our favourite. No matter the weather, it's always worth a trip to the botanics.

I feel obliged to write a little love note to the gift shop/nursery separately. If you're seeking a review on the gardens or glasshouses in detail, see below. Summary: show tune level amazing and awkward fairytale twirling. Got it? Perfect, moving on... I have to give a shimmy hug and a tip of the hat to the nursery here. I do not have a green thumb but luckily, my neighbour is an amazing gardener and she's been keeping my outdoor plants alive. I take much more pleasure in purchasing greenery, knowing they'll survive longer than a week. It inspired me to actually try to keep plants IN the house, so long as they 1. can survive cats and 2. require absolutely no attention. So with said mission, I set off this week to the two florists in Stockbridge that sell indoor plants and with Waitrose in my back pocket as a last ditch effort. The Botanics didn't make the list on the first round, as I thought they'd be too expensive. Long rant, short: the florists were unhelpful, the selection was teeny tiny and in some cases, the plants looked as though they had been in a fist fight. Even bruised and battered, they were coming up in the £6 mark for a small pot. Waitrose wasn't much better, so at the last moment I thought, budget be damned and headed for the Botanic Gardens shop. Jackpot!! Ok people, listen up: not only are the staff here uber cheerful and insanely knowledgeable (they helped me navigate the feline monster issue as best they could), but the plants are so well taken care of, the selection is amazing and IT WAS CHEAPER THAN WAITROSE. I picked up two beautiful ferns for £5 a pop... a good £1.50 under what the same type of plant had been at the other locations. I have learned my lesson and let's be honest, the cats will have eaten those two within two weeks, so in my quest to find houseplants that survive, the Royal Botanic Garden shop will be my ground zero.

Beautiful gardens. Perfect way to get some fresh air/kill a few hours in the great outdoors. Each visit is different & if like me you don't have your own garden, this place is perfect. Some of the things apart from having a lovely walk/admiring the plants & flowers that you can do: Search for the fairy doors in the fairy garden; Play pooh sticks on the bridge; Spot the biggest fish in the glasshouses; Feed the squirrels; Find conkers; Puddle jumping (works best if you are with kids otherwise you just look weird - just saying ;)) The cafe is excellent. Great selection of sandwiches, hot dishes, cakes & fab ice cream when the weather is warm

If you have more than a day or two in Edinburgh, then this is a must-see. Oddly enough, I first visited the Royal Botanic Gardens in the winter. I was nearby, was looking for a nice place to walk and had already had enough tea in the day to start growing leaves out my ears. Now I have been visiting the gardens for about 6 or 7 months and have had the chance to watch things come to life. It's amazing! I know it's science and it can be easily explained, but I'm still in wonder of the growth of plants and how they change through the seasons. This has helped me gain a higher appreciation of visiting the RBG. Every time I visit, I find a new favourite part of the gardens, and I always seem to discover something new. There are two cafes and a really nice shop at the gardens. Also, there are occasional art exhibitions. If you're visiting Edinburgh, this should be your next stop. If you live here, then you should be ashamed of yourself and get here ASAP... it's kind of like saying you haven't watched The Wizard of Oz.... except real life flowers are more amazing than Technicolor... ok, so now I'm off topic.

I've been in Edinburgh for just over 6 years, and somehow today was my first ever visit to the botanic gardens. I joined a friend to visit on doors open day, so we got to see the library and the herbarium which is not usually open to visitors. The library was really interesting with books dating back to the 1500s, I'd love to get a chance to see them on display. The gardens themselves were beautiful, the sun was shining and it was a perfect Indian Summer Edinburgh day. We wandered around the art exhibition, the Chinese Garden, saw the (sadly currently drained) pond, and sat in the sun watching the world go by enjoying juice from the cafe at the East Gate. (Hint, there wasn't a queue there, the queue at the other cafe was huge!). I can't believe I haven't been before, and after spending hours there today and still not seeing everything I'll definitely be back!

A lovely place with big diversity of plant species. Did not make it through the Glasshouses, unfortunately (which I've heard is one of the best features - hopefully next time). Entrance to the overall gardens is free but you do have to pay for entering the Glasshouses. Definitely recommend checking out the Crevice and Alpine Gardens - never seen anything like it in other botanical gardens.

So much bigger than the Glasgow botanics! This is a gorgeous park with lots of extra special areas like the huge collection of Chinese plants, a bridge, herb gardens and the awesome glasshouses! There are 10 in total and they're so fun to walk around, there are some really unique plants there! You have to pay a fiver to go in the glasshouses which is why I can't give it 5 stars as I thought that was a bit steep, but otherwise it's just gorgeous. Absolutely recommend for an afternoon in Edinburgh.

My husband was a little iffy on taking the bus out to the RBG and spending several hours of our precious little time in Edinburgh in the gardens....and even he remarked at how nice it was. Getting there was easy to figure out and they are huge, nice, free gardens. I've become a bit obsessed with succulents, so we paid to go into the (extensive) glasshouses, which I thoroughly enjoyed...even though they aren't heavy on succulents (one main succulent glasshouse). We popped into the café for a small lunch bite and not too long afterward it started raining...so we decided it was a good time to go. 3+ hours there was probably perfect for him. Lots of things to point your camera at in the gardens, if you are into such things. I would definitely recommend it to tourists or locals.

Stunning greenhouses showcasing numerous climates, easy to navigate, great signage. Good cafe. Very well done at a reasonable cost!

I went to the light show and I have to say I was a bit disappointed. The lines to get in were crazy long even though I had a timed ticket to enter. There were so many people walking around to get to the next stop I couldn't see any of the projected images as unless you're in the front you won't see them. I didn't get a chance to go during the day and enjoy the flowers or gardens bc at night just the trees are lit and they have projections. I wish they did more than just up light the trees. I think I will have to come back during the day during my next visit.

It should come as no surprise that the Gardens are receiving 5 stars from this horticultural geek/permanent tourist! To me, the RBGE is definitely on the list of must-see locations in Edinburgh, no matter if you're just visiting, or a long-established native. This really is such a lovely botanical garden and should not be missed out on, as there's something to see no matter what season takes you. I visited the Gardens first in August (Fringe season) several years ago while on my first foray into Scotland. Naturally, I was dazzled. Not only is the RBGE a sprawling affair, it's full of fantastically displayed plant-life, a gorgeously ornate glasshouse (that you can enter for a fee), a wee sea-shell house with a small maze outside, and then some. There's plants of all shapes and kinds, anything from the smallest alpine to the biggest gunnera, monkey puzzle tree, or oak. There's something for all ages here, and its paths are wide and easily accessible, leaving one to wander all day if they so desired. If you're hungry or thirsty there's a wee cafe close by the east gate by Inverleith, and I believe there's a restaurant further in, although I only made it as far as the ice cream stand nearby during my latest visit. :) Best of all: it's FREE! This sort of thing still blows my American mind. So, yeah. It's hard for me to find quarrel with something that's so lovely, except maybe the fact that every time I'm there I want to stay for hours documenting each and every plant and taking far, far too many dorky photos. Summary: a must-visit location in Edinburgh!

Beautiful. I was naive to think that The Botanics was a park and surprised when so many people were shocked that I hadn't gotten round to visiting just yet. Now I know why. The Botanics is sublime and the perfect place to go on a bright, spring day; book in hand. There are no 'Keep off the grass' signs here. - You are free to roam and explore and pull up a blanket, armed with a picnic. Being in the Botanics is a calming, enriching experience. The plants and flowers are stunning and the huge amount of work that goes into maintaining the garden is evident. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

What a great break from the bustle of touring Edinburgh. Rhododendrons are the thing at the Botanic, and they were in full flower when we visited in mid-April. Apparently the rhodies have some sort of blight and the Botanic is taking steps to deal with it, but some of them look a bit bedraggled. The coffee shop provided a needed shot of mid-afternoon caffeine.

I went here back in July, and the garden was beautiful. Everything is very well kept, and the garden is large enough to spend quite a few hours there. The tour was a few pounds, and it was well worth it. There were only five people on the tour, and it lasted almost two hours because the tour guide was great and kept pointing out new plants for us to look at and new parts of the garden.

I'd never been to the Edinburgh Botanics before but figured they would be a good spot to enjoy the nice weather and get some good photos. We opted to walk it from the train station which, with the help of good old google maps wasn't too bad, although we would have been quicker if we hadn't stopped to take photos enroute. The gardens themselves are a fair size with several nice areas including a terrace cafe and walled garden. Access is free although its £5 to enter the glasshouses which was well worth it for us as we spent several hours snapping some unusual plants and flowers. A word of warning though the glasshouses are hot and humid as the climate reflects the plants natural environment. Definitely a nice spot for a wander and some photos on a summer day!

I've lived in Edinburgh for 8 years and shamefully had never before been to the Botanics. But on a gloriously sunny long weekend my boyfriend and I headed down for a wander. Now, in my head it would be more like Glasgow's Botanics and we'd find a spot to sit and read - but it didn't feel quite right doing that here so instead we did a full circuit, admiring the beautiful botany and fabulous flowers. I was really pleasantly surprised by how lovely it all is (especially in the sun). Feeling a bit hungry we stopped by one of the cafes for a coffee and a cake and yep, it was on the more expensive side for what you got. Plus, chocolate melts... We missed out on the various greenhouses, as you have to pay to get in (and it's not especially cheap, from memory entrance was about a fiver), but otherwise had a great time - no doubt helped by the weather!

You get two types of public gardens - landscaped garden focusing on general shape and form and spectacular floral displays. This particular garden is more the former than the latter - more Capability Brown than Alan Titchmarsh. The paths offer easy access round the gardens, but if you really want to enjoy them let the things that catch your eye guide you not the path set out for you. Upon leaving the main paths everything gets a bit more tranquil and you can be a bit more alone with your thoughts and a part of the garden around you. These gardens are designed to draw you in and only once you are within them and surrounded by them can you truly appreciate them. In addition, there are some fabulous secluded spots, some with hidden away benches, off the main path. It's free to get into the park so well worth a visit and on entry a map can be bought for 50p. Points of interest include the Herbaceous Border, Rock Garden and the Pond. That said, don't just head straight for these, just go in the general direction else you won't take it all in. The greenhouses are also on offer and you will have to pay to get in - personally I don't think its worth it, but if you're interested it may be worth a peek. In general the base opening hours are 10am till 4pm through the week, but longer in summer (closes at 7pm at peak of summer - check website for when it is open for longer).

The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh is one of the world's oldest, and the second oldest in Britain after Oxford. It is a fabulous place to visit to unwind, and the famous rock garden is sublimely beautiful. History Founded originally as a physic garden (to grow medicinal plants) in 1670, it has moved twice; first in 1763 to Leith, and in 1820 to its present location on Inverleith Row. Three additional sites across Scotland have since been added at Benmore (1929), Logan (1969) and Dawyck (1978). As well as being a major botanic garden with some 15,000 living species, the site at Inverleith Row houses extensive research facilities and a substantial botanical research library, as well as a large herbarium of some 3 million dried specimens. The garden The main garden on Inveleith Row also known as 'the Botanics' comprises 70 acres of landscaped gardens and an arboretum, a mile north of the city centre. There are three glasshouses open to the public: the original Tropical Palm House, opened in 1834; the beautiful and impressive Temperate Palm House, opened as an extension in 1862, and 70ft (22m) high; and the striking and large modern glasshouse, opened in the 1960s and, at the time, one of the most innovative designs of its type. Of the gardens, the top attraction is undoubtedly the famous Rock Garden, which grows alpine plants in a hill-top setting with rocks, an extensive network of paths, a waterfall and a stream. It is beautifully landscaped and, with around 5,000 plant species, regarded by many as the best of its type in the world. Also impressive is the herbaceous border, which is 165m long and is backed by a beech hedge which is made up of 150 individual trees, now over 100 years old. A newer addition was the Chinese Hillside, created in 1993 and opened formally by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997. Its collection of 16,000 indigenous Chinese plants is the largest outside China. Finally, reflecting its location, there is a Scottish Heath Garden with a wide range of heathers in a naturalistic setting. The site also includes a small privately operated art gallery (in Inverleith House). Practicalities Entrance is free to the gardens: there is a charge for the glasshouses. There are entrances on Inverleith Row (East Gate) and Arboretum Row (West Gate). The main public buildings are now contained in the new John Hope Gateway centre by the West Gate. This includes areas for displays and exhibitions, an excellent botanical shop and plant sales area, toilets, a restaurant and information centre. There is a coffee bar at the East Gate and the Terrace café in the centre of the gardens, which provides excellent views. Buses 8, 23 and 27 stop close to the East Gate on Inverleith Row. Car parking is limited to metered on-street parking around the site, but there are dedicated disabled parking bays at the John Hope Gateway (West Gate) on Arboretum Place. All buildings and major areas of the Garden are accessible to wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are available for loan at the Garden entrances and a self-driven electric cart is available by prior appointment. Both the John Hope Gateway and Terrace Café have disabled toilets. Dogs are not allowed, except for Guide Dogs.

An Edinburgh institution, the botanic gardens, or "Royal Botanic Garden" to put it properly, are a well preserved and conserved area of greenery and natural joy for the people of Edinburgh to appreciate plants, bushes, shrubbery, foliage, flowers and just natural life in general. Although Edinburgh is fairly small as cities go, it's still got all the traffic ridden, congested, busy features that city centres have, so it's pretty amazing that you can stroll into this world of glorious nature in no time from the centre of town. If you just want a bit of chill time, or a quiet walk and a banter with a friend, or you feel like you want to up your nature knowledge and have a peek round at what the earth can actually manage to grow, definitely get yourself down here.

I love this place, and I don't go enough! It's just on that other side of the city from me, that isn't really far at all, but feels like it to me. It's a really lovely place to go for a walk, and to bring visitors to. When I did support work this was a great place to bring the service users, as it's so spacious and relaxing, with lots of beautiful plants and trees, and many squirrels. There are good facilities here with a cafe on one side of the Botanics and a restaurant on the other, with a shop, exhibition area, and toilets. The Botanics seems to be a popular place for weddings too and I've seen lots of well dressed people wandering through. Writing this makes me want to go there again soon!

The Royal Botanical Gardens are great for a free day out in the sun. The Gardens are huge and there is lots to see. The fact that it is free makes it far more appealing. I love the greenhouse and like to pretend I am in the jungle when walking through. There is a huge pond full of ducks and other duck like birds floating around which is nice to sit and watch. There is a rock garden, Chinese garden, herb garden and lots of random parts where you don't really know what is going on. Its hard not to appreciate the sheer beauty of all the gorgeous plants and flowers, and the fact you are in the middle of a city makes it even more spectacular. I used to live near here and we would occasionally go for a walk here in the winter. A lot quieter but still very beautiful with all the frost and snow. Great for a day out with the kids or just for a relaxing walk. Take a picnic though because the cafe is overpriced and disappointing.

There is something special about being able to step into a building from a busy, bustling and noisy city center - and be transported to a quiet, alive and organic rainforest of plants, trees and flowers. The Royal Botanic Garden is one such way that you can experience this feeling - the gardens, located in the city center are huge, spread out across a massive piece of land, and both indoors in a huge green house, and out in the gardens outside. The Garden is particularly pleasent in the summer, where the sun shines, the flowers bloom and generally you will feel one with nature. There is nothing better than spending a lazy day here, just wandering about admiring the plants and watching the world go by.

If you're looking for a free, child friendly and central activity on a sunny day in Edinburgh the Botanics are a great option. The grounds are very well kept, with lots of beautifully designed little areas, all hosting a wonderful selection of flowers. There are greenhouses (at least one of which is free to enter) alongside water features, pagodas, rock gardens and ponds. The most lovely aspect of the Botanical Gardens is how child friendly it is. Everywhere you go there are children running around, playing, learning and just having a brilliant time. The space is vast and safe, so parents can let their little ones run loose with comfort. Despite the masses of happy and excited children there are also plenty of quite spaces to sit and relax. I can imagine an author going to one of the magnificent benches to write, or a student to study, for example, so the space is very varied in that sense. The best part of it all is that it doesn't cost you a penny and, unlike many free attractions, the whole place is kept to a really high standard. Definitely worth a visit! Handy tip- they do host weddings here as well, so if you're looking for a beautiful spot, go and check it out!

A lovely green space to relax, learn and meditate!!!

Beautiful gardens for going for a walk to enjoy looking at all the different types of plants. They have plants from all over the world and lots of interesting displays of them. The glass houses cost £5 to enter and are really interesting and I love the carnivorous plant displays. The gardens is not a park and they have rules about not allowing dogs, balls, bikes or running, head to Inverleith Park next door for those things. They used to not allow picnics on the grass but now they seem to be ok with them. The gift shop is a great place to pick up things for gardeners and nature lovers with some unusual gifts and plants. Recently they have started holding more events in the evenings in the gardens and Gateway center and they hold courses in horticulture and related fields. The occasionally close due to high winds (and the risk of branches falling) but they publicise this on both facebook and twitter if this is the case.

This place is HUGE and gorgeous and educational and refreshing. Wow, I'm so glad my husband and I had an amazing sunny and warm day to visit this spot during our honeymoon in late September. Really, the weather couldn't have been more perfect. We witnessed some spectacular flowers and plants that we'd never seen in America and took such a relaxing stroll through the gardens. There were so many young parents with babies relaxing on the lawns. We came in the main entrance and left on the complete opposite side. TIP: Free restrooms! I also got to hug a giant tree. :)

The Royal Botanical Gardens are truly stunning. They are beautifully laid out and easy to navagate. There's lot of wildlife to see (and hear!) and the waterfall is a firm favourite with my children. Even my boys (13 & 11) pester us about a trip to the Gardens. The hothouse is lovely but is now charged for. Understandable but I'd rather a donation system was in place.